Decisions? Decisions?

[Andy levitt]

Hey all,

Im coming up to the 2nd birthday for my R6 shortly (1.5 months) and instead of re insuring it i want to upgrade.

With the 0% finance deals going on, and the miles racking up on my bike i have opted to go for it. Two bikes i have in mind, 2010 Yamaha R1 or the 2010 Honda CBR 1000RR.

Been to both Yam and Honda dealerships, both offer me £5000 trade in. Thing is im 20, 21 in a month and this causes problems as neither will let me test ride them untill im 25.

I cant decide which bike i want. MCN says the R1 is better. Other mags and motorbike websites say the Honda is the best between them two. I think both bikes look stunning, Yamaha in its blue, and the Honda in the HRC colours.

What can you guys suggest? Any New Blade owners? or New Yam owners ? or just any advice on the approach i can take?

Thank you
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Speedfight 50 -> Honda NSR 125 -> Y reg YAMAHA YZF R6 -> 08 YAMAHA YZF R6 -> Honda CBR1000RR
Theory test Done 4/6/07
Practical test Done 21/12/07

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Find a shop that will let you test ride as some will.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Spit-Fire]

isn't the blade cheaper?
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they say the good die young... i say we just live faster

[Villers]

The definition of better is difficult, if the mags are talking outright performance it probably wont matter in the long run! Things that would sway me are looks, how it makes me feel and if theres any bits I couldnt live with.

As a 28 year old who's had big bikes I can only say Im very jealous a whippersnapper is in such a position as having to choose between two awesome brand new bikes! Do what makes you happy bud and enjoy it!

The naysayers will be along soon to say 'its too much for the road', you'll lose on depreciation, the blade is bland and you would be better off with a cheaper slower more tatty bike. So enjoy
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Deaks]

[Hetzer]

I'm still of the belief that Honda have the best build and material quality. Kawasakis and Suzukis rot, Yamahas aren't much better. All three develop mechanical issues too quickly, though Yamaha aren't as bad as Kawasaki and Suzuki.

Personally I would never own a Kawasaki or Suzuki, I've seen too many new ones looking like shit. I could probably stomach a Yam.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[Aspire]

every bike mag bar mcn has the blade above the yamaha, tbh your paying nearly 2k more for the yamaha ( bmw money ) which is a joke considering its rated worse then the honda.

usability
power
handling
build quality
even looks

all go to the honda.

[Twisted2004]

[SamJL]

CBR is cheaper and a much better bike in my opinion, I tried both, the R1 felt big and heavy, and lumpy low down and mid range, the CBR feels light and nimble with an awesome mid range. Obviously this is personal preference, but I've ridden a 2008 R1, and I thought the 2009 R1 was actually a step back, it felt heavier and harder to turn then the older R1, just really didn't like it!

If you want to compare a bike of similar price to the R1 then the BMW S1000RR is the better choice.

Your choice should really be:

CBR1000RR (HRC Colour scheme FTW!)
BMW S1000RR (BMW Race Team shceme FTW!)

Try both of those bikes and decide which one you think is best

Did you get my PM by the way?

As you know, I came from a 2006 R6, which is pretty much the same as the 2008 model, to the CBR1000RR. The CBR is the better road bike, and it can be fun to ride, I just found the R6 a little bit more fun, but saying that, now I've done some decent miles on the CBR I'm really starting to enjoy it. Obviously it has a shed load more power then the R6, and the difference in mid range is staggering.

The handling is amazing, with a decent set of tyres, and the suspension set up for my weight, it's an animal round the twisties. I'd say it actually handles better then the R6, and its just as easy to turn, it just feels so stable, but also so nimble, the handling really is amazing, it's staggering how quickly the bike turns and how light it feels. It can be a bit harder to turn at higher speeds, due to the electronic steering damper getting stiffer the faster you go, but its not something you really notice.

If I turn mine in to a track bike next year, I will go for an Ohlins steering damper and ditch the stock one. It just gets a little bit to stiff when your going fast, but not something you really notice to much on the roads. You will definetly need to get rid of the stock tyres if you go for the CBR, they are pants Bridgestone BT015's, and I can honestly say, the worst tyre I've ever ridden on. I on Pilot Power Pure's now, and they seem to work really well on the CBR!

It is the lightest out of all the 1000cc bikes, and bar the S1000RR, the UK CBR1000RR has the most power out of all of the inline 4 1000cc bikes. Some of the charts you will see will say otherwise, but this is because they are of US bikes, where they restrict the power for strict emission laws. All UK bikes make around 165bhp at the rear wheel, which is more then any other 1000cc IL4 bike apart from the S1000RR. It also makes the most torque and has the best mid range out of the lot.

Someone above said something about the CBR being better build quality. This is probably the only thing it looses out on, the paint seems to scratch very easily, especially on the tank (You can get a protective film pack, the Honda dealer can supply it, stops it from scratching), and there has been a number of oil burners, and some other problems. Mine has had none of these problems, and obviously you get a warranty. The 2010 model's should hopefully not burn any oil, I don't think I've heard any cases of it over on the CBR forums, but most of the 2008 bikes did, probably around 50% of them. They burn around a litre every 1000 miles. Mine is OK, but its a 2009, and there seems to be fewer cases of oil burners. Yamaha build quality is usually top notch.

Oh, and just to stir things up a little bit more, the brand new Kawazaki ZX10R is due out in the next couple of months! It looks like its going to make big power, I think they want to beat the S1000RR in the power stakes, and no doubt it will be even cheaper as well. I would wait until next month, when they release all of the proper details for it, and see how it spec's up on paper. If its as good as there saying its going to be, it might be my next bike!
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2009 CBR1000RR
2004 KTM 200SX
2004 KTM 65SX

[Spit-Fire]

[chris-red]

[edeaton]

A brand new R1 & blade pass my house most sunday mornings. I think the blade is the better looking definitely but the cross plane crank of the r1 just sounds awesome with akras. I had a mate who got a test on the cbr6rr at honda and he wasnt 25 yet. I think the thing that helped was that he turned up on 919 blade so the guys at the dealership let him go. maybe test ride privately before you buy new? as i understand you can go out on any bike so long as you pay for supervision (if your under 25) which is pretty shite.
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Current: 1997 Triumph Daytona T595 (new engine)
Past: 1989 Honda VFR400 NC30 & 2001 Honda CG125

[Andy levitt]

Hey , well in terms of better i mean the bunch like handling power etc, which all say is honda,

I have been offered a brand new r1 for £9999 and the honda is £10,750. So in terms of cheapness the yam is the best. I dont realy like the BMW and even though it's got an awsome top end. i just cant see me riding one.

Atm i swayed for the honda but i will have to try and get a test ride.

SamJL i like the way you decride the honda as being better handling as the r6 as i love the r6's handling but was thinking a 1000 wouldnt be up to as much. That really puts me going for the honda. I have about 1 month to wait so plenty of time to make a decision.

As far as realiabity goes well i dont think theres much between the big japs nw is there? But i did have a injection hiccup with the r6 which got taken care of.

I decding to buy new as their 0% so y not lol i can slowy pay it off which out much of a problem. Insurance isnt cheap but its only about £200+more than what im paying for the R6.

Thing what puts me for the yamaha is just the noise it makes and that fact its blue and matches my leathers lol I dont like the twin cans on the back though, they would have to be changed as there far too blulky.

Thanks for your help everyone.
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Speedfight 50 -> Honda NSR 125 -> Y reg YAMAHA YZF R6 -> 08 YAMAHA YZF R6 -> Honda CBR1000RR
Theory test Done 4/6/07
Practical test Done 21/12/07

[Spit-Fire]

if the r1 is cheaper id go with the Yamaha as the honda isn't £750 quid better.

[chris-red]

[Spit-Fire]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Dealers will be willing to drop prices. If you phone around a Honda Dealer will at least match that £10k with 0% finance if not better it.

Go for the bike you want then get the price down/extras added on later. Once youve decided on the bike phone round local-ish dealers (I had a travelling range of 100 miles) and play them against each other to haggle down, you'll be surprised how cheap they'll go.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Spit-Fire]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Spit-Fire]

not quite the same as a several thousand pound saving on an older plate in this case.
but shows its worth doing your finest terry tibs impression
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they say the good die young... i say we just live faster

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Spit-Fire]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Andy levitt]

Aye, reason for the new bike options is down to it being 0%, if i went for a cheaper older model the finace wouldnt be 0% meaning i would be paying close to the new bike in the long term.

Yep the garage has said theyll get me a nice blue and white R1 on a 60 plate in a month for £9999. Their waiting for a depoist but i still aint sure which bike i really want lol. I havent tryied getting some knocked off the honda but if i really did push it i think i could maybe get it to the same £9999.

Its a tough cookie this one lol
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Speedfight 50 -> Honda NSR 125 -> Y reg YAMAHA YZF R6 -> 08 YAMAHA YZF R6 -> Honda CBR1000RR
Theory test Done 4/6/07
Practical test Done 21/12/07

[Spit-Fire]

do remember that Honda are due a model update, as the current incarnation has been around since 2008. so they are likely to make changes if the recession doesn't halt things another year
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they say the good die young... i say we just live faster