I’ve got a bit of a hankering for one... Any experiences, ridden one ? Owned one? Tracked ones etc... Be interested to hear views and experiences
Bloke up pub says they are great Actually, bloke I know who races one immediately went at least 2 seconds faster on his than the previously GSXR, ZX10R, Fireblades he had been running and went mid pack to top 10 in NL racing. Raves about the bike. And Jimmy Buchannan rents one on his trackdays, good way to find out
As per my other thread, I rode one back to back with the RSV4, here were my thoughts... Brakes strong but lack feel, felt 'dead' at the lever Lovely Gearbox Slightly heavier clutch than the Aprilia, but still fine Better noise than the Aprilia (both on standard exhausts), more gruff at lower revs Amazing throttle connection, felt really connected, better than on my 899 Suspension a little harsh, especially the rear but potentially sorted with set up Dash board is brilliant, clear and easy to read. A little rubbish that you had to stop to change engine mode it seemed (i got caught out in a biblical downpour) so wanted to flick to a lower power mode. Both bikes wheelied on me when I opened fully up on the same straight section, the RSV4 shut the power and the front wheel dropped, no issue but the R1 did the same thing and yet just seemed to touch the wheel down like a feather, was so smooth the way it sorted the power out.
I've just bought 1, had it 3 weeks and could not be happier, still have the 1098R but it probably won't get a lot of saddle time now... Have run it in and did Silverstone on Monday, smashed my personal best (which is not a lot to write home about - but finally got into the 2:40's) but personally I find it so easy to ride and very confidence inspiring! Sounds as good as the RSV4 I traded in for it too!! Only slight issue is that the brakes are not as good as a decent Brembo setup and the ABS can be a bit intrusive on hard braking... I only noticed it once but I'd imagine you fast group boys would notice it more... In a nutshell I think I have found the bike for me!! Can't really fault it and its given me a shed load more confidence at chucking around on a track day already!
Not sure this is going to help but my mate Tom bought a new r1m and had nothing but problems with it. It's done 1800 miles and already had gear box problems then the fuel pump went, had a new ecu in it as it kept cutting put on him, also had clutch problems. But there all sorted now ...... Just picked it up after being fixed again and heads out towards Aylesbury, mid corner bike cuts out lost grip and flung him into a tree, bike cart wheels into a lorry. No more r1m. Tom got broken ribs, shatterd right arm and is now looking at legal advise .
Sounds it Al, hope he gets better. Not nice hearing things like that, does remind you though how fragile we really are.
Yeah he's out of hospital now but not happy as you could imagine, he was only thinking about px it for an rsv4 too. But to be fair I still think the r1 is a cracking bike but it does make you think about buying one when you hear of one having so many problems.
So has the 1098R I believe.... eeek... @Advikaz There is a head to head test by Rutter in the last PB magazine. R1M v V4S at Donington. Good read. Especially if you bought a V4S
With the price difference you could probably buy yourself a lesser R1 as a wet bike I know where there is a 120 mile new one for 13k (not the M version)
