Yamaha YZF-R1 Review

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Yamaha YZF-R1
3.9 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.9 out of 5

From 45 ratings and 48 reviews

Thumb up 88% of users recommend this product

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bigglad's Review of Yamaha YZF-R1 Sports Bike

16th Feb 2009

Overall Rating

5 stars
  • Value for money
    5 stars
  • Length of ownership
    three years from new
  • Reliability
    5 stars
  • Year Manufactured
    1998
  • Build quality
    5 stars
Good Points

Incredible engine
Whines like a jet engine between 5 and 9k revs
Excellent handling


Bad Points

frightening head shaking on the 98 version


General Comments

I came back to bikes after a 14 year gap and went to this Yamaha YZF-R1 from a GPZ900. Could not believe how easy it was to ride nor the acceleration which was just mind numbing.
My version was the 98 version without steering damper and on an uneven road I had a horrible head shake that nearly threw me off the bike. I actually popped a wheely to cure it ! I know later models have a steering damper fitted so should not experience this frightening event. Two up is possible on this bike but my behind aches after a tankful (about 150 miles) and my passengers behind has been numb for at least 30 mins previous. If you have the 98 model there were 2 factory recalls that need to be done - one especially was to cure "crumbling brake pads" so please ensure these are addressed.
My bike was standard aside from the tyres - for touring i had a Metz 3 sport on front and Metz 4 on the rear and got good mileage/handling. For silly season I put Dragon corsa's front and back - they did not need scrubbing in, and I got one weeks riding out of the rear but it was a very fast week on the island of Cyprus.
I highly recommend this bike.

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