RC8R purchase consideration - need some advice...

[alon]

Good morning and Merry Christmas to all...I currently ride a newer Yamaha R1 - an extremely competent and exciting motorcycle. I have owned it since new (it was a new left-over bargain) and have enjoyed each and every cross-plane music minute (it's got a few mods here and there including a full Leo Vince Titanium exhaust). Anyhow... enough of that bike. Yes, we all know how reliable, fast and precise the R1 is but the RC8R just keeps calling and calling and calling to me. I know it's got a v-twin instead and having owned a Ducati 996S for years before the R1, I am aware of the advantages of a v-twin on the street for us "regular riders" though with all of its claimed torque and midrange, the Ducati never held a candle to the R1 in any gear and at any RPM.

What I am curious about is your opinions of going back to a v-twin after owning something like the R1 - am I going to miss the inline four top end? I am craving something more exotic than the R1 - something that excites me aurally and visually in the way that R1 does not (it's not the best looking bike ever made and it feels somewhat clinical and soul-less). I have to consider that I am 6'3" and 215 pounds so it needs to be comfortable (which the RC8 is supposed to be) and I think that the newer Ducatis are not for me, especially that new 1199 Panigale (which I think is the ugliest bike on the market today).

If anyone here has come from a "traditional" inline-4 sport bike to the RC8R, please share your thoughts.

Sorry for rambling on and thanks in advance for anything you guys can offer.

[DCRC8R]

Plus it's very unique. I've had plenty of I4 and this bike is my favorite ride so far. I easily spanked an R1 on a twisty road this summer. But it does ride differently and you will have to adapt to it's chassis. The CG is not the same as an I4. It has a big feel to it, which I like. You sit in the bike not on top of it like the R1, zx10, and cbr.

[alon]

Originally Posted by DCRC8R

Plus it's very unique. I've had plenty of I4 and this bike is my favorite ride so far. I easily spanked an R1 on a twisty road this summer. But it does ride differently and you will have to adapt to it's chassis. The CG is not the same as an I4. It has a big feel to it, which I like. You sit in the bike not on top of it like the R1, zx10, and cbr.

This concept of "sitting in the bike" rather than on top that you mention is exactly what I miss about my forner Ducati 996S. Interesting that at that time, when I swapped bikes with friends who rode i4 bikes, their bikes felt strange to me but not just because they felt wide - it felt like I was sitting "on them". It's that "integrated or one-with-the-bike" feel that I've missed.

To be honest, the new R1 is an outstanding bike. It does everything so well, revs to the moon, makes a ton of power and sound ridiculously incredible with that cross-plane crank, odd firing order and my Leo Vince full exhaust but when I get off the bike, I don't find myself looking back it "with loving eyes". I want something more exotic - the new Ducatis are ugly, the Aprilia RSV4 is too small for me and my close friend rides that BMW S1000rr - an incredible bike with zero soul or character. Sounds like the RC8r is the right bike for me and now that the Canadian list price has dropped nearly $3500 makes it that much more achievable while keeping my other bike.

[DCRC8R]

I raised the bars, lowered the foot pegs, raised the seat. Fits great and super comfortable. With the typical liter bikes I felt like a frog sitting on a log. Plus they are too wide. I can ride the RC8R all day with no wrist leg or knee pain. I have plates and screws in me from racing crashes and I had almost given up on sportbikes to find one I could ride without pain.

[alon]

And has it been reliable to you? You know how it is with reading forums in general... if I relied on forums alone, I would never buy a bike at all. All I seem to find is this problem and that problem and in reality, most people find their bikes to be very reliable and trouble-free. My R1 has not skipped a single beat - I hope the same can be said of the RC8R. I understand that earlier RC8s had some gearbox issues, rough fueling, leaking engine cases (onto the hot exhausts), etc but that all of these issues were worked out and re-engineered to a certain degree by the time the MY2011 were released.

Would you say that the RC8R is very reliable and well seasoned by now?

[DCRC8R]

So far about 4k miles and not a single problem. It's a 2011 model. No leaks, no stalling, no clutch or brake issues. I lube and adjust the chain and set tire pressure, add a bit of oil. My aprilia was a problem child in all those areas. Plus the rc8r is rare. You won't see many on the road.

[alon]

Originally Posted by DCRC8R

So far about 4k miles and not a single problem. It's a 2011 model. No leaks, no stalling, no clutch or brake issues. I lube and adjust the chain and set tire pressure, add a bit of oil. My aprilia was a problem child in all those areas. Plus the rc8r is rare. You won't see many on the road.

Which Aprilia did you have? I know that people swear by them but I have three friends with Aprilias (RSVs and a Tuono) and they've all had several problems: rear brake master that requires constant bleeding, electrical gremlins, burning oil, fading bodywork paint and vinyl, etc, etc...

As for how often I see RC8s, I have seen literally one on the road in my neck of the woods (not even an "R") - they are as rare as hen's teeth here

I am dying to make a deal on one already

[DCRC8R]

Great bike when it ran, but it would stall, clutch needed constant bleeding, rear brake was useless and not much dealer support. No more Italian bikes for me. The RSV4 has problems too and it's built for midgets. For a tall person the RC8R is the best fit and most reliable. But get the 2011 or 2012

[alon]

And Aprilias are notorious for poor mileage - not for the cost but the nuisance of refilling more often than your buddies. No, the RSV4 is too small for me. The RC8R is the right choice for me. It will be a new 2012 unless I can find a dealer with a leftover late 2011 for a deep discount (not likely in my neck of the woods).

[shanes]

the 2009 is the best of the R versions it has the strongest engine

fit a G2 throttle cam 0.25 , 40 tooth rear sprocket , K&N filter for your fist mods before you even ride it .
then Akra system and Bazzaz QS , TC and fuel control unit and your sorted