2004 R1 specs2003 ZX-6R specs
I have had a chance to ride both of these bikes, ZX-6R a month ago and the R1 yesterday. The ZX-6R was pretty thrashed, plenty of power, but suspension set up bad rear tire bald, and to boot the guy that I rode with is a novice and just got it, the rear wheel was out of alignment and when all those horses were unleashed she pulled to the left, not good. Midrange was ok but nothing special, to have fun you need to be above 9-10K rpms.
The R1, brand new tire, suspension properly set up (another buddies bike, seasoned experienced rider) was a blast, smooth even power in the midrange (actually more than I was used to with the FJR. Second gear medium roll on resulted in power wheelie continuous at about 10 grand very cool, another thing that surprised me was how plush the suspension (stock) is on bumps, compression, rebound, made the bike feel planted. especially in bumpy corners, a good thing. Because I ride the FJR pretty hard, I could keep up with my friend on the R1 (he has had track experience and it shows, nice smooth power wheelies, you would almost swear he was on two wheels in the wheelie, I was impressed, he has very keen situational awareness and great throttle control. One down side between the FJR and the R1 was the brakes, I liked the FJR's better, and my friend did admit that the front brake had some resistance in the lever that we felt we we were parked and discussing it. The low bars on the R1 were a PITA, and to be honest I only went above 10K two or three times, but it felt smooth, not peaky and you could steer adequately with the front wheel skimming above the ground as long as you had it pointed correctly. As far as cornering goes, the narrow bars on the R1 and cornering for me not used to it is twitchy, front feels like the tiniest change and it wiggles about, which is by design, it is just me not adjusting to it, especially at slow speeds. Something to get used to.
Jumping back on the FJR, I feel like a smooth pilot once again, but the suspension is harsh and downshifting, hard braking before corners was a chore at the elevated pace we took. We used certain freeway on/off ramps for cornering practice, and it was fun. I guess my main impression of the R1 is how high the gearing is in 1st, and for good reason. Since I always have like torque and instant response I knew the R1 would be more to my taste, but the suspension impressed me as well. Granted, had the ZX6-R not had a shagged rear tire, and the suspension setup improperly, my other friend said the compression/rebound settings on the front were different, ouch... Overall the ZX-6R had a much narrower fun factor zone, and believe it or not I don't believe would be as easy to grow accustomed to. I am very sensitive with the throttle anyway, so I would not be as likely to get in trouble on the R1. I address throttle issues in stages, a little more, a little faster in each gear as my brain "maps" the feel and power to each application of throttle. Once I am "mapped" so to speak, then it is simply a question of muscle memory, and what the turn rate and gear produces, then the fun starts.
Anyway that is my story and I am sticking to it. Now I need more time in the saddle and develop smooth cornering technique and I should be good to go. My R1 buddy likes my bike and his wife likes to ride so we agreed to another outing this time with her on the back of the FJR, which I am sure she will love.
Rhody ... B)
