Hi all, Does anyone on here own or has owned an R1 14B ? Had three R1`s in a row, 4xv (99 ) which was ok, ish then a 5VY ( 05 ) which I loved to bits and then my last one the 14B. Had a love hate relationship with it to start and ended up hating everything about it. CCT went after 2000 miles which is common, was about to be on my third clutch in less than 8000 miles and worst of all it all felt like it was fighting me, the bloody thing just wouldn`t handle.. Took it to HM racing to sort the suspension, felt a bit better but no matter what I tried i was fighting it. On track it was even worse, I feel the bike robbed me of two years biking I now have my blade and all is well again Anyone else had a simular experience or actually gel with the bike ??
Indeed I do... But my old girl is a bus - 2004 with 35k on the clock... Bags of character though, enough style and still punches above her weight... The new ones are far more love / hate.... But hey, everything can't be as easy as our blades!!
I had the Red & white 2003 which still rates as one of my best bikes and a Grey black 05 and a black 06 loved them all , can't comment on the new Big Bang but would love a ride on one .
Yeah mate . Went over 35k yesterday will have 50 on it by the end of the year.... Will then have to look for something else as my main mile muncher but won't sell the r1. It's a great bike.
I had an 08 (pre big bang) & 09 big bang for a day. Both seemed to handle ok but felt light on the front. When pinned in 3rd they wanted to lift on every bump in the road, but the blade doesnt do that, whether thats down to a power difference or simply weight distribution, swingarm length etc?
Prob easily overcome with a decent suspension set up mate? Surprised at the "light front end" all the yams I've had have been absolutely planted on the front - especially the r6. Was razor sharp!
worst R1 ever, seriously overweight, ugly, no power and a laundry list of faults. hence why its consistently the worst selling 1000cc superbike. throw half a million at it and hand grenade one race engines and it can do marvellous things, but anything else is plain shite
I think the HUGE price tag it came with when the Big Bang was launched had a huge impact on sales. I quite like the look of the new one, as long as you change the cans, and for the road I think it must be a decent bike (not riden the Big Bang) my pal has Russ has one and he certainly doesn't seem to be lacking in power.... Sure it's not as sharp as the other bikes out there, but is have it over the gixxa all day long.
Pretty much my thoughts, like the front and back, side its well ugly and to heavy.. Throw a lot of money at it and change most things it becomes a tool, but then its no longer the R1 you was buying into. Sold to dobles in the end and it took them 8 months to sell it !!!
The big bang current / 14b R1 is a unique bike, I've had one and just got another - it needs to be ridden over a good distance, an hour or two is not enough to get to know / understand its power delivery. I does not handle like a blade does, I hope the titanium exhausts and decat pipe on mine will help in that respect and will ask Kais who set up Tommy Hill's bike to see what they can do - but think his BSB bike had a very difference (and expensive) rear suspension setup.
I really like the crossplane R1 once the cans are changed. I really want to get a spin on one as I am more a fan of v twins/fours more than inline's so I want to see what way the power delivery is on one.
Can't say for those fellas but a suspension set up is well worth it mike. You will love it trust me...
Kais have looked after my blade - swapped 3 rear shocks I think now and serviced front forks with oil change and replacement seals and never had a problem - they know their stuff without a doubt. its about 50 for a setup so not terrible if it means you get a lot more from your bike
If your on your second 14B you should know them inside out ? Did the clutch and CCT go on yours ? and how do you get on with the very silly long first gear ?
I never had clutch or CCT problems - the one i have was 2nd hand but 0 miles and full 2 year yam uk warranty - the first gear is mad - you 'could' leave it in 1st all day and not have to worry! The only problem I had on mine was TPS sensor failing just outside warranty = 300 bill, told Yamaha about 3 other 14b bikes with same problem but they denied any issue with the bike...
