Opinions from owners/fans of the GSX-R 1000 series

[Billy]

Hey Guys,

Basically to give you a little background about my intentions, for the past year and a half I have been saving up to buy a new GSX-R 1000. I love the GSX-R series and I was planning on buying a brand new 2007 GSX-R 1000 when it becomes available.

Well I've been watching the net/forums like a hawk about the upcoming model. In the past week a lot of actual photos and articles have been popping up since the Suzuki dealership shows in France and Vegas recently occurred.

I know physical appearance has nothing to do with handling but I'm the kind of guy who wants a great overall performing bike with a stylish look. I absolutely love the 05-06 years, but when I saw the final design for the 07 I was greatly disappointed.

From what I've been reading the bike is heavier (due to the dual exhaust and multiple catalytic converters installed for the new emissions rules in Europe). The bike now has a power switch that allows you toggle between three different power settings. Seems like an AWESOME technology, but I also see it as HUGE source of electrical/engine problems as the bike ages.

Who knows maybe the bike will grow on me but as of right now I'm not digging it. I'd buy an 06 in a heartbeat now knowing what the 07 is going to be, but I doubt the stealerships have any new 06's left. All are probably pre owned and have been aftermarketed like crazy.

I just wanted to see what other peoples opinions are on the upcoming GSX-R 1000 model.

[richw]

I have an 05 with 8K

Not a lick of problems not a drop of oil burned. Just eats tires so maybe power switch good idea. I would be sure if the power switch exists it only signals the ECU to use a different map that should cause no problems.

If your worried from exhaust then cans would be available with the bike.

I am happy happy with power wheelies in up to 4th gear. I have put convertibars and a gel seat and routinely do 400+ mile days fine. They said the suspension is soft but seems fine for my real world New England territory.

Styling schmiling If you got it early Feb 2007 then it would be cool till like April when they are all over the place.

I do recommend it if you are an experienced rider.
If not it will kill you>>> sorry for the reality check

[Billy]

Hey RichW,

Thanks for your input. The exhaust doesn't bother me much since you can easily change it.

I was turned off by the styling of the front and side farings, and this ECU mapping switch kinda has me sketched out. Until i see reviews on this, I will continue to be sketched out. I know I won't see reviews until probably the spring timeframe, but I want to beat the rush of the spring season since that's the worst time to buy. I'd prefer to make a decision in the offseason since no one is buying and you could possibly get a better deal.

The 750 is also a great bike. I've really started liking it alot when Punjistick got his. Every time I go riding with him, I like the 750 more and more.

[legalspeed]

Either would be a good choice.

Take them for what they are: performance machines.

Don't expect to get a nice comfy Sunday Morning ride. But if you want balls-to-the-wall performance, and the thrill of world class handling, either one.

I ride both.

[richw]

I don't get the 750

I don't get to much power

If your a newbie then even the 600 is too much

Look at it like they are storing your ride for you over the winter.

You still will get a good deal all the way till end of March.

Seriously if your a newbie
Please stay away
Buy gear and a 500 twin for 2 years.
If your passed that stage get the 600.
Anywhere on the street it will run with the big dogs no problem
Got to pay your dues
Pay me now or pay Saint Peter later

[Billy]

No I'm no longer a newbie. Everyone has been saying though the 750 is more fun in the twisties since the power isn't as insane as the 1000.

[richw]

I do OK in the twisities etc. but my first love is insane acceleration makes me smile.

[mikeb]

Originally posted by richw
I do OK in the twisities etc. but my first love is insane acceleration makes me smile.

+1 i'm all for a good twisty road but i love the sheer acceleration these bikes provide just as much.

billy have you rode alex's 750? ask if he'll let you. you may change your mind. going from a f41 to the big gix is a HUGE step up in power. my nine has like 40 less hp and it still runs low 10's and go's 170 plus. more than plenty for the street.

[JRide]

I don't know how serious you are about buying a 06 1k but I know a place that still has red/blk 06 1k.

If you want to give them a call or checkout their site.

troycitygarage.com

Bought my last new bike from them and they were great.

[Billy]

Originally posted by mikeb
+1 i'm all for a good twisty road but i love the sheer acceleration these bikes provide just as much.

billy have you rode alex's 750? ask if he'll let you. you may change your mind. going from a f41 to the big gix is a HUGE step up in power. my nine has like 40 less hp and it still runs low 10's and go's 170 plus. more than plenty for the street.

No I haven't. I kind of want to but I know that bike is his baby and I doubt he wants other people riding it even though Alex and I are good buddies.

[benVFR]

1) Dual exhaust too heavy

- Are you planning competing for an expert level series trophy on your potential new ride? If not who cares about a couple extra pounds - if it's a street bike this is probably a squidly fear, the GSX-R has been the fastest literbike for sometime. All are super fast, you won't be able to tell until it's tested whether or not the dual exhausts or weight change hurt the bike. Suzuki is unlikely to release an update that makes the bike slower.

2) Multiple EFI maps causing a loss of reliability

This will be implemented as follows:

- A simple switch on the bar - dead simple, not likely to be any more problematic then any other switch. Suzuki has good build quality and is not known for horrible electrical problems. When was the last time you heard of a widespread problem with Suzuki's kill switches, headlight switches, etc.. failing?

- Switch triggers different EFI maps in the ECU - if Suzuki can make one map, they can probably make 3 maps. Unless one of the maps is seriously wrong it is no more likely to screw up the engine then a bike with one incorrect map. As long as none of the maps have a problem and there is no bug in the ECU there is little long term reliability risk. A bug in the ECU would likely show up right away, not years down the road. (e.x. Does having 2 programs installed on your PC make it any less likely to fry itself then having 1 program?) It's just computer software. It's more complex then a system with one map but in the grand scheme of computer software engine ECUs are pretty simple and it's easy for the company to test them. Suzuki has also been running the racebikes like this for quite some time already.. they know how to implement this. This is WAY simpler then the complete engine & ECU redesigns they do every couple of years.


The multiple EFI maps could be a very nice upgrade.. it could make the bike a lot easier to ride in traffic, offer the opportunity of fuel savings, etc.. I would definitely love a feature like this on my bike.. if a switch was available that cut 1/2 the power but gave me an extra 10-15mpg I would definitely love that... best of both worlds.

[SVRACER01]

yeah it is kinda ugly... you should buy anew zx6

[a13x]

Buy the bike YOU want. About 4% of the roadriding population will be able to tell the difference (performance wise) between the 07 and 06, shit even a 01 for that matter.

Sounds like your mind is already made up to me.

[legalspeed]

Originally posted by BadBoyBilly
No I'm no longer a newbie. Everyone has been saying though the 750 is more fun in the twisties since the power isn't as insane as the 1000.

The power has nothing to do with it, the 1k has a lot of gyro from the motor's spinning weight, so, for the same roll speed (through the apex) the 1k will make you work a LOT harder.

At Daytona, the 1k wins, at Loudon, the 750 wins. Power is the same, or damn close, top end is a little different.

[Kham]

im digging zx6 but im not going backward

[Josephd14]

I'll tell ya if i was gonna dump my tiller, those new zx10's are looking pretty nice these days and i'm no KOW fan either..

[Billy]

I've offically decided to go with the 750. Now my second battle is which color to choose?

Whichever one gets the most votes, will be the color I choose!!!!

2007's



2006's

[Josephd14]

Eeewwww I LIKE THIS ONE.. that is sharp..

[neuthunder]

black and blue is kick ass

[ssg]

Originally posted by Kham
im digging zx6 but im not going backward

How is it going backward if your faster?

[Punjistick]

It's tough to go by pictures. Suzuki's pics don't show the metallic paint and the reflections well, or at all.



Billy, I have no problem if you want to ride my bike but you just have to promise to fix it if something should happen since I don't think my insurance covers it if someone else rides it. Speaking of which, when are we riding? I didn't get any riding in last weekend.


Here's my sort of long rant.

The funny thing about fast things is after you ride them and get used to them they don't feel so fast until you jump in your car or on something else (like my brother's bike ) and then get back on. Like Cheese said, it's definetly got enough power to get hurt/crash/power wheelie in 1st (haven't tried 2nd yet)/whatever. Is it too fast? For a beginner yes, but I've seen how Billy rides and he's not a newb. Could he handle a 1000? Sure. It's all in the head. Have respect for the machine/danger of the sport and most of the time you wont get hurt. Just about any bike can get you killed. Ok, back on topic...

Some things about my new bike vs. old one.

I definetly find myself riding around faster on it than my old bike. I don't mean I'm shaving off seconds but that it's actually sort of hard not to speed. The fun factor and grin it puts on my face is such an improvement over my last bike. It's not so smooth in stop/go traffic though (but what bike is). Maybe I just have to get used to it but either the exhaust valve that regulates back pressure or the engine seems to make it pretty twitchy in 1st gear at low speeds. It just wants to accelerate or decelerate. It doesn't like the constant speed type deal at really slow speeds. It seemed like on my 600 that I could cruise around in traffic at one speed in 1st. Maybe that's just the nature of the two different engines, I don't know.

I also find that I don't have to lean off the bike as much at the same speed through corners as on my 600. I think that's because the 750 is lighter. Not sure on the exact weights but the 750 has to be lighter.

The fact that is is thinner and the seat high is lower is a big plus for me since I'm about 5'7". Being able to put both your feet down is so nice and a big plus if you are on a hill or uneven pavement. The seat, like all sportbikes modeled towards the track/racing, sucks after about 200 miles. I find if you take a few breaks here and there that you can easlily do several hundred miles though.

The fuel range I have been getting is roughly 150 miles per tank (which is about what I got on my 600 with the power commander, K&N, and full system exhaust). I think it's a pretty averge depiction of use too. A mix of a little highway, mostly spirited riding, putting through traffic, etc. plus I always filled up just as the reserve light came on. The manual says it holds 4.1 Gal w/ reserve so that's about 36.5 mpg give or take since I don't remember/record the exact number of miles I have been getting to a tank.

Overall I am really pleased with the bike. For the money it has a ton of cool stuff. Adjustable foot pegs, slipper clutch, comes with a rear seat AND cover, gear position indicator, as well as a shift light. Do you need all that stuff? Probably not. But for the price I think it's a deal. Although I find the gear position indicator handy for all those times where you keep trying to find that elsusive 7th gear. And the adjustable foot pegs are really nice. I lowered them immediately after my first ride and what an improvement.

Hope this helps answer any questions.

[Kham]

Originally posted by somestrangeguy
How is it going backward if your faster?

pure acceleration...

[richw]

1K

Roll on power
gsxr 1K fastest top gear roll on of anything 60 to 80
The grunt of cubes

Please twin owners flat low torque yada yada anyplace anytime.

Twisties drop to 4th or 3rd drive like an automatic. Gentle throttle up and down and glide at speed

I would also bet it is easier to resell but I have no data. The homies would love a 4 year old liter bike.


Regardless looked at a bunch of dealers unloading 06's for discounts in boat bike rv trader. Best was Duc dealer marked down like the 999 (I think) from 29 to 23

[Kham]

Originally posted by richw
1K

Roll on power
gsxr 1K fastest top gear roll on of anything 60 to 80
The grunt of cubes

don't you mean the zx?

Twisties drop to 4th or 3rd drive like an automatic. Gentle throttle up and down and glide at speed

5th gear is smoother.

[Billy]

Awesome write up Alex!!! Those are the kind of things I like to hear about a bike!!!!

We DEF need to ride. I didn't ride at all this past weekend and I'm having major withdrawls. Looks like this weekend coming up is going to be the same as well. I have to go to a wedding on Sat, and Sunday is suppose to be shitty and plus I'll have a visitor in town. So Friday after work is the only time I'll have this weekend.

Alex you are totally correct about how the Suzuki pictures don't show the true color. When the 06 Gixxer 1000 came out. I fell in love with the red one from looking at it on Suzuki's website. Then I finally saw it in person and I hated the color. If you look on Suzuki's website at your bike, it's a much darker red, but in reality it's actually brighter I think.

So as of right now the 07 Black/Gray is really growing on me. Once the 07's show up in the stealerships I'll obviously want to see how the colors look in person and make my final decision then.

So since I'm not an all season rider, I'll probably be ending my riding season the 2nd week in Nov which means my 99 CBR 600 F4 will be up for sale. Now all of you that know me from Bike night and from rides, you all know the amazing condition my bike is in, and how it needs nothing! If anyone is interested in my bike I can send you a lot more information about it.