Which Jap 1000 would you pick?

[duc995@aol.com]

I am looking for chasis and overall rideability over JUST a killer engine.  thanks!

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Umm, I heard the Suzuki's good, I think I would go with that one.


(spoken without any prior bias toward Suzuki  ;) ;D 8))

[gma]

R1

Look at DiSalvo's qualifying time on an R1 in Superstock that beat Mladen's GSX-R Superbike qualifying time. Look at the same heritage of engineering that put three R6s at the front of the Supersport race and with .050 seconds covering all three (till Damon pitched it and Gobert filled in the gap - adrift by 15 seconds or so).

Either way, so little of what you buy will be stock for too long. All four have good characteristics off the shelf, but remember - there is a plethera of aftermarket goods that can dramatically improve the performance of all four.

How well can you afford your bike to handle?

;)

Homewrecker

[Zac]

What's wrong with the 250?  It should handle better than any of those pigs.

-z.

[OmniGLH]

Track use?

Taking into consideration that they're all pretty close once you set it up right, I'd go with the Suzuki.  Best contingency, LARGE racer following meaning lots of cheap parts on Ebay.  Go to an average club weekend and take a peek at the Unlimited class.  99% of the riders will be on Suzukis (I think I've seen 1 R1, 1 ZX-10, and NO CBR1000s this year at the track.)

Street use?

Probably the Honda.  GREAT looking IMO, Honda reliability, and Hondas (at least in the past) tend to be the most comfortable.

[Sunny]

Track use?
Suzuki.

Agree.  Reasons already listed by OmniGLH.

Street use?

Probably the Honda.  GREAT looking IMO, Honda reliability, and Hondas (at least in the past) tend to be the most comfortable.

Plus it's available in that great factory Repsol scheme for an extra $600 if I remember correctly.

[duc995@aol.com]

Thanks guys!

I agree with the Suzuki parts availability as it seems like EVERY privateer has one...must be the Suzuki contingency money, which won't be a factor with me!  The things I don't like about the Suzuki are:

1) The bad things I have read in Roadracingworld.com about the valve train's durability;

2) the vulnerability of the (vintage) side-mounted exhaust canister!  Every bike should have a Ducati 916-type pipe!

3) I have always leaned towards Hondas for reliability.

I did ride a GSXR600 last year at the Kevin Schwantz school and loved it though... :D

Zac:  

I am sick and tired of every squid at a track day kicking my ass with their @uckin' liter bike and lack of skill.  These Aprilia RS 250 s are feeling too much like toys...and after the top end blowing at the Roadracingworld.com 250/50 this weekend...I am looking for a REAL bike!  My Ducati 916 is good, but when you weigh 225# with gear, I want the most HP I can get.  After all, a 1997 Ducati 916 is a vintage bike now :o!

[Thingy]

It seems that Yamahas generally have the best handling bikes.  (ever ridden an R6?)

Suzukis seem to be the best overall 'package' straight out of the box.  Plus, the above mentioned benefits.

I would go with one of those two.  Actually, I would go for a GSX-R750.  Have you ever raced a 1000?  They are a handful to ride and slower than a 750 at most tracks.  Plus, I am sick of burning up a rear tire every single day.   :-/

[Zac]

Rob, I must be a little bike rider, but in one weekend on the TZ250 I was riding it as fast around Arroyo as I rode my R6.  I even had my best ever finsh in Formula Amatuer on the 250.  And I don't weigh any less than you.

The GSXR750 is a good choice.  But I've heard the Duc 999R is pretty wicked...

The Honda is overweight (like most Hondas).  It can be made fast (ask Ledesma), but it will probably cost a little more than it would to make the others fast.

-z.

[MZGirl]

I even had my best ever finsh in Formula Arroyo on the 250.  

Ahem...that was Formula AMATEUR that you raced, sandbagger!   :P


 :-*

[duc995@aol.com]

+1 for Elaine! ;D

[duc995@aol.com]

Zac...these "toy" bike do lap fast, but they don't accelerate.  When I came and visited the ASMA scene last October, I was shocked to discover that I could finish higher in races against identical competitors on my Ducati than on my race bike, the Aprilia 250.  The reason was that magical torque and HP advantage;  I could "squirt" myself right past people and didn't have to worry about losing my momentum when a 4-stroke slowed infront of me midcorner!  I want to be able to pretend I am Han Solo making the jump to light speed every time I come onto a straight!   8)