1998 r1 vs zx-9

[Yamerhaw]

I remember some people posting on here how they liked the ZX 9 better, how it was lighter, faster, etc than the R1, i thought to myself, i had a 98 R1 and a buddy had a 98 ZX-9 and he never could beat me(though it was close), well, i went through my archives of magazines and found a comparo in one of them


1998 ZX-9:

Dry weight: 434lbs

0-60mph: 2.9

1/4 mile: 10.51@135.78

HP: 126.5 bhp

Torque 67.4

Top Speed: 172



1998 R1:

Dry weight: 419

0-60: 2.8

1/4 mile: 10.32@138.08

HP: 129.3

Torque: 72.0

Top speed: 172

[Rider]

Yep the R1 is superior....... with 100cc more. I have nothing against the R1, I love them, but you are comparing apples to oranges.

[BobTheBiker]

Also gotta take the Yammi 5 valve head into account. what a fine piece of engineering that devic is.

[pauldun170]

What I remember from that year was the Zx9 was the first stock bike in the 9's for one mag and when it came to trhe drag strip acorss all reviews was a back and forth betweenb the R1. IEach time it was said the R1 was the better track bike while the ZX9 was the better streetbike.

I also rember the dry weight ebing lighter than what you have listed


guess I'm getting old

[karl_1052]

In the sport rider comparo, the R1 was faster around Willow by 100ths of a second.
they are so close, it will always be up to the rider.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

In the sport rider comparo, the R1 was faster around Willow by 100ths of a second.
they are so close, it will always be up to the rider.

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_...mes/index.html

[z06boy]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

What I remember from that year was the Zx9 was the first stock bike in the 9's for one mag and when it came to trhe drag strip acorss all reviews was a back and forth betweenb the R1. IEach time it was said the R1 was the better track bike while the ZX9 was the better streetbike.

I also rember the dry weight ebing lighter than what you have listed


guess I'm getting old

No...you remember correctly. I had a 98 ZX9R and my best friend had the 98 R1. The R1 was smoother and did handle slightly better. The ZX9R was slightly faster in a straight line and more comfy for everyday street riding.

The R1 was better looking in most people's opinion.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by z06boy

No...you remember correctly. I had a 98 ZX9R and my best friend had the 98 R1. The R1 was smoother and did handle slightly better. The ZX9R was slightly faster in a straight line and more comfy for everyday street riding.

The R1 was better looking in most people's opinion.

The other thing I remember were reports that the R1 was little tank slapper happy at times unitl you tossed on a steering damper.

That and the R1 in blue became everyone's wallpaper.
ZX-9 had that typical 90's Kawi look

[Yamerhaw]

Originally Posted by z06boy

No...you remember correctly. I had a 98 ZX9R and my best friend had the 98 R1. The R1 was smoother and did handle slightly better. The ZX9R was slightly faster in a straight line and more comfy for everyday street riding.

The R1 was better looking in most people's opinion.

12 of one, a dozen of another....i had the 98 R1, and i dont remember my buddy ever beating it in a straight line, we even switched riders a few times, it was always VERY VERY close though


either way, close competition, the kawi was just a lot uglier