Yamaha YZF-R1 reviews

I had an R6 for 4 years and loved the handling of that bike. I grew up riding dirtbikes, four-wheelers, etc. I was a little nervous about going to a liter bike because of the increased weight and length. I always rode with 750s and 1000s with my 600 and I kept up just fine and could out corner just about anyone. My 06 R1 has done nothing but amaze me from day 1. The handling is every bit as good as my R6 was, and the feedback in the rear is much better, increasing my comfort level. The brakes work amazingly, and the power is fantastic. The only complaint I have is how Yamaha has 1st gear being so tall, and I miss taching out this bike like I used to do on my R6. Although I love the roll-on power that's on tap at anytime. If your thinking of getting a 1000, but you love taching out gears, look into a 750. If you just love riding and can't get enough power and want to be lazy about doing wheelies, shortening on-ramps, and not shifting as much, get a 1000. I put 9,000 miles on my R1 last year and only replaced oil, oil filters, and a set of tires. I had 17,000 miles on my R6 and only replaced the oil, oil filter, tires, and put a new chain and sprockets on it right before I sold it. You've gotta love Yamaha! Show less

Lightweight No Problems This is a great bike. In fact, I haven't found one I like more. The handling is smooth; contours are comfortable; it runs well and I have never had a problem. It is very quick and easy to maneuver. Show less

This is my first bike and I love it. I would recommend it to anyone. Show less

Being so used to cruisers, I decided to buy a sportbike. Many people told me a 1000cc was too much power and to go with a 600cc. So to make a long story short, I went to a dealership that had a gray/black R1 with 1000 miles. So I decided to buy it. don't get me wrong; this bike is powerful and fast, but it is easy to manage. I'm only 19 years old and have ridden 650cc cruisers. The 1st gear is amazing. I can go way beyond 70 mph on one gear. The braking, handling and visibility (HID headlights are real nice and give you a wide range of light at night) features on the R1 are superb. This bike gives you tons of confidence and makes you feel like you own the streets. Yamaha did an amazing job with the design of this bike. It is definitely a smooth ride and attention grabber. If you decide to get this masterpiece you won't be disappointed. I'm loving this bike. Show less

Reliability: Seems to be with every Yamaha I have owned and this is no exception. I always keep up with the regular maintenance and have had no problems whatsoever with this motorcycle. Performance: Doesn't have quite the top end power in the higher rpm compared to some of the other liter bikes that I have ridden. But unless you are really looking to conquer top speed on the public roads, most people won't even use that part of the bike. The place where this bike really shines is the mid-range rpm. For a four cylinder sport bike this is one of the most fun bikes you can ride power-wise. Lots of top end like a four cylinder and plenty of mid-range punch mimicking a V-twin. The best part of the bike though is the handling aspect. When you come into a corner and throw the bike down it feels like a light little 600, and with all the mid-range punch of the liter bike to bring you back up out of the corner and all in the most predictable line. Can you say, "best handling sportbike in production? Comfort: Well let's face it, it's not a cruiser and it's not meant for comfort. When you sit on this bike you can tell by the position it puts you in that it means business. This bike is definitely meant to go and go fast. Quality: As much work as I have done on this bike I can defiantly tell that they did their homework on every inch of it. The fit and finish is of what I have always gotten from Yamaha. They also don't take the cheap route out and use metal fasteners where needed and I can see the quality workmanship in the welds and little finishing touches. Show less

This is my first sportbike. I have a 07 red R6S and I love it. I have ridden other "crotch rocketsand none of them are this comfortable. It has a prefect match of power, speed, cornering and braking to suit the inexperienced to most experienced riders. I definitely recommend this bike to anyone as a first bike and I plan on having mine for a long time. It has plenty of power in every gear and will bring the front wheel up in first gear if you are not careful. Show less

I bought a 2007 Yamaha YZF R600S in June of 2008. It was cheaper because of the fact it was leftover from the year before, but because I didn't feel like paying a lot for my first bike, I ended up picking it. I am very impressed with the whole bike. It is very reliable and the performance is nothing to laugh at. I have ridden it a lot since I got it. I went on two long distance trips; one to Vermont from Connecticut and another to Massachusetts and back. I also meet with the locals on Sunday mornings and we go pretty fast through the backroads in New York. It keeps up with other 600s without a problem and even gives my friend's 750 a run for his money. It is excellent in the handling department and it starts every time I hit that button on the bars. It really is a great bike for the money. If you are thinking about buying a beginner's bike that has enough gusto to stay with the big boys, then I would definitely recommend the Yamaha YZF-R6S. Show less

I always wanted to get a sportbike before I turned old. My eyes fell on this speed devil that looks killer. It has the best styling of all the bikes currently in the market. For a short height of 5'7this bike initially was tough on me because of the high seat it offers. But then I grew into it. It is recommended not to change the height of the seat as it affects its handling. The 1st day I rode it out of the store, it rolled like a dream. Smooth and perfect position for a person of my height. I felt powerful riding it. Since then, every time I look at it, it feels like I have achieved my dream. It has amazing power even on the 6th gear. I still get confused between 5th and the 6th. It always feels in the 6th gear that it could possibly have a gear higher. Bending feels amazing! It is highly recommended for people who need an adrenalin rush everyday! ;) Show less

At 103mph in first gear uphill at redline. This bike is amazing. Power, agility, braking...it's all perfectly engineered. On top of all that, it is a beautiful machine. Only problem is the vibration. It wears down your arms on long rides. Show less

You know before upgrading to the R1 I was a bit nervous about the bike's raw power. After owning it for only a few days, I realized that the bike is incredibly refined. The power is there, but it's totally smooth and within your control. I haven't ridden other liter bikes, so I can't offer comparisons. I will say that the bike is everything I hoped it would be on performance and fit/finish. I still think it's one of the most gorgeous bikes on the road. Show less