I finally got to ride a K5/K6 GSX-R1000!
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:41 am
While owning my 04 R1, which I've had for over a year now, I've wanted to see if the K5/K6 1000 lived up to the reviews. I like my R1 though and how mean it looks, so it will be hard to part with it. That said I've mentioned to my Dad a few times that when the time comes I can see the K5/K6 1000 being my next bike.
George Whites have got an open weekend on this weekend and one of the things they are doing are 2006 model test rides throughout the day, basically mini ride outs with two of the staff accompanying, so I booked myself in on the R6 and then thought I would ask if the Suzuki was available and it was, so I swapped. We went round town (Swindon) and then onto some country roads with some twisties and open straights, one of the GW staff was at the front for the quick bits and one at the back for the own pace riders, I'm not a fast rider so went in between.
The moment I put the GSX-R in gear and let the clutch out, it felt great! Very smooth and instant throttle response; the stock clutch lever is closer to the clip-on than my R1's, which felt more comfortable; the gearbox felt nice, precise and positive in every gear; and the power was immense in every gear, it even pulls well in 6th. I thought the stock can sounded alright too.
The dash was easy to read and the gear indicator was a nice touch.
It stuck to the road like glue and cornered like it was on rails!
I've got a Yamaha race screen on my R1 and the stock screen on the Suzuki felt really low, I was getting hit with a lot of wind.
The seating position felt quite comfortable, considering how small the bike is, but the side fairings felt wide; everytime I put my leg out when stopped it touched the inside of my knee, but I soon adjusted.
It's amazing how different a bike can feel with two years of advancement, considering how good the 04+ R1s are, and it put a big smile on my face. I think it has sealed the deal as my next bike once I can let go of the R1's looks.
George Whites have got an open weekend on this weekend and one of the things they are doing are 2006 model test rides throughout the day, basically mini ride outs with two of the staff accompanying, so I booked myself in on the R6 and then thought I would ask if the Suzuki was available and it was, so I swapped. We went round town (Swindon) and then onto some country roads with some twisties and open straights, one of the GW staff was at the front for the quick bits and one at the back for the own pace riders, I'm not a fast rider so went in between.
The moment I put the GSX-R in gear and let the clutch out, it felt great! Very smooth and instant throttle response; the stock clutch lever is closer to the clip-on than my R1's, which felt more comfortable; the gearbox felt nice, precise and positive in every gear; and the power was immense in every gear, it even pulls well in 6th. I thought the stock can sounded alright too.
The dash was easy to read and the gear indicator was a nice touch.
It stuck to the road like glue and cornered like it was on rails!
I've got a Yamaha race screen on my R1 and the stock screen on the Suzuki felt really low, I was getting hit with a lot of wind.
The seating position felt quite comfortable, considering how small the bike is, but the side fairings felt wide; everytime I put my leg out when stopped it touched the inside of my knee, but I soon adjusted.
It's amazing how different a bike can feel with two years of advancement, considering how good the 04+ R1s are, and it put a big smile on my face. I think it has sealed the deal as my next bike once I can let go of the R1's looks.
