CBRWorld.net

Guess I'm getting a little ahead of myself but I just wanted to drum up some discussion on the subject.

Don't get me wrong, I love Hondas and I own one, but I'm a bit dissappointed with their efforts in the litre class compared to the other 3 big Japanese brands. They were the last to have a true 1000 after retiring the 954 in 2003 (well Kawi waited till 2004 as well but then dominated with the ZX10 at least in the opinion of the magasines). The 04/05 CBR1000 was good but still lagged behind in the horsepower/weight wars. The 06/07 bike made very good strides to close the gap but still is rarely favoured by the bike mags in the litre bike shootouts. (Cycle World, Motorcyclist, etc.)

It looks like Honda has made some huge strides with the CBR600 in 2007 (claimed 17lb weight drop, vertically stacked trans, virtually eliminated drive line lash, etc).

Will 2008 be the year Honda dominates the litre class ?

---

2003 Red/Black 954

Well... yes and no. The 1000 RR should see a complete redesign in 2008 since it also follows a 4-year life cycle as the 600 RR. Nevertheless, I wouldn't expect the 1000 RR to be the outmost powerful bike in the liter class. Honda has never wanted to be the most powerful, or the lighter. It usually comes out with a powerful but easy to ride sportbike, where any rider with some experience can start pushing it at the track quickly. But I guess we'll have to wait and see, since the 2003 600 RR was also a "stone in the pond", since it was an almost race replica machine, built to win Supersport championships...

---

Mario Sobral

matt954:

Will 2008 be the year Honda dominates the litre class ?

What do you mean by dominate ????

From the context of your post, it looks like you want Honda to be the best bike on paper (i.e. according to the mags).

Just something to keep in mind... no bike truly dominates.  Every bike has its strengths and weaknesses.  As far as the mags are concerned, what you're really reading is how those strengths and weaknesses compare/contrast to those of the riders for that magazine.

Also, the differences between these bikes are so minute that most riders aren't going to notice these differences unless you are a top-notch track rider.

I'm neither defending nor supporting Honda's development efforts of late.  The bike is what it is and no manufacturer will ever make a bike that will please everyone.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a bike because of what is said on paper (except for price, otherwise I'd be riding a Ducati 749 right now).  I buy a bike that fits me and my needs.  Besides the way a bike is tested for the mags (i.e. in its stock form) is very different from the way I would own it.  As soon as it hits my garage, there would be a barrage of aftermarket, track-oriented mods on it that it would be a very different bike where the reviews of the mags wouldn't really matter.  I'm sure this is true for many others, at least the track riders.

IMHO, all those mag reviews are really good for is the bragging rights of the posers at the local Starbucks.

No matter what, what dominates is the rider, never the bike!!!!  And the magazines never take that into account.

---

badfish '05 600RR Purple/Black

Show me a person who can ride any liter bike to its full potential on the street.  The only thing that should matter to any of us mere mortals is how the bike feels between our legs.  The rest is just numbers and mean nothing.

---

***2006 CBR1000RR***
Jardine RT-1 Dual Outlet Exhaust
Dynojet Power Commander III USB
Galfer Superbike Brake Lines
Galfer Sintered (HH) Brake Pads
Competition Werkes Fender Eliminator
Clear Alternatives Taillight Integrator
Greggs Customs LED Flushmounts
Vortex Swingarm Spools
Motovation No-Cut Frame Sliders
Motovation Fork Sliders
Motovation Axle Sliders
Honda Seat Cowl
Sylvania Silver Star Headlight Bulbs

if honda removes the approach to make a "all-around" bike and treat 100% racer bike like Yamaha, probably would probalby be on top. But that's not Honda's philosophy, even with the 600rr. but, that's just imho.

---

"Leaders are like tea; put them in hot water to find out how strong they are." Anonymous

freeky929:

Show me a person who can ride any liter bike to its full potential on the street.  The only thing that should matter to any of us mere mortals is how the bike feels between our legs.  The rest is just numbers and mean nothing.

No disrespect but responses like this are so predictable and not relevant to the discussion.  Buying a bike whether we like to hear it or not is partially about "bragging rights" and having an interesting ride that stands out.  You shouldn't not buy a bike because you can't use it full potential on the street.  I know I'm always facinated when I see a new ZX14 or brand new litre bike at the local Tim Hortons (Starbucks for American readers).  Its a chance to open up a discussion and hear about the wow factor and how it compares to other bikes.  And performance such as more hp or lighter weight is relevent to street riding.  There is a great thrill of having big hp and amazing acceleration at the twist of the rist.  No I couldn't ride a 2008 CBR 1000 as far into its performance envelope as Rossi, but then again I probably couldn't ride a Honda 50 as far into its performance envelope as Rossi either.  So what?  I would have a lot of fun.  I certainly wouldn't push the cornering ability of a litre bike on the street but that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy carving some turns on the street and pushing it a bit at the track for the one weekend a year that I go to the track.

My point is that its fun to read the magazines and dream about the having the latest and greatest even its based on only a few writer's opinions.  Don't take the thrill out of dreaming about the new products coming down the pipe with the "cant ride it to full potential" negativity.

Can't wait for that latest and greatest 2008 CBR 1000!

---

2003 Red/Black 954

high_revs:

if honda removes the approach to make a "all-around" bike and treat 100% racer bike like Yamaha, probably would probalby be on top. But that's not Honda's philosophy, even with the 600rr. but, that's just imho.

and thats y i love hondas, they do everything soo well that u cant help but getting addicted to their level of engineering.

---

Naked 93' F2...... RIP -- 04/12/07
04' 600RR Black - currently stuck between track and street usage
- Brembo Master, Sato's, & Ohlins out back

And after today, I guess the Nicky Hayden Repsol replica paint scheme on the CBR 1000 RR will look even better !!!

---

Mario Sobral

I just got a 2006 CBR1000RR. I have ridden all my life (well at least 25 years) but this is my first Sportbike. After test driving, and yes, comparing numbers in the magazines, I decided on the Honda. The reason why is because I was comfortable on the Honda, I wasn't scared of the excessive horsepower, and it just felt like a bike I could grow into and never outgrow.
I've already heard "My bike has more horsepower, and runs the quater mile a second quicker" from friends. I explain that my bike has more horsepower then I'll ever use and runs the quater mile faster then I ever will.
I'd like to see the Hondas lead the pack, but if they don't, I still wouldn't trade my bike for anything. I think that is what Honda has always strived for, and has continued to suceed.

TS

I must say that everyone has alot of good points... The question at hand is how many new rider are buying a bike base on the magazines or on how good the bike lookssss. To me I bought my bike base on the name and lookssss. You could say that I like the H=Honda, H=Henny, H=Honey's.....

U may call meTriple H.... I something like a wrestling fan.....

                           

I am picking up my 1000RR tomorrow.  And to be honest, I broke it down to this:  feel and look would win.  I will never ride any litre bike to it's full potential, so why not go with what looks best and fits best?  Maybe one day, hopefully sooner than later, I'll be able to get to the track and find out what my new bike will really do. :)

 

And come on, isn't the blue and yellow pretty? :)

^^^ Yes.

In response to the new rider part, I researched the crap out of all the 600s/read all the mag reviews/checked forums (thanks yall). I was all but sold on the R6 or YZF600. I had originally overlooked Honda because they are priced a little higher. It eventually came down to what felt right. I sat on both the R6 and the YZF, but it didnt feel right. Same for the Ninja. The only other bike that came close to the Honda was the gixxer and I wanted a bike built for cornering. That is why I went with the CBR.

Of course, most people don't go thru all that before buying a bike, so take that for what it's worth. I knew better than to start off learning to ride on a 1000cc bike, so the 1000RR wasn't in the picture. But, yes the blue and yellow is very nice. If i were to get one, that would be it