Sport Bike Fever: Who has a CBR1000?

[trmn8er]

A little about me and my experience...

Bikes I have owned:

RM250

GS400

GS650

Ninja 600

Yamaha FZ700

GSX-R750

Ninja 900

CBR1000F

YZF-R1 (04)

Current ride: 2006 FJR1300A

Two years ago I sold my R1. Man I loved that bike. I took it on long rides, tons of canyon rides here in California, and really my only complaint was I really like taking longer rides, and the neck and back pain were, a "pain in the neck". Having said that, riding on short canyon rides was spectacular. The bike was laser sharp, blinding acceleration, and amazing to ride. But I still really longed to have a more comfortable ride, and yet still have a sporty feel to some degree. Enter the FJR. The bike is really a utility player: good power, fairly good handling (but heavy compared to a Super Sport bike like my R1), fairly comfy on rides of 500 miles a day, smooth shaft drive, the utility of having hard bags, a bike that actually looks good with them off, and TONs of torque. I mean tons. The R1 had to have it's neck rung above 9000 to really make power, and power it made all the way to 13,750. Yes, I do love my FJR. Yet something is missing. There is an empty hole in my soul. I find myself longing for a hyper bike again. Up on the Angeles Crest HWY last week with my buddy on his 06 ZX-10 and another on his 07 GSX-R1000, I could not keep up. They slowly left me for dead. I know. Its apples to oranges. I know I should not feel bad, but I do. Would this have been the case if I was still on the R1? Is it the fact my stock original tires have 9400 miles on them? Are my balls shrinking as I get older? I did manage to keep my friends in my site for a while, but even though they were not on it hard on the straights (and I was), they slowly vanished in the turns. Damn. The FJR feels solid in the faster sweepers, although I do feel a little wallow, but in the tight stuff it commands a concentrated effort to flick it and transition left to right, and back. I miss the feeling of a power wheelie on my R1 exiting a turn at 9,000RPM, and feeling the front end get light as you blur up to just South of 14,000RPM.

As you may have noticed, I had an older CBR1000F. This big bike was heavy, lacked power, torque, and was only fair in handling. All liter bikes of this era did. It's not a bash on Honda, just a fact. Yet something intrigued me about my Honda. I fell in love with the bike. The seating position for a Super Sport was somehow more comfortable than the others. There is something about a Honda that just feels more comfortable. I really cannot put my finger on it, but it just felt right. I suspect Honda engineers spend a lot of time on this. Are the newer CBR's still the same? Are they slightly less racy as far as bar height? Perhaps you can enlighten me. All I know is I feel a raging hard-on for a 2008 CBR1000. I really am not too concerned if the Suzuki is 1/10th a second quicker in the 1/4 mile or not. Or if another bike has a top end 2 MPH faster. I miss the Honda feel. I know any 2006 or later CBR1000 will feel like a 600 compared to my FJR, and leave it for dead in the canyons. Am I correct about the Honda ergos or are they just like the rest? Do any of you choose to take long rides on your CBR with soft bags or just a tank bag? One thing is for sure, I miss my R1, but I have to tell you I am really thinking about a 07 or maybe the new 08CBR1000.

Thanks for listening. trmn8er

 

[Taff]

A little about me and my experience...
Bikes I have owned:

RM250

GS400

GS650

Ninja 600

Yamaha FZ700

GSX-R750

Ninja 900

CBR1000F

YZF-R1 (04)

Current ride: 2006 FJR1300A

Two years ago I sold my R1. Man I loved that bike. I took it on long rides, tons of canyon rides here in California, and really my only complaint was I really like taking longer rides, and the neck and back pain were, a "pain in the neck". Having said that, riding on short canyon rides was spectacular. The bike was laser sharp, blinding acceleration, and amazing to ride. But I still really longed to have a more comfortable ride, and yet still have a sporty feel to some degree. Enter the FJR. The bike is really a utility player: good power, fairly good handling (but heavy compared to a Super Sport bike like my R1), fairly comfy on rides of 500 miles a day, smooth shaft drive, the utility of having hard bags, a bike that actually looks good with them off, and TONs of torque. I mean tons. The R1 had to have it's neck rung above 9000 to really make power, and power it made all the way to 13,750. Yes, I do love my FJR. Yet something is missing. There is an empty hole in my soul. I find myself longing for a hyper bike again. Up on the Angeles Crest HWY last week with my buddy on his 06 ZX-10 and another on his 07 GSX-R1000, I could not keep up. They slowly left me for dead. I know. Its apples to oranges. I know I should not feel bad, but I do. Would this have been the case if I was still on the R1? Is it the fact my stock original tires have 9400 miles on them? Are my balls shrinking as I get older? I did manage to keep my friends in my site for a while, but even though they were not on it hard on the straights (and I was), they slowly vanished in the turns. Damn. The FJR feels solid in the faster sweepers, although I do feel a little wallow, but in the tight stuff it commands a concentrated effort to flick it and transition left to right, and back. I miss the feeling of a power wheelie on my R1 exiting a turn at 9,000RPM, and feeling the front end get light as you blur up to just South of 14,000RPM.

As you may have noticed, I had an older CBR1000F. This big bike was heavy, lacked power, torque, and was only fair in handling. All liter bikes of this era did. It's not a bash on Honda, just a fact. Yet something intrigued me about my Honda. I fell in love with the bike. The seating position for a Super Sport was somehow more comfortable than the others. There is something about a Honda that just feels more comfortable. I really cannot put my finger on it, but it just felt right. I suspect Honda engineers spend a lot of time on this. Are the newer CBR's still the same? Are they slightly less racy as far as bar height? Perhaps you can enlighten me. All I know is I feel a raging hard-on for a 2008 CBR1000. I really am not too concerned if the Suzuki is 1/10th a second quicker in the 1/4 mile or not. Or if another bike has a top end 2 MPH faster. I miss the Honda feel. I know any 2006 or later CBR1000 will feel like a 600 compared to my FJR, and leave it for dead in the canyons. Am I correct about the Honda ergos or are they just like the rest? Do any of you choose to take long rides on your CBR with soft bags or just a tank bag? One thing is for sure, I miss my R1, but I have to tell you I am really thinking about a 07 or maybe the new 08CBR1000.

Thanks for listening. trmn8er

Hi there,

I have a 2006 CBR 1000 RR, great bike.

Last August I rode to Canada (BC) with a friend who was riding another 1K and we did a week of solid riding.

Almost 300-400 plus miles per day during that week long trip.

As for gear, well in the summer I take a back pack (Ogio) and a small tail bag from luggage locker, leaving my light rain jacket at the top of the back pack.

Once at a base, I put the rear cowl back on the bike (not the seat) and take my compressor and tire repair kit with me in the back pack with first aid stuff, water etc.

IMHO you don't need to pack everything including the kitchen sink for a weeks tour. If you have to get some clothes washed then there are plenty of places (including hotels if you are staying at one) to do this.

Peeps ask me how I do 300-700 miles on this CBR, so in reply I say "take plenty of breaks every hour or so" depending on ambient temperature etc so you can get a drink of water and a snack, not forgetting a little trip to the rest room.

Ride safe,

 

[Stephen]

I don't have a CBR but I know what you mean! I love my new ZX14 Ninja. Shizzzammmm!

 

[HOBBES]

If your getting 10K out of your stock tires and still expect to keep up w/ your buddies, you need to be twisting the throttle harder. I suggest you put a set of Avon Storm ST's on your FJR.

 

[keithaba]

Something about the red and black CBR1000rr makes my nuts tingle.

I love that bike, and I will eventually have a true sports bike. Right now insurance costs are just nuts though, so I settle for my FZ1, which is great, but it's not a true sports bike.

Have you done any suspension modifications to your FJR?

An aftermarket shock, stiffer front springs, and a superbrace really transform this bike.

 

[trmn8er]

If your getting 10K out of your stock tires and still expect to keep up w/ your buddies, you need to be twisting the throttle harder. I suggest you put a set of Avon Storm ST's on your FJR.

Too late. I just spooned on a set of pilot road 2's. They are not even used yet as It's been raining, but I hear nothing but good about them. I ran polit Powers on the R1, and they were really good, so I'm expecting big things from the Road2's.

 

[trmn8er]

Something about the red and black CBR1000rr makes my nuts tingle.

I love that bike, and I will eventually have a true sports bike. Right now insurance costs are just nuts though, so I settle for my FZ1, which is great, but it's not a true sports bike.

Have you done any suspension modifications to your FJR?

An aftermarket shock, stiffer front springs, and a s

uperbrace really transform this bike.

Keithaba, I too love the color combo on the CBR! The new 08 is a little different looking, but from all I have read it's a better bike in every area. I think I will wait till this time next year when I can get an 08 for under 10K out the door, and make my move. I will be getting a Red 08!

 

[NMRoadRunner]

I too feel like I'm cheating on my FJR when I ride one of my other bikes, But if your going to do it, do it right! I love the new CBR's and would buy one if I had room to park it, but I'm full right now. I'd go for it if I were you! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

 

[FJR919]

trmn8r,

I can understand your affection for the CBR. But like you, the lack of comfort caught up to me on longer rides. But I did find a solution. I purchased a new '06 FZ1 and modified it with goodies from Ivan. I have more power than an '04 R1, with comfortable, upright ergos. I love the front wheel coming up under power in fourth gear at over 90 mph. Ivan's mods corrected the lack of low end and midrange (although stock it had more than an R1) and the snatchy throttle. It satisfies my sport bike cravings, and I don't hesitate to take it on long rides. The '07 and '08 are the same bike with subtle improvements.

If you would consider one, PM me and I would be happy to share all the details. Chris

 

[trmn8er]

trmn8r,
I can understand your affection for the CBR. But like you, the lack of comfort caught up to me on longer rides. But I did find a solution. I purchased a new '06 FZ1 and modified it with goodies from Ivan. I have more power than an '04 R1, with comfortable, upright ergos. I love the front wheel coming up under power in fourth gear at over 90 mph. Ivan's mods corrected the lack of low end and midrange (although stock it had more than an R1) and the snatchy throttle. It satisfies my sport bike cravings, and I don't hesitate to take it on long rides. The '07 and '08 are the same bike with subtle improvements.

If you would consider one, PM me and I would be happy to share all the details. Chris

Thanks for the reply FJR919. I am very familiar with that bike, and I like it. I'm not sure about the "I have more power than an '04 R1" comment, but it's a very cool bike. More midrange, perhaps, but not even close stock to stock top end. I'm sure your does as it's substantially modified. I really want another total hyper-bike, full faired, not a naked bike. I am really leaning towards a 2008 CBR1000.

Thanks again...

 

[drew231506]

I was doing a ton of research on sportbikes over the past year. And exactly as you said, most have found the ergos to be significantly better on the CBRs. I couldnt really tell a difference at the dealers though.

I saw an awesome write up on a CBR1000 set up for touring in magazine. I have looked and looked for that article and I cant find it anymore. But they put bar raisers on it, bags, bigger windscreen, aftermarket seat...the thing looked sweet!! In fact it is def what i would do now if i didnt ride two up with the wife sometimes. so the fjr stays.

i was even looking to add one as a second bike, but i wanted to be able to go to the track too...and im not sure i trust myself with a liter bike yet. so i just bought a 600 gixxer....but that cbr made for sport touring was SWEEEEEET.

 

[drew231506]

https://motorcyclemanifesto.blogspot.com/20...r-unveiled.html

 

[trmn8er]

https://motorcyclemanifesto.blogspot.com/20...r-unveiled.html

Drew, thanks for the link to the article. That is a very cool set of mods I would consider. My goal is not to really make a CBR into a Touring bike, as I have an 06 FJR for longer trips, but more to slightly mod it with risers to make it bearable on mid range trips. Very much appreciates your input.

 

[fjr]

I actually find it comfy.

 

[MojaveFJR]

WOW, after reading that I will keep my '02 R1. Might miss it in a yr or two.

 

[trmn8er]

WOW, after reading that I will keep my '02 R1. Might miss it in a yr or two.

Don't sell it. You will miss having a true Sport bike. I know I do.

 

[chipset]

I agree. I enjoy having my FJR. But, I have been riding my CBR1000RR more and more, lately.

Believe it or not, the CBR is comfortable. I do get a little fatigue in the arms, but not too much. I haven't put a 600 mile day on the CBR, and I wonder how well I would hold up on it, but I have put on some miles.

The FJR just waits patiently for her next time out.

 

[mike25]

If your getting 10K out of your stock tires and still expect to keep up w/ your buddies, you need to be twisting the throttle harder. I suggest you put a set of Avon Storm ST's on your FJR.

And, some riding schools/track days.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

The latest Cycle World just did a track ride on the new CBR1000RR.

Quotes:

"Honda's all-new CBR1000RR Gixxer fighter gets lighter, righter."

"The ease with which it turns in and makes side-to-side direction changes is uncanny for a liter-class machine."

"...strong and progressive two finger stopping power."

"The engine feels strong and has a midrange hit that lends an element of excitement that has gone somewhat missing with many of today's most powerful sportbikes."

"I recently sampled the latest KAW ZX10R at a press intro, and while it laid down an impressive, very linear spread of power, it lacks the fun factor experienced on this Honda."