With my 07 GSXR1k, being in the shop I've been riding my Hayabusa exclusively for the past few weeks. I went to pick up my 1k from the shop yesterday, and riding it just didn't feel right. It wasn't the riding position that bothered me. Instantly I thought they turned the idle down, because it felt lifeless when easing away from a stop. I determined it was a difference in the two clutches.
Once I got on the highway, I was able to remember how to ride this bike- rev'it! Once the RPMs got up, it felt familiar. I got a chance to get on it while on the highway, this bike felt downright flaccid in comparison to the bike I've been on for weeks- the Busa. When going WOT on the 1k, I was waiting for the bike to propel me into time like the Busa, but it never happened. Sure, it was fast, but it wasn't Busa fast.
However, on the Busa I feel like while going WOT, time moves backwards. When riding the Busa the only thing I see is the blurs occuring right outside my peripheral vision. What is front of me now, seemingly becomes a memory from days ago. Riding the two bikes back to back, this never happens on the 1k. It wheelies at will- drawing many thumbs up and stares from the children. But you never get the same thrill of topend acceleration. However, to be fair the Busa does feel dead, unless you're going WOT above 80 mph or so.
My buddy says I look like I'm having more fun riding the 1k- more wheelies, more speed coming into turns. However, when I ride the Busa it blows my mind with its high speed acceleration. It reminds me of when I first started riding, and how my mind/eyes had to get used to the acceleration of riding a sportbike (my old GSXR 600). In this way, the Busa makes you feel like a new rider.
When you're on a Busa, everywhere you go, people wanna talk to you about your bike. I was surprised by how many sportbikers were intrigued by my boring, stock Busa at a recent Ruff Ryders ride. The other day, I went to Autozone and received the same kind of attention from guys who know nothing about motorcycles. This doesn't happen on my 1k. Law enforcement also looks at the Hayabusa with less disdain, more respect, as though Busa riders don't violate any traffic laws
Just when I think I know which one I like more, something keeps me from really making up my mind. I don't see wanting another bike. I'm glad I've got them both.
If we're honest, we know the speed aspect of performance is what appeals to us as sportbike riders. This being the case, anyone who puts a leg over a Busa and says they didn't like riding it, is lying
-AJ