In my humble opinion, the 2004-2006 R1 is the most beautiful sport motorcycle ever designed and built. Its body lines are flawlessly executed, and every line on the motorcycle works with each other to produce a brilliantly synergistic design. Since the only real failure I'm aware of was a TPS recall, I'd say it's a remarkably reliable model. It also produces phenomenal horsepower. Mine ran 158+ rwhp at 38,000 miles. Not bad.

The 2009+ models have the most character. The crossplane crankshaft technology is the first mass-produced motorcycle to offer this fantastic technology. While power output isn't class-leading anymore, the rideability of this motorcycle is 2nd to none and is just flat-out fun. With an ECUnleash and a tune, it's face-bending awesome.

2007-2008 are nice, and anecdotally produce more power than their predecessor (although that's not always proven true on the dyno). I like the design, but not as much as the 04-06. It's just not as smooth and flowing as the 04-06 model. Great motorcycle, but a step in the wrong direction IMO.

So, in order of MY preference, it goes as follows:

For looks, it's easy:
1. 2004-2006
2. 2009-2012
3. 2007-2008

For the overall ownership experience, I might switch 1 and 2 from the list above.

 

Besides being SO sexy my '04 is beyond clean, not bragging. I am just proud of it. lol Anyway, on a weekly basis, I am asked if my bike is brand new. Most of them arent really familiar with their model years but I believe its a testament of the looks/design and the fact that its so clean. People are pretty surprised when i tell its 8 years old. lol They would sware its a newer bike if they didnt know better.
That 04-06 design holds up very very well today. Good job, yamaha.

 

^ Agreed on all points! Here's my '04:

 

04-06 best by far ( im biased as i own a 05) but they r by far the sexiest, an gut more balls then u can handle!!


Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

 

agreed

my 04 scored 173bhp at 60000km on a dynojet at sealevel with nothing more than exhaust and a powercommander

i dont think all bikes in a series are created equal. an 05 on the same dyno only scored 161bhp and of all the 04 to 06's i rode mine always felt stronger. my 2010 engine stock feels much weaker than my 04 did. hopefully it will be at least as reliable, its still a very stonking motorbike. the cross plane engine does have a unique lump to it that makes just tooling about at low rpm very enjoyable.

the tyre life thing is a myth my 10 just chewed up a bt003 in 900km of street riding and is it just me wtf is with the 8.5L/100km economy?! it chews like a 3rd again more gas than my 04.

 

Yep 04-06 FTW!!!! By far the best R1 ever made.

Now just waiting for BR to tune in. :lol

Calling @carbonar1

 

Now just waiting for BR to tune in. :lol

Calling @carbonar1

You rang?....


04-06 for me too. I'm keeping mine. I agree about the looks...right up there with the most beautiful bikes ever created.

I was originally disappointed with the engine of the 06, compared with my 01. The 06 was mad up top, but weak in the middle. The handling was perfect compared to the 01. So I beefed up the engine on the 06 and the handling on the 01.

 

There's a lot of love for the 04 - 06 on this forum, haha.

I had an 05 and have no complaints about it. Bike ran great, was fast as hell, looked great. Here's a pic,

I happened to stumble across a deal I couldn't refuse on an 08 last fall. Had both bikes in storage through the winter, and decided to go with the 08. I can tell you that the fly by wire is different. The 05 had a lot more power down low, but the 08 seems to take off after about 7k rpm's. I also like the gold forks on my raven 08. I am impartial to either body style, but I do like how the tail on the 08 is a little slimmer. And the 08 has a slipper clutch and I think the brakes are a little better. Here's a pic of my 08,

 

good looking bike:thumbup


:sneaky

 

Geez, this is a fairly one sided discussion at this point. I almost hate to throw my .02 in. I can't really disagree with anything that's been said thus far. I was lucky; I have friends that have 01, 05, & 08 R1,s that I've been able to put a lot of seat time on before I bought my 04. I chose the 04-06 platform for a couple of reasons. I think it has the best looking design of any R1 built to date. I also wanted the five valve engine. I know the next generations 4 valve engine supposedly produces 5 more HP. Honestly it only does so because Yamaha had to take great measures to do so. Yamaha gave the 07-08 higher compression ratio, more aggressive cams, and velocity stack from the factor to barely edge out the 04-06 engine. That doesn't scream better powerplant to me. In fact if you add a set of graves v-stacks to the 04-06; you are right there. Then if you were to bump compression and more aggressive cams if only to equal the 07-08 4valve's dimensions; the 04-06's five valve engine would end up on top. Furthermore, through my real world roll on testing between my buddies 05 and other buddies 08 has shown the 05 to end up in front every time. Both have the same mods with the exception the 05 has pm wheels, and riders are within five pounds of each other. There are some gear/rpm combs where the 08 would pull ahead maybe three bike lengths until the 05 got into the meat of its power band and the it soul easily...that's right; I said easily catch and pass the 08. To rule out rider we switched bikes and ended with same results each time. People can call bs and that's fine. I know what I saw and all the data I gathered went into which model I was going to buy. I could've bout either one; the prices aren't that different. From the seat of the 08 riding around the street; you'd swear it was the stronger of the two. It certainly felt stronger. The side by side fair comparison just didn't produce the same results.

Having said all that; I think the chasis is slightly better on the 07-08. Yamaha did a great job giving the 07-08 more flex.

Sent from my Desire HD using Motorcycle.com Free App

 

Having said all that; I think the chasis is slightly better on the 07-08.

i missed a strong pro for 2010r1-

the stock setup on my 10r1 is miles ahead of my racetec'd 04r1. the 04 was a headshaker.

on the 10r1 ive carried the front over 3rd gear crests at 30 to 40 degrees of lean angle and set the front back down while still leant over without a hint of headshake or instability while perfectly holding its line. i would never dare to try that trick on my 04. i have to say the improvement in stability of the new gen bikes is the thing i am most impressed with.

im yet to detect even a hint of headshake from the 10r1 under any conditions.

 

Agreed, that the 04-06 R1 is probably the best looking sportbike yet.... a close would be the MVagusta...
My two R1s...

 

sexy, sexy, and ahhh... yeh.. seXY!!:epimp :fork

You rang?....

 

You guys are making me sad I just bought my '08...

(But not that sad :lol)

 

To me ,the 04-06 hands down.

 

This has been spoken about many times before, but I agree with almost every point above in reference to the 04-06.

One thing for me, is that I prefer an actual throttle cable on my bikes, so I'll stick with 04-06.

 

5VY 4 l8f3 8itch3s

 

subscribed...

 

haha, damn, I just bought a 5VY! Looks like I made a decent choice!

 

You did but honestly, you can't make a bad choice with an R1.

Sent from my Desire HD using Motorcycle.com Free App

 

what we are all really saying is we want an o1 engine characteristics, 04 body and 08 chassis. LOL oh and some 12 here and there also.

 

Jesus, Tom Brady, and Obama, ride the 5vy so should you

 

04-06... that is all!

Heres mine.

 

04 -06 for me too :fact
Been all downhill in the looks department since.

 

i've got an illness, its hereditary... i buy brand new!

couldn't get the deal i wanted on my 06 Raven, canuck prices
were absurd... 07-08s... i was having too much fun travelling..

fast-forward 2010... bring on the Crossplane!!

06 is sexy arse though>> cant argue there :thumbup

 

I have an 06 myself so of course I'm in with the 04-06 crowd. I don't care to try to split hairs in the performance differences, I just think the 04-06 is one of the best looking bikes of all time. I don't think anything made since looks as good.

 

just to add my two cents...though why is it that the first, second, and third gen. bikes are not being discussed in this comparo....please do not let us so easily overlook the beauty and the performance of the 98-02 bikes....all of which have raised many heartbeats and pulses of women and men alike.....

 

Some one change the thread title to How much do you love your 04-06 R1

Looks like the OP already has an 04 so I'm certain he's aware of it's beauty. Although I do agree it is the sexiest R1 to date. 04-06 is fast but no question, it lacks bottom end. It's lighter than the newer models and is easily flickable. I always thought it handled better than either 600 I've owned (03 GSXR600 & 05 ZX-6R).

I can't speak on the 07-08 cause I've never ridden one.

As for the 09+, after a re-flash, some mods here and there to lose some weight, and some seat time to get familiar with the characteristics; the bike is a beast. It has more bottom end than the 06, but is hefty compared to any previous R1. The weight is noticed with the bike static and also while riding, but it's not that bad. I haven't had the chance to push my 09 as I did my 06, but even though it's heavier, it's still flickable.
Forgot to mention the sound of the crossplane is music to my ears.

 

I love the 04-06 R1 especially the Raven. For some reason new bikes are getting smaller.
I bought an 08 Raven and I love it.

 

I still love the styling and flow of my 05 R1 over all of the other generations. I wouldn't consider another R1 in the stable until we see what shows up in the next generation R1. I've had (2) 1998 R1s when they first came out and missed the low & mid-range torque and aggressiveness of that 1st gen. Gearing +1 front sprocket and all of the weight savingson my 05 R1 brought back that feel so I'm completely happy with my R1 even 7 model years later. Amazing how it still doesn't look obsolete in comparison to the Japanese fours today and still beautiful and special sitting next to the Panigale.