So how is the 2015 R1 as a street bike? I've owned a 2005, 2009, and 2012 R1 but based on the on-line reviews that I have read, the 2015 is extremely track oriented and does not work well on the street. Reasons given are the low bars, stiff suspension, and an engine that just does not like to go "slow". How are the current owners finding it, compared to the previous two generations of the R1?
This is not making any sense. Yamaha wouldn't make a production bike to sell to the general public with the intentions for them to use it on track only. But, of course you can enjoy it on the streets and enjoy it in cruise. That what it was made for, that is why it comes street legal and that is why you have a throttle...I hate when ppl say that they need to go on a R6 before they start on a R1. I never rode a motorcycle in my life and i started on a R1. Its all about how you go about it...
If you like the 2015's go for it! Even if you find a "M" get it!! use it for your own pleasure. Its a machine...you control it :fact:
Agree 100%. When I was riding on the street, I rode nothing but sport bikes--600s and liter bikes. Loved them. Only street miles I put on the '15 were the ride home from the dealer, and it was enough to get me thinking, "Good thing I'm never going to have to do this again..."
I'm sure it would be a blast in the canyons, but you have to get there and back. Notchy throttle, high clutch engagement point, super tall gearing... not fun at low speed unless you do a little work and spend a little money.
You're asking about a supersport bike... they're purpose built machines - especially the R1. Some supersports will be a bit more comfortable than others, but it's like asking how is a Ferrari 458 Italia on the street? Well, a McLaren MP4-12C or a Porsche 911TT are more streetable, but that wouldn't sway someone from buying a Ferrari
I've never ridden mine on the street, so I couldn't tell you, but it sounds like you'd be happier with a BMW or Honda. The BMW has lots of great options like heated grips.
In my opinion the 2012 was more comfortable then the 2015. You lean a little more foward on the 15, plus it rides a lot stiffer. For me none of these are a problem. If your riding around town the bike seems a little jerky if you try to keep it in 2nd gear. I found keeping it in 3rd or 4th gear eliminates that jerky feeling driving in town. I have no need to rev the piss out of the bike around town like some people do. that's when it seems like the bike doesn't like to go slow in my opinion. For the most part this bike is awesome driving on the street. I might go to the track about a dozen times a year most of my riding is on the street. Im 41 and had numerous R1's, this is by far the best Yamaha has built.
The only thing I liked better about my 2012 was the midrange of the engine. Except for this you can't even compare them two bikes the same day. The engine power above 8000 rpm is a different world. Though, the biggest difference is probably the weight and the sheer size of the bike. Honestly, the 2012 was an overweight pig. The 2015 is light and agile. You will notice the difference, even in the street.
I agree 100%. I find it more comfortable to ride my R1M then my 2013 R1 because of the weight and size difference. I only ride to hit twisties and so on and don't commute on it. The 13 seat is definitely more comfortable and the midrange is better but, the 15 is more enjoyable by far. I'm 46 years old and still race an R6 and love it. The R1M feels a lot more like my R6 than my 2013 R1, 2008 R1 or my former 2002 R1.
If you're mainly commuting and comfort is a real concern than the Beemer is a sweet bike. Good luck.
Thanks guys all of the replies. I was mainly concerned that Yamaha crossed the line from sportbike to pure racebike when they designed the new R1 but it sounds like it will work just fine under street conditions. Now I just need to decide if my creaky old carcass can tolerate the ergos and stiff suspension...
its definitely not a good street bike. its merely good enough. i love mine but someone who rides full time on the street would probly want a gsxr 750 or something like that
After all the bikes i have owned, Ive learned you cant have a bike great at everything. The R1 is a focused track bike. You can tell straight off th showroom floor; everything you mentioned. What is it you are looking for in a sportbike? If youre using to commute, its not the greatest. In fact, it probably sucks for that. If you are doing tracks and canyons, its awesome.
After owning a ZX-6R, 3 R1's, and a CBR1000RR, I decided to act my age and move to a Victory Cross Country followed by a FJR1300. The FJR is a great bike but I really miss the fun and excitement of riding a sportbike. I would be using it for recreational riding and to hit the twisties, but I have to ride about 30 minutes to get to the interesting roads. Part of the trip is through town - traffic lights, 25, 35, 45 mph zones etc. Once I get out of town, it's all open highway through the Arizona desert. I don't plan to use it to commute. I know that the S1000RR would probably be a better choice but all of my Yamaha's have been super reliable, of top quality, and I have an excellent dealer about 0.1 miles from my house. The nearest BMW dealer is 90 miles away which would make service a hassle.
Like "ALL" modern day litre bikes they are highly strung and run hot. Thats it!
Yes you can commute and enjoy no worries. The good thing about the 15 is its light and tiny. The soft bottom end makes it great for commute, you just have to choose the right map to get the throttle right for your liking.
I have a WR 250r for a commuter, now thats the best commuter money can buy. Lane splits and chops traffic with ease.
But you dont smile like you do when you twist the R1.
Personally, I use mine as 100% street bike there are little things I had concerns about.
1. Throttle is aggressive, but that will get sorted in December with a tune from Mototune in S.A. (Once I get my Racebike Services Link pipe)
2. Suspension being hard. I got my suspension tuned by Joseph Salter(Racer here in QLD, Aus) and once he set it up to my weight and riding style was much better.
It is more forward but not too bad to what I was use to on my CBR1000RR.
Its tough as a street bike. Hurts the lower back. Rides like poop in the low gears/rev range. But everything else is pure tits, specially opening up that xplane.
Hearing and seeing just how track oriented the 15 r1 is basically made me go in a different direction, as I haven't been a track guy. The beemer does everything I need it do on the streets pretty darn well and is quite comfortable for a sportsbike. My 03 r1 has been a great bike, and since I've moved literally 7 minutes from a track it's gonna be basically impossible for me NOT to go check into it. So I guess the 03 will be assigned to the track next year. We'll see...
I commute on mine every day, I'm 41 years old, 6'1", and a solid 220lbs. So not a short, or particularly young guy. How good of a street bike it is depends more on fitness than anything else. If you are fit, and have good strength in your abs and back to keep your body upright and keep the weight off of your arms and wrists, it's no problem.
Back when I was out of shape and 120lbs heavier, the bike would have been pure torture. Even the saddle is fine because I ride a road bicycle at least 8 hours a week and my sit bones are used to that.
As for how the bike runs, running power 2 helps a lot with low revs/low speed, sometimes when I'm splitting lanes in really tight traffic for a while, I'll switch to power 3 and smooth things out even more. I'm sure an ECU flash would help a lot in that regard.
reviews, and BVG youtube remarks, don't seem to point at the stock throttle as being any problem. They talk about how it always wants to go faster, and isn't happy burbling around at low speed but they don't seem to be struggling with twitchiness.
but forum topics keep talking about flat spots and re-mapping. So I'm wondering. guess I'll have to test a local one!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Yamaha R1 Forum: YZF-R1 Forums
6M posts
157.8K members
Since 2001
R1-Forum is a Yamaha R1 motorcycle enthusiasts community dedicated to Yamaha YZF 1000 R1 sportbike. Discuss performance, customization, specs, reviews and more!