A friend of mine is trying to sell another friend's GSXR 1000 for him, so he asked me if I wanted to take it for a test ride. I told him I need one of these like I need a hole in my head, but that I'd love to take one for a spin.

For those of you who don't know about these, it's the new king of sportbikes. Nearly 150 hp stock, w/ a 375 lb. dry weight, capable of a 9.7-9.8 sec. 1/4 mile @ ~143 mph. This one has an Akrapovic Ti exhaust, K&N filter, and re-mapped fuel injection, and has dyno'd at 152 hp, while losing ~10 lbs. in the process. In other words, insane performance for the street...it's not too far from World Superbike spec of a few years back.

I took it out around Lake Travis, hitting 2769 and Lime Creek. At first, I was pretty intimidated by a bike that has tossed off numerous motojournalists and has less than 1/2 the power to weight ratio of my SV. Much to my surprise, it was actually very easy to ride. The suspension was the best I've ever experienced on a stock bike, and it was 600-class light. After getting more comfortable, I started opening it a bit more, but still couldn't tap a fraction of its performance envelope. No other bike has ever made me feel like such a wimp!

On the way back, I started getting it more in a groove, and it was amazing. I thought my '00 R1 was about perfect, and would be hard to improve upon, but damn, what an engine! It was lofting nice 2nd gear wheelies at 75-80 mph w/ no clutch! (I know it's capable of doing them in 3rd @ >100, but never rode in a suitable area to try). I've always thought this bike was excessive for the street, but I've never been so giddy on a bike...I was laughing out loud inside my helmet! I then got stuck behind traffic, and started practicing lower speed wheelies since I was held up. I know see why the owner calls it the "Grin-o-matic"! I've recently become very biased towards V-twins, but this bike could challenge that bias. Unfortunately, its huge fun factor could probably get me into waaaay too much trouble...what an amazing bike, though. I now realize just how seriously Suzuki kicked it's competition's ass w/ this bike (I've owned &/or ridden the others).

 

Did you wet your pants?

 

No, it was actually a lot more tractable and easy to ride than expected. I rode it a gear or two higher than necessary in the corners, letting the torque power me out (no need to risk a high side on a borrowed, nuclear powered bike). OK, maybe once or twice when I looked down and wondered how I gotten going so fast in such a short time w/ a corner coming up...but most of the time it just made me giddy w/ laughter!

 

I rode one about a week after they were released. It's far more bike than most people can handle. When you can loft the front at over 100 you'd better know what your doing. Powering the bike out of turns with the rear wheel sliding is in a word phenomonal. Reminded me alot of the early Yamaha GP bikes. Of course it was alot more predictable. Size, feel, weight is like that of a 750. Power delivery is wonderful. I sincerely though about buying one and still am. I've got to finish my project with the TLR. Maybe when I'm done with it.

Cheers

Jeff

 

I want one too, but I'm not worthy! It would be a blast, but I'm fairly certain it would inhibit by cornering speed and probably get me into trouble sooner or later. It's kind of like being addicticted to coke or heroin (not that I'd know from personal experience)...I know it's bad for me me, but I still want to get high on it again!

TLR, huh? A couple of really fast guys raced a TLR in yesterday's CMRA endurance race...I heard it was a one time deal, since the bike's owner wanted to see what it could do. I was surprised since these bikes have never done really well at the track, but they totally kicked ass on it. I don't think they won, but they had to be right near the top of the standings. Also, it was the best (and loudest) sounding bike in the field!

 

Hey. SV650s is very good bike already ...ok? I know it is not a real-sport bike, but it is fun to ride. CBR F4, damn, man, sometimes you need to learn a word... " satisfy"

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by demonderrick
[B]Hey. SV650s is very good bike already ...ok?

 

The Gixxer 1k sounds awsome. I know all the mags like it.
I just need a friend with one so I can find out.
I know what you mean by the smile factor, the R6 at redline

 

Yea Chris, I've been working on a TLR for the last 4 months. It's got (some) Yosh parts that I was able to procure from a very nice Canadian racer. Pipes also!! Let just say conservatively the bike will put out somewhere around 160RWHP when it's done. Lots of Carbon Fiber too. It's fun and it a street bike also. I figure about 2 or 3 more months and it will be ready for paint.

 

Those GSX-R 1000's are awesome, very easy to bring the front end up. I love that quality in a bike. Loved it with my old 900 RR and love it even more with my R1.