Early 98/99 R1, Who has one?
Discussion
This old warrior is thought to be the First customer supplied 98 to Britain ( But, we would be delighted to be proved wrong )
A very early built one, it was first registered on January 31st 1998 and was supplied by long gone dealers, Planet Moto, of Borden, Hants.
The bikes official launch date was March 98, but some lucky owners recieved their bikes in mid Febuary.
Our first 98 another White / Red bike, was registered on Feb 1st 98 by ( On Yer Bike, of Aylesbury from memory )
Blue initially proved much more popular, probably a 60 - 40 % split, as the white / red was seen as being too brash by many buyers. But fast forward a few years and its now the most sought after.
Edited by neutral 3 on Monday 23 September 13:14
SteveSunbeam said:
I also bought one of the first ones new back in 1998. It was ace. The power delivery is so linear for an inline 4. Really did handle like a 600.
At first it was my 'Sunday best' bike. Then I started doing trackways on it (at which it was brilliant) and it became a track thing. Then it became a commuter I am ashamed to say and ended up putting 97k on it. It was pretty shabby by then - and then someone stole it. Replaced it with an identical mint one, and that also got nicked.
I reckon they still cut it now. Recommend.
Nice memories Steve ! At first it was my 'Sunday best' bike. Then I started doing trackways on it (at which it was brilliant) and it became a track thing. Then it became a commuter I am ashamed to say and ended up putting 97k on it. It was pretty shabby by then - and then someone stole it. Replaced it with an identical mint one, and that also got nicked.
I reckon they still cut it now. Recommend.
Any photos ?
Do you recall paying circa £200 over list price for it ?
neutral 3 said:
This old warrior is thought to be the First customer supplied 98 to Britain ( But, we would be delighted to be proved wrong )
A very early built one, it was first registered on January 31st 1998 and was supplied by long gone dealers, Planet Moto, of Borden, Hants.
The bikes official launch date was March 98, but some lucky owners recieved their bikes in mid Febuary.
Our first 98 another White / Red bike, was registered on Feb 1st 98 by ( On Yer Bike, of Aylesbury from memory )
The Blue option initially proved much more popular, probably a 60 - 40 % split, as the white / red was seen as being too brash, by many buyers. But fast forward a few years and its now the most sought after.
But just over 4,000 99 models were sold here and many of these have survived. The 99 model offers remarkable £ value for money, but for me, the colour schemes just dont do it.
No bike is perfect and the R1 ( as was the FZR1000R EXup, 750 Super Tenere etc etc ) was let down badly, by its Yen cheapo rear shock and totally inadequate fork springs and fork valving. Its steering geometry isnt ideal either, but off set yokes are the cure for this.
The OE rear shock is under damped and under sprung and this causes ( along with a reluctance to turn ) the bike to run wide, particularly on fast sweepers.
All that the OE shock is fit for, is throwing over the hedge. An Ohlins, Tech 2000, Penske, or a WP unit is Very neccesary.
The forks can be re valved and re sprung by K- tec etc etc.
Bike magazine discovered that the very early 98s were 5hp up on the later built 98 models.
But 21 years on, a good early R1 ( with some tweaks ) is a formidable weapon.
My own thoughts are that a de restricted 89/80 Exup is possibly a tad quicker @ the top end, due to being a better shape, but the R1 destroys it every where else.
An Akra or an Arata ( gold dust ) end can, a Dyno Jet kit and a K+N air filter are very desirable mods. These give the bike absolutely awesome mid range torque and power.
neutral 3 said:
These give the bike absolutely awesome mid range torque and power.
Funny - to me the OHs bog standard 40,000 mile R1 feels to have so much low down and midrange grunt compared to my 2017 model. I can cruise around town at the speed limit in 5th, no problem. On the new one it's 1st or 2nd.Dog Star said:
neutral 3 said:
These give the bike absolutely awesome mid range torque and power.
Funny - to me the OHs bog standard 40,000 mile R1 feels to have so much low down and midrange grunt compared to my 2017 model. I can cruise around town at the speed limit in 5th, no problem. On the new one it's 1st or 2nd.neutral 3 said:
Agreed, it's just that the Dyno Jet etc gives the bike even more mid range. The mid range grunt that my one has is my personal favourite feature ( along with its lighting quick steering and of course it's " looks to die for" !
Agreed the grunt is what makes them nice to ride on the road - like a big twist & go!The standard fuel needle in the carbs is a lovely shape and not much different to the Dynojet needle. All it needs is adjusting up a notch or two - don’t really need to buy a kit. Early Dynojet needles wore out the emulsion tube as well.
8IKERDAVE said:
horster said:
I’ve got one on an r plate. Had it nearly five years I think. I’ve thought about selling it as I don’t ride it but on the other hand it’s nice to own one. I’ll try and keep it now especially as my interest in trackdays is reducing and I can see me selling trackbike in the near future.
Off road bike gets more use these days.
Had to spend 500 on the r1 recently though due to carbs gummed up and exup valve seized.
That must be one of the first ones is it? Not sure I've seen one on a R before!Off road bike gets more use these days.
Had to spend 500 on the r1 recently though due to carbs gummed up and exup valve seized.
The belly pan fitted was from a later model but I’ve managed to recently source an original one and my rear indicators are not the right ones either so I’m looking for some original ones to come up.
Bought mine (ok, not a 98/99, but a 2000 so close!) a couple of years ago. I got it because it looked amazing and i heard they were a bit of a brute. The plan was to keep it and hardly use it
I decided to sell it earlier this year, so got it MOT'd. The ride back really impressed me. It's got such a stonking midrange and real character.
So now i'm probably going to keep it. It's got under my skin a bit
It's brilliant actually. I rode it to work (80 miles each way) and it was really comfy. In fact it's not a million miles away from the comfort level of my blackbird
I decided to sell it earlier this year, so got it MOT'd. The ride back really impressed me. It's got such a stonking midrange and real character.
So now i'm probably going to keep it. It's got under my skin a bit
It's brilliant actually. I rode it to work (80 miles each way) and it was really comfy. In fact it's not a million miles away from the comfort level of my blackbird
Looks great PTF !
Yamaha made over 200 “ tweaks” to the 2000 model, inc limiting the power in the first 3 gears in an attempt to make it less prone to hi side. Forks, shock, seat, rear subframe angle ( to put more weight over the front end ) mirrors, plus lots more were altered.
Yamaha made over 200 “ tweaks” to the 2000 model, inc limiting the power in the first 3 gears in an attempt to make it less prone to hi side. Forks, shock, seat, rear subframe angle ( to put more weight over the front end ) mirrors, plus lots more were altered.
Edited by neutral 3 on Tuesday 24th September 22:54
horster said:
Yeah I think it is one of the first ones. I’ll have to check the vin. I saw it advertised on gumtree about five years ago and drove from Birmingham to Southampton to collect it in middle of November. I’m the third owner and it has good history with it too.
The belly pan fitted was from a later model but I’ve managed to recently source an original one and my rear indicators are not the right ones either so I’m looking for some original ones to come up.
Are the indicators the same as a Thundercat?The belly pan fitted was from a later model but I’ve managed to recently source an original one and my rear indicators are not the right ones either so I’m looking for some original ones to come up.
If so i may have a set in my shed.
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