Blackbird turns in quicker than a CBR1000rr!!??
 

As a long time CBRxx owner who only recently bought a CBR1000rr, I have an odd observation. Just took a nice ride through the twisties on my 04 Repsol 1K, then jumped off of it and back on my 00 CBR1100xx. Other than the high bars and substantial weight, I immediately noticed how much quicker the xx turns in to corners than I do on the rr. I am no racer, just an average road rider, but why would the long wheel based, heavy, and softly suspended xx feel easier to corner to me than the harder edged, shorter wheel based full on sport bike? I am sure a better rider wouldnt feel like it? I guess what I am saying is that Honda surely did a lot right when they designed our Blackbirds!

I think you are so much more used to the xx and know what it will and wont do where you are not as comfortable on the RR. Same thing happened to me when I went from my F4i to RR. Though the RR was awful in the corners but that is cause I didn't know the bike or what it's tendencies were so I taking it easier. Now that I have a lot more seat time I would say it's a different story. Get some more seat time on the RR then redo the test and see if the outcome is the same.

I am sure it is just me. I have put over 10,000 mles on the xx and I know how it will respond to any given situation. I am still learning the rr, and it is so much more intense. I have identical new sets of Dunlop Q2 s on both, since I trust the grip of this particular tire. The Bird is long, heavy and soft. The Repsol is short, light and stiff. Nice contrast!