Looks like there is a new benchmark motorcycle for all of us to appreciate. As an owner of a '98 R1 I can honestly say that any bike with more power and less weight has got to be unbelievable. In the sportbike world the 3 years the R1 was on top was an eternity! As great as the GSX-R 1000 will be it is a compliment to Yamaha's YZF-R1 that it is the bike that the new Suzuki is compared to. It is also flattering that Suzuki incorporated many of the R1's design themes (e.g. exhaust valve, longer swingarm, litre class power in a 600 size package).
Back in '97 and '98 the press said the same things about the R1 as I am hearing about the new Suzuki (wheelie happy, too much power for the street etc.). April 2001 will mark 3 years of riding on my R1. I waited months to get it and it was worth the wait. All I can say to those of you waiting on the new "benchmark" motorcycle is take the time to learn your new bike. Take the time to learn what such power in a light weight package can do. It can bite back hard. If this is your first bike, buy something else!
The reality is that if it handles anything like the GSX-R 750...your own riding will probably let you down before the bike will.
Ride safe!
Back in '97 and '98 the press said the same things about the R1 as I am hearing about the new Suzuki (wheelie happy, too much power for the street etc.). April 2001 will mark 3 years of riding on my R1. I waited months to get it and it was worth the wait. All I can say to those of you waiting on the new "benchmark" motorcycle is take the time to learn your new bike. Take the time to learn what such power in a light weight package can do. It can bite back hard. If this is your first bike, buy something else!
The reality is that if it handles anything like the GSX-R 750...your own riding will probably let you down before the bike will.
Ride safe!
