Litre Bikes - Advice/Opinions please.

[TheIncredible...]

Hi all,

As soon as this "situation" is showing signs of coming to an end, I shall be looking to get back on 2 wheels ASAP, to which end I am coming to you for your advice, experiences and opinions

Despite being the very wrong side of my mid thirties, I'm still very much a sport bike rider, at least until such time I can't handle the riding positions so I'll be looking for the best litre bike for around £5000. It'll probably only ever be for road use but I may be tempted to the odd track day in the future, possibly, maybe.....

The only litre bikes I've ever ridden are RSV's (having had two in the past) so I'm looking for one of the fours from Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda. If my budget was endless, yes I'd have more options but as it stands, £5000 will be plenty to put a smile back on my mug. I've obviously trawled the 'net for reviews and various articles on R1's, 'Blades, ZX-10's and GSXR's but I would much rather hear from you lot in the real world.

Thanks in advance guys and girls
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Current Bike:-Suzuki GSXR 1000 - K3
Past Bikes:- ZX6-R, ZX7-R, RSV Mille x2 (1st Gen).

[Hong Kong Phooey]

K5 GSXR1000, or 2008 blade were regarded by some ad the pinnacle of performance of their era, good budget to buy the best of either.

No ABS or electronic rider A.I.D.S. though if that bothers you.
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[TheIncredible...]

[-]

In all honesty, having had an early 99 R1, I can say that whilst a great bike and fast in a straight line, it's way too much to enjoy on the road.
When something can break the NSL in first gear, it's almost impossible to thrash without risking losing your licence.

I have more fun ragging a 250 2 stroke race rep and with a few bends thrown in, can easily keep up with mates on litre 4 pots.
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TZR250 2MA road, TZR250 1KT road, TZR250 2MA race, TDR250, YZF-750R Boost colours.
Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[Andy_Pagin]

[Polarbear]

A good friend has had more R1's than I have had hot dinners (no he doesn't crash them all ) and swears by them.

I can't even sit on one without getting back ache though. I am old.

My knowledge of sports bikes is extremely limited though, the nearest thing to one I had was a busa. I have to say I love large engines, mine being a much detuned 1200, but as said, it's so easy to lose you licence nowadays on something that fast.

I doubt if there is a bad modern litre sports bike. It's really down to choice. I have heard the Gixxer and Blades are the easiest to live with. The R1 is most track focused and the Kwack is green.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[TheIncredible...]

[martin734]

I am not really that into sports bikes but one of the best sportyish bikes that I have ridden is the Kwak Z1000. It is more of a streetfighter than a full on sports bike but it was loads of fun to ride, as quick to ride on the road as any litre sports bike but still comfortable enough for a couple of hours riding. The styling isn't to everyone's taste though.
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Current bike: ST1100 "Big Red"

[Kentol750]

Having had an 06 fireblade I can only remember how great it was. The 08 or 09 in black and white reminded me of an orca! With comfort and a bit of everything else thrown in, I'd get another z1000sx. It may lack a few ponies but it more than makes up for it in usability. If you're going to look at the naked thou ballpark... I'd go tuono (still more faired than some.) If you've lived with a zx7r, you can deal with uncomfortable.
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Some bikes.

[MCN]

I have two bikes that thrash NSL in 1st.

Nothing to do with speeding tickets.

Litre bike out classes a 600 any day.

Power Power Power. 😎

But there is the caveat that power is useless without control.

Be man-enough to control the power. 👍
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[chickenstrip]

[MCN]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[TheIncredible...]

[-]

[wr6133]

K5/K6 GSXR 1000 you can't go wrong. I have the K1 and that is stupidly fun..... the K5/6 is better by every metric.

£5k on a 2 stroke would be fun, except you probably wouldn't ride it due to increasing value and rarity.

[Old Git Racing]

Had 1000's and as said to easy to go too fast. Best bike I had for balance of power, handling, weight etc was a K7 750 GSXR. They get better reviews than the thous of that era.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[P.]

Loads of K5/6 love.

I prefer my L0 model.

The K5/6 has developed a cult following, rightfully so, its great.

I just think mine feels better. Buying a K5/6 now, about 4.2-4.5k for a tidy one.

Mine is still around 6k, but 5 years younger. Picking up a K7/8 is around the same as the 5/6.

Can get a nice ZX10R C2H for around 4 also.. similar age to the K5.



All the above though, it kind of is too much for the road and I found myself casually cruising at 100+ on the motorway, bikes not even breaking a sweat... it'll do that in 1st gear.

Could always get 2 bikes with that money, one fun fuck around cheapy supermoto and a nice 600/750. I also wouldn't shy away from the 675 motors, absolutely loved my Street Triple.

[TheIncredible...]

[P.]

I've only ever ridden a Daytona on track, it wasn't set up for me at all and I'd never sat on one.

It felt like it was on rails and it was amazingly good.

[notbike]

Had a 600 that I absolutely adored for 2 years, and I'm now on my 2nd 1000.

Used to think 600s were the dogs bollocks and you'd not need anything more, which is true, you probably wouldn't "need" anything more, but 1000s are much more fun because the power is stupid.

It's just really fun. You don't "need" one but you will enjoy more power, and who the fuck cares whether you need it or not.

[MCN]

A 600 will feel fast.
A 1000 will demonstrate that British roads have too many bends in them and very short straights.
😎
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Easy-X]

Litre? Pah! Get a 'busa
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stevo as b4]

Fair play to OP and others who are leisure bikers, and have the desire for a 1000cc sports bike in 2020. Not for me anymore and I don't rate the roads as being good enough, or the volume of traffic low enough. I also was never one who could have used a bike like that to any of its potential on track.

I'm still thinking of a 250-450cc bike as a next purchase, and that will be a big bike for me, and overkill for the roads I ride, and the use for it I'd have. We're all very different people and with very different circumstances and compared to 90's sports bike Britain, people are doing much more different things with bikes and have different needs or desires.

[P.]

When I move, in the next few years, I'll definitely downsize.