which bike.......need some ideas

Been out of the SportBike thing for a bit, but in the last few years I've had a 04 955 Triumph, 2 748 Ducati's and a slew of mid to late 90's GSXRs, I'm now looking at new bikes in the 11-15K range, 6ft 200 lbs, I really like the new R1, the Honda 1000 the GSXR 1000 and the ZX 10, also have a new 749 in mind, Problem is my last two 748's became really painful, the Triumph was great but not the power I wanted so I'm back to the above, Sitting on them in the showroom does not seem to help and whats odd doing that the 749 feels the best...go figure. Any help would be great!  

Any of the new liters will have more than enough power....  If a 955 didn't have enough power for you, then there is no way a 749 is going to do it for you.  Maybe the 999, but that is big $$, or at least out of your given price range.  I have an '05 ZX-10R.  I am 6'1" and about 180, and I find the ZX fits me just fine.  I really like the torque of this bike.      

There are a lot of good bikes out there, which makes the choice more difficult.  I've always like the looks of the R1, and the '06 CBR1000RR looks good too.  The '06 ZX-10R looks really good with an aftermarket exhaust.  Go to www.zx-10r.net and browse around the forums for pictures.  I don't know if I'd get one if I was going to leave the exhaust stock.....  If I was looking for a new bike, it would probably be the new Triumph 675.  It doesn't have the power that you want, but I really, really like it.  


Chris  

What you are asking here is really subjective. You have plenty of experience, so based on the fact that you like all of the 4 liter bikes and they are all in your price range and meet your power preference, you've sat on all of them and that hasn't helped you decide. The only thing left is to ride them. Either get to Daytona for bike week, or see if some buddy's will let you ride one of thiers...At this point, basically your asking which one we like better. That really isn't going to help you I think. I happen to be a big Kawi fan, so I'm going to say get the 10R, but a Gixxer guy will say I'm nuts. The only one of the four I would say is noticbly less comfy is the Honda. I've ridden all of them except the new ZX-10R, but I rode the '05. The Gixxer's FI seems a bit glitchy off the bottom. The R1 is a great bike, but I don't like undertail exhausts. So even when I try to take my Kawi hat off for a minute, I think I'd still go with it over the others.  

you guys ARE helping me, But I have deceided against the 749, Cost Vs HP no your right I'd be bummed, I am looking at a used 996 which in set up but now its close to the same price as the big 3 new.... Wife says get the new one and stay away from the 1K tune ups(I have to admit she may be right) I love the looks of that Yellow R1, I like the Sport Rider write up on the ZX10, and I just saw the RR Honda in Cycle World, I have not seen much on the 06 GSXR but again with the hugh following I can't imagine it being bad. So Now as of this minute its, Yamaha R1(yellow) GSXR 1000(Blue and White)ZX10(Green)Honda on Black.....Grrr I'm in LA Calif they are all within 100 bucks of each other...NOW WHAT!!!! I want to buy this Sat.  

Well, you could always try something different....  You've had a Ducati, Triumph, and a few Suzukis.  That leaves Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki.  Do you like the under seat exhaust?  If so then maybe the Honda or Yamaha...  The '06 Kawi is more of a dual high mount....  Read some of the reviews online.  The Kawi will probably offer more mid-range than the others 2.  And all 3 will make similar power up top....  Surely one of these must appeal to you more than the others.  And the GSXR1K gets great reviews.  It will still be in the hunt even though the other bikes are new or mostly new for '06.  

I know when I was looking, it was down the the R1 in the Shift Red color, or the Ti ZX-10R.  I had seen the new for '05 GSXR1K at the IMS, and wasn't impressed.  And the Honda just didn't do anything for me.  Just my opinion.    I ended up getting the ZX because of the magazine reviews.  It had liter bike mid-range.  The R1 looked a little better, but was lacking down low and had underseat exhaust which I really didn't want.  Though I might make an exception for the 675.    The only concern I had with the ZX was the vibes that most magazines wrote about.  Mine is pretty smooth, no numb hands or anything else.  I am really happy with my choice.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.  But like RFB, I am a Kawi guy...  So I say get the 10R.  


Chris  

Well I did still have my Triumph when the new ZX10 showed up at the local spot, actually a old friend bought one and swore by it. It just seems so small, I really use to turn into a pretzel on my 748, I keep reading the GSXR has the most room for a 6ft 200 pound guy, Looks wise I LOVE that new yellow R1 but I hate to buy a pretzel machine, If I do then might as well buy a used 748.... I really am serious but I cannot find any back to back tests on the big bores for 06. I have read the ZX10 GSXR and R1 sites and all of them are very happy with their brand choice, I did just find a dealer in Ca willing to let a new ZX10 go for 11,9 otd....11,199 gsxr and 11,599 R1...all out the door  

If you weren't in Cali, I'd say wait until the head to head magazine comparo's to come out....  But since your riding season is give or take about 11 months.    

Hmm, I had alway thought/read that the R1 was best for taller guys.  Even if it was sprung a little soft...  Doesn't matter, we are all built/shaped a little differently.

I really don't have any other advice for you.  You need to go look at all of them, sit on them, kick the tires...    I don't think you can make a bad choice of any of them.  Sure 1 will win more mag tests, and 1 will win more Superstock and Superbike races...  But will it really matter if you pick/buy the one that doesn't?  All 4 of them are way more capable than most of us anyway...  Maybe you can make a list of pro's and con's for you for each bike...  And then go from there.  Maybe you should buy the one that has the best service shop/department near your house...  The hard part is that you like them all.  

And post some pics of what ever you get when you buy it on Saturday.  


Chris  

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I really am serious but I cannot find any back to back tests on the big bores for 06.

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Well after sitting and looking I made a strange move, I could not choose and I'm really not a racer so with that I went with the 749....I know I know as far as HP Vs the bigbores, But my last two Ducatis were really works of art on wheels. I only sold the 748 due to the discomfort, but in truth I have a 113 cu in Chopper and that has taught me a lesson in pain. I look at the 749 and 999 and just drool, as well as they feel night and day against the old seating.I know this is a think with your heart not head but at 48 and living near the Angeles Crest ....it may be wiser to get something a little slower but still able to blast thru the hills at a fair clip. I'm going with the 749 Vs the 999 only due to cost. One other driving factor is resale, I bought both my 748's and lost very little on resale actually the S I broke even.  

Have you considered a RC51?

cheers  

as of 3am today I just may, The Ducati dealer wants 9.9% on the remaining money and I'm not too happy about this, The big 4 are giving bikes away, or I can get a used Duc for a great deal, so here I go again.....  

Yeah, if you want a twin, check out the RC51 or even an SV1000S.  I've seen a few SVs with the Suzuki lower, and it looks good.  Plus with the $$ you save, you can hop it up nicely.  The RC will more than likely handle better no matter what you throw at the SV...

9.9% isn't too bad.  Yes the big 4 have better interest rates.  But Ducati isn't really competing with them for bike sales.  Like you said, Ducatis are rolling works of art.  While the *** bikes are nice, they don't compare.

Good luck with the purchase.


Chris  

What about the new Aprilia RSV1000R?  It's at the high end of the price range you mentioned (About 15K), but the 2006 has far better suspension (Ohlins) than anything else you've mentioned.  It'll have plenty of power, great looks, great suspension, and have that "work of art" thing goin for it.  Just my 2 cents...  

Well I looked alot and all were nice but I kept going back to Ducati, the 749 still to me looks kinda odd so yep I bought a used 748 for a great price, had enough for new leathers boots helmet etc, and a few grand in the bank....granted it will go to keep my now 3rd 748 in tune! I don't ride everyday as I use too so the pain is less, spent all last weekend on her and no issues or pain. I'm now thinking on the Triumph Scrambler for a 3rd bike, I have a Custom Chopper that beats me to death so a standard type bike might be kinda cool, I see they are about 8K, Good enough for McQueen good enough for me!  

well, the ZX-10 is a nice bike, but it isn't a Yamaha. Same problem with the CBR and the GSX....so I'd say go for the R1