Conclusion
Tying up this story was almost as easy as cutting and pasting the "Class of '07" conclusion, won then by Honda's CBR600RR. "Few bikes we've tested have possessed such a perfect balance of outright competence and all-around accessibility," we wrote then, and those words apply to the redesigned '09 model just as well.
The "competency curse" brought the Honda down this year, however. The CBR is so good, and so utterly functional, that it's almost boring to ride. This critique is not as ridiculous as it sounds.
Sportbikes are not practical. If a bike doesn't fire your pleasure centers, it's lacking a core sportbike competency. Suzuki's GSX-R1000 suffers the same fate. Competent in every objective way, the big Gixxer ultimately failed to make any strong impression on us--except when we noticed the rattle-clatter indicating build quality a step below the Honda.
Our other middleweight, Kawasaki's ZX-6R, doesn't lack fit or finish. Kawasaki has improved its build quality greatly the past few seasons, and this latest Ninja is a perfect example. It's as put-together as anything out there, and it's not lacking character either, with a thrilling top-end rush that makes you wish every road was the Daytona tri-oval.
Both 600s shined at the track, but suffered on the street. They could keep the big-bores in sight, but required a completely different (and less pleasant) riding attitude. It wasn't uncommon to see big-bike riders upright in the saddle looking relaxed as can be, wheelying over every little rise, with the two 600 jockeys immediately astern--mated to the tank and motor-driving the gearbox like they were qualifying for an AMA National. On the street, liter-bikes are the better ride.
The Ducati, meanwhile, sweats charm and never wants for power, but its demanding nature makes it a workout to ride. The 1198 is also the only bike here that suffered a mechanical problem, locking the transmission and nearly ejecting its rider. The malady was said to be a rare assembly-line error, but it has to factor in the results. It also was the only bike that got crashed, which points to the difficulty of pushing it to its limits.
This brings us to the Yamaha YZF-R1, our ultimate pick from the Class of '09. It's not the fastest or most powerful machine here, and it's certainly not the lightest. It's not even the best looking, though it does possess an appropriate, pit bull-like visual appeal. What it is, undeniably, is the most fun to ride. You can't get enough of that overwhelming forward thrust, and the syncopated exhaust note is triple-X aural sex. Not only does the R1 accelerate on blast, but it's more tractable too, thanks to the Crossplane engine's traction-enhancing properties, and the direct connection it draws between the throttle and rear wheel.
In addition to its game-changing powerplant, the Yamaha is every bit as composed and flawlessly finished as the Honda. With virtually no vibration, light shifting, great brakes and compliant suspension, the '09 R1 remains a pleasure to ride all day long, day-in and day-out, on the street or the racetrack. Congratulations, Yamaha--you go straight to the head of the class.
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