[bidwell427]

My '12 ZX10 has been a phenomenal bike for 5th seasons of riding but its getting time to get something new. I've ridden a demo R1 on track and several on street rides and gotta say I'm impressed. Ironically I've not had the chance to ride 16+ ZX10 so I'm not really sure how they compare. Has anyone ridden (or preferably owned) both that can comment?

I'm primarily a track rider, street riding is not a huge priority for me tho I do get out once in a while.

 

[JUICEBOX]

Going from a ZX10r to an R1 is kinda like having a hot wife that is like cool as shit and you catch all the guys eyeing her when she walks down the road but shes 100% dedicated to you and then you leave her for a dude because you find out you're gay.

 

[Porschenut]

The R1 is like a butter faced girl. From behind she's super hot with the finest ass you've ever seen but when you get around to see her face with those wide set bug eyes and flat nose you throw up just a little bit.

That being said, just ride her doggy style and it's all good. The R1 beats the gen 5 in pretty much every shootout I've seen so it's clearly the better track weapon.

 

[JUICEBOX]

The R1 is like a butter faced girl. From behind she's super hot with the finest ass you've ever seen but when you get around to see her face with those wide set bug eyes and flat nose you throw up just a little bit.

That being said, just ride her doggy style and it's all good. The R1 beats the gen 5 in pretty much every shootout I've seen so it's clearly the better track weapon.

We call those 50 yarders

 

[obijack]

I have had both both. I like the R1 15+ more for the street and 16+ KRT for the track. The R1 has a great gauge cluster with some really cool stuff. Though it needs to be in track mode to really be able to see it at the track. On the R1 you can turn lift control off independently of the T/C whereas on the Gen 5 it is built in. R1 doesn't have M50 brembo calipers, brembo master, brembo reservoir, like the Gen 5 does. I have some buddies with 15+ R1's and i can out stop them on the track and street on the zx10 with stock pads. And a couple of them have upgraded pads on their R1's ZX10 has the external reservoir shocks and BFRC shock, auto blip down shifts are unlocked as part of the ecu flash (Nels did it for me) but on the R1 you have to buy a $700 part to make clutchless auto blip down shifts work. R1 doesn't have full braided brake lines like the zx10 does. Zx10 has 90 degree valve stems. R1 makes less peak power but makes more torque and usable power on the street. R1 crossplane sounds really cool. The R1 is a bit lighter and feels more narrow. Yamaha developed the R1's electronics in house whereas most use Bosch. The 2015 R1's had a transmission recall that meant every 2015 R1 and R1M engine's had to be cracked open by dealer techs . Which is why I no longer have my 2015 R1. R1 stands out more since yamaha completely redesigned the way the bike looks, where the Gen 5 looks like any other zx10.

For the money the 2016+ ZX10R has more high end parts and accessories are cheaper. But the R1 is still an awesome bike, just do not buy a 2015 R1.

 

[Lee#144]

I also had a 15 R1 and as mentioned above, that recall is why I no longer own one. It was my first and only Yamaha, just not very impressed with their quality. For the pricing you can get a new 16 ZX10 for, the decision for me was simple

 

[mpp12]

liked the R1 handling vs my gen4 (nitron shock), but just a bit....
power is usable, but you need to get your head around it... it comes different flavor.

think the gen5 is a better track weapon but not by much... vs a gen4 the R1 is a better weapon by much.

 

[bidwell427]

The R1 is like a butter faced girl. From behind she's super hot with the finest ass you've ever seen but when you get around to see her face with those wide set bug eyes and flat nose you throw up just a little bit.

That being said, just ride her doggy style and it's all good. The R1 beats the gen 5 in pretty much every shootout I've seen so it's clearly the better track weapon.

I'd be lying if I said looks don't matter at all but if a bike makes you feel like superman, it can be the ugliest thing on earth and it will be beautiful! Actually I think the R1 looks good.

 

[bidwell427]

I have had both both. I like the R1 15+ more for the street and 16+ KRT for the track. The R1 has a great gauge cluster with some really cool stuff. Though it needs to be in track mode to really be able to see it at the track. On the R1 you can turn lift control off independently of the T/C whereas on the Gen 5 it is built in. R1 doesn't have M50 brembo calipers, brembo master, brembo reservoir, like the Gen 5 does. I have some buddies with 15+ R1's and i can out stop them on the track and street on the zx10 with stock pads. And a couple of them have upgraded pads on their R1's ZX10 has the external reservoir shocks and BFRC shock, auto blip down shifts are unlocked as part of the ecu flash (Nels did it for me) but on the R1 you have to buy a $700 part to make clutchless auto blip down shifts work. R1 doesn't have full braided brake lines like the zx10 does. Zx10 has 90 degree valve stems. R1 makes less peak power but makes more torque and usable power on the street. R1 crossplane sounds really cool. The R1 is a bit lighter and feels more narrow. Yamaha developed the R1's electronics in house whereas most use Bosch. The 2015 R1's had a transmission recall that meant every 2015 R1 and R1M engine's had to be cracked open by dealer techs . Which is why I no longer have my 2015 R1. R1 stands out more since yamaha completely redesigned the way the bike looks, where the Gen 5 looks like any other zx10.

For the money the 2016+ ZX10R has more high end parts and accessories are cheaper. But the R1 is still an awesome bike, just do not buy a 2015 R1.

No question the Gen 5 ZX10 is a better value but as you said, the R1 counters in other areas like electronics, they truly are game changing from what I experienced.

The other part of the equation is getting something *new* as in completely different motorcycle. My ZX10 has been very good to me but sometimes you just want some strange rather than your girlfriends younger sister....

 

[turtle1000]

I think you need to ride a gen 5. It may just be me but I don't find it similar to my gen 4 at all. From brakes to riding position to power delivery it's a different bike to me. Don't just look at it as a gen 4 with lipstick. Having said this I also like the R1 but you've ridden one so there isn't much for me to add

 

[ninja_12r2000]

Never think of a gsxr 1000 r suppose to be equivalent to the S1000 rr and a little bit better. Something to let R1 in the dust.

 

[bidwell427]

Never think of a gsxr 1000 r suppose to be equivalent to the S1000 rr and a little bit better. Something to let R1 in the dust.

I'm sure its good but I NEVER buy the first year of a redesign.

 

[obijack]

Never think of a gsxr 1000 r suppose to be equivalent to the S1000 rr and a little bit better. Something to let R1 in the dust.

The jury is still out on that. On paper the gsxr-r should be great, but it only uses the imu for braking from what I have read. Doesn't come with braided brake lines. And why should one have to buy the "upgraded" model to get what the gen5 offers in their "base" model. I am looking forward to all the comparisons between the new gsxr, cbr1000rr, and everything else. Maybe compare the gsxr-r, cbr1000rr sp1, zx10rr, and r1m and see what they come up with.

Also OP, I think electronics on the gen5 zx10 are as good if not better than the R1. One other thing I forgot to mention is being able to adjust engine breaking on the gen5 where you cannot do that on the R1. But man, when we go to the track my buddies 2015 R1 with akra cat delete is the loudest bike by far. Sounds like a v8 kinda.

 

[bidwell427]

The jury is still out on that. On paper the gsxr-r should be great, but it only uses the imu for braking from what I have read. Doesn't come with braided brake lines. And why should one have to buy the "upgraded" model to get what the gen5 offers in their "base" model. I am looking forward to all the comparisons between the new gsxr, cbr1000rr, and everything else. Maybe compare the gsxr-r, cbr1000rr sp1, zx10rr, and r1m and see what they come up with.

Also OP, I think electronics on the gen5 zx10 are as good if not better than the R1. One other thing I forgot to mention is being able to adjust engine breaking on the gen5 where you cannot do that on the R1. But man, when we go to the track my buddies 2015 R1 with akra cat delete is the loudest bike by far. Sounds like a v8 kinda.

I can't comment on the Gen V's electronics since I haven't tried it but the R1's are fantastic. I like the discrete WC which AFAIK is not available on any other bike other than Aprilia (been there and not going back).

The engine braking can be adjusted on the R1 with a re-flash. KWS can do that along with all the usual things a re-flash brings, add additional switch for an autoblipper, and dyno tune for about $1100. The bike I rode had all this done and it was fantastic!

 

[mpp12]

think your mind is made....

I honestly think there is no bad bike (except the honda piece of sh)... suzuki, yamaha or kawa... all good choices.

 

[ENZO10R]

Good day OP.

I am a current 2015 R1 owner and in the market of trading it to a 2017 ZX10r. I held back on trading it because i thought i can sort get a better feedback from changing suspension and getting a fuel controller. I was holding back because it was revised and i don't wanted to happen the transmission problem on new year models. But what made my decision is the same as Obijack said. The new 10R parts wise is cheaper and better out of the box.

 

[ShawnG]

I know everyones budget is different but could you swing just keeping the 4th gen and buying the R1 as a second bike? pretty sure i have seen you floating around the Aprilia forum so you might already have two bikes but the way i see it is the resale on the 4th gens are so low you might as well just keep it.

 

[obijack]

The KEBC can be manipulated on the dash no need for a flash for that. If you get the kawi racing ecu you can custom set KEBC to suit your engine braking needs. One thing i forgot to mention is the R1 already has two different settings for the quick shifter. Where the zx10r you have to get woolich or the like to adjust it. It just has off or on. But seriously get what you like more. That is the bottom line. Both are great bikes. I love the 2016 R1 60th anniversary model personally. That would be the one i would get.

 

[KRTone]

I can't comment on the Gen V's electronics since I haven't tried it but the R1's are fantastic. I like the discrete WC which AFAIK is not available on any other bike other than Aprilia (been there and not going back).

Not trying to derail, but curious what it was about Aprilia why you wouldn't return? Was it Piaggio? I was dead set on picking up a white 2017 ZX10R, but found a great deal on a leftover 2016 RSV4 RR.

 

[ukzx10r]

If all bikes were the same price new and same price for parts then i think id have the aprilia. Then the r1 then a zx10.
I hate the suzuki.
Honda looks nice.
But they are not all the same price so if you can get a bike thats virtually the same performance but saves you money in the long run then the zx10 will always sell well.