2005 Honda CBR1000RR vs 1999 XX

[emillard]

I know this will seem biased, because I own one now, but have you ever considered a ZZR1200? If you like the bird, you'd like the ZZR. The ZZR does everything better than the blackbird does, and it's a lot more comfortable to boot.

I'll have to disagree with this one.  I own both a ZZR (my second) and an XX and I can't think of anything the ZZR does better than the XX except for providing more wind protection.  The ZZR is buzzy as hell, and comes with more than one neutral. Yeah, it's torquey as all get out and has reasonably good ergos, however the XX is smooth as silk, shifts better, and handles better to boot.

[Heath3n]

I'll have to disagree with this one.  I own both a ZZR (my second) and an XX and I can't think of anything the ZZR does better than the XX except for providing more wind protection.  The ZZR is buzzy as hell, and comes with more than one neutral. Yeah, it's torquey as all get out and has reasonably good ergos, however the XX is smooth as silk, shifts better, and handles better to boot.

Maybe one of us had/has a lemon then. I'll agree that the ZZR is buzzier than the XX, but not annoyingly so. The shifting on my ZZR has been flawless so far, and it definitely handles better than the XX I owned. Seems you liked them enough to own a second one?

[Johnny Monsoon]

I've read more than one motorcycle review stating that between the XX and the ZZR, the ZZR is the better handling.  Again, I can believe it since the ZZR is a newer bike than the XX is (consider the XX is an older design to begin with that Honda simply chose not to update in any meaningful way).  To that end, I think it says something about the design in that such a much older design is so close to the ZZR's capabilities.

Oh, and I like a bike that feels 'alive'.  The XX does a better job than most bigger Hondas at having some personality, but it is flirting with 'appliance-ism'

[emillard]

Maybe one of us had/has a lemon then. I'll agree that the ZZR is buzzier than the XX, but not annoyingly so. The shifting on my ZZR has been flawless so far, and it definitely handles better than the XX I owned. Seems you liked them enough to own a second one?

Yes, I did like it enough to buy another one after I plowed into a deer with my first one.  However, that was before my first ride on an XX.  I guess the handling can be subjective, but they both handle amazingly well for the porkers that they are.  

[emillard]

I've read more than one motorcycle review stating that between the XX and the ZZR, the ZZR is the better handling.  Again, I can believe it since the ZZR is a newer bike than the XX is (consider the XX is an older design to begin with that Honda simply chose not to update in any meaningful way).  To that end, I think it says something about the design in that such a much older design is so close to the ZZR's capabilities.

Oh, and I like a bike that feels 'alive'.  The XX does a better job than most bigger Hondas at having some personality, but it is flirting with 'appliance-ism'

The ZZR was outdated when it was released.  What sport(y) bike still had carbs in 2002?  As well, the ZZR is a basically an updated ZX-11.  That is some ancient technology.  There is no denying the engine in the ZZR, however.  Old or not, it will rip your arms off like nothing short of a 'Busa.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Really, I think all the bikes in this class are amazing machines for their intended purposes.  I believe people try to shove them into other duties, then become dissatisfied or dissapointed in their performance (usually due to the very things that make them good ST mounts).  In the end, I think we're splitting hairs on performance aspects between these bikes.  The newer bikes certainly have more power available, but I think handling is only marginally better one way or the other; and is probably more related to the pilot's ability than any limitation of the motorcycle itself.

I'm pretty certain it is largely impossible to make a poor decision when trying to choose between any of these machines.

[emillard]

I believe people try to shove them into other duties, then become dissatisfied or dissapointed in their performance (usually due to the very things that make them good ST mounts).  

I'm pretty certain it is largely impossible to make a poor decision when trying to choose between any of these machines.

Yes, we are splitting hairs.  You hit the nail on the head when you said that people become disappointed because they try to shove these bikes into other duties.  People start complaining when their ZZR won't hang with a Gixxer750 in the corners or is as comfortable as a C14 on the slab.  Yeah, but the reaons you buy an XX / ZZR is to have the "one" bike that does most things well.  You can spend a lot of money on any bike to try to make it into something it's not, then salivate when you see the "stock" version of your bike on Ebay.