I've always liked the pads that came stock on the 1998 and 1999 YZF-R1s.
In fact, when it came time to change front pads on my 2002 model, that's what I put on - they work noticably better, and I wished that the bike woulda' come with them to begin with.
In fact, I feel they're so much better, that in hindsight, I shoulda' changed them at 0 miles.
Basically, there's more braking power with less effort at the lever.
If you want to try these, beware:
Having a Yamaha dealer order these today from a Yamaha USA parts warehouse will not get you the exact same pads that came stock on those 1998 and 1999 models, which had a part number of 4XV-W0045-00-00.
For the 2000 model year, the front pads of the YZF-R1 changed to a new part number because the pad material changed:
5JJ-W0045-00-00.
What Yamaha will supply to dealers today is the 2000 model pad.
Long story short:
Don't expect part number 5JJ-W0045-00-00 to work like the original part number of 4XV-W0045-00-00.
Luckily, my local Yamaha dealer still has some left in his stock.
