R1 5PW - Buying advice

[Wooderson]

I know everyone on BB these days rides/falls off Fireblades and 1299 Panigales these days, but some of you must have owned a 2002-2003 5PW and can impart some sagely advise on what to look out for.

I'm going to view this 2002 model tomorrow, with an alleged 12k miles. The owner seems pretty knowledgeable about the bike, but it sounds like it hasn't been ridden much in the last 6-12 months and is currently SORN.

It would be a bike for all around use - maybe with a track day or two before the season finishes this year.

Here she is...





Performance Bikes did a pretty decent feature on these about 18months ago and mentioned that 2nd gear can be a bit iffy and that a test ride pulling gently through revs might reveal a problem. Also some reg/rec issues and sticky EXUP valves, but that was about it. A test ride seems absolutely essential if I'm to avoid some hefty bills almost straight away.

This would be my first 1000cc bike (just sold my Street Triple), so really looking forward to a test ride tomorrow on some quiet Suffolk roads

Cheers

[sc0tt]

What is your budget?

I think the 5vy is prettier with the underseats personally.

[Wooderson]

Ideally 2-3k - so probably not quite enough to stretch to a 5VY. I'll keep my eyes open though

This 5PW is on for £2.5k

[Reardy Mister]

The 5PW is the red-headed step son of R1s. Go a model earlier or a model later (I had both and loved them both) would be my strong advice.

[drophead]

Reardy Mister said:

The 5PW is the red-headed step son of R1s. Go a model earlier or a model later (I had both and loved them both) would be my strong advice.

Please explain. Genuinely interested!

[Reardy Mister]

drophead said:

Reardy Mister said:

The 5PW is the red-headed step son of R1s. Go a model earlier or a model later (I had both and loved them both) would be my strong advice.

Please explain. Genuinely interested!

It seemed to be the model that just fell through the cracks in every department. It wasn't heralded particularly by the press at the time (the GSXR and ZX10R were all the rage for hp and headlines, the 954 blade was considered the thinking-mans choice for the road and the R1 was just - meh), the styling was awful and people seemed to just bypass it. The previous model has the classic(ish) looks and the 2004 model was just fking brilliant in every department, righting all the obvious wrongs of the bike before. Not that I'm bias. The 5PW is the "difficult 3rd album", filler where the 5VY is killer. In my opinion.

[Wooderson]

drophead said:

Please explain. Genuinely interested!

Me too. From what I've read/heard it's a solid choice. Light, grunty and very affordable. Plus I think, barring the standard can, it's a good looking beast.

Incredible to think that the Virgin BSB bikes were kicking out nearly 185 rwbh, with the only electronics being a quickshifter!

[BobSaunders]

Are those recent pictures? Note tax disc expiry date. That's been off the road for a while potentially.

[Wooderson]

BobSaunders said:

Are those recent pictures? Note tax disc expiry date. That's been off the road for a while potentially.

Good spot. I'l check that tomorrow - along with the date of the SORN.

[sc0tt]

woowahwoo said:

Shame about the rest of it

What do you ride?

[blade7]

Reardy Mister said:

the styling was awful and people seemed to just bypass it. the 2004 model was just fking brilliant in every department,

No.

[Wooderson]

I love how R1 threads always derail into a maelstrom of abuse about which weird model number is king

Has anyone who has owned a 5PW got anything to say on the 2nd gear issue and EXUP issues? A stuck exhaust value will make the bike feel 'flat' up to 7,000rpm I gather.

[R8Steve]

Wooderson said:

I love how R1 threads always derail into a maelstrom of abuse about which weird model number is king

Has anyone who has owned a 5PW got anything to say on the 2nd gear issue and EXUP issues? A stuck exhaust value will make the bike feel 'flat' up to 7,000rpm I gather.

I've owned one, looked exactly the same as that one as it happens. Never had any issues with it at all, then again, i only did about 5k miles on it. You're unlikely to lose any money on it anyway, i'm sure i sold mine (about 5/6 years ago) for about that price.

[NAS]

I've had two and I loved them.

Very reliable, relatively frugal, roomy, fun, loads of torque and fast enough to keep up with most people up Eau Rouge. The second one had a hard life, and even that one didn't need any valve adjustment at the perscribed 25.000 Mile interval.

Still today, 5 years after I sold my second one, I'm still drawn to them and want to buy another.

[mitzy]

That looks lovely. Love the colour

On a general question why do yams have the 5PW etc after the name of them what does it represent or the reason ?
Just curious

[sc0tt]

woowahwoo said:

sc0tt said:

woowahwoo said:

Shame about the rest of it

What do you ride?

yer mum, hondas and ducatis

"Yer mum" added just so we didn't all call you a raving homo because you ride honda's?

It's ok.

[theshrew]

mitzy said:

On a general question why do yams have the 5PW etc after the name of them what does it represent or the reason ?
Just curious

I'm sure the letters and number have a meaning but I haven't got a clue what that is.

Anyway there are many different versions of the R1 it's just how you tell which one it is.

For eg

5PW = 2002 - 03
5YV = 2004 - 06
4C8 = 2007 - 08

[ThrottleBod]

I've had my 03 5pw about 4 months now. Had the suspension set up and new pilot power 3's, handles brilliantly.

Have to say don't find it comfortable at all. The pegs are too high for me but then I use it everyday to commute through town which isn't ideal. Also got a few injuries at the moment that doesn't help. I do enjoy it but I preferred my previous R6. So much so that I've borrowed it this weekend because I'm in Wales for the weekend.

I think you'll enjoy it but from what I've read the next model is a massive step up.

[Tribal Chestnut]

ThrottleBod said:

I've had my 03 5pw about 4 months now. Had the suspension set up and new pilot power 3's, handles brilliantly.

Have to say don't find it comfortable at all. The pegs are too high for me but then I use it everyday to commute through town which isn't ideal. Also got a few injuries at the moment that doesn't help. I do enjoy it but I preferred my previous R6. So much so that I've borrowed it this weekend because I'm in Wales for the weekend.

I think you'll enjoy it but from what I've read the next model is a massive step up.

How tall are you?

I'm 6'2", with occasionally dodgy knees, and have been thinking that higher pegs might be nice at times.

[Tribal Chestnut]

sc0tt said:

What is your budget?

I think the 5vy is prettier with the underseats personally.

You might think that, but you're wrong. The rear of the 5PW trumps the rear of the 5VY.

In fact, the 5PW is one of the best looking motorcycles ever.