Life of a motorcycle

[NorthernPete]

Didnt we have a 6 page "discusion" on the R1 as a starter before?

[iwannadie]

This is all very encouraging I must say. As for finding the cheap bikes, I found MANY seemingly perfect condition R1's, and others, for around 3-4k. I noticed this price had dropped tremdousley too from just a few monthes ago. Everyone warns against the thought of an R1 being the first bike, but I know myself too well, after the first week ill just want the best anyways. I'll just plan to ride safe.

Now, how do I check for damage and abuse?

ok if you want the Best why buy a used beat up crotch rocket that someone has done god knows what to? you have no idea how it will run, if the frame is straight. not getting into the whole idea of starting on an r1, but imagine a month from now your riding and realize your bike drifts to the right all the time cause the frame is bent.. hardly you have the best then? or in a few months when the motor blows and you spend more to put a new motor in than you spent on the bike in the first place. just because it has an R1 sticker doesnt mean its the best bike.

[Kal]

Everyone warns against the thought of an R1 being the first bike, but I know myself too well, after the first week ill just want the best anyways. I'll just plan to ride safe.

Now, how do I check for damage and abuse?

Slams head into desk - repeadedly...

This is as a first bike??? Please tell me you are winding us up???

To review:
Model: YZF-R1
Cost (New): £9,399
Max Power: 172bhp
Top Speed: 186mph
Engine: 998cc lc 4cyl
Weight: 172kgs
Seat height: 820mm

A five year old example in reasonable condition should be about £4,000 stirling over here, so I guess that would be somewhere in the $6-7,000 range. If they are going that cheap I'd want to know what is wrong with them.

First off there is no such thing as a best bike, there is best for the purpose you intend to put it to and even that is highly debated on Bike nights in the pub or motorcycle reviews everywhere.
So what use do you intend to put it to? and why is an R1 best for that purpose?

Secondly, have you any time on a bike, especially a roadbike?

[BudmanTom]

I can't find any 03-06 R1's that sold for under $5k on ebay, I see plenty that start in the $3-4k range.


Tom