I am far from being considered a good rider, but I think I am progressing and can somewhat handle my own. I have noticed that I enjoy the postioning on my 1 compared to my 6, and that I am able to get down and dirty in the twisties. Has anyone else experienced this that has ridden the two?

This somewhat surprised me because you always hear the R6 being referred to as a curve carver. But I love the low-end of the 1 and it seems I can focus more on my form and know that the bike will power me thru the curves. But I have to say I kinda miss being on the 6 at times and just being up there in the revs and hitting the curves.

What are your guys thoughts on this? Also seems like my R1 is more forgiving on my body on longer trips....as odd as that may sound. BTW I am 5'8 and 170lb.

I felt the same way when I change from the 6 to the 1.

I think you get the feeling of the bike being more stable and smoother from the fact that the bike is reving at alot less rpm's.

The 1 is more easy on the body aswell, longer wheelbase and nice seat, that is lower than the 6

i missed the high rpm on the 6. but, when i'm on the 1, i try to keep the rpm high as well. usually, in the canyons, i'll be in the 2 or 3rd gear all the time. that will leave me at around 8-10 rpm. i hate the feeling of riding in the low rpms having the boggy feel. i rely on engine breaking alot and it feels like i have more control of the bike.

the first time i took the 1 to the canyons, it felt so hard to lean over and so big/bulky compared to my 6. then, i just got used to the bike, its size and handling. now it feels normal.

i love having the clipons below the tripple... puts me more in the bike when im in a corner...

So since I have jumped generations since my last post I thought I would update this thread:

I did enjoy my '01 and it was a nice literbike to start on, and the '03 just brought a smoothness that I appreciated ALOT. I was able to tear up my fav twisties, however I didnt have total confidence on it tho (I was on the oem tires, might have been a mental thing)

Getting the '04 was an eye opener and honestly I feel like I am back on my R6. I was lucky enough to have PP on these (to put my mind at ease) and man I have so much fun turning in. And feel that my skills have improved, and the '04 is egging me to bring it to the track so I can get the proper form down.

Again I come back to my previous statement: How is it that ppl say that the R1 or even literbikes arent all that in curves? I was amazed when I first rode my '04 cus it feels 20lb lighter than my '03, I mean I can physically push the bike so much easier. Turning into a curve is far from a chore, and gladly holds whatever line I select. Yeah I know I am sounding like a commercial, but I cant help but smile when I throw my legs over this beautiful piece of machinery. It could be that I need to ride a 600 again to be reminded of their capability, however for now I'll be happy with my 600 on steriods...opps I mean my R1.

I currently have an R6 but I'll be tracking her out after this season. I cannot wait to feel what it's like to ride an R1. It will be interesting to see the difference in the handling between the two. The weight difference is 24 pounds but I think how the weight is distributed plays a big part as well.

To us mortals the R1 is an R6 with a bigger engine. For me it handles just as well as my R6 but goes soooooo much better.

To us mortals the R1 is an R6 with a bigger engine. For me it handles just as well as my R6 but goes soooooo much better.

+1

To us mortals the R1 is an R6 with a bigger engine. For me it handles just as well as my R6 but goes soooooo much better.

:withstupi

Good thread....good info :thumbup

I just got an 07 R1 and the handling is great. I used to have a 00 R6 and the R1 runs circles around it in ever category except handling because there they feel about the same.

^ congrats on the new bike :beermug

I just came from a 00 R6 to a 04 R1. I haven't had the chance to really ride the R1 yet. I am glad to hear of the handling characteristics being close. I only ride Deals Gap and the track so handling is a big issue for me. Only reason I switched was that I wanted more power for the straights on the track.

I only got my R1 a few days ago, and I'm already more comfortable in full lean with the 1 than I ever was with the 6.

I bougt mine with a wrecked body, but within the first week I almost have it ready to go.

congrats, post up pics when your done

My brother and I race with WERA and I have never owned an R6. I have an 02 R1 and my bro had an 03 R6(soon to buy an 06+) I loved the feel of my R1 and I'd probabbly like the newer generations even better. But I can say, that when My bro and I switched bikes for a race weekend I noticed a big difference. The R6 just seemed to like the curves so much better and I didn't have to try. but the straights were boring. I was running the same lap times and going slower on the straights so I must have been going faster in the corners. When I got back on the R1 I kept spinning up the rear trying to take corners as fast as on the R6 and getting off the corner hard. The handleing differences have a lot to do with the seat, bar, and foot positions, suspension geometries, and the recipricating mass of the bigger or smaller displacement motors. This is why the newer generations of the R1 keep leaning the motors more and more toward the front wheels to keep this mass moving toward the front wheel giving better front end feel, and faster easier turn-in(more like a 6). The difference between the two sizes is becoming smaller, however you still need to different riding styles to manage the engine power difference. Bottom line is you could go on for days about the differences and why this and why that but If you like it and you feel comfortable you must have the right bike. Me I eventually want Two of each.

Me I eventually want Two of each.



^+1 can't wait to turn the 6 into a streetfighter. I just can't take the smile off my face when on the 1 though.

I just got an 07 R1 and the handling is great. I used to have a 00 R6 and the R1 runs circles around it in ever category except handling because there they feel about the same.



Ron, hows the leg? secondary, hows the bike?

Finally rode the R1 yesterday. I liked it. Handled really well. I did notice that it is a little more work to flip it back and forth but not as bad as I expected. I loved the throttle response and having the torque to come out of turn harder. So for my first ride ever it was through Deals Gap. Hauled it to the base of teh road and hit it. By my second pass I was almost as quick on the R1 as I was my R6. Only thing that was confusing to me was the GP shift set up. I would have to catch myself down shifting.

Damn, took you long enough to take it for a spin. Glad you like it.

Cold weather and work schedule. It was killing me to just look at it and not ride. It was the first time I had even been on a bike since Aug of last year.

As in comarson to the R6...I feel the R1 has to be geared differently so I can get the drive.. I feel the front is more important to me know since I am scrubbing off more speed now too. I like them both...I hope the crashes on the R1 hurt just as little as my crashes on the R6!
I go through tires sooo much faster now though...Thats a little annoying though.

yeah, I used to get 8-10 thosand miles on a set while on the six. On the one, it's like 5-6 thousand.

Great. I was doing good to get 400 on a set of PP's on my 6. Then again, thats a lot of miles at Deals Gap. I am consideriing DOT race for the R1 just so I have that extra grip.

(thats 400 miles, not a typo)

heating your tires up pretty good, huh?:D



Edit: I had a rear PP last .25 miles.................................Got a huge nail, had to turn around and buy another one:cussing

were you guys scared to move from 6 to 1

I was a little cautious from all the talk of big power but not scared. I don't think i'll ever go back.

were you guys scared to move from 6 to 1

No just very cautious at first........Like Ron, I will never go back to a 600 for the street.

were you guys scared to move from 6 to 1

i have never owned a 6 but i have ridden my friends r6 and i hated not having that power when i needed it. i was more scared of riding the 6 because when i sat on it it felt like nothing was there i will never buy a 6. like my little brother says im a big boy give me the big bike

Informative post here.