Yamaha Vs. Honda
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 1
From: North Richland Hills, TX
The current crop Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki sportbikes are so good that you couldn't go wrong picking the one you think looks best, assuming that you can live w/ the ergonomics. We can only speculate how the pecking order may change based on the '02 updates, but here's my $.02 on the '01 models:
Literbikes - GSXR 1000 is the undisputed king, but mostly just an ego enhancer for all but very talented racers. 929 was the best handling (felt like an R6 on steroids), most practical (livable ergonomics, HUGE trunk), but had a weaker engine than the comp. I had an '00 R1 that I absolutely loved. Consider a steering damper mandatory equip (I had a Scotts), and I had no complaints. Not once did I ever wish for more power; in fact, I sold it b/c I thought it was bound to get me in trouble on the street (got pulled over several times, incl. being videotaped by APD's finest speeding/doing wheelies and threatened w/ arrest).
600s - R6 rules the racetrack at the amateur level, though the GSXR seems fairly comparable. F4i is great, but more street-oriented. My old R6 was the best track bike I've ever experienced by far, but its peaky powerband "made" me ride like a maniac on the street, even more so than w/ the R1. Both were great for wheelies. The R6 is so confidence inspring (again, w/ a damper) that I felt I could do no wrong w/ it.
That said, I decided that I now prefer twins, and suspect that's what I'll stick w/ on the street from now on. The SV650 is an awesome bike, and handles like a dream plus has plenty of power for all but monster wheelies. If I ever decide I need more power again, my choice will be between an RC51 and Aprilia Mille.
Unfortunately, neither of these bikes are near as practical or comfy as the SV.
Literbikes - GSXR 1000 is the undisputed king, but mostly just an ego enhancer for all but very talented racers. 929 was the best handling (felt like an R6 on steroids), most practical (livable ergonomics, HUGE trunk), but had a weaker engine than the comp. I had an '00 R1 that I absolutely loved. Consider a steering damper mandatory equip (I had a Scotts), and I had no complaints. Not once did I ever wish for more power; in fact, I sold it b/c I thought it was bound to get me in trouble on the street (got pulled over several times, incl. being videotaped by APD's finest speeding/doing wheelies and threatened w/ arrest).
600s - R6 rules the racetrack at the amateur level, though the GSXR seems fairly comparable. F4i is great, but more street-oriented. My old R6 was the best track bike I've ever experienced by far, but its peaky powerband "made" me ride like a maniac on the street, even more so than w/ the R1. Both were great for wheelies. The R6 is so confidence inspring (again, w/ a damper) that I felt I could do no wrong w/ it.
That said, I decided that I now prefer twins, and suspect that's what I'll stick w/ on the street from now on. The SV650 is an awesome bike, and handles like a dream plus has plenty of power for all but monster wheelies. If I ever decide I need more power again, my choice will be between an RC51 and Aprilia Mille.
Unfortunately, neither of these bikes are near as practical or comfy as the SV.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,792
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area, California
On the street, it always come down to the rider. All of the current crop of sportbikes are all very good in their own right. I prefer Honda myself because I know that at 50,000 miles, the engine will still run like the day I bought it. I can't say that about Yamaha's or Suzuki's (because they are usually crashed way before then 
). I ride with the biggest sportbike group in the SF Bay Area and a lot of the guys have R1's, GSXR750's and 1000's, and for the most part, I have no problem leaving most of them behind in the twisties. I like the F4 because it feels nimble and responds well to my inputs.
). I ride with the biggest sportbike group in the SF Bay Area and a lot of the guys have R1's, GSXR750's and 1000's, and for the most part, I have no problem leaving most of them behind in the twisties. I like the F4 because it feels nimble and responds well to my inputs.
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Apr 16, 2001 05:36 PM