R1 Vs ZX9R

[andrew]

Just a quick question has anyone ridden both of these bikes? I'd like to know how the compare and am unable to get a test ride unfortunately. One of you lovely lot must have ridden both and have a good opinion to pass on.

Thanks.

[Kris]

How come you can't blag a test ride?
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
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[andrew]

I've got a restricted licence and all the dealers I know locally don't have any ZX9's in so I can't try that.

[Kris]

I've got a restricted license too. Have you tried just walking in bold as brass and trying it?
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
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[MarJay]

Ask G!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Kris]

[MarJay]

yes, but he has ridden Korns R1 and my Triumph too. I think he's quite well qualified to comment.

I have a review of the 9R vs the TL1000R and the 955i somewhere. It says that the 9R is ballistically fast and comfortable, but the R1 is too much for the road and too small for big people. They said the 9 was light and fast in that company and it was ideal for being sensible or naughty. And I'm sure that insurance is cheaper on the 9 than the R1!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Kris]

Yea that sort of confirms what other mags have said etc. Yea the insurance is group 16, not 17 like the R1 etc, plus bikes are generally not abused as much.

Mmm Tempting

[edit] just waiting for Korn to chirp up about Kwak reliability
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[TiN]

[kev]

The R1 goes so much better than the zx9.
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[Demonic69]

[craigT19]

the zx-9 goes very well....on paper its a faster bike...and it still uses carbs

I know a couple guys with them..and they say its as fast as anything on the road, but as dead said much more practical. The R1 is a good bike..if you can ride it, in france last year my friends dad pissed all over the 2 R1's that went on the straight bits and on the mountain twists. On the track i dont doubt the R1 would come out on top.....but on the roads, i would lean towards the zx-9.

Hope that helps andrew, and have fun finding out
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Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
BCF member pops. sadly missed 1945-2003

[sweet]

well my 2pennies worth is the r1 rocks for me,,,the zx9 was too big and bulky for a didi 5`2 frame.The 02 model r1 was similar to the r6 very didi,,,,,,and is brill on the roads,,,u can ride it hard and still have grin factor 100%.But then what do i know im just a girl
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[Bendy]

One of them is a Kawasaki.

Nuff said.

[Kris]

Bleugh

I sat on a Fireblade, GSXR and ZX9 etc on the weekend. The Fireblade is too small and cramped for my lanky frame, my knees cannot get anywhere near the cut-outs of the tank and generally my feet were too big to change gear Ditto the GSXR.

But...

The ZX9 fits perfectly Seriously comfortable compared to the others. Had a play around with it in the shop and must admit suprised how light it is compared to the hulk of metal that I currently own.

(Not even considering an R1 btw before anyone starts )
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
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[Demonic69]

Which Blade? The 00 one is fairly OK for me.
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[G]

Right...
For me I'd take the zx9 for a bike that I actually wanted to use, rather than just play with. For a play thing I would /probably/ choose the r1.

Comfort:
For me the zx9 wins in almost all areas. Even on mine with fully rear set rearsets and standard clipons it's a lot more comfortable than the r series bikes. I find the r series puts to much weight on my wrists (or back if my arms are held properly) for normal riding. I definitely wouldn't want to do distance on an r series, while I'm happy to on the zx.
The zx9 seat is also more comfortable as is the pillion pad.
The zx9 does feel a bit heavier and bulkier, though in reality we aren't talking much more than 15kg, if that.

Engine:
The R wins this. The zx9 isn't as far behind as you might think (infact I'd say mine is on par at least, if not better, but that's to be expected as it's tuned). The R series I expect might occasionally be a bit too much as such, ie trying to launch the front wheel whenever it can. Though I believe they toned it down a tad (delivery, not power) and changed the gearing in the later models so that it didn't bite quite so much.
The ZX9 does 98% of what the r series engine does, and would seem to do it with less fuss.

Handling:
You do have to work the zx9 a bit more to get it to do what the R series does, but it will do it. The zx is definitely more stable than the R series, which will seem ti twitch it's nose at the slightest provocation. Stick some sticky tyres on either and you'll get decent lap times.

Brakes:
The R series brakes are very nicely, definitely a bit better than the zx ones. Put braided hoses and decent pads on both and there isn't that much difference however. Either will happily lift the rear from three figure speeds with two fingers if you so desire.

Stunts:
Either will wheelie, stoppy and burnout as much as you want. The R1 will come up easier, however if it's like the r6 it will also have a high balance point. Great if you want to mess with gears, not so great if you want to try and stay at the balance point.

Crashing (mostly not form personal experience):
I'm not sure which models, but I know quite a few on the r1 do also have a welded subframe. This can mean expensive repair bills from many fairly minor crashes.
The r series wheels are also brittle, which means they're more likely to break than get dented. Generally the r series seems to be a bit weaker, which would make sense with it being a tad lighter.

So: if I wanted a sunday play bike for fast road riding, I would probably get the r1. If I wanted a bike I could use everyday and take to some bike festivals etc, I'd get the zx9.
For learning stunts I would probably actually go with the zx9.
I wouldn't choose either as a track bike, though both would perform well, I want something that I can thrash a bit more without having to worry /too/ much about being spat off.

[Mr C]

I owned a zx9 for many years and have ridden several R1s

I agree 100% exactly what G said ^^^

the zx9 is the better road bike imho and I did lots of track days on it too - I couldn't outride it, but that isn't saying much
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187.3bhp = 201mph

[stevo as b4]

Ive seen the 9R quoted in MCN tests as topping out at a true 174mph on a good day. I think thats a few mph more than the R1 can manage in terms of outright top speed on a perfectly still day. The ZX9 has the advantage of a pressurised airbox, that more than outweighs the 7-10bhp disadvantage and the extra 15kgs, when your looking for every last mph. I wouldnt be suprised that a full race system and dynojet kit on the ZX9 would make it quicker than the GSXR1000 at the very top end, even if its comparitively weak on midrange torque. Another trademark Kawasaki top end rush thats for sure!