Guzzi Hero Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I am looking to get a Yamaha sportbike, something early 90's, as I have a bit of a growing itch for speed which my dream bike just can't scratch. Yeah, as the name suggests, I ride a Guzzi - a Griso 1100 to be precise. Insert tractor jokes here:- With that done, back to Yams. I have noticed that I can pick up a 2000-2002 R1 with 25k+ miles on, for about the same price as a 2002-2004 R6 with a bit less, for about the same price. I'd just like some advice on which would be best for what I want to do with it. I used to have a 1989 FZR1000R and loved the speed but it always felt a bit too much for me. The suspension was probably shot, in all fairness, but the engine was a beauty. So my conundrum is - do I get an R6 which is presumably lighter and more flickable, or an R1 which has better torque throughout the range and probably doesn't need to be worked as hard? I notice from the specs over at motorcyclespecs that wheelbase is about the same, weight is about the same. Obviously both are somewhat quicker turning than the Guzzi which is stable but not so responsive). I intend to have whichever I want as a second bike for when its too nasty to get the Guzzi out, for thrashing when I want a bit of fun, and the occasional trackday. Can anyone give me any advice/opinions? Which would you choose? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator DirtyDT Posted August 30, 2014 Moderator Share Posted August 30, 2014 I'd pick an R6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzi Hero Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Yeah... I am leaning HARD towards the R6. I'm a bigger (read: fatter) bloke, so I'd probably have more room on an R1... but I just feel that the R6 would be more forgiving, more comfortable and dare I say it, more sensible for the road. Thanks for the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator DirtyDT Posted August 30, 2014 Moderator Share Posted August 30, 2014 Do you need a "R"? Look at the FZ and MT models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzi Hero Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Both would be more in keeping with my Guzzi though, and since I want to do trackdays, an R is more my kind of thing. I also rode the MT07 and it didn't impress me. I already have 2 100-125cc bikes for commuting, I want this machine for fun blasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Cynic Posted August 30, 2014 Moderator Share Posted August 30, 2014 If you a bigger bloke i would go with the R1. The extra weight will blunt the R6 whereas the R1 will have the spare power to make it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzi Hero Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Okay, next question: How easy is the R6 to bimble on? If I don't want to be 100% on it, will it do decent mileage at, say, 4-7k rpm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzi Hero Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 I test rode and bought a 2003 R6 today. Still not sure on the bar position but everything else is great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sacha Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Alright! Let's see her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzi Hero Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Only this one pic so far, picking her up on Thursday: She is stock other than a Blue Flame exhaust and usual tank protectors. 18,300 miles on an '03 plate (not a lot of mileage!) and the tyres don't look like they've seen much of a lean angle! Seems the lad who had it before me got it for its style rather than its capabilities. Apart from the usual rusty nut or two, it is pretty much immaculate. I paid £3100 which is a bit over book, but the garage has set up the suspension for me and is giving it a full service and bearing check-over. Embarrasingly, everything had to be set to maximum for me (17st 4lbs in full leathers!), but I'm pleased I got it set - the former owner had softened everything off as far as it can go. I can't wait to show it some proper corners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sacha Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Oooh!! That's pretty! I'll bet cornering with her is gonna be a blast!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzi Hero Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 A 1380mm wheelbase after my 1520mm Griso, I'm sure it will be Cheers! Oh, as a 'bonus', here's a pic of my old FZR1000R-W! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sacha Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Yowza! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzi Hero Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 Ooh, getting used to the R6 now. Already taken the tyres WAY past the previous owner's attempts and I don't even feel that I was trying. All I do is lean slightly to one side and it turns, then add bar weighing to add flavour. Sometimes I went what I thought was quickly into a turn only for the R6 to go "SORRY YOU ARE NOT A WINNER THIS TIME PLEASE TRY AGAIN". It makes a mockery of my attempts to mishandle it. The power... well, it was never going to be a patch on the FZR1000R but it is impressive enough without being intimidating. Pulls fast when pinned in 1st, pinned in 2nd it gets just a little light at the front but not too bad, and goes just fine above that. I did some speed-at-red tests. Now the FZR used to be 65, 100, 125, 145, 170. This is 65, 100, 125, 145, 160 and never saw top of 6th. Admittedly, I reckon 10% can be knocked off 4th and 5th for speedo inaccuracy but still, that's way more than I'll ever need. Was a bit surprised to see the fuel light at 109 miles, but then I was mostly between 12-14000rpm to get the engine braking I love so much. It moves along just dandy below that, but when caning the corners I like the motor to stabilise the back a little more. What has enormously surprised me though is... how comfy I am on it. I thought I would get off shaped like a question mark, I pre-apologised to my wrists for the pain they were about to go through, but there was no need. My right leg went to sleep a little from lack of use, other than that I am fine after 170 miles. Well chuffed so far. What I want to work on now is getting used to/practicing with the brakes. Any fool can go fast, I want to be able to get stopped just as quickly! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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