Yamaha YZF-R1 (2007-2008)

I never really bonded with this bike. To make this easier to read I'll summarise: Background: I owned an 08 R1 from new and just sold it last month with 4k miles on it. I took it on 4 track days. I took my wife pillion a few times and used it for the supermarket too. Mods: Screen, sliders, Michelin 2CTs, suspension set-up for me. Pros: - Amazing power up top. I don't understand why anyone would need more power from one of these. - Above 6k rpm the bike feels 100% 'right': like the best bike money could buy. Highly recommended. - Gearbok (nimble). - Very fast on the track - quicker than an equivalent (stock) GSX-R 1000. - Easy to remove tail piece, mirrors, screen etc for track-days. - Just looks so cool! Cons: - Not as much toruqe in the mid-range as everyone says. - Terrible for anything under 6k rpm (which is 90% of the time for 'normal riding'): weak, uncomfortable... - Bad niggles: horn (poor), steering damper? What steering damper (did NOTHING), hard to get at battery, kickstand (bad angle), clip-ons (bad for wrists compared to Fireblade), seat angles (both seats push you forwards unless at high speed). I don't want to groan too much, but that last point there is the reason I sold the bike - that's how bad the riding position was at low speeds. My previous bike was a CBR1000RR 2006 and it had no confort issues. I've had 2 Yamahas and 2 Hondas. It's 2-0 to the Hondas.

I bought a new R1 in early 2008 and I've now clocked up 20 000 miles and do a minimum of 550 miles commuting to work every week here in Gibraltar. The riding position is very comfortable and you can cover long distances easily without numb butt cheeks and aching wrists. I’ve covered many miles across Europe even with the misses on the back and it’s been a pleasure. Don’t get me wrong if you’re used to Beemers or Goldwings you won’t be happy it but compared to other superbikes the R1 is much easier to ride for long periods. However when you’re in the mood to thrash it on a track day the bike is transformed into a snarling beast. Honestly one of the best track weapons I’ve used. This bike has a split personality. It can be the sensible tourer or by a twist of the wrist and some fast bends it makes you feel like an adrenalin fuelled racing god. And the noise of those under seat exhausts and the backfire-rumbling on deceleration still makes me smile like a kid. On the negative side I’ve been through 3 Exup cables in two years and when the warrenty runs out I will be dishing out for these out of my own pocket. For a modern sportsbike I find this unacceptable and I live in Gibraltar where the weather is lovely all year round so if you live in UK be prepared to change these a few times a year. They’re the achilles heel with this bike. Other than that it’s been faultless! Overall I’m very happy with it and I couldn’t imagine riding anything else.

I have been riding for over 25 years have part-ex'd my SP1 for an 07 R1 in white and red. It is standard with 3500 miles on the clock and looks stunning. On the road it is a peach to ride, comfy, smooth with great controls and power. I am 6' tall and fit it really nicely. We did a 300 mile trip and had no discomfort problems. I have been on track at Mallory and |Donington (twice). Once the suspension had been tweaked the handling is smooth and sure with excellent ground clearance, awesome power, suberb brakes and she sounds andf looks fantastic!! Sorry I'm a bit gushy but I love the Yam!! It's the best looking Jap bike out there and up with the Ducatis on looks as well...... Must dash gotta ride!

I had the choice of getting this bike for 7999 in december of 08 in red and white, or waiting for an 09, i came to the conclusion that i'm not the fastest of riders and won't get the best out of either of these bikes so i went for the better looking one, which the 08 wins every time. i've got onto this after riding an 07 FZ6 and it can be just as easy to ride, a little awkward keeping to 30mph limits though. it reminds me of my Aprilia 125's, almost like it's got a powerband feel to it, below 10k it's very pokey but managable, above that it's all about holding on very tight!! it's very comfortable compared to an R6, the only pain i get is from my wrists but it takes a lot of riding for that to happen. although i change my bikes quite a lot i think i'll have this for a while, i suppose i would say it but i honestly believe it's the best looking bike out there. Until yamaha sort out the 09's front end. it reminds me of dame edna, do you wanna ride dame edna??!!

I had an '06 R1 previously & was tempted by the '08 because of the Yamaha 0% finance. It feels like the same bike but different, which obviously makes no sense. Below 7000 it's so easy to ride, between 7 & 10 it demands your attention & anything over 10 rquires 100% of you. It is roomy for my 5'9" frame, the head lights are brilliant. I'm torn between the looks of the 06 & the 08. Sometimes I prefer the cleaner lines of the older model & sometimes I prefer the angular lines of the O8. I can't say I can really feel much difference in performance between them although the 08 does seem to take off a 1000 revs sooner. I like the Pirellis that come with it, much better than the dunlops of the 06 model. Handels well, makes me feel confident even on winter roads. My friends ride Blades ZX10's, when we are out there is nothing between them performance wise. It all comes down to looks & in my opinion the R1 wins that every time.

I traded in my '05 R1 for a '57 face-lift and was extremely impressed. I didn't think anything could be better but the face-lift model feels smoother and more balanced. Still a bit slow in low revs but a Dynojet power commander soon sorts that. I also have a Renthal front sprocket fitted, Akropovic system, K&N etc coming soon. I'm still getting used to the addition of the tps, makes the bike feel restricted until you look at the speedo! Awesome bike, amazing power, highly recommended!

Came from a K6 GSXR 750 to this and wow what a bike!!. Nice and easy below 7,000 rpm which is around 100mph in top and handy for rain, town usual stuff but go beyond this and the thing starts to fly. Hit 10,000 rpm and you enter a very different and scary world !! After a week in France touring with a few mates the bike was faultless and suprizingly comfy. The only time it suffered was over tight twisty broken tarmac roads which had it sliding around but I would have struggled on a BMW GS to be fair. Quality is excellent and it makes the GSXR 1000 look like a pig !!!

I sold my CBR600RR, Hayabusa & Bandit 12 to fund my new R1 I also bought a old 918 blade for track use and work so I have a bit of bike knowledge. Now I have got my bike fully run-in (1k) and the sun was shining I took the R1 out to put it through its paces and amazing simply amazing. It was so nimble and you dont realise the lean you get. I was arriving at my favorite corners probably twice as fast and going round and I thought not realy trying but my knee was firmly planted and even though twice as fast as im used to the bike sorted it all out. Dont be fooled it doesnt take anything away from you it still lets you know your going fast the front has an habbit of jumping up in the air. The noises coming from under the fuel tank i.e the moving air intakes and the loud standard pipes behind that pop and burble make it a very interesting and exciting bike to ride. You can here the air intakes pop at 10k if accelerating hard can feel a slight bit of extra surge. After having such a good ride on the bike I had to write it down. New R1 officially brilliant!