Question about bikes with Big Power

[Jae]

The fastest bikes I've ever ridden are 600cc motorcycles. I have never been on a 1000cc motorcycle before, but judging from prior experience on the 600, I get the notion that I won't be able to be as generous with the throttle anymore. What are the differences between 600cc and 1000cc just in everyday use? Are there any hints or tips for someone who is going from 600cc to 1000cc?

Input is appreciated. :D

[deathblow]

With the bigger bore engine, you will definitely feel the more low-end grunt. The torque will be funner, at the same time the high-end pull is incredible. You definitely have to keep in mind how you manage the throttle, but you have to keep that in mind with any other sportbike today. I'm sure you can find someone on here who has a liter bike and try it out. You are welcome to ride my RC51, but it has about the same HP as a GSXR-750, just with more low end pull.

[BioHazard]

Hey Jae, you looking to get a bike again?

[GPTECHMAN]

Mille...edwards replica..... :)

[shichyea]

...the mille factory would be nice.

[Arnold_R1]

Originally posted by Jae
What are the differences between 600cc and 1000cc just in everyday use? Are there any hints or tips for someone who is going from 600cc to 1000cc?

Input is appreciated. :D

Well Jae, a liter bike will tend to spoil you from time to time. Its makes you lazy most of times. Instead finding the fastest lines, you can pick any line. A 600cc or 750cc bike in my opinion is perfect for anybody. For the streets, unless you're into stunting, a liter bike is just up to par with a 600cc bike. There isn't a road long enough in Cali where you'll be able to tap the TRUE power of a 1000cc bike.

[Jae]

Originally posted by BioHazard
Hey Jae, you looking to get a bike again?

Yes sir. One of my primary goals at the motorcycle show was to get a chance to see and sit and those liter bikes. Right now, I'm leaning heavily towards the R1. Just blew me away.

But there is another reason why I am looking at a 1000cc bike... I just can't discuss it quite yet ;) :silenced:

Anyway, I am also concerned for my own safety as in, is the power difficult to manage? Do you end up wheelie-ing a lot? Do you shift at shorter intervals? Things like that... :)

As for racing... well... let's just say I am content to be a mountain carver and straight line monkey. I love speed, but I love myself more so the only time you would see me on the track is at the pits serving water to my fellow members. :D ;)

[BioHazard]

Originally posted by Jae
Yes sir. One of my primary goals at the motorcycle show was to get a chance to see and sit and those liter bikes. Right now, I'm leaning heavily towards the R1. Just blew me away.

But there is another reason why I am looking at a 1000cc bike... I just can't discuss it quite yet ;) :silenced:

Anyway, I am also concerned for my own safety as in, is the power difficult to manage? Do you end up wheelie-ing a lot? Do you shift at shorter intervals? Things like that... :)

As for racing... well... let's just say I am content to be a mountain carver and straight line monkey. I love speed, but I love myself more so the only time you would see me on the track is at the pits serving water to my fellow members. :D ;)

Not that I have much experience, but if the track is not in your future I would stick with a 600.

[Arnold_R1]

Originally posted by Jae
Yes sir. One of my primary goals at the motorcycle show was to get a chance to see and sit and those liter bikes. Right now, I'm leaning heavily towards the R1. Just blew me away.

Yes Jae, the 2004 R1 is an amazing machine, but you got to understand that bike has way too much power and way to much weight loss disrupting the power-to-weight ratio. From what you're going to use it for, a lot of that horsepower is going to bu unused. Even on my bike, I didn't do major HP gains b/c 3/4 of the power, I hardly use.

I just have it on tap to dust those pesky Gixxer 600's and F3's! :clap:

[GPTECHMAN]

Originally posted by Jae

But there is another reason why I am looking at a 1000cc bike... I just can't discuss it quite yet ;) :silenced:


so is this for you or.......

ME!!!!!:p

Originally posted by Jae

Anyway, I am also concerned for my own safety as in, is the power difficult to manage? Do you end up wheelie-ing a lot? Do you shift at shorter intervals? Things like that... :)

well Ive ridden my bike, which is one extreme and a gixxer 1k at palomar...I shift from 2-4th there with my bike, primarily in 2nd and in the straights up to 4th barely....
Ive regeared my bike so it spins up quicker and makes me learn to shift more...

I rode Roda's gixxer and I was in 2nd the whole time not even close to redline...ever...the power was incredibly manageble and downright scary down low....its an awesome biek, but I feel that I would progress my skills faster on something that makes me earn my speed....and when i mean earn it I mean earn it as a byproduct of becoming smoother with my bike....my bikes got about 86hp when it was dyno'd a year ago and 17k miles back, but I still feel like its plenty of power...and Im sure if you get someone like bryant or SHAG-nasty on my bike they would be skoolin' fools....

;)

[GPTECHMAN]

Originally posted by Arnold_R1


I just have it on tap to dust those pesky Gixxer 600's and F3's! :clap:

barely enough....:p

[GetnJgyWitit]

Notice he doesn't even try to smoke the sv's.

You can't handle them!!!!! :rockon:

[Arnold_R1]

Originally posted by GetnJgyWitit
Notice he doesn't even try to smoke the sv's.

You can't handle them!!!!! :rockon:

The only person that passed me up was Tom and Zoran! :errf: Two SV's! A blue gSVxr was no where to be found! :whistle:

[GetnJgyWitit]

Good thing you stayed behind me! :evil: :lol:

[TreAdidas]

Originally posted by GetnJgyWitit
Good thing you stayed behind me! :evil: :lol:

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[GPTECHMAN]

MUhahahaha...its ON!@!!!!!

when is part deux.....

[GPTECHMAN]

Jae if you commuting then go with the litre, but if you want to be a better rider I'd say start off with the 6 until you attain BOD status...

the low end torque will help you a lot around town...and make riding more enjoyable....

[GetnJgyWitit]

Like the tech man said, stay with the 600 until you are dope! Thats why I still have my sv. Part of me wants more power, but I know I still have more to learn.

[kc1717]

well, i have a liter bike because its the biggest thing i can find and its still too small for me. the power is scary, ive gone over a bump in the road at over 150 and had it come up into a high wheelie.

in my opinion, you better know how to wheelie bikes pretty well before you get a liter bike because you are constantly dealing with not having the front on the ground. and my bike as soon as you hit 4000 the front end is sky high.

throttle control is what its all about, it has power to pull wheelies with ease 1st -3rd, so you just make sure you stay under that level and you just have crazy acceleration.


also the major concern i have with my bike is highsiding. you have so much power that if you get on it in a turn and arnt super smooth the back end starts to slide and anytime you have the back sliding around you have a lot more on your hands to deal with than ringing out a little 600.

i love it, but you dont have the luxury of just opening her up after a corner like the sv, if you opened up my bike on any turn at palomar you would be on your ass faster then gptech man on a post.

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Originally posted by Jae
What are the differences between 600cc and 1000cc just in everyday use? Are there any hints or tips for someone who is going from 600cc to 1000cc?

The only 1000cc bike I rode was my brother's RC-51. I don't know if comparing a v-twin to an inline 4 is fair, but here it goes. The RC-51 has insane throttle response. If I wrench the R6, I'll maybe get the front end up if I'm screaming in the upper RPM's. The RC-51, I would just twist it half-way and the beast is letting loose like a bat out of hell. I was stopped at an intersection after a damp drizzle, and when the light turned green I swore I eased on the throttle, but the RC-51 decided to do a rolling burn-out of sorts. The biggest difference was the seating position. On the R6, I could cruise around for hours on end. After an hour on the RC-51: my back was aching, my ass felt like I just had anal sex without KY, and my arms were a little burnt (I had trouble keeping my weight off my upper body because of the aggressive riding position).

So regarding every-day use, I believe the 1000cc inline 4's just give you a little more power. It is insane how light the newer bikes are. And the suspenion may have to be tweaked a little, but what suspension doesn't? As long as you are not putting in 100 miles or more in your commute, you should be okay.

[Jae]

Great responses so far! Personally, I do prefer 600ccs too. They are more to my skill level. But as circumstances would have it, I will most likely end up riding a 1000cc bike due to other factors.

I've been a big p*ssy ever since I started riding and I rarely take risks on the motorcycle (although some would say just riding one is a risk ;) ). What I'm gathering here is that I should try to be a smooth as possible on the throttle and watch out for abrupt acceleration.

GP - I don't think I'll ever achieve BOD status even if I tried. Hehe. It's like trying to touch my nose on my elbow.

Would you guys say that with enough seat time on a 1000cc bike, a person could come to master its power?

[GPTECHMAN]

Originally posted by dre_2k2_f4i
my ass felt like I just had anal sex without KY

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Jae]

Originally posted by Jae
It's like trying to touch my nose on my elbow.

How many of you actually tried this after reading it? Come on, fess up!:p

[GPTECHMAN]

yeah I think the power is definitely manageble...I felt like I was way faster on a litre bike and I didnt even think about highsiding or power wheeling....the transition from my old 600 to his 01 gixxer 1k, felt very comfortable....I would get one, but I think Im not ready....it like someone learning to surf and they want to get a shortboard before they can turn on a longboard....they may think it looks cooler, but they are too eager to go through an incremental leaning process....

if you get a litre...the R1 will be popular...but 180 hp at the crank is over two of my bike together...that to me seems like a lot....

The R1 is cool right now, but every squid and their mama will have em....I'd rather have something else...

you could always save some money and not buy new and just wait a minute and buy the crashed bike outside of the dealership parking lot...I figure that you'll have your selection of salvaged bikes by the next day....

[Jae]

:lol: I guess I should just wait at the dealership try to spook squids into crashing at the driveway. Then offer them $$$ for their bike to console their broken hearts. :p

[GetnJgyWitit]

Originally posted by Jae
How many of you actually tried this after reading it? Come on, fess up!:p

I did! lol I was wondering how many other jackass tried too! lol

[deathblow]

Another thing about the current crop of 600s is that they have most of the parts that their bigger brother has. i.e. the braced swingarm, USD forks, etc... Also, they are all getting about 100HP now at the rear wheel, so that definitely is alot of power.

[Jae]

Originally posted by deathblow
Another thing about the current crop of 600s is that they have most of the parts that their bigger brother has. i.e. the braced swingarm, USD forks, etc... Also, they are all getting about 100HP now at the rear wheel, so that definitely is alot of power.

Yea, its funny that everyone wants to convince me to stick with the 600cc bike. I am aware of my limitations as a rider, and that the liter bike may be too much motorcycle. But as circumstances would have it, I may have no choice regarding the type of motorcycle I am getting - it has to be an R1. I think once we have our first club meeting, I can explain why and my situation would become clearer to every one. I definitely appreciate everyone's advice and I'm beginning to get a better idea about what to expect! :eek:

[speedster1219]

Originally posted by Jae
Yea, its funny that everyone wants to convince me to stick with the 600cc bike. I am aware of my limitations as a rider, and that the liter bike may be too much motorcycle. But as circumstances would have it, I may have no choice regarding the type of motorcycle I am getting - it has to be an R1. I think once we have our first club meeting, I can explain why and my situation would become clearer to every one. I definitely appreciate everyone's advice and I'm beginning to get a better idea about what to expect! :eek:


First in line for a test ride!!:rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

[deathblow]

Dude, in the end, get what puts the biggest smile on your face :)!!!

[GetnJgyWitit]

The only thing is that if you know your limitations as a rider on a 600 bike the 1000 is only going to exagerate your limitations. But I guess if you "have to" get a liter bike, not because you want to then I guess you have no choice. Be careful.

[Arnold_R1]

Originally posted by Jae
I may have no choice regarding the type of motorcycle I am getting - it has to be an R1. I think once we have our first club meeting, I can explain why and my situation would become clearer to every one. I definitely appreciate everyone's advice and I'm beginning to get a better idea about what to expect! :eek:

Yeah I had to have an R1 too! ;) Actually, the route 600's are going now, it wouldn't be too long before 600cc bike would putting out liter bike stats. Every time a manufacturer puts out a bike that crosses the lines; ex-180hp and less than 400lbs, the next year a different manufacturer is going to top that and make it's even faster and even lighter, etc, etc!

[RIDEitINTOtheGR]

hey all, im billy, i ride dirt and expressed interest in the club when i came to ucsd, still no $$ for a street bike :(

anyways ive always wondered if liter class bikes are more or less reliable (mechanically) in the long run-- more power = less reving, but also i hear that some 1000's (954RR) are the same motor as the 600 just with a longer stroke... which is why they weigh the same. could this same engine with more displacement make the engine fail sooner? whacha think?

also, to the dude with the xr400: i grew up in el centro, i ride desert still if u wanna ride sometime. that pic is pretty cool looks like u like to ride for reals

[TreAdidas]

Sup Billy,

First off!!... Welcome to the board...

As far as street bikes go they're all equally unreliable ::laughs::... we would like to think that the higher reving smaller bikes have their mechanical issues ironed out... but that appears to be seen especially with whole ignition coil on the 2003 R6 fiasco. THen again more poeple have the smaller bikes so they seem to have more problems....

Ok so I just wasted this post and din't answer anythign... anyways nice to have ya on board

[TreAdidas]

Hey Billy be sure to click on the link below and introduce yourself!

CLICK HITHER! (http://www.hypercycles.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43)

[RIDEitINTOtheGR]

THen again more poeple have the smaller bikes so they seem to have more problems....
ya that makes sense

Ok so I just wasted this post and din't answer anythign... anyways nice to have ya on board
Thanks! thats ok, its nice that someone replied so quickly :clap:

[Jeff Baldwin]

Jae,

Here's my 2 cents.

I've ridden 600's for 10 years. Last year I bought an 03 GSXR1000. Up 'til that point I'd ridden an '02 RC51, 03 R1, and Honda 954. I have more fun on 600's for the reasons most people mentioned above, you can ring it's friggin' neck and in just smiles and asks for more no fuss no muss, I can concentrate on riding.

If you have to have a liter bike. Here's my take on the current models that I've ridden. The Gixxer is a absolute bear in the midrange. In stock trim anywhere above 4k the wheel will snap up at the twitch (not even a flick) of the wrist. The throttle response is just amazing. I once rode down El Cajon Blvd and hit a small pot hole, my right hand jerked and the wheel went skyward. The 04 R1 is alot more comfortable then the Gixxer and as managable as a 600 as long as you don't go near 8k. As a matter of fact you need to get the revs up just to take off due to the tall first gear. I haven't ridden the Kaw or the Honda yet but hope to soon.

In my opinion the R1 is the safer of the two to ride.

[Jae]

Good to know. Safety is a concern (gotta protect my poser style, ya know! :-p). I'm still really wanting that R1... my purchase has been postponed for a couple of months while I mull this decision and try to defribrilate my bank account. Soon... very soon... :ninja:

[Jeff Baldwin]

Just let me know. I'll get you the best price possible.

[deathblow]

When are you getting the CBR1000RRs in?

[Jeff Baldwin]

Dunno, I hope soon.

[steveo34]

U should try a V twin. eheheh..... nuff said.

[deathblow]

Originally posted by steveo34
U should try a V twin. eheheh..... nuff said.

Yep, V-twins are fun!

[Jae]

What would be the difference for a guy moving from 600 - I4 1000 and a guy going from 600 to VTwin 1000?

[deathblow]

Originally posted by Jae
What would be the difference for a guy moving from 600 - I4 1000 and a guy going from 600 to VTwin 1000?

I would compare the power of my bike to that of a GSXR-750. Having ridden both extensively, they are both great bikes.

[GPTECHMAN]

Get the 999R JAE!!!!

[Jae]

999R??!!! Hmmm... I wonder how much my kidney is worth...

[deathblow]

Originally posted by Jae
999R??!!! Hmmm... I wonder how much my kidney is worth...

In India, you'd get about $5000 :-p . Well that is what I saw in some Dateline Special.

[Jae]

:pray: Dear Lord, Please, Please let me have a bike soon :pray: :cry:

[GPTECHMAN]

Jae are you going new...let me know what u want and I can see what I can find?

PM me if needed

[Jae]

Alas, the time is not yet right. But I will let you know as soon as I am ready. Thanks, Sean!

[DongTran]

I'm too pansy for the manly liter bikes...

[zee]

If you wanna hear from a squid (Mike D. no longer allows me to call myself a newbie/rookie/squid though), regarding the R1. I have learned quite a bit. I have ridden Mike D's flat black RC51 and my brother's black 04' CBR1000RR. I have been riding for about 6 months already. Got my 04' R1 in February. Also, I want to state these are my opinions. Also my bro's CBR1000RR has Dunlop 208's with 180 width. My bike has the stock Dunlop's (don't know the type). Mike D. has some GP type racing tires I believe, with some nice suspension upgrades and rear sets.

R1, throttle response and torque
First about the R1. When compared to other bike's, this bike is user friendly FOR THROTTLE RESPONSE when comparing to the CBR1000RR and the RC51. Yamaha gives each R1 owner a book which tells the details about the design of the R1. From what is said in the book and my experiences riding an R1, the throttle comes out much smoother than other liter bikes. Though, it is still a literbike and you can still blip that throttle and feel the bike want to jerk you out of your seat. The Yamaha smooths this out a bit. It has the lowest torque numbers when compared to the 04' ZX10R, GSXR1000 and CBR10RR. You feel that when you pull the throttle.

Confidence
One thing different from the CBR1000RR and the RC51 is that the R1 is very twitchy in the corners. It feels as if it is very delicate when you're taking a corner. The CBR1 and RC51 feels like it sticks to the road and gives you a lot of confidence. Im trying to say is that, the bikes' win your confidence in different ways. R1 uses its throttle response (+ in confidence), but is very delicate (- in confidence) when taking corners. With the high torque on the RC51 and CBR1 (- in confidence), but feels like the bike is sticking to the road (+ in confidence).

Keeping the throttle wrist low
Having been riding for 6 months and learning very quickly, I think one of the main reasons I have been able to survive is from keeping my right wrist and arm low. Not allowing myself to overuse the throttle.

Being able to use the full potential (no)
Also, I don't think I will ever reach the true power of the R1. I have only taken it to 124mph. The only reason for taking it at this speed, were some guys riding at a good pace. I tried to pass them on a straight, and the leader (with a streetbike), started to haul @ss. I even waited safely behind them and at a good distance until I could pass. He just decided to be a d*ck. So the R1's massive 180hp is being wasted because I don't use the full potential R1. When I let Mike D. use my bike he easily took it to around 160mph. Another example of how I don't completely use the bike's power is that I almost never rev it to 10K at most in the twisties and don't go past 80 or 90 in the 35mph turns. This bike easily revs to 13,750rpm.

Reading Books
Before and right after I jumped on my R1 I have already read "A Twist of the Wrist" Volume I and II, and I have also read "Total Control". These books helped me understand the basics of riding such as mindset, throttle control, braking, riding form, and many other important aspects of riding.

Choosing and getting "The bike"
I have always wanted an R1 since 1998. It was in 2004 that I was finally able to get a license, got rid of the mentality (from 1998-2003) that if you get a motorcycle its a killer. Learned that it can be a safe pastime if you learn about good form and practice safe practices when riding. Also, after seeing the previews and design aspects of the new R1 I set myself to get my license and learn to ride. Like My bro and Mike D. told me when I was looking for a bike, "GET THE ONE THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY".

[hans]

Your first bike was an 04 R1?? :errf:

[Decepticon]

I agree with Zee on his anaylsis of 600 vs 1000's
I used to ride a 03 600f4i and now ride an 03 R1, I love my R1.
Not that the f4i wasn't nice, it was a great smooth easy to ride bike. The R1 definitely has a more aggresive riding position, definitely puts more weight on the wrists. Handling is a little twitchy and gets a little scary with that much power but after getting suspension adjusted for my weight and installing a GPR stabilizer, it handles great!!!
Obviously throttle on the R1 is much more sensitive than the F4i but I didn't really have a problem transitioning to the larger bike. I just took it slow and easy the first couple of weeks to get a feel for how much throttle input is needed. It definitely wheelies very easily, just have to roll on throttle hard. That's why take it slow and not try to ride hard the 1st couple of weeks.
As to using the R1 to it's full potential, I doubt that very many people use their bikes to their full potential, Bryant being the exception. Most of us never track. I have taken the bike to about 170 on the 56 when it opened a couple of weeks ago to check it out. I do not ride like that normally for all you people who want to lecture me about riding safe.
And lastly I agree with Zee, choose what bike makes you happy.
Especially if you're going to purchase it new and finance, the difference in monthly payments come out to be about $20.

[zee]

Originally posted by hans
Your first bike was an 04 R1?? :errf:

I borrowed my bro's 2002 Gixxer1000 for about 2 weeks,4 weeks before I purchased my R1. After riding it about 120-150 miles for about 2 weeks, I stopped riding it because he crashed the bike. It was about 2 weeks later I believe when I finally purchased my R1. It IS my first bike, but I have had a little experience with my brother's Gixxer. Also, at the time of riding the Gixxer I was transitioning from having a permit to having a license.

[Lost]

I went from 2003 1k to a modded 2003 r6. R6 is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more fun to ride. Liter bikes are fun but the confidence is level is nothing like what it is on the r6. Besides its so much damn fun blowing away liter bikes away on a six!