Hi, names Jon, stumbled over this site whilst surfing the Web and I can see myself spending quite so...
Hi, names Jon, stumbled over this site whilst surfing the Web and I can see myself spending quite some time on here. Seems more worth while than facebook! lol
Nice to be able to find honest things out about products before buying!
Thanks, Jon
Member since:02.03.2008
Reviews:8
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 injected but carbs, however my father does have the 06 fuel injected model and after a week or so standing in the garage and even after cold weather both bikes
start first time, no hassle be it carbs or fuel injection!
The insurance can be pricey as it is with all bikes that have an 'R' in their name (gsxR, zxR, cbR, R1 etc etc) however my father did find int he past, due to a road conviction that he struggled to insure the R1, some companies won't even touch them due to the fact that when they came out, all the nutter jumped on them and trashed them, plus they are a sought after piece of kit for thieves so keep em locked up boys and girsl! However, I bought mine at 24 after 8/9 years no claims and no convictions and was pleased to pay £350 tpft at such an age (just shop around and you will find a good deal).
As for performance well what can I say... It's quick... quick and fast top end! My model was claimed to do 0-100mph in 5seconds and although I have never timed myself, I can believe it (and that's the '99 model folks)! The exceleration is awesome but the front wheel does like to reach for the sky if you aren't careful (that may be what you want however)! :-) The top speed is high at approx 180mph and it will get you there quickly! I have also ridden my fathers 06 model and that has an amazing kick, they seem to have re-introduced a powerband or that is how it feels to ride anyway. The '99 model seems smoother in the power delivery although it does open open considerably the higher you go up the revs (understandable for a sports bike) where as the '06 seems to kick out the power after say 6,000rpm or thereabouts (not ridden the '06 a lot).
The design is great, sleak yet aggressive and there are so many things you can get to personalise/tune up/advance the handling to your R1!
One thing I found was the handling on the '99 model was twitchy coming out of corners. The rear suspension is soft (if not tweaked) and so when exiting corners the back end seems to drop thus lightening the weight on the forks and so you get movement/twitchy steering through the handlebars. The worse couple of cases for me was coming out of one fast bend and one street corner at no more than 30mph! I opened her up to exit on both accounts and whilst leaning over the front end lifted slightly and I almost received a tank slapper (not pleasant and very dangerous at high speeds). Unfortunately the '99 model did not come with a steering damper as standard so I fitted an adjustable 916 style one accross the top yoke and problem solved :-) The '06 and around that model to the latest thankfully come with steering dampers as standard!
The breaks seem very good and have stopped me sharpish when needs be, although I am planning on braided metal break lines and wavy disks front and back (for show as well as for performance)! :-)
All together I rate the R1 a top bike, I have owned a GS500E, GSF Bandit1200 (streetfightered), GSXR750, and now my R1 which although very different from the Bandit etc is a very enjoyable bike to ride. It turns heads and ears with the Scorpion exhaust can I have fitted and I plan on keeping hold of it for some time to come.
As for your passenger if you have one, not the comfiest ride at all. My girlfriend is small but it hurts her back to lean forward and hold on to me so we can't go long distances without stopping. I find it hard on the wrists if I haven't ridden for a while but you get used to it the more you ride it (it isn't built for comfort at the end of the day is it).
As for fuel consumption... not sure as I open the throttle far too much to get the most out of it but I don't think it is bad at all.
If you haven't owned or ridden one, old or new I seriously suggest it even if you just borrow a mates!
Have fun and ride safe'ish!
Jon
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Wow thanks for the great comments, I guess I made this one so good because I could talk for hours about bikes lol would probably bore you all silly if I didn't stop myself!
Thanks again,
Jon
Rampant_Ross 08.03.2008 14:28
Not a fan of motorbikes but i'm a fan of reviews and this was a good one, you won't be a white meber for long you'll soon be up on green!
Advantages: Wonderfully refined sportsbike, Looks ace, great comfort for a sportsbike Disadvantages: Desirability, likelihood of theft, high insurance group
goodo 11.07.2006 (11.07.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Yamaha YZF-R1
Advantages: mindblowing speed with in seconds, and great comfort for long distance. Disadvantages: The fuel consuption becomes weak in times. when compared to suzuki
asif8n4 20.09.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: off topic
Review of Yamaha YZF-R1
Advantages: Wonderfully refined sportsbike, Looks ace, great comfort for a sportsbike Disadvantages: Desirability, likelihood of theft, high insurance group
goodo 11.07.2006 (11.07.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Yamaha YZF-R1
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