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.
