New R1

[05RC51]

Thinking of selling my rc51 for a down payment on a 2012 cross plane R1 with a full graves exhaust and power commander and other goodies but I don't know if I wanna do the payment game again. Any input would be nice. The ultimate solution is to keep the rc but the wife doesn't approve of it

[JettaJayGLS]

But she approves of an R1? Bad ass.

[boosten lebaron]

are you asking if you should do sell your bike or are you asking if you should buy an r1? Ive had both and the r1 is a better bike but not the best bike to buy right now. I did a small review of my crossplane that I feel is very good at summing up the bike. A lot of people seem to gloss over its negative traits In favor of its positive ones. It is a bike with far more negative than positives however. Its a lot like your rc. Its not as good as the other bikes available but it has a certain character that's tough to find.
A quick search on here from a few months ago should show my thread. Ive actually got to update it abit since ive driven it more but the bike really hasn't changed for the better.

[jbmass]

RC's seem to keep their value. You should be able to sell it for good money. It'll sound as evil as the RC. I same some bikes, and wouldn't quickly sell a collectable bike to buy a newer bike, that wasnt a collectable......but is the RC collectable or just sentimental?

[05RC51]

I was asking sorry I didn't clarify. I'm hesitant because I always wanted a black rc and got one then the crossplane r1 came out and now I want that haha it's a viscous cycle

[carsick]

haha it's a viscous cycle

Different weights for summer and winter?

[imstuner]

1st forget the PCV for tune I would use Flash-tune interface for the R1. If you like that Vtwin power and sound the 09 to 12 are it but not the fastest 1Liter bike out there. It's a fatty but love that low end power and still have that higher rpm rev. I own a 08 and both of my friend own the crossplane. I still prefer the 07 to 08 model, it the highest out put power in all the years in stock form and stiffer front suspension.

[05RC51]

I like the feel of my rc it feels like I'm riding a tank haha. I sat on the r1 and it feels a lot like my rc in comparison

[nhbubba]

...I don't know if I wanna do the payment game again.

Don't borrow money for a toy. That is the extent of my advice.

[05RC51]

Yea I been thinking that I might wait a year to save up and pick up a slightly used one for around 9 grand or so. The one I want is 15,900 out the door at sport line in queensbury ny

[Chippertheripper]

The educated motorcyclist in me says: spend the $ on suspension and rider upgrades (schools, clinics, trackdays).

But if you're like me, once you get it in your head you want something, get outta the way.
Gas is a terrible thing. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)

[R7]

Yea I been thinking that I might wait a year to save up and pick up a slightly used one for around 9 grand or so. The one I want is 15,900 out the door at sport line in queensbury ny

A new 2012 R1 leftover can be had in pretty much any color for around 11K. I'd do some shopping around if you want one.

I had an 09, first year of the new style and engine. Loved that bike and kick myself for selling it every time I ride the Aprilia!

[boosten lebaron]

Yea I been thinking that I might wait a year to save up and pick up a slightly used one for around 9 grand or so. The one I want is 15,900 out the door at sport line in queensbury ny

$15.9? that's crazy. I just bought mine 2 months ago brand new with 5 year warranty for 11k Otd. There are places that sell them for $10k if you don't care about color. I paid extra because I didn't want the blue one.

[05RC51]

I thought the price was high but it had everything I wanted on it haha ill keep looking and maybe convince the wife to let me keep the rc

[I8A4RE]

A new 2012 R1 leftover can be had in pretty much any color for around 11K. I'd do some shopping around if you want one.

I had an 09, first year of the new style and engine. Loved that bike and kick myself for selling it every time I ride the Aprilia!

you rather have that R1 instead of your rsv4?? why? Very curious b/c im thinking of getting an rsv4

[R7]

you rather have that R1 instead of your rsv4?? why? Very curious b/c im thinking of getting an rsv4

I don't dislike the RSV4, I just liked the R1 better. The R1 engine was smoother pretty much everywhere, felt much more powerfull than the Ape, was a bit more comfortable on long rides, and IMO looked better.

[boosten lebaron]

When I bought my crossplane one of the bikes I was considering was an aprilia. The r1 seemed to be a better deal. I couldn't convince myself the aprilia was a better bike for nearly $8000 more. As a matter of fact the aprilia was the first and easiest bike I was able to cross off my comparision list when I was buying and I really wanted the excuse to buy it.
The r1 certainly is the bargain liter bike right now but isn't for everyone. It cant really be compared to other inline 4 liter bikes, it really needs to be in the twin group even though its not one.

[R7]

If you were looking at the RSV4 Factory, yes about 8k more. Mine was about $4k more than I could have gotten a new R1 for at the time...I agree, the R1 is the better deal

[scottieducati]

The R1 has to be one of the more underrated bikes out there these days. Man it must suck having won WSBK and AMA SBK. Ditch the heavy ass exhaust, get it tuned up, some suspension upgrades and have at it. The sound alone is worth ditching the OEM exhaust... unbelievable sound from an I4.

[I8A4RE]

I hope yamaha makes a slimmer 2014 yamaha r1 !! It's like a zx7r !! probably rides like a couch just like the zx7r

[I8A4RE]

btw, you can get a 12' rsv4 for around 12,600 which is much closer to the R1.

[boosten lebaron]

I hope yamaha makes a slimmer 2014 yamaha r1 !! It's like a zx7r !! probably rides like a couch just like the zx7r

Mine reminds me very much of my old zx7. I really compare it to a tl1000r though.

[R7]

I hope yamaha makes a slimmer 2014 yamaha r1 !! It's like a zx7r !! probably rides like a couch just like the zx7r

I'm gonna say, I hope they build another porky underpowered R1 for 2014. Only reason, I'd like to keep the Aprilia for at least 2-3 seasons. Probably won't matter to me though if it's porky and underpowered, if the R1 is typical Yamaha as far as new looks, i'll be in love all over again and buy based on looks

[R7]

The R1 has to be one of the more underrated bikes out there these days. Man it must suck having won WSBK and AMA SBK. Ditch the heavy ass exhaust, get it tuned up, some suspension upgrades and have at it. The sound alone is worth ditching the OEM exhaust... unbelievable sound from an I4.

Scottie, come on, everyone knows the R1 raced in WSB and AMA are not the same bikes we buy from the dealers. That's only true with Honda's and Gixxers!

[fr333zy]

I have an 09 R1, and love it. I have it setup exactly how I want, and I don't think I'll ever sell it. I get looks and waves everywhere I go, and it sounds better than almost anything else out there (other than maybe some Ducatis).

A few thoughts:
1.) First, your username won't make sense anymore

2.) The RC51 is a pretty sought after bike, and if you have it just the way you want it you'll be hard pressed to find one again like that down the road, my advice if you love it is to keep it

3.) I'd suggest do whatever you can to get out of the payment games. I'm buying the new Ducati Hyper soon, and though it hasn't been easy, I've saved up the cash so I can buy it outright. All that I'm waiting on now is having the R1 paid off (which is only a few months away). I've been making triple payments for the last 6 months and I can't wait to be done. Never again will I get a loan for a bike.

4.) Don't put much stock in the few bits of advice up above about how the R1 is larger, heavier, slower than other liter bikes. No one I've met has ever had the ability to wring a bike out to the point where they'd notice the difference. It's still hella fast, and moreover the power is much more usable for day to day riding than a lot of the other 1000's. Sure they all make a few more peak horsepower (in some cases quite a bit more like the S1000RR), but they're also all at the top of the RPM range. The R1 is just as competitive on a track as any of the other bikes, I mean look at Larry Pegram, he just switched to the R1 from the S1000RR and he's been more successful on it already. Josh Hayes is another example of someone riding the bike making the difference despite being "down" on power. Unless you're a lot better rider than 99% of riders out there, I'd say the R1 is good as long as you like how it looks, and it's comfy for you. None of them are perfect out of the box either, so if you ride at that super high level, no matter what you buy you're going to be tuning suspension and brakes at a minimum.

If having the latest flashiest thing out there is important to you, then get the HP4 Carbon or a Panigale, or maybe a ZedX10. Otherwise go with what speaks to you and what you like. Everyone has opinions, and mine is surely biased (just like everyone above), but the truth of it is that if it makes you smile every time you see one, then it's a good bike for you.
Good luck!