"Forget wheelspin and Crazy...
"Forget wheelspin and Crazy corner-exit Wheelies, this thing Just plants and goes."
On the street it was a tossup between the two. Handling characteristics were quite similar between both bikes. Where the '09 seemed a bit more composed at times it also felt heavy during certain transitions.
Both bikes had well-planted front ends and chassis feedback was a draw. At street speeds both bikes had tremendous brakes and neither gave even a hint of headshake.
While track results may have uncovered different quibbles, on the street it was even.
Winner: Tie
Engine:
Outright power is important, but there's far more to the equation than peak power. And that's where the new motor excels-in the real world. The moment you start the new cross-plane engine all you knew about four-cylinder bikes goes out the window. Its lumpy idle is more like a Ducati Desmo than a traditional R1. Out on the road the new R1 has instantaneous throttle response and briskly leaving stoplights only requires a hint of clutch slip.
Once underway there's lots of grunt from anywhere north of 5,000 RPM and the snarl from the off-beat engine is addicting. When you finally crack the throttle you're greeted with a healthy pull that's strong, but tapers off as it approaches redline.
In stark contrast the '08 has a powerband like a light switch. Judicious clutch slip is needed to leave a stop and there isn't much bellow 8,000 on the dial. But wind it out and all hell breaks loose, as it explodes around 10,000 RPM. For the last few thousand RPM the '08 has got the newer bike beat. This can be fun...at times.
But what ultimately makes the '08 fun to ride is also its downfall. Like riding a 600 on steroids you either get all or nothing, which generally leaves you with either too much or too little. True, the '08 did make more peak power than the '09 but where the cross-plane crank motor excels is usability. Forget wheelspin and crazy corner-exit wheelies, this thing just plants and goes.
The new motor may not feel as fast but it sure gets the job done. And the sound, oh the sweet sounds of the new motor-now if only it had some pipes on it.
Winner: 2009
Styling:
The patented dual headlights still remain a focal point of all R1s and the once-trendy dual tails have given way to LED units.
When it comes to aesthetics it's a matter of opinion and we received mixed opinions about both. In the end we found that more people like the front of the '09 and the rear of the '08, so somewhere between the two lies the ideal.
Winner: Tie
Street Cred:
Before hating us for making this part of our rating criteria take a second and listen to our reasoning. Though some may not admit it, the panache of riding a sportbike may not be the reason for buying it, but like owning a Lambo it's nice to ride something that's got swagger.
With that said, you can't deny that the '08 R1 has graced our pages as a racer, a custom and a stocker. It's been seen in just about every genus and thus it carries some heat. However, what momentum it carries is also lost by the reality that most people dislike its lack of midrange so much it has somewhat of a stigma.
On the contrary you can't ride the '09 anywhere without someone asking, "Hey is that the new R1, how do you like it?" And when you get guys on Ducatis and Aprilias all asking the same thing you know that's straight cred. In this category the '09 wins hands-down.
Winner: 2009
In The Saddle:
Track results, dyno figures and drag-strip tests are all important but street riding trumps all. While we wish we rode on the track as much as we do on the street, we're just not that rich.
So like most of you, how a bike acts on the street is very important. We also recognize that everyone has a different idea of what's "streetable," so what vibes may kill one rider might not even affect the next-you get the point, it's subjective.
With that said, both bikes make good street mounts but sadly heat on your ass from the under-seat exhaust is horrible on both rigs. Even on a mild 70-degree day they both cook your cheeks in under an hour-and the '09 is a fair bit worse than the '08 in that respect.