04-06 shape R1`s? any good? how do they compare to other models?

[leanittiluloseit]

ahh,  but what I dont get is...static sag is just the bike right, but surely every bike that model will be the same weight and have the same sussy components, soooo why even make preload adjustable unless your taking into account rider weight??

 

know what I mean?? 

[pringleracing.co.uk]

every bike is different even if you have two roll off the production line they will be different! firstly small amount of oil difference and the tolerences of machined parts!
the static sag is most important lets say you set the front to 25mm static sag and the rider sag is 40 mm. this would need to have a stiffer spring fitted!!!!! if the rider sag was at 30mm you would need a softer spring in!!  this is getting into realy fine tuning so not the route you need to take!!!!
static sag needs to be correct as this is where your bike needs to be sat and have the correct amount before it tops out.  trust me static sag. static sag. static sag

i blame a lot of this on bike mags testing bikes and telling people what works best!!
ie dropping the forks ect ect.

[Big Nick]

I have had a fair few bikes and can honestly say that my 2005 R1 was the best of all of them! It was incredible and if the engine had not been fubar'd I'd still have it now.

Saying that... I was sooo impressed and missed it sooo much that I have just bought a 2006 R1 (same model as your 2004 - but with a slightly longer swingarm)... this one is the 50th Aniversary, Kenny Roberts Colours... woudl look shìt with your leathers!! lol

I adored this R1... I have my suspension setup at MCT and it was absolutley increadible!! Best handling bike I have had. I then upgraded to an Ohlins shock, again properly setup by MCT but honestly, the bike was better with a standard shock and k-tech spring.

I like to screw on, the odd wheelie and also the 3000 mile european trips and this bike does all  of them really well

[leanittiluloseit]

the static sag is most important lets say you set the front to 25mm static sag and the rider sag is 40 mm. this would need to have a stiffer spring fitted!!!!! if the rider sag was at 30mm you would need a softer spring in!!  this is getting into realy fine tuning so not the route you need to take!!!!
static sag needs to be correct as this is where your bike needs to be sat and have the correct amount before it tops out.  trust me static sag. static sag. static sag

i blame a lot of this on bike mags testing bikes and telling people what works best!!
ie dropping the forks ect ect.

Right so ideally the riders weight should be a certain percentage of the total sprung load? meaning static sag is what you set and rider sag is just a check to make sure the bike is suitably sprung for the rider (or within acceptable tolerances)?

To be fair I have dropped the forks through the yokes 4mm  But I like alot of weight on the front, and definitely wouldnt want to change it back.
Still not had a chance to check rider sag as spent all sunday scrubbing in my new tires, did out of interest reduce front comp damping by two clicks tho, and front end was very stable. But I can see how with that reduced more preload maybe required (esply as im nearly a stone heavier than when I set it last  ), and I can also see how it would be easy to do thinks abit backward with preload instead of damping.
But hey thats why Im here!

I have had a fair few bikes and can honestly say that my 2005 R1 was the best of all of them! It was incredible and if the engine had not been fubar'd I'd still have it now.

Saying that... I was sooo impressed and missed it sooo much that I have just bought a 2006 R1 (same model as your 2004 - but with a slightly longer swingarm)... this one is the 50th Aniversary, Kenny Roberts Colours... woudl look shìt with your leathers!! lol

I adored this R1... I have my suspension setup at MCT and it was absolutley increadible!! Best handling bike I have had. I then upgraded to an Ohlins shock, again properly setup by MCT but honestly, the bike was better with a standard shock and k-tech spring.

I like to screw on, the odd wheelie and also the 3000 mile european trips and this bike does all  of them really well

Cheers mate, good input  , legz seems to reckon they lack abit of low down grunt compared to the 02 motor on the road. any thoughts on that? have you ridden an 02? Im hearing pretty good things about the 04-06 shape, and im thinking my mind is made up should the right one come along at the right price. Shame about the colours! altho the Aniversary one does look sweet, but yeh..not with my leathers!!

Just trying to get my head around if there any trade offs. it definately gets through the revs quicker judging by vid on youtube

Still going to try to sort this one though just so I can close the chapter complete 

[paul mac]

I hate to agree with the tall one but I  too think the '02 is a match for the '04 R1. Basically as Legz pointed out the '02 has much better low down grunt and I found the steering of the '02 felt more precise than my '05 as if the steering was quicker on the older model.
I've had '99, '00, '05 and rode my mates '02, and for the money I wouldn't upgrade from the '02 to the newer model.
 I can't argue with Kieth's professional advice and his experience, the only thing I could say to defend my stance is that riders like KP are able to extract every ounce of performance out of vehicles that mere mortals like myself are unable to do.
For example, i had a Kawasaki 636B1h track/road bike, basically standard with pc and can, race bodywork and lowered gearing.
Later I bought a CBR600RR3 race bike, HRC cams , full Acrpovic ti evo system, hrc loom, bigger rad, slipper clutch, race pistons, wavy discs,ohlins rear, k-tec front, basically well sorted.
How many seconds  faster was I on the CBR compared to the ZX6 at Croft?
None, exactly the same.
I put it down to the ZX6 was much easier to exploit its power, but i would concede that someone like Kieth could lap a lot faster on the CBR due to his experience.
So it is difficult to say if you ,Leanitt, would better exploit the newer '05 R1's strengths and its weaknesses.

You pays your money 

[leanittiluloseit]

Hmm cheers pauls nice input mate. 
I see what your sayin. also have to consider that this would primarily be my road machine, so obviously I wouldnt be riding it hell for leather 98% of the time...
hmmm dammit, decisions decisions
 I NEEED an hour long test ride on tires I like!
also need to check rider sag on this one still 

all inputs been great