OCTOBER BOTM

upnadam's 2007 GSXR 1000

(Garage Link)

I bought this bike back in April of 2007 soon after they started arriving in NC. I traded in my 06 GSXR 600 for it down in Rockingham at Sportcycles. They gave me a great deal and I would highly recommend them. I had previously owned (2) other 600's a 1987 Hurricane and later a 1994 F4. Since purchasing the GSXR 600 I had read a lot of hype about the Liter bikes and all the torque so I decided to give one a try. I grew up on motorcycles and was pretty sure I had the throttle control part down so I took the leap.

The torque is incredible. It makes you smile this stupid little smile underneath your helmet. I tell everyone that on the 600 I used to go out and try to go 120 on it, on the 1000 you try not to go 120 on it. 600's are fun but a lot of work at times, the 1000 is just waiting to go all the time it seems.

I was busy buying every accessory I could afford for it when I happened upon a good deal on a 750 that I decided to buy for the track. At that point I stopped spending any money on the 1000. I had done all that I had planned short of suspension, rotors, and maybe wheels for it. The bike has yet to see a twisty road unfortunately. I have 11k miles on it of mainly commuting myself between Rocky Mount and RDU (120 miles round trip). I play around Rocky Mount on it on the weekends, but no fun roads here at all.

The bike has had two recalls, one a stator or coil problem and the other I don't remember. Both fixed under warranty with no problems at all. I did suffer a busted fork seal, probably as a result of HAVING to learn how to wheelie and most recently discovered that the subframe is cracked. Other folks have had this happen too, but as of yet it is not a recall item.

Of the limited bikes I have owned I must say I like it best, the power is addicting. It is way more than I need for the street, without practiced self control, and it is more bike than I want for the track. I start to think about taking it to the track then I read a thread somewhere about, " I know I shouldn't have done it" about someone high siding a 1000. Having said that I think the 750 is really a great compromise of the two bikes, 600 and 1000. I know a few guys on here that ride the 750 and I guess they have figured that out already. I feel like I always have to be mindful and respectful of the power on the 1000, very much a challenge for me to ride it hard.

I hope to meet more of you all at the bike nights and other events. I hope to hit the track schedule hard next year and look forward to riding with you all and hanging out at the track. I already forgot who turned me on to this site but thanks man. This is a remarkable group of people on here. I have learned a lot, received a lot of help, and laughed my arse off. Ride safe guys and gals!

Written by upnadam | BOTM October 2008