First test of 2002 R1

We’ve been among the first in the world to ride Yamaha’s 2002 R1.

And while you’ll have to wait for Wednesday’s MCN (out on February 20, 2002) for the full story, here are some of the highlights, from MCN’s Marc Potter in Spain.

You’ll gel with the sportier riding position instantly and much better than the previous R1.

It has more mid-range but similar top end power. Provides fantastic drive out of corners.

The new bike comes with a gear-shift light you can adjust to taste.

The pegs are raised and the bars lowered.

The gearbox still isn’t the lightest, but it is extremely accurate. Ratios are the same as 2001.

Where the previous R1 was criticised for running wide on standard settings, the new bike is ” a pinpoint racer ” .

Upgraded brakes offer phenomenal power, requiring only a featherlight touch.

For much more detail, many more pictures and our first comparisons with Honda’s new Blade and Suzuki’s GSX-R1000, see Marc Potter’s six-page test in MCN, on sale Wednesday.

Poor weather limited the time available in Spain so we are unable to bring you the video we had planned.

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