YAMAHA R1 (1998 - 2003) Review

Version: 5jj carb 2001

Year: 2001

Great fun handles really well

Buying experience: From dealer saw it shining couldn't resist in the blue

Year: 1999

Very quick bike and the most exciting riding experience. Will put the hairs on the back of your neck bolt upright! Stops on a sixpence.... I just love it so much I bought it brand new and still have her today. Worst features......still trying to find them.

Buying experience: Brand new from Taylors in Crewkerne 1999

Version: 5pw

Year: 2002

Got a 02 5pw that needs restoration work but it does run hopefully it stays that way 😬 Never had a liter bike before so "very (very) impressed" that cable throttle man! with the cv slide deleted 😁

Buying experience: Bought the bike used

Version: 5JJ

Year: 2001

In a nutshell bought in 2015 in blue so plenty of years for feedback. Ergonomics of the bike is spot on for the 6ft person. When riding the weight is more transferred on the wrists recommend stay on the happy side of 60. A timeless machine with a wide road presence.

Buying experience: Dealer or private you can’t see beneath the body work test 2nd gear out and make sure it’s not jumping out of gear £1000 to sort out and price for second hand box. So test the box vigorously. Might sound a little squeaky on warm up that’s the exup valve working just a heads up. I payed £2500 and spent £2500 on it getting to where it needed to be it was neglected and abused but the bodywork was good I’m now the 6th owner it pays to buy the best.

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £250

I got one brand new in Feb 1998 and the Mrs rode it home in the wet. She said it was too fast! I’m have another 98 one now, she still says it’s too fast. Only problem is whether to tide my 92 Blade or 98 R1. What a problem to have.

Buying experience: My first one was from on yer bike in Aylesbury £9000 in1998 Current one £3259 an absolute bargain

Version: 5PW

Year: 2003

I have owned so many different bikes ranging from TLS, TLS, Fireblades, Triumph Daytona, Speed Triple, Gixer K6 and this is my 3rd R1 5PW. Whilst all the bikes are brilliant in their own rights, I always seem to come back to this bike R1 5PW. This bike is light and providing you have set the standard suspension and that you are a capable rider.....I very much doubt that you will get left behind by the latest bikes in the twisties. Fair enough...the newer generation bikes has 200 BHP and top end but unless you are tracking then its of no use. These R1 5PW has usable power and you can push through the corners lot better with a BIG Grin. Personally R1 5PW looks are gorgeous and feels nice to ride. Don't take my word for it....just get a test ride in a sorted 5PW and you would love it.

Buying experience: Bought it privately

Version: 5pw

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £180

Owned this R1 for 12 years. Hard to fault this model, feels planted at all times and power delivery is exceptional. Smooth strong with arm wrenching acceleration. Gives great confidence on winding roads and fast motorway riding is done with ease, Reliability has been 100% with just the occasional set of tires and annual service. The best quality about this bike is its so user friendly, can be used like a 50cc that turns into a raging bull in a split second. This bike for me has no bad features and would recommend to anyone wanting a 1000cc sports bike.

Buying experience: Bought privately with 900 miles on the clock advertised for £5850, purchased for £5500 in 2005. Was looking for a low mileage model with one owner for months. Eventually found one in MCN just 2 miles from me.

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £180

One of the most versatile bikes I have ever ridden. Light and nimble enough for the city and with enough poke to rule the motorways. Buy it. You won't regret it.

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £300

Bought last year year for 3 grand. Not a mark on it. No mechanical or electrical issues of any kind, it just works. Performance is obviously out of this world and it sounds awesome. Such extreme performance and reliability for £3000 is mind boggling.

Year: 1999

Smooth and Sweet

Buying experience: Future Classic, still bargains out there

Version: 5PW

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £300

I needed a bike and this was the right place at the right cash, Taking a massive punt in 2011 She cost me £2750 with 12k miles, part service history and sounding lumpy at idle. After a service the issue was resolved due to a wrong spark plug being installed by some numpty. Most of all She is reliable, fast enough keep up with newer bikes to the horror of "that's a 2003 R1!! WTF". handles well. Best of all these are worth pennies and there are some good buys to be had, If you want a little more power just add a full akro system and a Power commander 5 like I have done. Recommended? Yes, If your on a tight budget and you want a reliable, fast, first big bike, buy one. They look amazing in black and silver.

Buying experience: Private buyer and I paid the full asking price as it was a bargain anyway.

Version: 5jj

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £200

had this bike for 12 years and the engine is still as strong today as the day i purchased.

I have had my white/red 98 R1 for over 5 yrs. I set the bike up as per a Performance Bike magazine recommendation and boy what a superb machine. I have a 15/46 sprocket combo, which put the speedo out, so I fitted a speedo healer unit to correct the readout. The bike is mint and always draws admiring comments. It is extremely quick, very light on the front under hard acceleration and shakes it head (which i like!) Knee downs are a doddle, although if the tyre pressures drift off a bit, it does affect the handling quite a lot, so you need to keep checking it. The early bikes are getting more sought after, and only a few weeks ago I was offered a 'Name Your Price' to sell it, which I declined. I have owned many bikes, including a Honda SP1, the R1 wipes the floor with it in my opinion. Get one while you can!

excellent all round bike, mines a 2003 fuel injected model. Fitted a power commander to smooth the power out, fuel silencer and KN aitfilter, goes like the wind and still looks the part. only one negative, its a bit thirsty on the petrol but the smile factor overcomes this. next mod is to put a racefit silencer on it and get it remapped and dyno'd.

Had my 02 R1 for 2 years and its the carb model not the fuel injected model and its a brill bike will be keeping this one for a long long time thank god for plenty of storage under rear seat for all my onboard camera gear again a great bike

Had my 02 R1 for 2 years and its the carb model not the fuel injected model and its a brill bike will be keeping this one for a long long time thank god for plenty of storage under rear seat for all my onboard camera gear again a great bike

hi ive ridden my r1 now for the last 5yrs its a v reg 99 and is the best handleing bike ive ridden fast is jus silly and exceloation is amazin id only get rid of it 4 a 2001 model

Got my 2000 R1 last weekend after owning an RRW fireblade.To say the R1 is fast is an understatement!!Its silly fast,really torquey pulls like a train even in top gear!Looks fantastic,looks how many modern sports bikes do now.Impressed so far so heres hoping it can only get better!!

I sold my 07 R6 2 months ago and was very upset. I had a Ducati Monster 900 as a stop gap which didn't improve my mood. This month I got hold of a 2000 Model R1 and I am overjoyed. Accelleration, feedback, smooth pick-up, and looks! My favourite bike to date.

Had my 99 from new, still with minimal miles. The power delivery and engine is awesome in a good but scarey way. Build quality superb and looks that have not really aged that much.

I loved it. Was getting a bit long in the tooth, so had to let her go. The injection R1 was tamer than the original that's why I held off getting it. Test rode both but found the 2002 model to be a lot more user friendly. The handling was superb and the engine was powerful and reliable. Loved the angular design although its not to everyone's taste. Fitting aftermarket parts does make a difference ie exhaust and power commander, but it's down to individuality what your after. I would highly recommend you get one if you fancy an R1 but can't afford a newer version.

Bought a 2002 black framed R1 after owning CBR6's for 15 odd years. Power and handling is amazing, to be honest there is to much power for the bumpy B roads i ride. Full throttle results with massive tank slappers, so you have to short shift through the gears. I find a 600 suits me better, i am able to thrash a 600 on these sort of roads, whereas the R1 is to much. I know a steering damper would cover this up, but i still think think i would be quicker along the same piece of road on a 600. Running costs are amazingly cheap, it returns about 45mpg, a set of sticky Pirelli Corsa's lasts me 3500 miles, i am hoping the new Michelin Pilot Power will last about 5000 miles. Insurance is dead cheap, it costs me £128 fire & theft for the year. The only modification i have done is an Akropovic titanium end can, and I have had it Dyno'd at 142bhp (I dont know what it made with the standard can). Everything seems well made, seems as good as my Honda. I have seen stone chips on mudguard of other blue models, but new they only cost £75. ( i replaced mine after disc lock accident). Lovely handling, loads of low down grunt, easliy read dash, reasonably comfy, even through town. Good value for what you get, and in my opinion the best looking 1000cc bike of that vintage (the fireblades look bland, with crap colour schemes)

Hi guys I have a dilemma I [ like a knobber] have just got rid of my 99 r1 for a 996, I've had it for 4 months and I hate it its uncomfortable, fueling low down is utter shite, its costing me shedloads already and now I just dont wanna ride it [does any1 want a 996]. Strengths: Power, fueling, looks, handling, ease of use, brakes. Weaknesses: Slightly intimidating if inexperienced and I dont know Japanese for FUCK SLOW DOWN.

Passed test 10 months ago, 1st bike a 2004 ZX636r, loved its handling...not enough power. 2nd bike a 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa, loved its power but not its handling, 3rd bike 2000 ZX12r, did not like it at all. BIKE NOW....R1 and this thing is all the best bits of previous bikes IN ONE. Love it to bits, get a twitch on every time I go out on it. Power delivery is blistering and brakes stop on a dime. Needs steering damper to control front end and previous owners choice of tyres not very good "avons". But other than that, the best bike I have ever had the pleasure of blasting on. R1 is the bike for me amd if I ever change it will be for an other one. Strengths: Power,lifts front wheel in 1st 4 gears,handling now I set it up,brakes and most of all THE LOOKS!!!! Weaknesses: After ZX12 and Hayabusa, 170mph top end does not feel that fast. Gets loads of stone chips round bottom of fairing at front.

After 24 years and 30 bikes ( including jota's and 200 bhp gsx-r turbo's ) the R1 has made its mark in my biking C.V. A powerplant that delivers 100%- 24/7, the chassis will develop you as a rider, it's not perfect, which is my view is, er, perfect. Ridden hard it's a mobile gym but with only 2 mirrors, if you're on the ball you'll usually find poseurs in them, but not without a sweat. The soft ? standard suspension provides ample feedback providing your rear end is capable of deciphering the information it receives, same goes for the front, awesome in the wet, plenty of sideways and even wet wheelies, or both. Some fine adjustments will help it to turn in, alternatively, try using your feet on the pegs, gas it early whilst exiting and take the weight off as the power comes in, here's a tip - when the rev counter is vertical, the bike should be also. Newcomers, the inexperienced and the lazy should go for the 'alternatives'. YZF-R1 - all you'll do here is learn! Strengths: Power delivery, wet weather tool, hooligan element, evil looks, reliablity. Weaknesses: 20,000 miles from new - starter button, fiddly oil filter change.

Amazing bike, the best I have ever owned. Go get one! Awesome performance, handling and out of this world acceleration, what more do you need??