04 Gixxer 1000 VS 05 Repsol Honda 1000

[Hyper]

Decisions, decisions. I am a diehard Suzuki fan to the core. (5 of them)But......
The new 05 Repsol 1000 hit the floor on Wednesday and looks better in person then in the mags. What's everyone opinion on this issue. I've ran the numbers, and come to the conclusion that the Suzuki has a slight advantage, but for street riding the difference wouldn't be noticable.

O, and do you think a 426 fourstroke would be too much if stuffed into a YSR package?

[LayinLo]

Which one feels better when you close your eyes

[Freakinout]

You really can't run either one of those to their full capacity on the street anyway. Go with whichever one toots your whistle.

[wafflehouse]

hahahahahahhaha

"toots your whistle"

hahahahhaaha

-wafflehouse

[inspiron]

Why not compare the 05 Gixxer to the 05 Honda?

Freakinout is right ... the only place you would notice a performance difference is on the track.

[Freakinout]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Freakinout is right ... the only place you would notice a performance difference is on the track.

You'd also have to be VERY good to be able to see really see the differences, even on the track

[fireblade1]

This should be an easy decision, but I know for a fact it's not! Best advice I can give you if you're completely torn with indecision is to go for the one that will give you the best bang for your buck. The Suzuki is going to have a higher resale and trade in value than the Honda. I still don't understand why Hondas seem to drop off in value so fast, but they do. The other thing to look at is, this is the very first year with titanium exhaust, titanium valves, higher rev limits, different wheelbase (again), and yet another new body style on the Gixxer 1000. Personally, I'd go with the Gixxer 1000, but then I have yet to ride the 1000RR. That's simply because the 929 and 954 did not impress me at all. My old 900RRX was faster than the both of those. I've heard the 1000RR is wild though. Good luck, I'm glad I'm not in those shoes right now, I've got my 02 750 and I think I may stick with it!

[Gixxerdale]

Didn't the RR have an overheating problem, running hot all the time? Or has that been corrected? I know the California models ran too hot anyhow. If you plan on commuting on it in traffic you might want to check into it.

[87gsxrnut]

I've ran the numbers, and come to the conclusion that the Suzuki has a slight advantage, but for street riding the difference wouldn't be noticable.

Numbers? What numbers? The only numbers you should be running are the ones that say "this bike is cheaper". Performance specs mean squat in the real world, and a lot of them are inflated claims by the factory anyway.

Buy a Bandit. You'll have more fun.

- Nut

[Clint]

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

Buy a Bandit. You'll have more fun.

[fireblade1]

I think so Gixxerdale. Every single RR I've ever ridden or read about had one thing in every review. The RR was nice, but it seemed to transfer a lot of heat onto the rider. My 900RRX was definately that way, but not my gixxer unless I'm riding in peak heat in the summer and in town with a lot of stop and go traffic.

[Hyper]

Thanks for all of the input guys. Yea, I'm not a big fan of the under tail exhaust. I guess I'm just frustrated with my current 04 1000 Gixxer not running properly.

It's got 6,300 miles on it, and it acts like it's got a million. It won't pull any kinda rpm with a load, and if you do get it going it want's to cut out, then go, cut out, then go. My shoulders are sore from all of the chug, chug, chug. After about 25-30 miles it seems to run ok then. It's been in the shop twice, and they continue to say that nothings wrong with the bike. It trips no codes while hooked to the computer.

[fireblade1]

Sounds like you could have any number of problems from a clogged injector, clogged injector line, clogged fuel pump, varnished lines pump or injector, out of sync throttle bodies, clogged air filter or what not. Sounds like you need to take it to a shop that isn't going to just hook it up to a pc and test it. They need to let the darn thing sit overnight, then take it out cold and start it, let it get warm enough to ride it, then do a full function check on the throttle and cables before a ride, then take it out and do a slow speed/low rpm ride, then gradually take it up to proper speeds and rpms. They should try to get the darn thing to chop or bogg out before they hook it up to a pc. Any GOOD mechanic knows you may at some point just have to take a bike out to see what it's doing because it may not show up on the pc diagnostics. With only 6K on the odo, it shouldn't be acting up. Have you taken it in for it's 5K servicing? They should check valve lash and the sync of your tbi system and make adjustments as necessary during this service. Heck, it could be something as simple as a plug that just has a carbon deposit in just the right (wrong) place to not spark properly until it's been forced to arc itself clean. If you haven't changed the plugs with 6K on the odo, I would start there.

[Hyper]

Plugs have been changed twice, and the mechanic has ridden it. It never seems to act up on him though. The sales, and service writer have all seen it act up. But under warranty they don't enjoy spending a lot of time on it. They have called Suzuki, and performed a leak down check, adjusted the throttle position sensor. Fiddled with that. poked this... I need to take it back in I guess. Just let 'em keep it till spring.

[fireblade1]

Give them an option. Tell them they either fix it under warranty or they replace the bike, period. Don't give them the opportunity to wait until the warranty is out and your stuck. One other thing, they may have a loop hole that if the warranty runs out while in the shop they may not have to complete the work under said warranty. If they can't find the problem in a timely manner, they must replace the bike under said warranty. Call Suzuki-USA if you have any serious issues with this dealer.

[Hyper]

There is no "lemon law" for motorcycles. I've got until march with the warrenty.

[advr4]

well, i would suggest sticking with the suzuki. i have a good friend that owns an 04 1000rr, and he let me ride it a few times. i am not sure what kind of riding you do, whether you stunt, drag, or hit the twisties, but i will give you my opinion on both bikes.

the honda is a very uncomfortable bike, due to the seat being as hard as a plank of wood. the power is very linear, and doesn't really feel as fast as the gixxer, although dyno charts show that his cbr is making almost as much hp as my gixxer did when it was stock. i think the torque curve is a little weaker on the cbr. the cbr is also quite heavy going through turns quickly, and requires a bit more muscle to go side to side. the one good point i found was that the cbr was more stable than the gixxer, especially around bumpy turns.

i am glad i have the gixxer, and i would recommend you keep it as well.

[inspiron]

@advr4: Maybe the problem was the suspension setup on the Honda? If the suspention was set correctly for you, I would think that the riding "behaviour" of both bikes would be similar ???

[Phease]

After test riding one at a bike show, i quite liked the linear power band, you knew what was coming when you opened up the throttle throughout the revs. and don't gel seats come as a relatively cheap optional extra?

[Hyper]

I love my Suzuki, and would own another one in a heart beat. But I'm becoming less, and less as the "leader of the pack". I'm starting to enjoy the ride more my slowing the pace a little. That's where the visual effect comes in. The new Repsol is one of the best looking bikes that I've seen in years. Comfort is not really a high priority. It's nice to have softer then stock grips, but my last two bikes (full decade) were 93 and 96 750 Gixxers.

I ride the backs roads for the most past. Little bit of drag racing from time to time, or watching 7-8 of my buddies race the other part of the time.