1998 r1 vs zx-9
 

I remember some people posting on here how they liked the ZX 9 better, how it was lighter, faster, etc than the R1, i thought to myself, i had a 98 R1 and a buddy had a 98 ZX-9 and he never could beat me(though it was close), well, i went through my archives of magazines and found a comparo in one of them


1998 ZX-9:

Dry weight: 434lbs

0-60mph: 2.9

1/4 mile: 10.51@135.78

HP: 126.5 bhp

Torque 67.4

Top Speed: 172



1998 R1:

Dry weight: 419

0-60: 2.8

1/4 mile: 10.32@138.08

HP: 129.3

Torque: 72.0

Top speed: 172

Yep the R1 is superior....... with 100cc more. I have nothing against the R1, I love them, but you are comparing apples to oranges.

Also gotta take the Yammi 5 valve head into account. what a fine piece of engineering that devic is.

What I remember from that year was the Zx9 was the first stock bike in the 9's for one mag and when it came to trhe drag strip acorss all reviews was a back and forth betweenb the R1. IEach time it was said the R1 was the better track bike while the ZX9 was the better streetbike.

I also rember the dry weight ebing lighter than what you have listed


guess I'm getting old

In the sport rider comparo, the R1 was faster around Willow by 100ths of a second.
they are so close, it will always be up to the rider.

No...you remember correctly. I had a 98 ZX9R and my best friend had the 98 R1. The R1 was smoother and did handle slightly better. The ZX9R was slightly faster in a straight line and more comfy for everyday street riding.

The R1 was better looking in most people's opinion.

The other thing I remember were reports that the R1 was little tank slapper happy at times unitl you tossed on a steering damper.

That and the R1 in blue became everyone's wallpaper.
ZX-9 had that typical 90's Kawi look

I'm not sure about the tank slappers but it was more twitchy than my ZX9.

The ZX9 was rock solid as far as it's manners. Not as smooth and refined as the R1 but more stable.

My friend had the blue and it was stolen a short time later in Myrtle Beach, SC.

12 of one, a dozen of another....i had the 98 R1, and i dont remember my buddy ever beating it in a straight line, we even switched riders a few times, it was always VERY VERY close though


either way, close competition, the kawi was just a lot uglier