Yamaha YZF-R1

THIS REVIEW WAS UPDATED 19th March 2006: go to the reveiw end for the latest on this awesome motorbike! ----------------------------------------​---------------------------------- Well in my experience there are three types of FEMALE motorcyclist. 1. Takes a bend as though they were riding around the outside edge of a threepenny bit 2. Plods along at no more than 80 miles per hour as any faster than that would pull the arms out of the sockets 3. Smooth, slick, and tend to ride very fast everywhere, but are generally very safe. I first passed my motorcycle test in April 1999. Since then I have ... more

I own a 1999 Yamaha YZF-R1 (1000cc) in V&M custom race colours (Red/Yellow flames and sponsors). I bought the bike just short of two years ago for approx £4,000 from a dealer. The bike had only done 4,500 dry miles (genuine as a good friend knows the previous owner) and the bike was/is in mint condition. It had been pampered, the previous owner is pretty well off and used this custom painted R1 as a show off machine more than anything, so straight away I knew I was on to a good deal as a lot of R1's have been thrashed and trashed since they are such a nutters tool! This model of R1 is not fuel ... more

"Don't try to be clever with it, that's what the guy on the Gixxer did, he tried to be clever and now it's in a right old state. This one's brand new and immaculate, and we'd like it back in this condition" I am in the motorcycle shop picking up a hire bike for the weekend. The bike that I had originally booked out, a Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5, is apparently no longer roadworthy, so I've been offered an R1 instead. I'm OK with that. I was hankering after a go on the king of 1000cc sportsbikes, but sometimes you've just gotta go with the flow. In any case didn't Wills just buy an R1? Well, if it's ... more

I purchased a new 2009 model R1 last year and have owned it for 18 months of totally trouble free biking, covering 9000 miles. The longest trip I did was to Jerez with a few mates. The R1 was as perfect as you'd expect over the twisty mountain passes of the Pyrenees. Thats exactly what the R1 was built for and what I bought it for. Full on sports riding and it was perfect, as you'd expect. What was a surprise was the comfort and easy practicallity of riding it 1500 miles in three days. Sometimes you are happy just cruising along and the R1 was happy too. I'm 6ft 2" and felt comfortable on it ... more

I've had my 2002 fuel injected R1 (5PW model) for a year now. Have had CBR6's for 10years previously, so was a bit worried about spending loads on tyres/petrol/insurance ect. 1st nice suprise was how cheap insurance is, i only pay £120 a year. I had been thinking in the range of £250-300, so was pleasantly suprised. 2nd suprise was fuel economy, around 50mpg on commuting, 40mpg on fast weekend hacks, and still returns over 30mpg on trackdays, so it comparable with my CBR600's. 3rd, tyres. It came with Pirelle Super Corsa's when i got it, and 4000 miles later, theres still life in them yet. I ... more