Help Me Choose A SportBike

[Sad Clown]

I used to have an old TL 1000 that I rode around but haven't touched a bike in about 5 years. I am looking to get myself a new 1000cc sport bike to do some weekend cruising along the coastline and back roads of Northern California as a little gift to myself for the holidays.

For both bikes I am looking to get the 2009 model. I looked at the Honda CBR 1000RR and just didn't like the look of the body fairing. Price wise, both the Yamaha and Suzuki are close enough to each other that it wont be a factor in the decision.

I would appreciate any feedback you guys can throw my way in regards to your personal experiences with either model bike. It doesn't even have to be from the model year I am looking at buying either. I just want some honest opinions before I walk into a bike shop and get blitzed by the salesmen. Like I said earlier, I have been out of the whole motorcycle scene for 5 years now and am pretty out of touch with where performance is these days. I plan on getting my bike in early January and look forward to chasing the sunsets again.

I will update the thread with a pick of me and the bike after I get it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

How many years have you been riding and how many miles total? A liter bike isn't something I'd recommend for someone interested in "getting back into motorcycles" after 5+ years away...unless you really have a lot of experience on bikes.

That said, from what I've read, the Suzuki is going to be the easier bike to live with. The Yamaha is more of a technological marvel that excels at the track under an experienced rider but not so much on the street. I haven't ridden either bike though.

My next bike will be a 2009 Ducati Monster 1100.

 

[Sad Clown]

I rode for 5 years on the TL 1000 and sold it after I graduated college. No track riding for me, strictly the coastline and curvy roads of the countryside.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Sad Clown
I rode for 5 years on the TL 1000 and sold it after I graduated college. No track riding for me, strictly the coastline and curvy roads of the countryside.

I'd go with the gixxer then.

 

[Saga]

Err, neither. If you want the fastest bike, get a '08 ZX10R. I wouldn't touch anything else in the liter bike category and it'll smoke the Busa and 14R on the track.

 

[Fenixgoon]

may want to check out the yamaha FZ1 instead of the R1. same engine, but it's a streetfighter style rather than pure sportbike.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: Sad Clown
I rode for 5 years on the TL 1000 and sold it after I graduated college. No track riding for me, strictly the coastline and curvy roads of the countryside.

Why not get a sport-touring then? The SV-650 shoul be amazing, unless all you want is a litre of power you'll never use and the look.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: Sad Clown
I rode for 5 years on the TL 1000 and sold it after I graduated college. No track riding for me, strictly the coastline and curvy roads of the countryside.

Why not get a sport-touring then? The SV-650 shoul be amazing, unless all you want is a litre of power you'll never use and the look.

Yeah, I was going to suggest that but didn't want to appear biased since I own one myself. It has plenty of power for any street riding and it absolutely shines at canyon carving. My only complaint is passing cars at freeway speeds. It could use a tad more power in those situations.

 

[Sad Clown]

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: Sad Clown
I rode for 5 years on the TL 1000 and sold it after I graduated college. No track riding for me, strictly the coastline and curvy roads of the countryside.

Why not get a sport-touring then? The SV-650 shoul be amazing, unless all you want is a litre of power you'll never use and the look.

Wow, since when did the SV650 get a full body fairing?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Sad Clown

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: Sad Clown
I rode for 5 years on the TL 1000 and sold it after I graduated college. No track riding for me, strictly the coastline and curvy roads of the countryside.

Why not get a sport-touring then? The SV-650 shoul be amazing, unless all you want is a litre of power you'll never use and the look.

Wow, since when did the SV650 get a full body fairing?

2008 and on S model.

 

[DVad3r]

Suzuki DL 1000 for some cruising and touring. Don't cramp yourself on those little crotch rockets

 

[Sad Clown]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Suzuki DL 1000 for some cruising and touring. Don't cramp yourself on those little crotch rockets

I want a bike with a full body fairing. I came into this leaning towards the GSX-R1000. I am not sure the SV650 will have the power I need when I do hit the freeway.

I guess I will start looking at the dealerships in my area and see what the bikes are selling at compared to msrp.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Sad Clown

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: Sad Clown
I rode for 5 years on the TL 1000 and sold it after I graduated college. No track riding for me, strictly the coastline and curvy roads of the countryside.

Why not get a sport-touring then? The SV-650 shoul be amazing, unless all you want is a litre of power you'll never use and the look.

Wow, since when did the SV650 get a full body fairing?

2008 and on S model.

Well they also got rid of the SV1000 so the 650 is getting the body kit for it now.

But yea the new 2008/9 SV650 looks good. Of course I low V-twin's.

 

[Elganja]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
Err, neither. If you want the fastest bike, get a '08 ZX10R. I wouldn't touch anything else in the liter bike category and it'll smoke the Busa and 14R on the track.

08 zx10r is the fastest liter bike, but don't kid yourself on the 08 busa and zx14 (in a straight line of course). I have gone 9.0's @ 156mph in my first season of racing (best 60ft was a 1.58) with just an exhaust and tune on my 08 busa... Professionals have gone 8.7x on the same setup as mine and even faster on the 06 zx14's

So to say a 08 zx10r will smoke the busa is obsurd. I think people are JUST starting to break into the 8's (8.9x etc) on them with a swingarm and more.

Now with that said, they are insanely fast for a liter bike, they make great horsepower but not so great torque (compared to a larger bike such as a busa).

to the OP, if you really just want a corner carver you may want to look at the gsxr750 as well. But if you are set on the liter bike, suzuki all the way

 

[eBauer]

I'd wait to read some reviews on the updated liter bikes before making a purchase - motorcycle-usa.com usually has their superbike shootout posted sometime around April.

If you are looking for comfort, historically the Suzukis have been the best. I have an '05 GSXR 1000 with over 31,000 miles on it, and have seen a few 700+ mile days without the body feeling too bad. (I have a hard time lasting an hour on my friends Duc 748)

In the end, you can't really go wrong with either choice.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Sad Clown

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Suzuki DL 1000 for some cruising and touring. Don't cramp yourself on those little crotch rockets

I want a bike with a full body fairing. I came into this leaning towards the GSX-R1000. I am not sure the SV650 will have the power I need when I do hit the freeway.

I guess I will start looking at the dealerships in my area and see what the bikes are selling at compared to msrp.

The SV will do 130 top speed. Honestly, it pulls well at freeway speeds and the engine has quite a bit of torque, I tend to wish for more power only when passing on two lane roads where I need to get around a few cars quickly.

GSX-R750 would be on my short list of super sports.

 

[Greenman]

You say you want a bike for cruising, then go on to talk about high performance sport bikes. Two different critters. While a sport bike can indeed be used as a cruiser, they aren't all that comfortable. I've herd several people complain of back aches after riding one for a couple hours.

 

[Jeff7181]

I'm curious why you're not looking at 600cc bikes. They're light and have more power than anyone needs for cruising (just over 3 seconds from 0 to 60 and 160-170 mph top speeds) and will have better fuel economy than a 1000cc+ bike. If you're looking for a sport bike cruiser, I can't imagine why you'd want a 1000cc+ bike... it just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

 

[caspur]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I'm curious why you're not looking at 600cc bikes. They're light and have more power than anyone needs for cruising (just over 3 seconds from 0 to 60 and 160-170 mph top speeds) and will have better fuel economy than a 1000cc+ bike. If you're looking for a sport bike cruiser, I can't imagine why you'd want a 1000cc+ bike... it just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

Thats the main problem with using a 600cc bike for cruising, they don't make enough power.

In sixth gear, at about 40 mph a 600cc bike has almost no go. You have to down shift, rev it like crazy to get any sort of speed out of it. While this is fine for the racetrack, where you can keep the engine in the powerband, for street riding, 600 cc sportbikes are terrible cruisers. (If you look at the dyno charts below 5-6k RPMs modern 600cc sportbikes make very little power).

Its not until you get into the 750 or 1000cc bike where they develop enough torque to use at lower RPMs around town. In addition to the higher torque numbers in the larger displacement engines, they are also enormously flexible in being able to rev past 12k rpms...which means you'll have ample power in any gear. Its what makes cruising in a 1k bike much more enjoyable than a smaller displacement engine.

 

[Elganja]

Originally posted by: caspur

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I'm curious why you're not looking at 600cc bikes. They're light and have more power than anyone needs for cruising (just over 3 seconds from 0 to 60 and 160-170 mph top speeds) and will have better fuel economy than a 1000cc+ bike. If you're looking for a sport bike cruiser, I can't imagine why you'd want a 1000cc+ bike... it just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

Thats the main problem with using a 600cc bike for cruising, they don't make enough power.

In sixth gear, at about 40 mph a 600cc bike has almost no go. You have to down shift, rev it like crazy to get any sort of speed out of it. While this is fine for the racetrack, where you can keep the engine in the powerband, for street riding, 600 cc sportbikes are terrible cruisers. (If you look at the dyno charts below 5-6k RPMs modern 600cc sportbikes make very little power).

Its not until you get into the 750 or 1000cc bike where they develop enough torque to use at lower RPMs around town. In addition to the higher torque numbers in the larger displacement engines, they are also enormously flexible in being able to rev past 12k rpms...which means you'll have ample power in any gear. Its what makes cruising in a 1k bike much more enjoyable than a smaller displacement engine.

I understand what you are saying, but disagree. My 600rr that I used to have had plenty of power even in 6th gear. Nothing earth shattering but enough to get past anyone.

I think the size of the rider makes a difference too... OP how small or large are you (weight)?

 

[Sad Clown]

Originally posted by: Elganja

Originally posted by: caspur

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I'm curious why you're not looking at 600cc bikes. They're light and have more power than anyone needs for cruising (just over 3 seconds from 0 to 60 and 160-170 mph top speeds) and will have better fuel economy than a 1000cc+ bike. If you're looking for a sport bike cruiser, I can't imagine why you'd want a 1000cc+ bike... it just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

Thats the main problem with using a 600cc bike for cruising, they don't make enough power.

In sixth gear, at about 40 mph a 600cc bike has almost no go. You have to down shift, rev it like crazy to get any sort of speed out of it. While this is fine for the racetrack, where you can keep the engine in the powerband, for street riding, 600 cc sportbikes are terrible cruisers. (If you look at the dyno charts below 5-6k RPMs modern 600cc sportbikes make very little power).

Its not until you get into the 750 or 1000cc bike where they develop enough torque to use at lower RPMs around town. In addition to the higher torque numbers in the larger displacement engines, they are also enormously flexible in being able to rev past 12k rpms...which means you'll have ample power in any gear. Its what makes cruising in a 1k bike much more enjoyable than a smaller displacement engine.

I understand what you are saying, but disagree. My 600rr that I used to have had plenty of power even in 6th gear. Nothing earth shattering but enough to get past anyone.

I think the size of the rider makes a difference too... OP how small or large are you (weight)?

190 lbs. give or take a nice steak dinner...:laugh:

At this point I am thinking the GSX-R1000. I like the overall look of the bike and it has the level of power I am looking for.

I understand what you guys mean about a more comfortable riding position for the longer rides but I really do prefer the looks of a sportbike over the other tour bikes. Plus the folks I will be riding with on a regular basis will also be riding sportbikes ie, R6's, R1's, Ducati's, CBR RR's, etc...

I don't want to rush into this purchase so I may wait until February after I get my tax return but I really am itching to get it sooner rather than later.

I appreciate all of the feedback you guys have provided so far and the ongoing discussion has made me look at things from different perspectives.

 

[eBauer]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I'm curious why you're not looking at 600cc bikes. They're light and have more power than anyone needs for cruising (just over 3 seconds from 0 to 60 and 160-170 mph top speeds) and will have better fuel economy than a 1000cc+ bike. If you're looking for a sport bike cruiser, I can't imagine why you'd want a 1000cc+ bike... it just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

The difference in fuel economy between the 600cc and 1000cc bikes is pretty insignificant. This is due to the fact that a 1000cc bike is more efficient at cruising speeds (3500-5000RPM) than a 600cc bike.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
Err, neither. If you want the fastest bike, get a '08 ZX10R. I wouldn't touch anything else in the liter bike category and it'll smoke the Busa and 14R on the track.

Of course, unless you're a fantastic rider you're going to go about exactly the same speed on any of the literbikes.

We were just having this discussion this morning about how little of a liter bike's potential the "average" rider uses, heck, even the typical club racer isn't going to use 30% of what the bike can do. Unless you're a seasoned superbike racer you're "lap times" are going to be identical. Go with what you like, don't look at performance numbers.

Both the GSX-R1000 and the YZF-R1 are going to be fantastic street bikes. Go check them both out, see which one you feel more comfortable on. The new crossplane crankshaft on the R1 will be interesting, and (honestly) might make the bike's powerband more street-friendly, but I'm sure they've made a plethora of improvements on the big Gixxer as well.

Once again, ignore performance numbers and such, just find what you like the most.


*edit* (after reading more)

As stated, a supersport is NOT what you're going to want to go "cruising" for long distances on either. Your lower back will hate you after two hours on an R1. Surprisingly the Hayabusa is MUCH more comfortable as it's not a supersport, it's a sport touring bike...just a really fast sport touring bike. An SV650/FZR600 or something will also be more comfortable.

Originally posted by: Sad Clown
I am not sure the SV650 will have the power I need when I do hit the freeway.

This kind of statement always makes me laugh, I hear it SO often on various MC forums (usually in the New Rider sections) and in sketchy bike shops. What exactly is "the power you need?" Is there some concrete number? Horsepower, acceleration, torque, 0-60, 60-80? I'm just curious. As the SV will get you up to highway cruising speeds about 1/2 to 3/4 of a second slower than a 1000cc bike (aka, roughly the speed of a Porsche 911 Turbo of Nissan GT-R), and the torque curve is very well suited for highway speeds. It doesn't have the ego boosting top speed figures, but how often do you plan on going 175 mph?

I've owned 2 SV650's, and I'll probably own a third if they ever update the bike. Fantastic bikes for learner, pro, or racer. Not trying to push you towards it, but I think you need to evaluate what you want your bike to do before deciding on the bike, as just reading your arguements seems that a 1000cc superbike may not be the best option. And in 99.9% of situations you won't have a problem keeping up with the "fast" bikes you mentioned.

And elganja, I'm not very familiar with drag times and such, but in stock form (from what I've read) the ZX-10R out-accelerated both the Hayabusa and ZX-14 all the way up to 100 or so, then the others flew past. Don't remember exactly where I read it.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I'm curious why you're not looking at 600cc bikes. They're light and have more power than anyone needs for cruising (just over 3 seconds from 0 to 60 and 160-170 mph top speeds) and will have better fuel economy than a 1000cc+ bike. If you're looking for a sport bike cruiser, I can't imagine why you'd want a 1000cc+ bike... it just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

The problem is the 600cc bikes have no torque. They produce horse power by revving to 14000 rpm's. Torque is everything, that's what makes you grin when you twist the throttle. Huge rpm's are fine for racing, but for day to day riding and just all around fun, the more torque the better.

 

[Elganja]

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I'm curious why you're not looking at 600cc bikes. They're light and have more power than anyone needs for cruising (just over 3 seconds from 0 to 60 and 160-170 mph top speeds) and will have better fuel economy than a 1000cc+ bike. If you're looking for a sport bike cruiser, I can't imagine why you'd want a 1000cc+ bike... it just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

The problem is the 600cc bikes have no torque. They produce horse power by revving to 14000 rpm's. Torque is everything, that's what makes you grin when you twist the throttle. Huge rpm's are fine for racing, but for day to day riding and just all around fun, the more torque the better.

not like liter bikes have a ton of tq either...

edit:
*busa/zx14 have around ~110
*liter bikes have around ~70
*750 bikes have around ~55
*600 bikes have around ~45

OP i think you really should take a look at the gsxr750 ... you're not a heavy guy and I think the 750 will be plenty of power.