YAMAHA R1 (2004 - 2006) Review

Version: Yamaha R1 5VY

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £150

I bought this in April 2024 as a very low mileage (6000 miles) bike and have had a good spring/summer on it now. I had a few niggly faults at the beginning but this was purely down to the amount of non-use prior to me buying the bike, a good deep service/recommissioning sorted all that out. Faultless otherwise.

Buying experience: Bought from a small independent car dealer, advertised at £5500 and managed to get for £5300.

Year: 2005

Every one should try a r1 at some point!!!!!

Buying experience: Bought from dealer, (bury motor cycles) excellent shop , honest and good clean bikes …..

Version: 5VY Raven

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £4,000

Reliability is very good Handling once suspension is sorted very good Brakes and electrics are it's downfall

Buying experience: I've always been a Ducati guy but the 5VY kind of fell in my lap from a good friend as ide always kind of turned my nose up at the common bikes. But after borrowing it for a month or so when out of {no lie 8 vehicles} I had none working or suitable for daily duties) on the street. And fell in love with its personality and build quality. Unpaid $5500 requiring a fair bit of service work and have spend about $10000 AUD on it in modifications at this point

Year: 2006

This 2006 R1 I have has a little bit of motor work done, tuned, and dyno’d. It’s fast but the best thing I find with this bike is after driving an 02’ gsxr 1000 for a while is, the gsxr is hard to handle in wind. Around 19mph wind I could only do about 45mph and I was completely sideways had to take it back home and drive my vehicle that day. With my R1 it doesn’t matter on wind if I hug the bike I’ve done 150mph with 27mph wind.

Buying experience: Privately.

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £150

Fantastic motorcycle, loved every minute on it.

Buying experience: Bought it in 2016 for £3800 completely standard. In autumn 2021 I can get at least what I payed for it. Crazy

Year: 2004

I have 2004 R1. Dont buy this bike, otherwise you will have serious headache when engine components starts to fall apart. I think that the best of the bunch is CBR1000RR 06-07, flawless bike.

Year: 2004

Had what everyone loves gsxr k6 1000 THEN friend came round on 05 r1!! The build quility was night n day ,gsxr felt like a week pushbike and built down to a low budget compared To his million dollar looking r1 . I knew there n then I had to have one , still got it and never selling!!

Buying experience: I got mine from stratstone for £4600 . Many yrs ago . I’d never sell for less than 4000 now .i only ever see rough ones for sale . I think people that have nice ones love them and want to keep them ,for such a beautiful bike that was the first 170bhp 170kg bike they are a bargain, at the mo!!!

Version: Exup valve version

Year: 2005

Totally recommend this bike for reliability, performance and ease of ride

Buying experience: Bought privately without issue

Year: 2005

12 months ago I upgraded from 09' ZXR and what a bike. Takes off like a missile but far less scary than I imagined the jump upto 1000cc would be. The engine runs so smooth and there's more than enough power on tap when needed. I'm 6ft 3 and only occasionally get some aches in the knees, but it is minor and almost unavoidable on most sportsbikes. Handles great and for a bigger rider the standover height and extra width from a 600 is much welcomed. Only downside is no gear indicator or fuel gauge (25-30miles on fuel light), but I have gotten used to that and rarely bothers me now. Always the chance to add aftermarket. Usually get 130 miles to a tank, which is acceptable. Great bike, don't see why I would spend 5k more for a newer version when this is old school mechanical mania. The paint finish is superb also.

Year: 2004

Fast, but also real easy to ride slow and not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be before I bought it. Looks beautiful and is now 14 years old and still looks great. Top build quality, kudos to Yamaha

Year: 2004

Just thought I would comment about the reliability. I bought mine brand new in 2004 and it now has 110,000 miles on the clock. Original clutch, exhaust, rear shock, wheel bearings, head bearings. It still doesn't burn any oil between changes (at the specified interval) and goes out in the fast group at track days where it is still a very fast bike.

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £300

My first bike after passing my Direct access test. Having only ridden 2 stroke 125s before this, I was quite nervous about owning an R1 but I needn't have been, it's so easy to ride! Its confidence inspiring and everyone who told me an R1 as a first bike was a bad idea is wrong, Its fast yes, but very stable and planted.

Buying experience: Bought from Frasers of Gloucester, lovely people and a great service.

The only reason I sold this bike was that is was cheaper for me to buy a new bike with the upgrades I wanted than to do the upgrades on this bike. This bike never had a single problem the whole time I had it and it looks so good for its age still one of the best looking bikes ever made. You cannot get a better bike than this for the 4k mark and to top it you need to spend around 6k like I did. You could get the same year fireblade but its a bit boring and ugly in comparison... After riding newer bikes and getting back on it, it did feel a little bit manual and slightly hard to turn but very sturdy and the build quality is amazing. I can't stress enough if your budget is in and around the 4k mark look no further

Have had 10 months now and covered about 7K and 7 thousand happy miles they have been. Coming off a K2 GSXR 600 I was a little scepticle... no need, insurance wise it was 50 pounds more a YEAR! and performance wise it has taken my riding to another level... Very Very easy to ride, docile around town and not particularly wristy either, power isn't massive low down but starts moving from about 5K and goes completely f**king nuts after about 11K.. hold on tight (to the bike and your licence!).. bike is incredibly planted and the confidence in corners is great and did I mention the lean?? it will lean for Japan and then some!...Ridden in a hot French Summer, sub zero English commute and terrential rain, have never felt so safe/planted on a bike.. oh yeah and it may be a 7 year old design but still looks smoking and always draws positive comments. Ok Bad Bits/niggles (cos all bikes have them).. Fairing Panels are very thin/flimsy and though I hate to say it do feel cheap. Gearbox is a little cluncky and you do get the odd false neutral especially when upshifting when gunning it. (Guess I was spoilt with suzi gearboxes for to long!). Other than she's a beauty and a beast.... but the thing is YOU decide... first Yamaha for me and very impressed.

Having come from a cbr600f,the R1 makes it feel anaemic,it does everything better,the thing what is striking is the fact it makes you feel more alive,it will potter about or give it your 100% and it will laugh at you and say is that all you got kind of thing.I was reserved about owning one,but looks and performance you can,t fault it.I havn,t ridden every bike but the R1 has that sublime don,t mess with me look and feeling about it.

I had a 2004 R1 purchased brand new at launch. Was first Jap 1000cc has had V-twins before. Have to say it was a good bike, but was not impressed with the build qaulity Panels were too flimsy and felt cheap. Was forever fighting to keep the front down when nailing it. Bike looked good though. Until I binned it at 12 weeks old, resulting in it being a write off as plastics just fell apart and forks bent. Went a gixer 750 K4 after and that felt loads better as was solid build quality and much more useable.

Thats it the 04 R1 is nice. An R1 should not be nice. I had a 98 model that was wicked, in all senses of the word. My 04 was nice. I toured long distances- covered 20,000 miles im less than two years. No where near as grunty as the 98 but faster and easier to ride. The only bad bit is that tyre choice is critical. Get the wrong ones (Corsa III) and the steering gets very very heavy at low speed and the back end slides into corners. Just chopped it in for a new one - much better. This one has got the fire back. It took Yamaha 9 years repeat the feeling of the original R1 but they have got it just about right

chopped in my Aprilia last July for a new Laguna Seca coloured 2006 model. A month later i went over to France on it. i have now finally found a bike that inspires me with confidence even in pouring rain. the feedback is fantastic and the stability at both high and low speed is the best i have experienced. Build quality is excellent and the feel good factor it gives me every time i ride has been worth every penny, with more than enough performance for any average road rider and after all looking good is part of riding this type of hypersports bike and this R1 has got what it takes! this bike is so good that i dont see myself parting with it for a long time to come.

The R1 has to be the best litre bike you can buy for the road. Having access to fireblades, gixers and a ZX10, the R1 simply blows me away with its ability. The riding position is superb. If you found a blade uncomfortable, then try one of these. Its also the best looking superbike out there. The downside is that the clutch plates fused together and needed soaking over night, and the bike plays up in hot weather especially around town. The gear change can be a little clunky at times also. People have moaned about the lack of torque with this incarnation of the R1, I found it helps when putting the power down out of corners. Strengths: Looks, handling, riding position, comfort. Looks. Build quality. Parts available. Weaknesses: Tyre wear, gear selection, bikes popularity.

Traded in by 2004 blade for the 2006 R1 - The R1 is better built in terms of quality and feels better to ride. Only issue I have has is with vibration early on and this went after about 1,200 miles. Better than the blade around town, but not as good on the track (for me anyway - less stability at the front). Strengths: Looks, build quality and it's high rev grin factor. Weaknesses: Still vibrates more than a honda between 3 and 5 K.

Having just moved from an Aprilia RSV Mille I have to say that the one thing that I notice most is the real lack of performance at lower revs. The Mille would just leave it standing. The seat height is lower than the Mille which is good for me & the riding poition is much more comfortable. I had found the gear box clunky & many false neutrals but this has become alot better as it is getting run in. You can really feel that is a lot lighter & it tips into corners so easily. The Mille had to be wrestled in comparison (& I thought the Mille was good). Considering it is February, cold damp & I'm on a new bike, it gives me a lot of confidence on braking & cornering. Strengths: Looks, sound of exhaust, weight, higher rev performance. Weaknesses: Really weak performance at lower revs, poorly positioned foot pegs, they are exactly in the path of where my legs want to be when stationary on the bike. Non adjustable clutch lever. Clunky gear box.

I had reservations about taking on 170 BHP, I needn't have as unless you are a freakin nut case it is a pretty docile bike. Set the rev warning light to 6k revs and change up when you see it. Even limiting the revs to 6k this bike is awesome, the low down grunt is exceptional and for most riding you can keep it in 6th, it really is that good. The "turn in" is true sports bike, a gentle nudge and it simply goes where you point it. The instruments are clear and concise and the switches intuitive and easy to use with a firm feel. I traded up from a CBR600 and for the first mile of riding I couldn't stop thinking what have I done! The riding position can only be described as "tough", tough on the neck, the wrists and the back. It's only above 50 mph that the airflow lifts your body up in to a comfortable position and takes some of the strain away. With a seat height of 830mm it's probably the highest seat on a sportsbike today. I fitted an Alpha Technik link arm that lowers it by 30mm. Strengths: Torque, lots of it and it's also a beautiful piece of engineering. Weaknesses: It may be the most comfortable superbike bit that doesn't say much, try before you buy.

This is simply the coolest bike on the planet!!Precision engineering like a swiss watch (forget your dukes etc), with gorgeous looks and sound (have you seen that ugly gixer end can ?), and with all the performance and character you will ever need (boring blades go home)- what more could you ask for ? Having previously owned R6, R1, Blade, Boxer Cup Replika etc etc this new generation R1 is the dogs. Pure music from the induction roar (first time on an R1) will keep you grinning. Gearbox is also so slick, clutchless changes smoother than with clutch. If you haven't tried one yet - you must, and you will be sold, if not then it's time to hang up the leathers and get a new pipe and slippers.  Strengths: 1/ Performance, performance, performance. 2/ Looks, looks, looks. 3/ Sound, sound, sound 4/ Cool, cool, cool.  Weaknesses: 1/ Pillion provision poor (rather tall leggy wife to accommodate occasionally). 2/ No good for touring. 3/ Flat below 4500 rpm 4/ Yamaha sports screen means more wind protection but more wrist pressure.

I sold a 2001 RI (had a 98 modle as well) for a Ducati 998s last May. I had listened to the rave reviews about Ducati and went for it. The bike looked fantastic (body off Baywatch) but; rideability and reliability (face of Crimwatch). I rode the new 2004 R1 50 yds and wondered 'what have I been doing'........ Strengths: The immense power delivery is remarkable, progressively smooth. Light to handle with possitive road connection, good brakes!! Weaknesses: Leave it somewhere dodgy and it will disapear!! and add-ons (carbon etc) difficult to get hold of.

Fantastic bike, I love R1s and had a 2002 model, this one is so much sharper, better looking and sounding. Beautiful. Strengths: Handling, throttle response, engine smoothness, brakes, looks and sound (again!). Weaknesses: Bars vibrate and riding position hurts my back.

Purchased the bike about six weeks ago to replace my 2002 Aprilia RSVR. It has totally altered my riding style and I feel so much more confident. I was really concerned about purchasing a bike with so much power as thought it would be a handful, but this R1 is a tame beast being able to ride it hard is not a problem. I have covered 1600 miles now and enjoyed ever mile of it and cannot stop grinning from ear to ear. THIS R1 IS WHAT RIDING A MOTORBIKE IS ALL ABOUT. If you're thinking of purchasing one don't think just do it you will not be disapointed. Strengths: The shear power and grin factor with this bike, along with the excellent handling. Weaknesses: The underseat exhaust is awesome but gives an extreme amount of heat and on a hot day it becomes unbearable.