New Bike

[TechTMW]

If you want to go for looks (and if you want to get alot) go with an italian bike, like a Ducati 749 or an MV Agusta F4.

Jeez Man, these Italian makers paying you or are you just trying to ingraciate yourself with them?

Scary isn't it? I just like seeing people buy something from someone other than the fab four (kawahondayamazuki). Call it broadening the horizons or something. Nothing against the Japanese, mind ... My yamaha is still going strong after many many miles (and years)

Simple fact is, park an R1 next to an MV Agusta f4 and see where the crowd goes.

And ... um ... yeah, if any Italian Manufacturers are reading this ... I'd like a Silver Brutale, thanks

[varenka]

You really think it looks that better? I don't think so - I find the R1 to be very appealing. I certainly won't argue that it loses something to mass production, it does. But the differences are subtle enough that I think they would be easy for a non-enthusiast to confuse. And the R1 is scarier-looking, which I kind of like.

That having been said, for me this was not a competition of looks. I went to the International Motorcycle show in Washington DC and sat on them both - the Agusta was about as comfortable as a church pew, and I'm not talking about the new reformed customer-friendly Episcopalian kind of church, I'm talking hard-core Catholic. Kill me but make me beautiful? Not for my eleven grand.

[TechTMW]

That's why I always recommend try before you buy !

The R1 is an awesome (and awesome looking) bike. I'm particular to naked bikes, and the FZ6 is a real looker too. (I also have a soft spot for Yamaha)

To me, most new sportbikes are killers anyway - but that's just cause I like to do the long haul when I ride (and maybe I'm just not cut out for em, eh?)

Ane we can all agree that many folks go out there and buy based on looks alone. You seem to be more level-headed

Back to the original post, I'll say again -

(and varenka illustrates this beautifully)

- Try before you buy !!

[iwannadie]

how does stalling it at a light make you drop it really?

Hey, I just took delivery of my R1 yesterday.



It has the looks of the italian bikes, without the leaking oil.

I have been researching this decision over several months - I posted to this forum about it before the hackers got in - and have made several hundred mile trips to dealers of triumph, bmw, buell, etc.

While the throttle has to be respected, I am finding it to be infinitely more civilized than I ever imagined. With a steady hand, jaunts in heavy traffic are not a chore, at least so far. This is also the most comfortable sport bike I have tried - although to be fair I did not sit on the 2005 Suzuki - I will be using it as my commuter bike to and from work.

btw, this morning I did stall it at a traffic light and lay the thing down - but that is exactly what I did with the bike I bought last year the first week I rode it, so I can't blame the bike.

[varenka]

1. give it a wee bit of gas (not enough)
2. pick up your left foot (because you never take your right foot off the brake at a light, right, so your left foot is always on the ground)
3. start leaning to the right into the turn as the bike begins to move (please note, this is the mistake point, lean should come AFTER the bike is well underway )
4. oops, you let the clutch out too quickly and the bike bucks like a mule that some crazy donkey is getting fresh with and the engine lugs and dies and
5. POW your helmet is bouncing off the pavement
6. assure passersby that you are all right and yes, though that is a crotch-rocket, you did manage to wreck it without decapitating yourself
7. Push the bike to the side of the road and assure yourself that yes, though that is a crotch-rocket, you did manage to wreck it without decapitating yourself

[iwannadie]

i dont know why everyone seems taught to keep right foot up. i see no need to have my foot ready to brake while stopped like that. id rather have two feet down. but ya i guess the r1 is too much bike for ya anyways.

[varenka]

You put your foot on the brake so that the bike doesn't roll and you keep it there because it is easier than keeping your hand clenched.

And I don't mind sharing my silly mistakes because I want to remember them and not repeat them. If it keeps someone else from doing the same thing, all the better.

[GQ]

And I don't mind sharing my silly mistakes because I want to remember them and not repeat them. If it keeps someone else from doing the same thing, all the better.

That's true.... if you don't embrace your mistake and tell me friends/people about it and to also laugh about if afterwards (assuming no one died) then you'll learn to appreciate what you did wrong and not do it again.

But that being all said....... I think it's down to a yami R6 or a 600GXR. the 2005's very sexy

Wish i could get a duccatti, but we're i live we don't have a dealer here and I dont 'want to buy online (ebay)

[varenka]

If you like middleweights, I had a Katana 750 as a loaner for about a week - that was a very practical bike.

[XJ1100]

But that being all said....... I think it's down to a yami R6 or a 600GXR. the 2005's very sexy

I personally like the ride and feel of the yamaha over the suzuki, though both are great bikes. Make sure to ride them both, and then make a decision.