2016 YZF-R1 first impressions

[wiggy]

So, I picked up my shiny new 2016 Yamaha YZF-R1 yesterday and rode it back (the long way) home.

Sadly the weather was on/off rain but on the dry sections I got, oh boy, what a bike.

I've had several R1's in the past, I just always end up back on an R1 after trying lots of other bike (not just sports bikes).

My decision to buy an R1 again was made from not only missing speed and reliability but also the ability to do long distance too.

The bike I traded in was a 2016 Triumph Bonneville that I only bought because I thought it would slow me down and offer more comfort on long distances. Sadly, neither were true and if anything I found myself just getting frustrated at the lack of get up and go it had.

Before this I tried an RC8, mainly because it looks awesome, lets face it, since they came out in 2008 the things still look futuristic today.

So I'm pissed off with the Triumph and start to look at getting another sports bike and so the research begins, which one? I was at first set on the 1299 Panigale, and almost bought one new. After watching a lot of reviews online, the R1 and Panigale seemed to be very very closely matched. I prefer the look of the panigale, its a work of art but I know deep down the R1 will be better over the years I plan to own it, they just work, all the time, always

Owning a Ducati is something I've sadly only had bad experience from and although this was in the good old days when Ducati's cost a fortune to repair and needed it more often than a morris minor, I just couldn't bring myself to spend the extra $7000 dollars on something that will probably cost me more to look after too.

Then there's the BMW, awesome beast but sadly designed by Germans and for me, butt ugly (sorry to all the owners out there).

So, even though I only did 250km riding it home yesterday, starting in Mode D because it was raining and ending in mode B, I know I've made the right call. This bike is A MAZE ING!!!

I briefly had a go in Mode A but felt I needed more time on the bike and better weather to fully appreciate the shear verocity of this thing. I had the dealer fit the Titanium CAT removal pipe and race slip on from the Akropovic catalog too, jeeze is it loud, so loud they took it to be registered with the standard pipe on because he recons it won't pass a WOF with it on, thankfully something I don't have to worry about for a few years

Its rides amazingly, the electronics helped in the rain and you don't even notice they're there. In Mode D it felt like a 600 with a bit more grunt. The difference between A and D is huge and if you test ride one (which I did in Mode B) whack it up to A and try and hang on, it wants you off the back.

I am sooo looking forward to spring now when I can get out more and enjoy this machine. The sun is shining today though, so even though its cold, I am planning an afternoon blast on some local roads I know to learn more about it.....

Bike Love

[Crasherfromwayback]

Pictures please! And congrats. Hell sexy bikes.

[wiggy]

Pictures please! And congrats. Hell sexy bikes.

Will do.. I might take some photos this afternoon when I take it out

[Crasherfromwayback]

Will do.. I might take some photos this afternoon when I take it out

Jealous much...

[Dogboy900]

Awesome to read something based on real world riding here in NZ, rather than from an English magazine. Keep us updated on how it goes once you have a bit more time on it. To be honest I thought the looks were pretty bloody average from photos, but having seen a couple on the roads it looks much better first hand. Have fun out there

[WristTwister]

I wanted one (R6) in the Yellow anniversary colours, but there aren't that many imported into NZ. Interesting switch from a Bonneville to a supersport. The R1 is a sweet bike man and it sounds like you're already loving it.

[AllanB]

Just reading a review in Cycle World - comparo with 3 other rides - R1 was the preferred.

$7k is a big difference in price between the two close runners.

Does the exhaust not have a removable db killer? Maybe the shop left it out?

[wiggy]

Just reading a review in Cycle World - comparo with 3 other rides - R1 was the preferred.

$7k is a big difference in price between the two close runners.

Does the exhaust not have a removable db killer? Maybe the shop left it out?

No DB killer on the Akro But swapping over the stock muffler for a WOF is no big deal and my local bike shop who will eventaully do the WOFs is pretty good with stuff like that

[wiggy]

I wanted one (R6) in the Yellow anniversary colours, but there aren't that many imported into NZ. Interesting switch from a Bonneville to a supersport. The R1 is a sweet bike man and it sounds like you're already loving it.

Yeah, the Bonneville was a bit of a mistake really. I like the look of them, especially with a bit of custom work but I'm used to minimum 150bhp, so 70bhp was to much of a drop for me. Maybe as a second bike?? I need that superbike power in my life though, puts a big smile on my face every time you wind it up.

[wiggy]

Awesome to read something based on real world riding here in NZ, rather than from an English magazine. Keep us updated on how it goes once you have a bit more time on it. To be honest I thought the looks were pretty bloody average from photos, but having seen a couple on the roads it looks much better first hand. Have fun out there

Yeah I felt the same, all the reviews come from UK or USA and most for the R1, Panigale etc are track based reviews or reviews from racers who look for things I'll never need or care about.

When I lived in the UK, I had many R1's and rode all over the place on them, including Europe to watch MotoGP and WSB races and surprisingly the R1 is a great touring bike. I think this one won't be quite as good as previous models for this type of riding based on my 200km trip yesterday, I was getting aching wrists slightly and a sore botty (left my gel pad at home) but, the action that occurs when you twist that throttle instantly makes you forget about sore wrists/arse/legs and more about not dying best cure for being sore

[wiggy]

Brief update:

Went for an hour ride earlier on some roads I know well locally, so I can be a bit more enthusiastic on them and know where the corners are etc.

Yes yes yes...

Sunshine and cold, a few shadowy patches with moisture still on them, one of which tested out my slide control

The lift control is a wonder of modern tech. One issue I've had in the past with older R1's is they just want to wheelie, a lot. I had a 2003 model about 10 years ago that was an ex race bike and was setup accordingly, that thing almost killed me a few times with random wheelie popping. The new 2016 R1 feels quicker than that 2003 race bike and yet with lift control on, you can pin it and only get very slight lift, like 10mm. The sort of lift you get on full throttle from a 600 supersport, really easy to manage. Then you look down after a split second of acceleration and you've left 200kph far far behind you.

I'll be booking a track day in the spring that's for sure

[carbonhed]

Yeah I felt the same, all the reviews come from UK or USA and most for the R1, Panigale etc are track based reviews or reviews from racers who look for things I'll never need or care about.

When I lived in the UK, I had many R1's and rode all over the place on them, including Europe to watch MotoGP and WSB races and surprisingly the R1 is a great touring bike. I think this one won't be quite as good as previous models for this type of riding based on my 200km trip yesterday, I was getting aching wrists slightly and a sore botty (left my gel pad at home) but, the action that occurs when you twist that throttle instantly makes you forget about sore wrists/arse/legs and more about not dying best cure for being sore

Cool bike

Being terrified and surviving to tell the tale is good for the soul.