Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

After owning my GSXR750K6 for almost 3 year now I wanted to check out a few other new bikes. I originally intended for this to be 750 vs 1198 vs R1 although it looks like the Yamaha dealers are selling them too fast for one to be put to demo. My riding style is oriented towards fast roadriding and trackdays so I'm going to be a bit biased in this respect. The new riders dealership in Cardiff didn't mind me taking one out despite being a student and … uhh having no job. I was accompanied by the salesman though he said it could take it as fast as I wanted.

The pics: :cool:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/christo...ide/1198_1.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/christo...ide/1198_2.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/christo...ide/1198_3.JPG


Riding position wise, legs are in virtually the same position as my 750. The seat is slightly angled so you tend to get closer to the tank. The tank itself is very thin between the knees which is a bit disorienting since I grip onto the tank a lot during braking. I tend to move around the seat a lot and this is obstructed a bit by the rear fairings. The handlebars are slightly lower and nearer towards you in comparison with mine. Overall the position feels a bit more cramped and I favour the GSXR's.

The brakes felt sharper, the suspension is harder although mine is on default settings. The handling at slow speeds (<=40) was different though I wouldn't say it was more or less flickable then mine. I can't really comment what it would handle like at high speeds and/or large lean angles though I can't imagine it being significantly better or worse than mine.

Engine wise it obviously has a lot of torque low down compared to mine which makes gear selection odd since it pulls in any gear. In 3rd gear at 70mph was achieved at almost idling rev numbers. I thought it was easily controllable in traffic and at slow speeds though if you suck it won't be the most comfortable of rides in this situation. So overall the engine was a blast and the obvious highlight of the bike, it just pulls and pulls and wants to wheelie everywhere.

The verdict … if money was a minor consideration would I own one as a roadbike? definitely, I'd pick the engine over mine any day. The 750 only feels on it at 10K and over and I think riding off the torque on a big twin is more satisfying. The only drawback is tank range at 15L, I wouldn't expect it to last more that 75miles on a quick ride. Is it worth the extra money? probably not, but that wouldn't discourage me from owning one or a similar big twin in the future.

As a track bike? I'm not as enthusiastic since I don't think it will be as easy to ride one at my current pace or faster. For me I don't think the 40 odd HP peak power it has over mine will be a problem though the delivery is more aggressive. I reckon it's going to be more sensitive in terms of throttle input in corners I can imagine it more prone to spinning the rear and lifting the front on exit. The other major consideration is the repair bill if it gets dropped. For now I'm probably going to stick with the GSXR and perhaps get a trailer, and some slicks on a spare pair of wheels for next year.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Nice to Riders didn't query your ability to buy one ZJ. Perhaps they thought you sold recreational substances to your hard-studying chums ;)

Did you have to leave a large damage deposit?

The S version would be better for you then as it has got traction control fitted I believe.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

you have a Gixxer 750, so did you consider looking at an 848? In white they are the sex. :p

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Nope just left the license at the dealer. Not sure about traction control I seriously doubt I could financially stretch to the S model.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Agreed, however assuming a trade in value of 5k for my bike leaves me with £5k outstanding on a bike which would be slightly slower and not a significant improvement on my last.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

its difficult ZJ when you already own the BEST road bike :)

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Ridden by idiots though.. *cough* Nos energy drink *cough*

/runs away VERY quickly... XD

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Dont bet on it!:D

If you do a lot of straight line stuff and town riding then dont even think about an 848! You would need some extras on an 848 to make it town ridable. 848 is VERY manouverable!

If you do a lot of twisties and like to get on the throttle early, well.............................................. ................................

nb650

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

That surprising as Riders in Bristol and Bridgewater are rubbish for test rides, I almost fell asleep once.

As for you wanting to test the new R1, I know of a dealer who has a demo model...

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Nice write up......

I would never be able to buy a bike worth that much because I would never use it right;

A) For fear of breaking it.

b) For fear of crashing it.

I'll stick to my cheap jap crap for now until I'm rich. They are cheap for parts, cheap to fix and will post almost equal time to most other bikes anyway unless ridden by a professional.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

do tell.

Also, there's going to be a 1198/848 test day at pembrey soon apparently. Sounds like this is your sort of thing I'll let you know if I hear anything more.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Keep me posted on the test day.

As for the R1 try Morse's Motorcycles in Weston-Super-Mud, when I was in there scouting for the operation I did see a 09 plated R1 with dead flys in the show room...

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Nice report ZJ, enjoying the GSX-R too at the moment, nice to know what the competition is like.

You mentioned you haven't altered the stock settings on the GSX-R, I fiddled with the damping a little and it sharpened the front end up on track a fair bit, but I feel some more work may be required over the winter.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

What settings do you use?

My only issue with the default setup at the moment is that i'd prefer the front not to displace as much under heavy braking apart from that it's fine in terms of corner stability. I did have a look at some adjustments earlier today decided against it since I'm off to Donnington tomorrow.

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

I thought the 750 had the edge on track, didn't they do a test? At the end of the day if you want to ride a little lazier I can see the 848 being faster, but if you keep the 750 on the boil then it's always gonna have that bit more power available? I thought handling was pretty similar, close enough anyway, although I have heard really good things about the brakes (not just from this post lol).

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Is that in the Ducati Centre in Brisilington, Bristol?

just re read, riders in Cardiff! DUHH!

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Yes but I personally do my mileage on the public highways! The ability to get on throttle a bit earlier is quite prevaillant with some of the more experienced riders.

He!He! Redlining it round the Hangar Gyratory!!

Strongly recommend tank grip or balls of steel!

Ultimately its a personal choice and I wanted another twin with bit more ooomph! hence 848. My riding buddy has a 750 and its good but at a meet its just another gixxer! I prefer to be different and understated - I shyed away from the Xerox or Sterilgarda reps as I didnt want to attract too much attention!

Cheers

nb650

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

Lol I know what you're saying about the public highways but the reason I said it is cos you mentioned twisties, etc (a.k.a. fast road riding & closer to track than "road" if you see what I mean). Of course I agree the twin's torque would more than likely be better for cruising/commuting/lazy riding/whatever you wanna call it etc ;) :D

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

However I should also add I do like the 848 myself! It is a bit different as you say, it may not sound like it but I do like that...

Re: Test ride: 1198 vs. GSXR750
 

ZJ, fast bike's settings are (from stock):


Front Rebound Damping = add 1 turn
Rear Rebound Damping = add half turn
Low Speed Damping = add half turn
High Speed Damping = remove half turn

I may try adding a tad of front compression damping, as I have the rider sag set up but am using almost all the fork travel (4-5mm left according to my front cable tie) and I haven't been fully hard on the front brakes yet, but have found the above good on the Ring (a bumpy track :) ).