as Mr M-C, what she said. I find it easier to ride the R1 legally/sensibly than the ZX636C1H I had. The 600 only “worked” when you thrashed it (partly down to stiff kawasaki suspension) and was uncomfortable/difficult to ride slowly. Having ridden big twins and triples I was not used to having to change gear so often.
I find the R1 comfortable and easy to bimble on. Yes if I want to make progress it is ballistic, but so is a 600 if its revved to its limit. the difference is I can roll along in one gear if I wish (3rd is good from 30mph to ~130 so I’ve heard…)and still make swift, smooth progress.
I put 1000 miles a month on my 05R1 last year (until it snowed) and did a few 500 mile non-motorway days into mid wales etc. My experience is contrary to Tandemjeremy’s-It costs exactly as much to insure as my 600 did, has longer service intervals (yam @6000 compared to kaw @4000) and doesnt eat tyres any more than a smaller sports bike (I got less than 3000miles out of the rear on the C1 and even a 60hp NC30, and my current rear Pirelli is 3000 miles old and still going). I was 10mph quicker around Gerrards at Mallory on a trackday, not due to the power but due to the bike feeling so stable and planted. The bike oozes style and quality and is just a really nice place to be. as the hundreds Ive spent on bling over the winter will testify (CRG adjustable levers, Harris adjustable rearsets, Ti race cans).
If you havent guessed, I reckon you should go for it. I got it as a “one of those things you have to do” in my biking life and was prepared to change it after sampling the experience. I wont be changing it for a while as it is everything I wanted and hoped for and more.
