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YZF1000 Thunderace 

Vs. R1

So many people have asked about the differences between the YZF1000R Thunderace and the R1 that I thought it was about time that I wrote up a comparison.  Let me state right off that both of these are great motorcycles, but each one has specific strengths and weaknesses.  I hope that I can shed some light on those differences with this comparison.

First, some hard numbers.  In order to have any kind of a meaningful comparison, it is very helpful to have an empirical basis for comparison.  Since I don't have the facilities to measure specifications and performance, I'm taking this information directly from Motorcycle Consumer News' Test Bike Index (Motorcycle Consumer News, vol. 32, no. 6, June 2001, p. 32-33).  I'm using their numbers not because I endorse Motorcycle Consumer News more than any other publication, but because I think they are representative of the actual performance of the two motorcycles.

YZF1000R ThunderAce YZF1000R1
Specifications
Engine Type Inline 4-cylinder Inline 4-cylinder
Displacement 1003cc 998cc
Transmission 5-speed 6-speed
Final Drive
Wheel Size (F) 3.50 x 17 3.50 x 17
Wheel Size (R) 5.50 x 17 6.00 x 17
Wheelbase 56.3" 54.9"
Fuel Capacity 5.3 gal 4.8 gal
Measured Data
Avg. Fuel Milage 36.6 mpg 42.8  mpg
Rear Wheel Horsepower 123.4 hp 129.4 hp
Rear Wheel Torque 71.3 lb.ft. 72.7 lb.ft.
Wet Weight 512 lbs. 451 lbs. 
Power to Weight Ratio 1:4.15 1:3.39
Measured Performance
Top Speed 164 mph 168 mph
0-60mph 2.96 sec. 2.96 sec.
0-100mph 6.18 sec. 5.93 sec.
1/4 Mile Time 10.38 sec. 10.19 sec.
1/4 Mile Speed 132.72 mph 137.40 mph
Braking 60-0mph 111.3 ft. 113.9 ft.

 

 
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I no longer have a Thunderace, so these pages are updated as I have time.  They are an ongoing work in progress and reflect my own personal thoughts.  If you have any questions or comments, please drop me a line.
This page last updated: July 04, 2001