Advantages: Quick, Fast, exciting to ride and stylish.. as well as Japanese and reliable!
Disadvantages: Twitchy front end on earlier models, needs stearing damper.

...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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cheap(ish) running costs, looks fantastic,fast
Disadvantages: sometimes can be too quick

...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 hope to get another trackday out of them before i replace them, and they may see 4500 miles. Obviously, with something like Michelin Pilot Powers, i reckon i will get 5-6000 miles out of a set. So, really, its suprisingly cheap to run. I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Faster than a speeding bullet
Disadvantages: Where do I put me socks?

...doing with a high performance motorcycle? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Riding it fast usually! I own a Yamaha R1 1000cc Supersport motorbike. This bike tops out at 179mph and has enough acceleration to obliterate my bra at that kind of speed (should I have been wearing nothing else upon opening up the throttle). I know about knees in the breeze but rippling nipples would be quite something else. The bike is a 2004 model with the under seat twin exhausts and it is RED. The most popular colour for the new model instead of the bland silver / black version, or the "seen it all before" blue and white version. The red is not the normal run of the mill red of course; it's more a metallic deep red. Very sexy, but doesn't quite go with any set of leathers out there which incorporate red, as red... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Wonderfully refined sportsbike, Looks ace, great comfort for a sportsbike
Disadvantages: Desirability, likelihood of theft, high insurance group

..."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 good enough for the second in line to the throne, it's good enough for me. Having just been told there's a £750 damage excess, I'm starting to feel a bit nervous, that I'll do a repeat performance of gixxer boy, and put myself £750 in the red... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful