R1 5PW - Buying advice
Discussion
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!As mentioned, check the Exup cycles on start up and give it a handful in each gear and shut off to see if it spits the gear out (worn dogs). I wore out my box in 5th, it's not just 2nd, it's what it's been given the most grief in.
The 04-06 is totally different which may or may not appeal and may or may not be in budget - they are certainly better on track due to the handling.
For the road and the odd trackday I think I'd prefer a tidy early bike rather than a ropey underseat jobbie.
Tribal Chestnut said:
How tall are you?
I'm 6'2", with occasionally dodgy knees, and have been thinking that higher pegs might be nice at times.
I'm 5'11. Only 27 but I've had reactive arthritis which affected all the joints in my legs and now a torn stomach muscle which makes it difficult to get head down ass up. The riding position is great for cracking on and probably track days but for commuting and the occasional blast it's a bit much. Also as much as I want to be a speed freak I just have more fun on a 600 but that's just me. I'm 6'2", with occasionally dodgy knees, and have been thinking that higher pegs might be nice at times.
But then I get off it and look back at it and it's by far the best looking bike I can afford so who knows!
I've had both... Did over 20k miles on both the 5PW and 5VY.
There is nothing wrong with the 5PW either and for £2500 you won't get a better superbike imho. It's a better bike than the 929 / 954 Fireblade which I test rode before buying the 5PW.
No issues with gearbox either as they upgraded it for 02-03 models ... The ex-up sticking is common but is an obviously fault (tach flashes up to 7k) ... Mine was ultra reliable and was a superb road bike.
The 5VY is a better bike in all respects except the engine ... However a decent example is going to be over a grand more than the 5PW.
Great bikes, buy it and enjoy.
There is nothing wrong with the 5PW either and for £2500 you won't get a better superbike imho. It's a better bike than the 929 / 954 Fireblade which I test rode before buying the 5PW.
No issues with gearbox either as they upgraded it for 02-03 models ... The ex-up sticking is common but is an obviously fault (tach flashes up to 7k) ... Mine was ultra reliable and was a superb road bike.
The 5VY is a better bike in all respects except the engine ... However a decent example is going to be over a grand more than the 5PW.
Great bikes, buy it and enjoy.
ThrottleBod said:
Tribal Chestnut said:
How tall are you?
I'm 6'2", with occasionally dodgy knees, and have been thinking that higher pegs might be nice at times.
I'm 5'11. Only 27 but I've had reactive arthritis which affected all the joints in my legs and now a torn stomach muscle which makes it difficult to get head down ass up. The riding position is great for cracking on and probably track days but for commuting and the occasional blast it's a bit much. Also as much as I want to be a speed freak I just have more fun on a 600 but that's just me. I'm 6'2", with occasionally dodgy knees, and have been thinking that higher pegs might be nice at times.
But then I get off it and look back at it and it's by far the best looking bike I can afford so who knows!
I ran mine from 16k upto 33k miles. The only problem I encountered was stator failure, as did my mate at approx 30k miles.
The valves were checked at 24k miles and were ok on both bikes. I didn't ride it through the winter but did plenty of wet weather riding and it always scrubbed up well afterwards. Another mate had a 929 and build quality seemed better on the r1.
The valves were checked at 24k miles and were ok on both bikes. I didn't ride it through the winter but did plenty of wet weather riding and it always scrubbed up well afterwards. Another mate had a 929 and build quality seemed better on the r1.
I have a 5pw 03 that I bought new - on just under 20k at the mo. Have ridden it to Mugello, Catalunya, Les Mans etc on it over the years. Its been ridden hard and fast.
Original tyres D208's I found s
te, Pilot powers are ace. Bike has loads of torque that is lost on the newer models. Power commander and race can is worth it. It is as fast as its peer group and in real road use supposedly faster than the later bikes because of the torque.
No problems with gearbox on mine - I always clutchless shift after 1st.
I had to have the stator rewound - down to earth on one circuit but only once warm - battery would go flat on a run. I had mine rewound a couple of years ago and its fine since but you need a puller to get them out - workshop job.
Exup valve cycles on start up (listen for it) and if seized you will know it, if sticky it will misfire. Key is preventative maintenance on the these but if the exup has never been out then expect to have to drill and tap the mounting bolts - bite the bullet and get it done when you buy.
I get about 120mi to reserve light on - then fuel trip Russian roulette.
Standard suspension is fine BUT must be set up away from factor settings - the difference is night and day.
I hear some use oil - not sure how true that is. Never heard of one breaking though.
IMHO these are better built than the Blade and GSXR of the same period - values about to rise - I would like to think.
Oh - headlights are fecking brilliant at clearing traffic and at night.
There have been plenty of PB etc write ups on how these are one of the best R1's made. Personally I never liked the underseat pipes of the newer models and always wanted Yam to make a belly pan exhaust version - still waiting.
Some call this the star trek version because of the styling and back light. In US they make the LED taillight with integrated indicators. I have seen some with and exhaust mod to use the letterbox aperture.
Harris sold loads of bits for these and I have a few. Rearsets would be nice to tailor footpeg position.
Enjoy!
Original tyres D208's I found s
te, Pilot powers are ace. Bike has loads of torque that is lost on the newer models. Power commander and race can is worth it. It is as fast as its peer group and in real road use supposedly faster than the later bikes because of the torque.No problems with gearbox on mine - I always clutchless shift after 1st.
I had to have the stator rewound - down to earth on one circuit but only once warm - battery would go flat on a run. I had mine rewound a couple of years ago and its fine since but you need a puller to get them out - workshop job.
Exup valve cycles on start up (listen for it) and if seized you will know it, if sticky it will misfire. Key is preventative maintenance on the these but if the exup has never been out then expect to have to drill and tap the mounting bolts - bite the bullet and get it done when you buy.
I get about 120mi to reserve light on - then fuel trip Russian roulette.
Standard suspension is fine BUT must be set up away from factor settings - the difference is night and day.
I hear some use oil - not sure how true that is. Never heard of one breaking though.
IMHO these are better built than the Blade and GSXR of the same period - values about to rise - I would like to think.
Oh - headlights are fecking brilliant at clearing traffic and at night.
There have been plenty of PB etc write ups on how these are one of the best R1's made. Personally I never liked the underseat pipes of the newer models and always wanted Yam to make a belly pan exhaust version - still waiting.
Some call this the star trek version because of the styling and back light. In US they make the LED taillight with integrated indicators. I have seen some with and exhaust mod to use the letterbox aperture.
Harris sold loads of bits for these and I have a few. Rearsets would be nice to tailor footpeg position.
Enjoy!
Reardy Mister said:
sc0tt said:
Tribal Chestnut said:
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.I think the 5vy is prettier with the underseats personally.
In fact, the 5PW is one of the best looking motorcycles ever.
Tribal Chestnut said:
Reardy Mister said:
sc0tt said:
Tribal Chestnut said:
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.I think the 5vy is prettier with the underseats personally.
In fact, the 5PW is one of the best looking motorcycles ever.
But still wasn't a fan of the look in the flesh. Just a cool advertisement.
I had a 5pw for 5 years, followed by a 5vy for another 5. Personally I found the earlier bike to be the better road bike, the ridiculously long first gear on the later bike was a pain around town and I actually preferred the higher pegs on the 5pw. The only issue I had over those 5 years was the exup valve sticking meaning a lack of low down grunt. Awesome bike though, I loved it. Stick a set of pilot powers on it and I'm sure you'll love it too.
Had mine since 2010 and commuted for a while on it but now it's a toy (admittedly underused!) some observations:
-pillions boots will rub the tail paint
-if the valves not seized it should move when you twist the throttle.
-Barnett spring clutch plate eases the grabby clutch slightly
-has decent build quality
-160 miles to tank when I was touring at decent speeds (110-120mph cruise on the autobahn for example)
-if your used to a slipper clutch then It doesn't have one!
-easy to work on as far as bikes go
-sump plug torque setting in Haynes manual in very wrong. It says something like 40nm but should be 30nm IIRC!
-Harris tail tidy was £15 new off ebay
IMO it's the best looking R1 and apparently the lightest but least powerful. More lowdown grunt that what came later on. The ginger step child/difficult album for me is the 00-01 version and the later ones don't really register in my radar except the 07/08 versions.
I'd maybe have a 954 Blade but when I was looking they were more expensive but higher mileage. I also have a soft spot for the b1h zx6r, k3/4 gsxr1000 and the Millie which are also similar budget.
-pillions boots will rub the tail paint
-if the valves not seized it should move when you twist the throttle.
-Barnett spring clutch plate eases the grabby clutch slightly
-has decent build quality
-160 miles to tank when I was touring at decent speeds (110-120mph cruise on the autobahn for example)
-if your used to a slipper clutch then It doesn't have one!
-easy to work on as far as bikes go
-sump plug torque setting in Haynes manual in very wrong. It says something like 40nm but should be 30nm IIRC!
-Harris tail tidy was £15 new off ebay
IMO it's the best looking R1 and apparently the lightest but least powerful. More lowdown grunt that what came later on. The ginger step child/difficult album for me is the 00-01 version and the later ones don't really register in my radar except the 07/08 versions.
I'd maybe have a 954 Blade but when I was looking they were more expensive but higher mileage. I also have a soft spot for the b1h zx6r, k3/4 gsxr1000 and the Millie which are also similar budget.
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