Spoiler - Fast bikes Sportsbike of the year...

[*Oggy*]

After Captain talking of the UK mags, I went out and bought the latest Fastbike magazine.

I always enjoy the Fastbike shootout as they combine the 600 - 1000 for a direct comparison.

Also they put all the bikes on the same tyre (Bridgestone BT-003 RS) which is a nice leveller.

Kawasaki ZX-10R - 10th
Ducati 1198S - 9th
Honda CBR600RR - 8th
Suzuki GSX-R750 - 7th
KTM RC8 R - 6th
Suzuki GSX-R1000 - 5th
Kawasaki ZX-6R - 4th
Triumph Daytona 675 - 3rd
Yamaha R1 - 2nd
Honda CBR1000RR - 1st (ABS version).

Track was Anglesey (which they say is UK's Phillip Island in the mag).

Good to see some of the 600's beating up their bigger sisters.

They werent impressed with the Duck.. (as you can see)

The new Kawasaki ZX-6R got a great review and in some ways this helped relegate its bigger brother to last place.

They loved the Trumpy (nearly got 2nd place overall).

New Yamaha R1 had some interesting comments

Quote ""Prior to the test, the question on everynes lips was Is this R1 a good one or a shitter ?. We've ridden six 09 R1's now and all of them have had a differing engine characteristics and vibrationsensations, and even Yamaha admit they've seen some inconsistancies in manufacturing. thankfully this puppy was a minter"" unquote.

Might answer why some mags have raved about the R1, whilst others have been less complimentory"

Also they mention a few reliability issues that are cropping up, but dont enlighten us on what they mean ??

It did the fastest lap in the test, but was hampered by brake fade.

they also quoted the R1 wouldnt touch a blade in the twisties, which is a big call to make, (but reality is who's riding these bikes more than the bike in 90% of the calls)

Gixxer 1000 and Blade joint equal second fastest times.

I was surprised the ABS version of the Blade still came out on top (since it adds 10kgs to the weight)..

Remembering this is a UK bike magazine and so the roads are a bit twistier and bumpier than the Aussie roads . (Imagine the twisty bits of mac pass but level with bumps and ruts and brick walls ).

Pity the Aprilia is missing from the test as i'm sure it would of been beating on the door of a few of the top order.

[Captain]

Thanks Oggy :ayyy:

Yet again, I don't know what to make of these test. Not long ago I posted a link to a similar test that placed the ZX10R second, for chrissakes! And the R1? From almost first to almost last? I can understand some 'inconsistencies', but bloody hell, do some of them drop a piston?
Ditto re the 1198S; how could this be? I understand it's primarily a road test, but c'mon, even with my teasing of the ducati owners I'd never go that low. Are the brits having a go at their italian foes once again, or are we missing something here? Anyhow, a road test doesn't usually place the Daytona that high ... its' strenght is on the track.

More questions than answers.

The Honda tops the chart yet again, which must warm the heart of the faithful :ayyy:

[ozducati]

I remember all the comparo's that the british bike mags did when the 1098 was released.. and there were a lot of them compared against everything that had 2 wheels almost, and they all bagged the 1098 back then as well.. take their bike comparo's with a grain of salt now, even though most of their mags aren't too bad and quite informative ... and they always rate the Triumph's.... there's a reason for that...

[James]

The Honda tops the chart yet again, which must warm the heart of the faithful :ayyy:

Yep :ayyy:

[j-rad]

Blade and GSXR had joint lap times but the Honda was 1st and GSXR 5th? :confused:

[Johnny]

Blade and GSXR had joint lap times but the Honda was 1st and GSXR 5th? :confused:

LOL, dont even bother to try understand how they got that mate, guess the honda has more money to throw at testers :lmao:

[Boony]

anyone in the printing biz i'm sure if rats was to have its own mag there would plenty of riders willing to flog all the different bikes for free and put out an honest shoot out results list how different from this list would it be

[clarkey]

[QUOTE=

The Honda tops the chart yet again, which must warm the heart of the faithful :ayyy:[/QUOTE]


Never a doubt:ayyy: -Glad they didnt include removal of fairings in the test ...damn honda fairings are a bastard:lmao:

[*Oggy*]

Test was combining road and track playing. I'll bring the mag back for Captain to read and he can do his usual non bias view on it.

Personally I didnt think the results were that startling.... The Trumpy 675 is a great bike and (remember its on Welsh twisty roads) and thats why the 600's outshone some of the bigger bikes. The Ducati didnt seem to like the bumpy roads and it appeared that (from their words...) putting all the bikes on the Bridgys put all the bikes on equal footing, but that tyre was inferior to what comes standards on the duke and the KTM.

Dont think the mag is Honda biased as the CBR600 didnt do that well, although the Alistair does race a 1000 blade in BSB i think ??? . (so maybe he's either biased with Honda sponsership...or maybe because he races one, he knows just how good they are ???/)

Captain, the R1 came second ??? and in reality coming 2nd or 9th doesnt mean too much in this mix of bikes.

Anyway..off to to see the new Aprillia now..... fingers crossed

[oz r1]

I remember all the comparo's that the british bike mags did when the 1098 was released.. and there were a lot of them compared against everything that had 2 wheels almost, and they all bagged the 1098 back then as well.. take their bike comparo's with a grain of salt now, even though most of their mags aren't too bad and quite informative ... and they always rate the Triumph's.... there's a reason for that...

The very reasons you have given are some i tend to take from these bike mags also with a pinch of salt, I will start with this , I'm not brand specific , i don't care if it's got a yamaha stamp or suzi or any other ,if i like the bike then i don't care what the mags have to say or anyone else for that matter but will take in some opinions from our forum guy's , the reason i don't take much cred from the magazines is the guy's that test in most cases aren't your average run of the mill riders (day to day ride to work and weekends)they all tend to be racers or ex racers so there opinions are of top end performance and in that my riding ability and what i will get out of the bike is way different.When do these mags use the average joe to test ride these bikes? and have the opinion of day to day riding and track days for those that do them?.How does kevin magee or daryll beattie test these bikes , as i saw daryl at EC ringing the neck from the street bikes and how does this give me any information about how it's going to be for me on a rats ride or for me to ride to work ? In my opinion a test ride should include a few days in peak our traffic , a weekend going up and down the old road and the putty, a track day , riding on a bloody hot day , also a cold days riding , what is it like with a pillion on the back , fuel economy , what recalls have the previous years model and also recalls for the current model,how much will it cost in two or three years time to service yourself and what cost will it incur for services new and old.
I have no interest in what bike can go around EC with an ex superbike hero on it that also probably hasn't ridden a bike on the road in traffic while it's wet or in any condition for about 10 years.If i where to buy a new bike atm (if the wife ok'd it) i would choose out of three bikes and not because i don't like the rest but it's because they appeal to me now , they are in order , My dream to own a Ducati , so a 1098or 1198 , the Aprillia RSV4 , or the KTM rc8 08or 09. This is just my two cents worth and not intending to put anyone down ,but how does a moto gp rider or super bike rider that has,nt riden on the road to work every day going to be able to tell me about a bike i'm going to ride to work or down the shops ?.

[Turtle]

Blade and GSXR had joint lap times but the Honda was 1st and GSXR 5th? :confused:

Nice try Jarrad........ :lmao:



Never a doubt:ayyy: -Glad they didnt include removal of fairings in the test ...damn honda fairings are a bastard:lmao:

Getting Boring isn't it........i wanted the Gixxer to win funny enough......but true...:(

[dazzler]

oz r1 you are so right mate 100%:ayyy:

most buy bikes for bragging rights, only a few of us here are ex racers and will use a full 95% of the bikes worth.
i will always prefer a review from the likes of zROYz or LAW because they are not paid to do so(free coffee's from katoo at maccas doesnt count!!) and they talk about it in a way thats real to me... the only thing we can differ on is the looks but the reports are real life uses for daily folk like you and me!!

maybe AG23 can use that as an idea in his next review......

a review from a normal everyday kinda bloke who writes in a way that we all can relate to....

oh i own the rights to that idea too:lmao::lmao: and i will only sell for 2 cups of free hot chocolate!!!

[Kris]

Nice to see the Honda win :) Picked up AMCN today.. another win!

[X27]

DAM! you know your in trouble when you take a Brits word for a bike test....Cricket anyone?????

[rats666]

I dont even waste my time with those pommy poofs, get out, ride the bikes for yourselves and make your own mind up on what works for you. Those tossers will never accurately report on a ducati because they cant adjust their way of thinking to ride them. I have a Suzuki now and I still cant turn it in like i would on the Duck. But in time Im sure i'll get used to it, i would expect the same of a Jap bike rider jumping on a duck, it takes some getting used to the different motor and the reaction of the throttle IMO. Let me add Im no expert though.... ok I'll shut up now :baby:

[Jamesy]

I'd happily take any one of these bikes!
Looks wise the R1 and RSVR Aprilia look very tempting.
Performance wise, I just don't think too many people could leverage the difference between these bikes so when I am ready for an upgrade I am test riding a few to see which ones feel right!

Different strokes

[Captain]

I dont even waste my time with those pommy poofs, get out, ride the bikes for yourselves and make your own mind up on what works for you. Those tossers will never accurately report on a ducati because they cant adjust their way of thinking to ride them. I have a Suzuki now and I still cant turn it in like i would on the Duck. But in time Im sure i'll get used to it, i would expect the same of a Jap bike rider jumping on a duck, it takes some getting used to the different motor and the reaction of the throttle IMO. Let me add Im no expert though.... ok I'll shut up now :baby:

Ain't that the truth mate.
A fellow rider who works near me (and who owns a 1098) tells me that the Ducati forum boys are having kittens over their bike coming last, and yes they're just the same, they see it all through their red-colored glasses.
I try my best to be unbiased, although I like to see the ZX do well, and get a perversed joy out of seeing the Duke down the list .... but that's only because I know many of the Ducati riders get so worked up over it :lmao:

This is MY list (which is worthless as I have NOT ridden all these bikes, nor am I any good, but I have read lots of reports so it's a bit of a summary ... which will probably bring us close to the truth).

1. Honda CBR1000RR
2. Ducati 1198S
3. Kawasaki ZX10R
4. Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. Yamaha R1
6. KTM RC8

I haven't bothered to put the 600's in there, too confusing :confused1:

(all good fun :stirthepot:)

[oz r1]

I dont even waste my time with those pommy poofs, get out, ride the bikes for yourselves and make your own mind up on what works for you. Those tossers will never accurately report on a ducati because they cant adjust their way of thinking to ride them. I have a Suzuki now and I still cant turn it in like i would on the Duck. But in time Im sure i'll get used to it, i would expect the same of a Jap bike rider jumping on a duck, it takes some getting used to the different motor and the reaction of the throttle IMO. Let me add Im no expert though.... ok I'll shut up now :baby:

It's not just the pommie mags it's ours as well and the yanks, like i said in my previous post , who can ride a bike at the level these test riders can and in reality there comments on there track tests are an absolute waste of time as it doesn't convert over to the road and day to day use.If you have a look at the bike that came first (honda cbr 1000 ) hypothetically if the 09 model ends up with the 08 oil usage problems and your bike ends up being in the shop for it's first few weeks or indeed months of it's life then how is it the best bike ? because some guy on a track got around a given lap quicker than the other bikes did. I my self wouldn't buy the honda just because of the past oil usage problems and also how honda delt with the problem and the owners where treated.If i was to buy another jap bike then you couldn't go past the R1 or the ZX10 as there reliability and call back history is much better than the other jap brands. It's all personal opinion isn't it in the end .

[noz]

Thanks Oggy :ayyy:

Yet again, I don't know what to make of these test. Not long ago I posted a link to a similar test that placed the ZX10R second, for chrissakes! And the R1? From almost first to almost last? I can understand some 'inconsistencies', but bloody hell, do some of them drop a piston?
[...]
More questions than answers.

They often make for an interesting read but obviously must be taken as a guide only.

As for consistency, these magazine people are all different, just like us. I'm surprised anyone here is looking for an excuse NOT TO TAKE THEM ALL FOR TEST RIDES! :mod_smilie_rockwoot

[saf]

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Those tests are all bollocks. ozR1 summed it up nicely. It'd be refreshing to see a real world test of current crop.

[phillmac]

An opinion is just that, weather mine, youres or some blokes from a bike magazine

[wade193]

An opinion is just that, weather mine, youres or some blokes from a bike magazine

Thats right. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one :ayyy:

[Captain]

MCN did their own testing, at the Isle of Man, on the following bikes:
Triumph Daytona 675
Yamaha R1
Aprilia RSV4
KTM RC8

I don't really know why they chose these particular bikes to put head-to-head, something about them being the best? Anyhow this is what they say on their website:

You may be surprised to hear that it's the Triumph Daytona 675 that came out on top. As MCN road tester Adam Child says: "The R1 came so close to winning this test, but it didn't.

"While the litre bikes were bludgeoning our brains out with their ludicrous power, the Triumph Daytona 675 charmed us with its mix of real-world ability, brilliant chassis, characterful engine and slick looks."

- add 'rolling eyes' emoticon -

[*Oggy*]

Again Captain... the arguement of a 600 being a better bike to ride on a race track over a 1000, is a similar arguement on Brit bumpy twisty roads, so unless its a very nimble 1000 with decent suspension, the 675 will show up the big ones. I'm riding about on the early tigerstripe blade here today and its a handfull on the back roads.

[Captain]

I understand, BUT if I'm testing an Aston Martin and an Alfa Romeo, I can still admit that the Aston is a better machine despite the Alfa being better suited for the winding Italian mountain roads .... so with respect, I'm not buying it.

[*Oggy*]

Captain...your up early...... but a good question would be... Why would you say an R1 is better than a 675 ??? I know a lot will say "but an R1 is isnt it".... but why do we say that..... Its because of previous road tests i guess.

But the only review Ive seen that had both 675 and R1 in a head to head was the Fast bike one and although the R1 edged the 675, it was a split decision, so perhaps we should give the trumpy its due ???? (or not).

The assumption above is that the 675 is better than my blade around the TT track, but I would have to say (having ridden there a few times) that its a scary place to go around if you dont know it (remember there are no speed indication signs for the corners there.....), so for an average Joe .. I'd prefer to go nuts on a 600 than a 1000 there any time..... so in those conditions, I would be happier having my leg over the 675..... If the measuring stick is the TT track, then yep, 675 (maybe)... If Misano racetrack (R1 over 675 im guessing)... Oran Park (I'm guessing 675) ???

Interesting discussion and obviously no real answer....just personal preferences, based on others personal preferences from experiences on certain roads with certain road conditions in certain weather.....



Ill go buy the MCN tomorrow and scan in the test.... (Im more interested in why those 4 bikes )

[Dave75]

My opinion, ride them all and buy the one you like most.....simple!

[*Oggy*]

My opinion, ride them all and buy the one you like most.....simple!

You have it in one..Dave.

[Captain]

Oggy, I'm not necessarily saying the R1 ia better than the 675 ... not at all, maybe it isn't.
I'm purely addressing the theory that the 675 might have won because maybe it was better suited to those particular roads. That would be like saying the Alfa is a better car than the Aston, because it was faster around one particular twisty mountain road.

I reckon such a test, given it's prominence and conclusion (the best sportbike), needs to be based on a little more. Don't you think?

[*Oggy*]

Not really disagreeing with you at all Captain.. In fact I most probably agree with your last post 98%...

Just trying to widen the discussions (or being arguementative) lol

Watching MotoGP at the moment with BSB on other channel and WSB anf TT later in the evening.... .. Good day to lounge in fron of telly, but a BBQ to go to ...... :-(

[Captain]

All good Oggy, always enjoy a good conversation :ayyy:

[zRoYz]

The funny part about all threads & tests "which motorbike is better" is there inderviduals opinions & we all have different opinions which is what makes us human. Why do people like different football teams they all play the same game wear same gear but some different colors so really logic would say we should like them all. This doesn't happen because other factors come into play like your nationality, your suburb of residence, etc. Bikes are no different we all like different aspects from shape, color, where there made , etc so all you should ever do is buy the one that floats your boat & read tests just to find out opinions of other riders & performance figures.

[Captain]

MCN's Isle of Man comparison ... road test results.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/videos/2009/may/jun01-video-mcn-sportsbike-of-the-year/

Oggy, sorry if it seems like I'm :beatdeadhorse:, but have you seen those roads? The onboard footage perhaps? You can't tell me that those are winding twisty roads best suited to a mid-sized bike. In this case 'value' has been used as the reason. At least that's something one can't argue with.

Still, that white 675 with the blue frame looks very nice :ayyy:

[Nuff]

Can't believe they said the 675 was comfy! I also couldn't help but notice the duct tape on the 675 tail, I think someone must have went down sliding.