Guys, guys, guys! Why do we constantly compare these machines? I mean, c'mon now, it's like comparing apples and oranges. First of all, let me just say that the Busa is still KING of top speed. Running quarters and stuff like that is totally different from the aspects of rider experience, weight, and other stuff. But c'mon now, we are comparing two bikes where one outweighs the other by 120+ lbs. These bikes aren't evenly matched at all. I've ridden with a guy who has a ZX10 and we've done roll-ons from about 50mph and I generally get the jump on him. We usually roll up to about 120 or 130mph and I usually fend him off by about a little more than a half bike's length. Granted the ZX10 "ain't no punk" by any means, but comparing the two is ridiculous. Now put a ZX10 up against an '04 R1, and let's see what the true deal is. I just keep wondering why do we constantly do this. Yes, it's cool to see how they compare, but there are too many factors that weigh against this type of comparison. I personally give much respect to both bikes, but I'm not going to be done in by thinking that the R1 or the ZX10 can just man-handle a Busa. I don't back down from any challenges either. Challenges are mostly to inflate one's ego. The rest are those who are just curious. Still there are other's like me who look at the physics and the reality and just don't give a poop. I have a buddy who has a CBR 1100XX and he always gets the jump on me, but I walk him down each and every time. In the beginning, he wanted to prove what the Blackbird could do, and would constantly toy with me and want to run against me. I won't go into the specifics, but now we just simply RIDE together...
My friend is a damn good rider and I've seen him mow down some pretty mean bikes on that Blackbird. Honestly, that bike has one of the best take-offs I've ever seen. I consider myself a pretty good rider and can run with the best of them, but don't match me against somebody who's just out to prove something that's really ridiculous. Much love to all those R1 and ZX10 riders, because everybody rides what they ride for their own reasons.
Brian
Brian