Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Last year they were trumpeting the fearsome 180 horses put out by the R1, but now that several roadtests have indicated it in the mid 150s, that claim has vanished from their website.

I always had a hard time believing that the R1's engine produced so much horsepower considering the ZX-14 is 400cc bigger yet only makes 15 more claimed.

Well, there's a difference between engine hp and rear wheel hp. You lose alot of power through friction and such. Engine hp might be 180 on the R1, but rear wheel may only be in the 150's.

My bike makes 95 at the crank... and between 80 and 85 at the wheel depending on who tests it.