[Chauncey1]

I've been reading the boards for a little while now and there seems to be a perceived favortism towards the mighty R1. I've always heard good things about the Gixxer1000, but I haven't been able to locate any threads that really sing it's praises versus the R1.

Is the Suzuki 1000 just a shitty bike or is it just what I may be misunderstanding? By no means am I demeaning the Gix or its riders, but I'm curious as to why this is. It's either the R1 or the CBR1000RR, which I can understand, given those bikes' prescence in Superbike and AMA. And yes, I know, the Suzy competes on these circuits, from what I understand rather highly at that.

I remember reading from Motorcyclist magazine that the big Gixxer was supposed to be King Shit of the literbikes, but on this board it SEEMS as if there's no love for it. What's up? Perhaps this stems from Rossi switching to Yammy?

I'm seriously rethinking my decision of getting a Suzuki literbike when the time comes. Anyways, let me hear some opinions. TIA!!

 

[firefighter81]

I ride with a couple guys with GSXR1000's, I think the love for the R1 comes from the 04 R1, just because it really is an outstanding bike that is hard not to like. Also the 03 remodel for the GSXR doesn't have too many people happy with it's ugly ass Busa style headlight. There is alot of love for the GSXR's on this board, just not as much as the R1. Honestly you aren't gonna notice any difference on the street, or even on the track unless you are a very exceptional rider.

 

[21 natas]

there's nothing wrong w/the gix1k but I have to agree they do need to get away from the headlight design.

 

[Chauncey1]

I ride with a couple guys with GSXR1000's, I think the love for the R1 comes from the 04 R1, just because it really is an outstanding bike that is hard not to like. Also the 03 remodel for the GSXR doesn't have too many people happy with it's ugly ass Busa style headlight. There is alot of love for the GSXR's on this board, just not as much as the R1. Honestly you aren't gonna notice any difference on the street, or even on the track unless you are a very exceptional rider.

I agree 100% with you, especially on the headlight issue. Damn that's fugly, what was Suzuki thinking? Anyways, no, I'm not an exceptional rider (yet) and a big daddy literbike is still a couple of years away. When the time comes though, I'm positive Suzuki will have changed a few things to remain competitive with the Yammy and Honda bikes in terms of aesthetics. And now, thanks to Kawi, horsepower. You'd think that since the corporate merger of Kawasaki and Suzuki that perhaps the Suzuki would be sharing more parts with the Suzuki, namely headlights. Suzukis are sexy, sure, but that CBR is what I'll probably be picking up...*drool*

Thanks for the feedback dude!!

 

[silent_R1]

I have ridden my bf gix1k vs, my R1, and I have to admit, I prefer the R1 (not bias speaking here), I prefer the weight distribution, the seating, the handling. On the gix, I felt I was sitting up higher, not to mention the weight is distributed lower and it is mroe awkward for me get upright, I can do it, it is just more difficult. I also felt the handling wasn't as sensitive (for lack of a better word) as on the R1. I have a 00, a friend of mine has an 04, and on both bikes, I personally felt the front end was more sensitive and provided better feedback to me. Although my bf's gix will turn quick, and his wheelbase is short, I felt w/mine, I could turn it practically just by thinking of turning.

But that is just me and my .02. There is plenty of Gix love here and plenty of R1 love. Each person has their preference.

 

[jk750]

...
I remember reading from Motorcyclist magazine that the big Gixxer was supposed to be King Shit of the literbikes, but on this board it SEEMS as if there's no love for it. What's up? Perhaps this stems from Rossi switching to Yammy?

I'm seriously rethinking my decision of getting a Suzuki literbike when the time comes. Anyways, let me hear some opinions. TIA!!

Son, any of these bikes is SO FAR above your abilities... So WhoTF cares???
If you're going to judge, or buy, a bike based on what Rossi rides or which one is .012 sec quicker
with a certain rider aboard, or which way the headlights or exhaust are stacked...
then you have no business even contemplating such a purchase.

For the record - the current 1k Gixxer is two years old right now. It is more than competitive
with the brand new designs.
It weighs much less than the R1 or 1000RR, (just a few ticks more than the 10R...)
Stomps them in roll-ons and mid-range torque! (That's where you ride on the street...)
It's right there in the pack in top-end power, too.
And it does just fine against them all on the track, thank you very much. Stock or modified...
Besides, the most important performance feature on these bikes is... THE RIDER!

The other three liter bikes are brand new designs... It took them awhile to catch up. :twofinger

If you simply must have the 'Latest and Greatest Sportbike Ever!' get used to buying a new bike every year or two.

While the R1 may be among the best looking Jap sportbikes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Don't fool yourself, non of them holds a candle to the MV.

BTW Suzuki and Kawasaki will not be sharing any design achitecture between their GSXR and ZX lines.

 

[bjam69]

If you're going to judge, or buy, a bike based on what Rossi rides or which one is .012 sec quicker
with a certain rider aboard, or which way the headlights or exhaust are stacked...
then you have no business even contemplating such a purchase.

The man has a point.....

 

[IllKneeGrow]

Thanks to that ugly ass headlight I got my bike for 2,000 under MSRP.

But like everyone says, these bikes have so much power that a majority of us can't even use all of it.

 

[Redstar11]

I just bought a k4 GSXR 1000. I like it alot. (Aside from that ugly bastard front headlight) With the current crop of literbikes, the differences in performance between them is so little, that it really makes no difference in terms of "which bike is better". 99% of riders on the road can't even open up the performance that any of the bikes has. It really just boils down to personal preference.

 

[the great ESKIMO]

I just bought a k4 GSXR 1000. I like it alot. (Aside from that ugly bastard front headlight) With the current crop of literbikes, the differences in performance between them is so little, that it really makes no difference in terms of "which bike is better". 99% of riders on the road can even open up the performance that any of the bikes has. It really just boils down to personal preference.

nice bike! what color? now all ya gotta do is throw a good ole D&D on there!lol :twofinger

 

[Redstar11]

I would rather ride without pipes than have a D&D setup on it. It has an Akrapovic Full Titanium kit on it as we speak. It's black and silver. I'll get some pictures up sometime.

 

[Chauncey1]

Son, any of these bikes is SO FAR above your abilities... So WhoTF cares???

Literbikes are above my abilities? Really? No kidding? j/k...I know they are, but most likely my skills will improve enough to extract the most these bikes have to offer.

If you're going to judge, or buy, a bike based on what Rossi rides or which one is .012 sec quicker
with a certain rider aboard, or which way the headlights or exhaust are stacked...
then you have no business even contemplating such a purchase.

Never did I say that I buy bikes based on what some racer rides. I give less than a shit if Rossi rode a freaking Harley. I buy based on what kinda bang I'm gonna get for my buck and more importantly, how much it's gonna cost to insure it. :twofinger

While the R1 may be among the best looking Jap sportbikes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Don't fool yourself, non of them holds a candle to the MV.

MV's are pretty sonofabitches, that's true..

BTW Suzuki and Kawasaki will not be sharing any design achitecture between their GSXR and ZX lines.

I didn't think they would, but ya never know. Take a look at their cruiser lines...talk about sharing platforms, crimony...

 

[jk750]

Literbikes are above my abilities? Really? No kidding? j/k...I know they are, but most likely my skills will improve enough to extract the most these bikes have to offer.

Oh really??? I'll have to alert Valentino you're coming.... :lol :flipa

nice bike! what color? now all ya gotta do is throw a good ole D&D on there!lol :twofinger

lol Eskimo, that is one of the greatest avatars ever!

 

[Chauncey1]

jk750, pm'ed ya.

 

[jk750]

Got it, back atcha. You da man!

 

[MN7RRider]

Hay guys don't everyone start bitching at once, but didn't suzuki move the headlight to the center because of the ram air. I thought I read that they get more air forced into it with the air ports on the sides, therefore moving the light into the center. I could be wrong about this. I also liked the first style.

 

[jk750]

Ahh shucks, nobody's bitchin'! Yeah, they did claim the redesign improved the ram air efficiency
by moving the tracts closer together and nearer the highest pressure area. Whatever...
I saw a test somewhere that measured the benefits of all the ram air setups.
Turns out the original Kaw ZX7R ram air system, like in your avatar, was the most efficient.
Go figure... They do build aircraft as well.
They all built some amount of positive pressure, and hp, above a given speed.

It's more likely a marketing deal. Keeping the design fresh looking for as long and as cheaply as possible.

In Suzuki's case, at least it doesn't look like any of the others... well there is that 'busa family resemblance.

Maybe a sign of too much inbreeding.

 

[mikofz1]

I think it mostly has to do with styling and looks in general. The GSXRs are just not good looking bikes. Ugly graphics and paint schemes. I happen to really like the GSXR 750, but it's ugly. Suzuki makes weird decisions on their bikes when it comes to appearance.

Besides the MV Agusta F4, the 04 R1 is the hottest looking bike.

 

[firefighter81]

I do wish Suzuki would just come out with a bike not covered in graphics. They had that limited Silver GSXR1000 for one year or something, but even that had too much on it for my tastes. Is there something wrong with solid color bikes?

 

[jk750]

Even as a Suzuki owner, I have to agree with the last two posts...
Suzuki has had some unusual styling over the years, to say the least...
And so has Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda.

To each his own. I like the looks of my Gixxer.
Of course, I had to de-badge and de-sticker most of it to get it looking as smooth and clean as possible.

Look at the other bikes... Bits and pieces and parts tacked on here and there and everywhere...

And as for the headlight assembly, I have taken a liking to it personally.
It's different. Reminds me of an old streamlined steam or diesel locomotive.

Or the stacked headlights on a '67 Ford Galaxy 500 GT.

Unless you're riding an MV Agusta F4, or a Ducati 748/916-998, looks probably aren't your bike's strongest point.