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2002 Yamaha YZF-R1 Reader Feedback

30039 Views 131 Replies 67 Participants Last post by kaihp, Apr 10, 2002

dogs1

Discussion Starter · Feb 26, 2002

Nice bike, but I dont think Suzuki has anything to worry about... ( That is the point of the OPEN CLASS bikes )

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bluedot

· #2 · Feb 26, 2002

Gee... (peers into crystal ball)

Open Class shootout 2002 results.

1 Yamaha R1 (now even easier for a squid to act like he knows how to ride)

2 Honda (improved handling and those all-important-for-open-class-shoot out "street manners")

3 Suzuki (so what if it's the fastest, thats not what open class is about)

4 Kawi (why even bother anymore)

Anyone want to place any wagers .....

That aside ... IMO the guy who wrote that suxs. I'll be interested to hear comments in the local MO staffs words.

Pretty bike .. I'll give Yamy that ...

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minime

· #3 · Feb 26, 2002

Interesting speculations, though we'll know for certain soon enough. And as for the person who wrote that article, and their perceived amount of suction, let me just assure you that, in no way at all, does he come close to vacuum of any sort.

SeanAlexander

· #4 · Feb 26, 2002

I'll wait for the shootout.

As for the author, highly entertaining. I like the way he includes all of the relivant technical updates, with the irreverence that I've come to expect from MO.

1747

· #5 · Feb 26, 2002

Yeah, the guy that wrote that SUCKS big tyme, sounds like a real squid and bad at directions too. Wait, where am I??

Papasmurf

· #6 · Feb 26, 2002

I must wholeheartedly agree with Sean's assessment. Well written, to include the irreverence that makes me loyal to MO, where I could care less which print mag I read.

As for the bike, Yamaha can certainly pen a pretty bike. Distinctly Japanese design, but with an almost Italian flow to it. I keep telling myself I won't get a big-bore until I can wring everything out of a smaller one on the track, but it's getting harder and harder to resist....

vx49268

· #7 · Feb 26, 2002

I got my silver R1 2/18. I'm very happy with the bike. The fuel injection is remarkably well-sorted. The motor has gobs of midrange, and it sure likes to wheelie. Speaking of which, it would have been nice if Yamaha had fit a steering damper like Suzuki does to their GSX-Rs.

El_Flaco

· #8 · Feb 26, 2002

An excellent read! Entertaining and quite funny- much better than the other "less than stellar" report. Not to kiss arse, but I've been waiting for a good report of the 2002 R1 for a very looong time, and while many others promised, MO finally delivered. Now to go scheme on how to acquire a new R1 without making a deal with that Mephistopheles fellow whom has been hanging around here lately...

oops

· #9 · Feb 26, 2002

Best First Ride article I've seen from anybody. Ink this writer to a multi-year contract with a six figure signing bonus.

bluedot

· #10 · Feb 26, 2002

My smart arse comments aside, I read your stuff because I like the way you guys write.

The foreign correspondents ... not so good.

About the shootout ... how about doing two of them.

A "we don't need no stinkin wind protection" Open Class Shootout where performance is ALL that matters, and then say a 1 litre street shootout where the type of person who would actually purchase one of these bikes to commute on can argue about attaching soft luggage to the R1 or not being able to run Iron Butt rallies on a 998.

Maybe ?

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hackfu

· #11 · Feb 26, 2002

what type of performance criteria would you want to have the shootout judged on? 0-60 times? braking? range? burn-out tire longevity? seat pad density? fairing weight?

Steven_Verschoor

· #12 · Feb 26, 2002

I thought his was an excellent story.

[*]Thorough technical description.
[*]Intuitive explanation of what it's like to ride the thing.
[*]Highly entertaining use of language.

I hope MO will have Sir Daily return with more riding analyses.

Steven

bluedot

· #13 · Feb 26, 2002

Seriously, a combination of stats, lap times, potential maintenance issues...

My complaint is this .. (and please pardon the analogy) but Car & Driver doesn't test a Ferrari and focus on luggage space, parking lot prowess and how comfortable grandma is in the passenger seat for the 5 hour ride to Vegas.

These are the upper crust of performance motorcycles. The bikes most of us growing up couldn't have dreamt would ever be a reality. I say have a test to judge them as such.

I agree that most people who buy these can't ride them at 60% of their potential, but that's not the point. Do you think owners of Porsche's/Ferrari's/etc's are any different ?

IMO - talk about the "real world" shortcomings in the individual road tests. The shootout should focus on performance, with the realworld faults being a footnote.

In the same way I wouldn't want to see a test of a tourbike biased on it's horrible race track performance, why bias the race-replica bikes the other way.

Then again, you can't please everyone ... but that's how I see it.

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flying_hun

· #14 · Feb 26, 2002

What the heck, I'll chime in too. Well written, very entertaining, but then I'm used to reading Brit motomags. Not sure why one wouldn't like it. Maybe it helps if you like big words...

Haird

· #15 · Feb 26, 2002

Burns?

Benji_2

· #16 · Feb 27, 2002

When I opened up the motorcyle.com page I half thought I was looking at a '99 Hayabusa. The colors are almost exactly the same. Of course it was probably just the lighting. I'm anxious to see how the new R1 will stack up this year and hopefully, like others have said, MO will base these bikes on performance first and foremost. But, I guess if they use last year's criteria Suzuki will have to detune the Gixxer so it can compete.

Benji_2

· #17 · Feb 27, 2002

'A "we don't need no stinkin wind protection" Open Class Shootout where performance is ALL that matters.........'

Amen brother!

Ke116ngc

· #18 · Feb 27, 2002

You know I could not agree with you more. I just picked up my blue R1, 2/21, and I already am half way to breaking it in. I also have owned a 1999 R6 and a 2000 R1. This R1 is really a work of art both on the road and to look at. My brother just picked up a silver 954, 2/21, and it is a great comparison to ride them back to back. The new R1 is far superior to the older R1s in most every aspect. This thing really can put a smile on your face. I can not praise Yamaha enough for there great product. To hell with the Suzuki lovers. There is more to a bike besides how fast it goes in a striaght line. If that was the case........we would all be riding Hayabusas or ZX-12Rs. I could not agree with you more!!!!

NeedANewBike

· #19 · Feb 27, 2002

Actually, I rather enjoyed the foreign correspondent - a nice changeup in the MO lineup, I think. I thought he did a great job in conveying how the R1 felt.

Granted, I'll never be a great rider

, but with all the R1's at my local dealership already sold (and that's here in SD), maybe I should try and find one to ride.

One other stupid back-country 'hick' question: I've seen it alot, and gathered that's it's a less than complimentary moniker, but would someone please define 'a squid' for me in motorcycle terms? I know the seagoing definition, but I'm confused here.

Thanks!!

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pmmonster

· #20 · Feb 27, 2002

Any prizes for guessing who the author is? I need about one guess... course I live in the same town he does... (and it is a guess, not a known fact at this point)

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