I finally got to ride a K5/K6 GSX-R1000!

While owning my 04 R1, which I've had for over a year now, I've wanted to see if the K5/K6 1000 lived up to the reviews. I like my R1 though and how mean it looks, so it will be hard to part with it. That said I've mentioned to my Dad a few times that when the time comes I can see the K5/K6 1000 being my next bike.

George Whites have got an open weekend on this weekend and one of the things they are doing are 2006 model test rides throughout the day, basically mini ride outs with two of the staff accompanying, so I booked myself in on the R6 and then thought I would ask if the Suzuki was available and it was, so I swapped. We went round town (Swindon) and then onto some country roads with some twisties and open straights, one of the GW staff was at the front for the quick bits and one at the back for the own pace riders, I'm not a fast rider so went in between.

The moment I put the GSX-R in gear and let the clutch out, it felt great! Very smooth and instant throttle response; the stock clutch lever is closer to the clip-on than my R1's, which felt more comfortable; the gearbox felt nice, precise and positive in every gear; and the power was immense in every gear, it even pulls well in 6th. I thought the stock can sounded alright too.

The dash was easy to read and the gear indicator was a nice touch.

It stuck to the road like glue and cornered like it was on rails!

I've got a Yamaha race screen on my R1 and the stock screen on the Suzuki felt really low, I was getting hit with a lot of wind.

The seating position felt quite comfortable, considering how small the bike is, but the side fairings felt wide; everytime I put my leg out when stopped it touched the inside of my knee, but I soon adjusted.

It's amazing how different a bike can feel with two years of advancement, considering how good the 04+ R1s are, and it put a big smile on my face.

My uncle just bought a K6 and the thing is amazing. Absolute power everywhere.

You might wait. For 2007 the R1 is in for a full make over, and with the rate these age I think the GSXR is maybe in for one as well.

It seems to be once every two years now that 600s and 1000s are getting full makeovers

Apart from a few minor changes, like engine internals and a longer swinging arm, the R1 stayed virtually the same again this year as the past two years, so this generation is now three years old and that's what makes me think we'll see a completely revised R1 next year, especially as the R6 was completely new for 2006.

Yeah the R1 is due for one. I think ive heard some rumours to that effect, too