Talk to me about early R1s

[Pie-Roe]

Hey, been hankering after an R1 recently.

Particularly looking at 98-04, as I like the looks of them.

I know not a lot about them really. Any common faults? Do they suffer the same barrel fault as the early r6s?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271441952996?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
I really like this shape, but I wouldn't buy from a shop that has to advertise spares or repairs to cover their arses.

High mileage examples seem to be very cheap, are there known problems?

Would be for commuting, weekend rides and touring over summer. Also planning on moving to inner city area fairly soon, practical around town?
Cheers
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[clancy]

As far as I'm aware any vehicle sold under 2 or 2.5k is technically sold as spares or repairs from anywhere

But anyway, I wouldn't buy a bike from them as on 2 occasions I have hpi d bikes from there which where dodgy. One had outstanding finance and was on there shop floor for 4k, the other was a cat c write off that they hadn't mentioned. Both said they where "hpi clear"

I doubt it would be the most practice bike round a city, but I dont have a problem on my sports bike, just something you get used too. Crap turning circle is the most annoying thing

Never had one though so don't know anything in terms of common faults
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KLX 300r

[Aff]

I think they suffer from the second gear issues that lots of bikes from that era seem to.

I have been to speed motorcycles before. They seem OK. Are very high throughput so don't expect to be treated like a king while your there (which I hate so actually preferred it). Most of their bikes under around 3K seem to be part exchanges that they desperately want to get rid of to clear floor space.

Advantages are that they will usually be quite cheap for what they are and have some haggle room.

Disadvantages are that they will usually have done no work whatsoever on them and barely checked them over, which shouldn't really be an issue if you are mechanically minded. And there is likely no comeback if it nukes itself a few weeks after buying it.

But they seems happy to give test rides and were very up front about pricing and what they would accept.
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Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

[P.addy]

I used mine for a tour of Spain, was getting decent mpg, wasn't too uncomfortable at all and its an all round decent bike.

Problems, big connector block under left hand fairing infill and reg/rec. I had both of them too

I'd have kept it as I got a shitty TL after and it was half the bike the R1 was, easy.

[woo]

i will give u a long ass review of these bikes when i get home from work lol
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[J biker]

Early bikes had 2nd gear issues.

https://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257319

02-03 supposed to be sweet handling.

04 onwards the start of under seat exhaust model, I had one and loved it. Just couldn't cope with the dropped bars due to a previous injury. Though I did manage a trip to bottom end of French Alps (in some discomfort!). 04 onwards tough and reliable.

[nick606]

In regards to the 2nd gear problem i think they all had them up untill 2003/4

The early ones 98/99 are apparently a bit of a handful but fun to ride

[Copycat73]

[Chalky.]

[temeluchus]

like most 20v Yamaha before it, very few bother to get the valves adjusted. (they are done every 20k or so)

It's why you'll see lots of em with 40k on up for sale because a valve is about to drop.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Copycat73]

[clancy]

[janner_10]

I bought mine around 2 months ago, cheap at £1500 from a guy that's had it stored for 4 years.

Its a bit of a mini project as im about to buy a house with a garage and workshop for the first time!! So needs a bit of cosmetic attention but underneath its sound and low mileage.

All are MHO:

Its more comfortable than I would of imagined, more so than my CBR was by a long way.

Very easy to work on.

Its quick, very quick Upto 7k rpm its nice and torquey, soon as it gets to 6.5k + all hell breaks loose and you need to hold on!! The rear of cars appear very quick.

Gearbox has the usual Yamaha clunk into first. Mine is OK but check 2nd gear issue - although it seems evident on forums by non-owners than actual cases.

Handling is superb. Its not a heavy bike at all.

Handy bit of storage under the seat, for a tool kit and a few bits. I have a Remus system on mine, but it still sounds a bit tame.

Fuel is decent im getting 55+ when pottering about, obviously less when spending a day making progress.

Brakes weren't all that, but a caliper strip, new pads and fluid sorted mine right out. Back caliper seems to collect a lot of shit.

Parts are plentiful and cheap, also a massive amount available re-conditioned from the Bay.



I took a gamble and bought mine cheap with a view of spending time stripping and rebuilding, but I'm having so much fun and i'm that impressed with it, all the cosmetic bits are in the garage and that can wait until after the summer. I don't commute on mine so cant pass comment there, but as a fun weekend toy, I cant fault it for the money.

I've put about 1k miles on it so far, and its not given me any problems as yet.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[Fizzer Thou]

Love my 5JJ R1

Great around Europe - this was in Innsbruck/Austria

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Biking%20Abroad/309968_25A_011.jpg

And easy to work on

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Workshop/2013-04-16173658_zps6dc46b75.jpg

No problems with 2nd gear in 26,500 miles either

Lots of advice on www.yamahar.co.uk
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'