[Bigtoe]

I agree with alot of the comments made in this thread. I think if Honda falls short with the next liter bike, that people will flock to the other manufacturers. Honda can not fall short four years in a row. My .02

[ER]

Well, I can't say that they've fallen short on making great bikes, they've just been a bit underpowered and HP is by what the liter-class has been judged. Knowing that people are buying these bikes based on their performance now, if they don't build something that competes with Suzuki in HP and overall performance then I agree that people may turn to the other manufacturers. Honestly, I expect Yamaha to unveil a nasty R1 in the next year or two.

[Trackho]

ratter1 : The front of the GSXR is ugly, maybe I'll get used to the looks but at the momment I STILL LOVE MY 954

I thought the same thing until--I really looked at it-now I kind of like it-my buddy just got a silver one. Then last Sun, I saw one of the best looking women in a while on a .....03 GSXR1000--she was wearing little tight shorts/top. helmet, gloves with ANOTHER chick on the back(dressed similarly)----my deepest sympathies for forgetting my camera.

Like others have mentioned, with a similarly skilled rider, I tend to lose them in the straights, start catching up in the corners, usually they can get a few seconds a lap on me....big assumption that riders are similar----what it doesnt explain is how guys to 1:55s at T-Hill on 600s, and many 'average joes' cant break 2:10 on their GSXR1--

[Purpdust]

Quote She was wearing little tight shorts/top. helmet, gloves with ANOTHER chick on the back(dressed similarly)----

You should have stop them and given them a lesson in Protective Equipment

[nedro]

Purpdust : Quote She was wearing little tight shorts/top. helmet, gloves with ANOTHER chick on the back(dressed similarly)----

You should have stop them and given them a lesson in Protective Equipment
Ya! Like Trojans!

[Trackho]

Purpdust : Quote She was wearing little tight shorts/top. helmet, gloves with ANOTHER chick on the back(dressed similarly)----

You should have stop them and given them a lesson in Protective Equipment
They were already stopped---we took turns discussing the benefits of protective equip----it was sooo funny watching 20 guys jaws drop for like 20 min--most sounded like babbling idiots giving the 'protective' gear shpeal--She obviously got alot of attention, which i believe was her primary purpose anyway.

[knip]

Trackho : Quote (ratter1 @ June 02 2003, 6:10pm)The front of the GSXR is ugly, maybe I'll get used to the looks but at the momment I STILL LOVE MY 954

I thought the same thing until--I really looked at it-now I kind of like it-my buddy just got a silver one. Then last Sun, I saw one of the best looking women in a while on a .....03 GSXR1000--she was wearing little tight shorts/top. helmet, gloves with ANOTHER chick on the back(dressed similarly)----my deepest sympathies for forgetting my camera.

Like others have mentioned, with a similarly skilled rider, I tend to lose them in the straights, start catching up in the corners, usually they can get a few seconds a lap on me....big assumption that riders are similar----what it doesnt explain is how guys to 1:55s at T-Hill on 600s, and many 'average joes' cant break 2:10 on their GSXR1--
Easy, only one long straight.

Saw it yesterday, high hp does nothing for T-Hill. My friend took his 2001 1k on the track for the first time, I videoed him for a bit (as painful as it was). Up the front stretch he would just kind of walk away.

Should have video up soon, trying to use IMovie...

[dingoRR]

i'd actually like to have a new 1k gixxer, but im still having nightmares of a previously owned 2k 750 gixxer that seemed to be in the shop more than i got to ride it.... although, when it did run, it ran like a raped ape, till it dropped a valve and i unloaded it.

[ondablade]

I've come up against several GSXRs (including two 03 models) in recent years on track days. Bearing in mind that our local is quite tight with 135 mph max main straight theyv'e without exception struggled to make good speed - lots of wallying around getting into the power and so on while on the Blade you're gone.
I guess that with a really good rider one would go well, but I'd say that it's true that the average guy struggles on them. (or else most GSXRs are sold for bragging rights and not bought by good riders)
They go really well on the faster road circuits here like the IOM TT and in top end racing in modified condition, but that's not quite the same thing - you need 180 hp and a stable chassis to compete on the roads. They don't seem to go quite so well on the slower circuits.
The key question for Honda I think is whether or not they can come up with a chassis and suspension able to make 150 + rear wheel HP much more user friendly than the GSXR. I agree they need to step up to the bar this time around or they may suffer badly...