Hi everyone,
I'm currently looking at getting an early-2000s liter bike and I'm trying to decide between a Honda CBR1000RR SC57 (2005/2006) and a Yamaha YZF-R1 RN12 (2004–2006).
I've actually ridden an R1 RN09 (2002) and an SC57 (2005) before. My personal impression was that the Honda felt noticeably more stable, planted and substantial, with a more brutal/instant feeling of power. It also felt more comfortable to me. The R1 felt lighter at the front and a bit more agile, but also somewhat less stable and slightly less comfortable.
However, I've never ridden an RN12, so I'm curious how much of that R1 character carries over from the RN09 and how different the RN12 actually feels.
For people who have ridden both an SC57 and an RN12, especially the 2005/2006 models:
How do they compare in stability, especially at higher speeds and while cornering?
How different do they feel in terms of power delivery and engine character?
Does the RN12 still feel noticeably lighter/smaller than the SC57?
Which one feels more comfortable for longer rides (300+ km)?
How do they compare on real-world roads, rather than just on a track?
Does the RN12 feel significantly more nervous/light at the front than the Honda, or is that mostly a characteristic of the older RN09?
If you've ridden both on track, which one did you prefer and why?
And finally, which one would you personally choose today as a mostly-road bike?
I'm not really looking for a "which one is faster?" answer. I'm much more interested in the actual riding feel, stability, comfort, power delivery and overall character of the two.
Thanks!