+1, besides the zx14 and busa weigh a lot more than the 1krr.

My brother has an 06 cbr1000rr, and I of course have the 600. I can only give you my opinion, so here it is.

Between the two bikes, I would say his is quite a bit more comfortable than mine. It's wider, weighs just a tad more, but still handles wonderful. Then again, a 600 is more than enough for me right now, and I enjoy it immensely.

Sorry I will post more later, have to go....

 

FWIW... After riding my dad's 2000 ST1100, my CBR feels like a 10-speed witha rocket engine. I know there are guys that can do amazing things with the ST, but it's nothing like the CBR in terms of acceleration and nimbleness. In addition to the comfort issue, you might find the CBR a bit too spazzy for your liking.

 

 

I can offer 2 similar perspectives.

First, my buddy. He's 59, owns a Goldwing and recently traded in an 06 Interceptor for an 06 CBR1000. Former paratrooper in good shape and a skilled rider with track experience. We regularly ride a local twisty route, a 200 mile loop. He rode the Interceptor for about a year and test rode another buddy's CBR1000; fell in love with it. He made the advanced group at a track day with the Interceptor, outcornering many lighter track bikes, but couldn't hang with crowd on the straights. He's about 6'3" and can sustain the "fetal position" on our rides without too much discomfort; nowhere near the degree that would outweigh his newfound CBR enjoyment. The Interceptor was clearly more comfortable for him, but his view on the CBR 1000 has made the Interceptor a fond, but distant memory, however he's absolutely certain it was a good idea to get a year's saddle time on the Interceptor.We video a lot of rides and it appears he's instantly added about 5mph in 30mph curves; maintaining an~80% safe riding envelope. He's developing a more aggressive riding posture, hanging off and about to touch down his firstknee puck. He loves the CBR 1000.

I've been riding ~40 years. I do distance trips on my ST1300, which I consider to be very good compromise between 500+ mile days (most done in one day was 900 miles)to get to the good stuff and a bike that's still fun when you get there. Owned two Interceptors, the most recent an 06. The Interceptor is a great bike, very capable and very stable in fast corners. There is a significant difference between the ST1300 and the Interceptor (~150lbs) and much better handling. VTEC is controversial, but my 06 experience was good, with mid-corner VTEC transitions smooth and never upsetting the chassis. The Interceptor is is good enough (compared to other RR bikes ON THE STREET) that the practical difference --more often than not -- is distinguished by the rider, IMO. I haven't seen too many riders that can out-street-ride an Interceptor.

These perspectives emphasize handling and cornering. Power differences, from our perspective, don't make much difference in the twisties on the streets, at least power quantity. Power quality is another story.

I recently traded in my 06 Interceptor for an 08 CBR 1000. It's~115 lbs lighter than the Interceptor. Power delivery (quality) is significantly better with the smoothest mid-range roll-on I've ever experienced. Off-on throttle abruptness (a ding on the Interceptor) is virtually gone. Agility (largely, I suspect,due to mass close to the bike's roll axis) is phenomenal. The Interceptor required a deliberatecorner entry, the CBR1000 feels "synaptic". The Interceptor is forgiving. The CBR1000 demands respect.

I think your decision should considerwhere you are and where you want to go with riding abilities. If you're starting to outride an ST1300, I think an Interceptor is a good idea. If you're way beyond the ST's abilities or start out-riding an Interceptoror on a quest to develop advanced riding skills, then go for the CBR1000. In the context of other RR bikes, it's relatively friendly.

Most important is, if you're on a skill quest, study and get track instruction. Don't let enthusiasm and a desire to chase the fast guys with the wrong hardware lead to regret and please forgive me if I'm being presumptuous.

 

I'm not positive but fairly certain the Interceptor doesn't come with bags (that pic shows after market bags) but it has much easier to find (way more options) after market "hard" luggage compared to the cbr 1000.

Well, I was going to answer before forum went down again but Bucardo summed it up rather nice and succinctly. As he mentioned, and since you've mentioned comfort numerous times, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised what the Interceptor is capable of as compared with the ST while still giving you more comfort than the 1000 ... since you go through many bikes, consider it like a mid step from your ST to the 1000 without jumping feet first into spotsbikes. Worst case scenario; you hate it and sell it and know the 1000 won't be for you if the Inteceptor isn't what you expected. Best case scenario; you love it, get accustomed to it and crave more so you sell it and go for the cbr 600 or 1000.

 

I just moved to an '08 CBR1000RR from an '05 F4i. I think the F4i is less comfortable than the bikes you mention, and it did take some getting used to at first. It initially caused some pain in my hands and arms - but it didn't take long and all of that went away.

Switching to the '08 1K, I'm going through that all over again. Compared to the F4i, you do take more loads on your hands and arms from braking and downshifting, and in general, you bear more weight on your hands. It causes a little pain, but I know that my body will adjust, and the ride makes it well worth it to me.

The question is: How bad do you want it? If you are willing to ride the bike through the pain to get used to it, then no problem. If you expect anything else, then you are wasting your time. It's a lot like lifting weights. Those first few workouts after a long layoff make you sore as hell. Push through those and then it you don't get sore at all.....