Warp speed

[stevierst]

The biggest difference is weight. The R1 is about 30kg lighter than the FZ which means it reacts better almost everywhere.
I had a '98 model for almost 7 years and transformed it into something special. I shed a tear when she went! I've wanted another one ever since.

After the FZ I was after a 03 plate R1 which is one of the first fi models. I got offered this mint 02 bike on carbs instead and took it.
The later R1's have the same engine characteristics as the FZ, flat sub 4k bottom end, and the necessity to wring it's neck everywhere which is just not quite right for British roads. Especially when your wingman has a high powered v-twin! I needed more low end torque to punch out of bends so I could keep up.
The bike I've bought and built is just better at doing what I want my play bike to do. The FZ was about 90%, but had too many niggles for me. Fuel consumption/tank range was my biggest bug bear (36-40 mpg!!!), power delivery was second.
The R1 does 45-55mpg, and about 30 miles further on a tank of juice.