2015/6 Yamaha R1 or 2017/2018 Honda Fireblade

[Walter Sobchak]

I’m looking at selling my V4, just haven’t been enjoying riding it that much this year and want to get something slightly easier to live with, ride it for a year or two on the road and then convert to a track bike, which is why I don’t want to go for something brand new.
The 2017/2018 Fireblade seems to have mixed reviews and I’ve heard the R1s can have gearbox and crank issues but I’m not sure if Yamaha have recalled them?.
Would really like to hear from owners of both, the V4 is having some warranty work done at the weekend then it’s sale time!.

[Biker's Nemesis]

You can guess which camp I'm in.

The gearbox issues that I know about are from the 2015 R1's which should have been fixed under warranty after a recall.

As for the crank, I'll let this fellow explain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qs3TYA9mYM

[Walter Sobchak]

You track one iirc?, I’m guessing they’re well suited to track work?.
Are the engine issues that common on them?, I just want to get something fun,reliable and to have parts be plentiful so Japanese is a must.
The plan is to use as a road bike for this year and next then convert it and pack up sports bikes on the road and get something a bit more sedate, do a bit of green laning etc and save the fast riding for trackdays.

[jjones]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vza4wwqcIOA if that is the crank in that model year I wouldn't risk it. I also had engine failure on a 2014 blade so would be looking at an alternative.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Walter Sobchak said:

You track one iirc?, I’m guessing they’re well suited to track work?.
Are the engine issues that common on them?, I just want to get something fun,reliable and to have parts be plentiful so Japanese is a must.
The plan is to use as a road bike for this year and next then convert it and pack up sports bikes on the road and get something a bit more sedate, do a bit of green laning etc and save the fast riding for trackdays.

Yes its 99% for the track, its way better than I am and yes its been reliable. (touches wood)

Last year I got into it and checked the valves which were all spot on. I changed the plugs and filter while I was in there.

I change the oil and filter every 3 days on track and oil the chain once in a while and thats it.

I'm not keen on using it on the roads up here i'm to old and stiff.

[Steve Bass]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Walter Sobchak said:

You track one iirc?, I’m guessing they’re well suited to track work?.
Are the engine issues that common on them?, I just want to get something fun,reliable and to have parts be plentiful so Japanese is a must.
The plan is to use as a road bike for this year and next then convert it and pack up sports bikes on the road and get something a bit more sedate, do a bit of green laning etc and save the fast riding for trackdays.

Yes its 99% for the track, its way better than I am and yes its been reliable. (touches wood)

Last year I got into it and checked the valves which were all spot on. I changed the plugs and filter while I was in there.

I change the oil and filter every 3 days on track and oil the chain once in a while and thats it.

I'm not keen on using it on the roads up here i'm to old and stiff.

John,

Is the R1M worth it over the normal model??

And my overriding impression when I rode one was the wooden feeling brakes. is there a fix for this now after 5 years of existence?

I've still got the Superbike itch and i'm possibly (possibly) thinking something like the R1(M). But only seems ot be 2015 models? Do these have any issues?

[GYTRDave]

R1 all day for me, as mentioned check to see if it's had the recall work done, as to the crank issues, i know plenty that use 2015-1016s on the road, trackdays and race, only one mate that's racing at the TT has had the crank give up after 2 years of being 100% hammered.

For your average mortal, i'd not worry.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Steve Bass said:

John,

Is the R1M worth it over the normal model??

And my overriding impression when I rode one was the wooden feeling brakes. is there a fix for this now after 5 years of existence?

I've still got the Superbike itch and i'm possibly (possibly) thinking something like the R1(M). But only seems ot be 2015 models? Do these have any issues?

No, if I knew what I knew now I would have bought the standard model.

I have a Brembo M/C and different pads, it still doesn't have the feel of a top of the range Ducati/Aprillia?BMW but the stopping power is there and much improved over standard.

2015 were ones affected by gearbox problems, everyone should have had a new gearbox fitted and supplied by Yamaha. I would check to see if it has been done.

[Steve Bass]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Steve Bass said:

John,

Is the R1M worth it over the normal model??

And my overriding impression when I rode one was the wooden feeling brakes. is there a fix for this now after 5 years of existence?

I've still got the Superbike itch and i'm possibly (possibly) thinking something like the R1(M). But only seems ot be 2015 models? Do these have any issues?

No, if I knew what I knew now I would have bought the standard model.

I have a Brembo M/C and different pads, it still doesn't have the feel of a top of the range Ducati/Aprillia?BMW but the stopping power is there and much improved over standard.

2015 were ones affected by gearbox problems, everyone should have had a new gearbox fitted and supplied by Yamaha. I would check to see if it has been done.

So a post 2015 non M is the one to go for and add a little budget for bits...

[Biker's Nemesis]

Steve Bass said:

So a post 2015 non M is the one to go for and add a little budget for bits...

[Walter Sobchak]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Yes its 99% for the track, its way better than I am and yes its been reliable. (touches wood)

Last year I got into it and checked the valves which were all spot on. I changed the plugs and filter while I was in there.

I change the oil and filter every 3 days on track and oil the chain once in a while and thats it.

I'm not keen on using it on the roads up here i'm to old and stiff.

Thanks, that’s helpful, it sounds like the R1 is the one to go for if it’s going to end up on a track.
I’m going to get the V4 up for sale at the weekend, it is in for a bit of warranty work first, hopefully someone wants it!.

[Steve Bass]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Steve Bass said:

So a post 2015 non M is the one to go for and add a little budget for bits...

Thanks muchly

[R1 Dave]

Walter Sobchak said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

Yes its 99% for the track, its way better than I am and yes its been reliable. (touches wood)

Last year I got into it and checked the valves which were all spot on. I changed the plugs and filter while I was in there.

I change the oil and filter every 3 days on track and oil the chain once in a while and thats it.

I'm not keen on using it on the roads up here i'm to old and stiff.

Thanks, that’s helpful, it sounds like the R1 is the one to go for if it’s going to end up on a track.
I’m going to get the V4 up for sale at the weekend, it is in for a bit of warranty work first, hopefully someone wants it!.

I've got a 2015 R1 and it's fantastic. I've done 12k miles on it without a hitch. The fuelling and brakes need some attention as standard but other than that they're great.

That said, I have been considering a change, either a new s1krr or.... a Panigale V4! I'd be interested in the details of yours when you put it up for sale as we might be able to come to an arrangement potentially...

[Walter Sobchak]

R1 Dave said:

I've got a 2015 R1 and it's fantastic. I've done 12k miles on it without a hitch. The fuelling and brakes need some attention as standard but other than that they're great.

That said, I have been considering a change, either a new s1krr or.... a Panigale V4! I'd be interested in the details of yours when you put it up for sale as we might be able to come to an arrangement potentially...

No problem, I will let you know, hopefully will be at the weekend, need to give it a quick clean etc.

[Walter Sobchak]

How good is the suspension on the R1M?, I’ve never ridden a bike with active suspension so unsure wether it’s worth the premium or not?.

[GYTRDave]

Walter Sobchak said:

How good is the suspension on the R1M?, I’ve never ridden a bike with active suspension so unsure wether it’s worth the premium or not?.

Great on the road and track i found, unless you're racing then they get dtiched.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Walter Sobchak said:

How good is the suspension on the R1M?, I’ve never ridden a bike with active suspension so unsure wether it’s worth the premium or not?.

Its OK but I couldn't get on with the active bit on track so I use it in manual mode all the time.

I have had the forks extended and a ride height adjuster added to the rear shock. I have the whole bike lifted up a bit and also run a rear bias.

[Walter Sobchak]

Starting to look for one now, decided to pay the premium and get the M, for my budget I'm not sure weather to go for a 2015/16 one with less miles-3k ish or a 2017 one with 7k miles but the potential for engine/crank issues eliminated because it's the later model with the black engine covers and from a Yamaha dealer.

[Walter Sobchak]

I’m now a member of the R1M club, this bike is absolutely brilliant!.
Currently got it in power mode A and suspension A2.
Also, the sound I didn’t think anything could sound as good as an RSV4, I was wrong!.