[MarkyPancake]

While owning my 04 R1, which I've had for over a year now, I've wanted to see if the K5/K6 1000 lived up to the reviews. I like my R1 though and how mean it looks, so it will be hard to part with it. That said I've mentioned to my Dad a few times that when the time comes I can see the K5/K6 1000 being my next bike.

George Whites have got an open weekend on this weekend and one of the things they are doing are 2006 model test rides throughout the day, basically mini ride outs with two of the staff accompanying, so I booked myself in on the R6 and then thought I would ask if the Suzuki was available and it was, so I swapped. We went round town (Swindon) and then onto some country roads with some twisties and open straights, one of the GW staff was at the front for the quick bits and one at the back for the own pace riders, I'm not a fast rider so went in between.

The moment I put the GSX-R in gear and let the clutch out, it felt great! Very smooth and instant throttle response; the stock clutch lever is closer to the clip-on than my R1's, which felt more comfortable; the gearbox felt nice, precise and positive in every gear; and the power was immense in every gear, it even pulls well in 6th. I thought the stock can sounded alright too.

The dash was easy to read and the gear indicator was a nice touch.

It stuck to the road like glue and cornered like it was on rails!

I've got a Yamaha race screen on my R1 and the stock screen on the Suzuki felt really low, I was getting hit with a lot of wind.

The seating position felt quite comfortable, considering how small the bike is, but the side fairings felt wide; everytime I put my leg out when stopped it touched the inside of my knee, but I soon adjusted.

It's amazing how different a bike can feel with two years of advancement, considering how good the 04+ R1s are, and it put a big smile on my face. I think it has sealed the deal as my next bike once I can let go of the R1's looks.

Originally Posted by uridium

Don't forget WSB as well this weekend

And BSB.

[Drew2]

Quote:
Originally Posted by uridium
Don't forget WSB as well this weekend

And BSB

and AMA

[MarkyPancake]

Originally Posted by Drew2

and AMA

I know this is on too, but I looked through the Sky Planner and couldn't see it.

[Uridium]

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

I know this is on too, but I looked through the Sky Planner and couldn't see it.

Oh you mean the American Suzuki championship with a couple of Ducatis thrown in

[madcyril]

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

I finally got to ride a K5/K6 GSX-R1000!

I was looking to buy the same last april but the best insurance quote was £1700 FC .

£350 FC for my Gixxer 750 so it was a no brainer(and I love my 750 ).

[FazerThou]

Originally Posted by uridium

Nice selection there, did you not fancy the SV thou after the 650?

Don't think it was out when I swapped it, the order of those photos would be ZX6-SV650-CBR-Fazer then triumph speedmaster and sprint RS, at the moment nothing

[Drew2]

Managed to pick it up today!!

Goes like a 'whippet', with no flat spots through the rev range

So nice getting back on the road again - can't believe it's been 8yrs !

Won't let that happen again

[Uridium]

Very tidy, benefits of the climate i guess

Pipe looks very tidy.

Do they still have those mad expensive "MOT" style tests annually for bikes over 400cc over there? Wasn't this the reason years ago that the Jap bike makers started bringing out hundreds of minature clones of classic big bikes. e.g. 250cc Katana's and GSX-R 250's?

[Drew2]

Very tidy, benefits of the climate i guess

Common mis-conception as the weather is extreme here! Freezing in the very short winter and roasting in the long summer and 80+% humidity in the rainy season. Plays havoc on everything from PVC,chrome,leather and paintwork, you have too regularly clean and polish to keep stuff looking new or leave it coated with road grime and don't get it wet!

What 'rots' vehicles in the UK is SALT in the winter! All those 'chocolate club' nuts n bolts are still pristine on my bike (and my 12yr old car) because they've never tasted road salt before !

Pipe looks very tidy.

and believe it or not it's catalyzed ! Must be one from a chainsaw (original reason for catalysts) .

Do they still have those mad expensive "MOT" style tests annually for bikes over 400cc over there?

Both the car and bike get MoT'd every 2yrs (shaken). They are expensive if you take them to garages/dealers - about 250 GBP, they do a full check and either shaken or take them to the test centre after that, what also adds the expense is paying the compulsory insurance (100 quid for 2yrs) and government tax (about 180 quid) so the end bill is hefty !

However, you can do an owner shaken which is what I do. I check the car/bike myself (photocopy previous check sheet,tippex the ticks and values out,photocopy again and fill in ) submit the sheet at the local test centre pay 20 quid for document fees and join a queue through the drive-through test. 30 mins later your done and if you pass you get your badge to display Back into the office and pay Insurance/Tax which is a bit cheaper as the garages always add a 'paying it for you' fee on !

What I need to pay every year is local tax which is 135 quid for the car, don't know what the bike will be - still too get a bill .

[Drew2]

Forgot to mention, if you fail the MoT you get free access to a service centre for that day which has all the tools you need to get things back in check. They even have staff to help if you can't carry out the adjustments yourself - how good is that?

[Falp]

Mine...

Still on the shop last year...

[Uridium]

Here's my new toy. Should be picking it up tomorrow

For any non bikers browsing the thread the stats are:

186bhp @ Crank
0-60 - 2.8 secs
0-100 - 5.9 secs
std 1/4 - 9.90 secs @ 145 mph

Can't wait!

[Drew2]

That's "One mean,green,traffic fighting machine!"
Got to get rid of that standard pipe though - eh!!

Just put the one back on my 400 and it's about exciting as a "wet-fart" and sounds much the same ! Respraying the Moriwaki and have ground the welds smooth - looks almost "one piece"

Waiting for a new CDI to arrive that will re-map it to full power

[Uridium]

Yeah the standard pipe will have to go - it's huge! - one of these I think http://www.muzzys.com/catalog/carov.html

Think the green hugger needs binning as well.

Bikes a 2001 model, done only 8500mls from new!

[Drew2]

Those "Muzzy's" give good performance curves - seen one on a ZRX 1200 and it's near perfect meant to sound 'trick' too boot!

Lookin forward to your report when done...

Later.

[Uridium]

Well only had time for a couple of quick blasts so far but they definitely were blasts....

Firstly the engine - after all this is what people by 12r's for. I was slightly concerned i'd miss the low down grunt of the TL1000 after having ridden v-twins for a few years, my fears were unfounded though as the 12's motor has mountains of torque, as soon as you're at a decent rolling speed you can just stick it in top gear and forget about the gearbox. just wind it on in top and it eats whole streams of traffic at a mad rate.

low down acceleration feels about the same as any other litre plus sports bike but it's the top end power that really impresses, on a nice quiet stretch i was cruising along at about 90mph in top, wound it back and in a matter of what felt like just a few secs was pushing double the limit i went as far as 160 and the bike hadn't even thought about slowing down, I honestly think it would carry on accelarating until the needle was pushing the 200 mark befor e it would start slowing. Awesome.

Although the weight is listed as 215kgs it really doesn't feel it, the fuel tank is a plastic dummy one with the real tank curving right down under the seat to keep the weight low. Handling is pretty good considering the size, certainly not quick steering enough to keep with R1's and Gixers through the twisty stuff but plenty good enough for A-Road blasting.

Give you an update on the top end potential when i hit the Autobahn's in a few weeks

P.S. anyone want to buy a nice mint 97 TL1000S, only 10k on the clock. Be gutted to see it go but i can't keep two of them

[psalliss]

my current bike.

[andyhay]

Was just browsing pics of BROS 400s on google and stumbled upon this thread in avforums.

I have my bike test tomorrow. On my 1983 Superdream 125. Hope I pass this time (taken it before and failed). Just have to practice those u-turns til the cows come home tonight.

With any luck ill pass and can get a BROS!

[Bursar]

Here's my current ride, CBR1000RR. Had it almost 18 months now, but the pic was taken as soon as I got it home with less than 20 miles on the clock

[i-bert]

Originally Posted by andyhay

Was just browsing pics of BROS 400s on google and stumbled upon this thread in avforums.

I have my bike test tomorrow. On my 1983 Superdream 125. Hope I pass this time (taken it before and failed). Just have to practice those u-turns til the cows come home tonight.

With any luck ill pass and can get a BROS!

Good luck with the test.The way i was taught for the u-turns was to control the speed of the bike with your back brake,keep the revs steady and look where you want to go instead of infront of you.

[andyhay]

Thanks!

Back brake on my bike is next to useless, its an old drum brake, it either does nothing or locks the back wheel. Im now used to uturning without using brakes so speed is completely based on approach speed and clutch control on the turn.

Was ok last night, more practicing tonight, going to get it perfect.

[jenic]

I'm still a baby biker compared to the rest of you, i am still on my 50 scooter but i have just purchased a varadero 125 to get me about until i pass my test when i'm 17 until then it is in my garage getting its exhaust resprayed, well i sprayed it on monday. When its finished i'll pop some pictures up.

Cant wait to get rid of my scooter image but i'll miss the TAG.

[Bilbob]

Originally Posted by andyhay

Thanks!

Back brake on my bike is next to useless, its an old drum brake, it either does nothing or locks the back wheel. Im now used to uturning without using brakes so speed is completely based on approach speed and clutch control on the turn.

Was ok last night, more practicing tonight, going to get it perfect.

So? how did it go?

Can't believe I've only just seen this thread... Been a born again for 3 years now, currently on a gsx750.... erm, f....
never mind, it's faster than the bandit I had Off for last trackday this year at Oulton park on a couple of weeks... please let the god of '****-wet-though' hold the rain off on that day!

[madcyril]

Can anyone recommend a cleaner to remove remnants of bugs from the front on my bike.I've cleaned it twice since a trip to the South of France but there is still traces I cant seem to remove.I do have Ventureshield fitted and I don't know if that's adding to the problem.
.

[Bilbob]

baby wipes



Seriously!

[madcyril]

Nice one,I'll give it a go .

[i-bert]

I take it you didn't pass Andy?

Or are you still rough from celebrating?

[mr ooops]

gsxr750 srad here, although im looking to sell to fund my home cinema

[andyhay]

I didnt take the test...

Long story short, nervous as hell as normal, rode to the test center, 10mins early. Waited 10mins down the road, went to start bike to go to the car park/waiting area. Didnt start. The battery had bloody died. I went and told the examiner the battery was dead, he said "Ill give you 5 mins to get it started". Checked all the connections on the battery and to the starter motor everything looked fine, pushed the bike into a car dealer car park and bump started it. Rode it round to the test center the instructor says "sorry your too late I cant take you out".

********. Wasnt even allowed a refund or to move the test.

Test rescheduled for Thursday anyhow.

[Bilbob]

A word or two of advice... stay calm during your test. Take it easy. Don't worry about making a mistake, or taking a wrong turn, they can't fail you for it. The only thing they can fail you for is dangerous or illegal driving. If you can't hear the instructor, don't panic, just carry on. HE will take care of any route errors, don't let them get to you.