98 R1

[davben23]

Hi Guys
A good friend of mine has decided to sell 1998 R1 that's not been run for a good 6 yrs. I'm definitely not a fast rider but it is very tempting to give it some TLC and get back on the road. Reading the reviews it comes across a bit of an animal and great care is needed to ride. Can a slower rider still enjoy this type of bike or is it best to walk away ?
I ride a GS800 Adventure so that's the level I'm currently comfortable with if that helps.
Thanks Dave

 

[longdog]

Hi Guys
A good friend of mine has decided to sell 1998 R1 that's not been run for a good 6 yrs. I'm definitely not a fast rider but it is very tempting to give it some TLC and get back on the road. Reading the reviews it comes across a bit of an animal and great care is needed to ride. Can a slower rider still enjoy this type of bike or is it best to walk away ?
I ride a GS800 Adventure so that's the level I'm currently comfortable with if that helps.
Thanks Dave

I don’t see it being a problem for you, it’s your hand twisting the throttle so you simply ride within your comfort zone and enjoy.

 

[davben23]

Thanks Longdog
That was my way of thinking tbh but wasn't sure if they were rideable at a more sedate pace shall we say. Have no experience of sport bikes.
Cheers

 

[Gavla04GS]

Hi Guys
A good friend of mine has decided to sell 1998 R1 that's not been run for a good 6 yrs. I'm definitely not a fast rider but it is very tempting to give it some TLC and get back on the road. Reading the reviews it comes across a bit of an animal and great care is needed to ride. Can a slower rider still enjoy this type of bike or is it best to walk away ?
I ride a GS800 Adventure so that's the level I'm currently comfortable with if that helps.
Thanks Dave

If you can afford it snap it up, good, original R1’s are selling for good money. Hopefully it’s a red and white one too.
I had a ‘99 model that I put plenty of miles on, yes it got lively if you opted to ride in a spirited fashion.
I used to travel the 215 miles at weekends from Portsmouth to Lowestoft and back, with just an Oxford tail pack. Went to B’ol D’or on it and it did everything.
I had some close calls but that was because I got my ambition confused with my talent.

 

[Pukmeister]

I’ve had two R1 4XV’s and they are still a very capable bike despite their age. Don’t be afraid of them. I still have an Ohlins/Harris steering damper for one if you need one (highly desirable).

 

[davben23]

Thanks Pukmeister
Don't pick it up for a few weeks yet but will definitely keep that damper in mind
Cheers

 

[davben23]

If you can afford it snap it up, good, original R1’s are selling for good money. Hopefully it’s a red and white one too.
I had a ‘99 model that I put plenty of miles on, yes it got lively if you opted to ride in a spirited fashion.
I used to travel the 215 miles at weekends from Portsmouth to Lowestoft and back, with just an Oxford tail pack. Went to B’ol D’or on it and it did everything.
I had some close calls but that was because I got my ambition confused with my talent.

Haha cheers
Yes it's red and white

 

[Flappytabs]

I have a 2002 which is in essence the same bike but fuel injected as opposed to carbs. Whilst not in the same league as a GS in terms of comfort, it is a very capable road mile muncher. As Gavla says, good condition standard early R1s are becoming very collectable.

 

[richh]

I had a 98 4XV in blue.

Great bike. Can easily ride it everyday.

It feels quite a short bike. Not much in front of you, and you’re canted forward on your wrists. But that’s par for the course with most sport bikes.

If you’re 6ft plus it’s going to feel a little cramped.

Probably want a double bubble if you’re used to having a screen to hide behind.

If the roads aren’t smooth you’ll know about it unless you spend some time / money on the suspension.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[albatross]

One of the main differences being that when you get on an R1 first time as I did many years ago and started riding you wonder where the hell is all this power everyone is talking about.
On my 1150 GS I have plenty torque around the 1500-3500 RPMs not so on an R1.
It took me a little to realise that ll the power comes about 8-9000 RPMs , then the little thing starts flying..
Obviously the seating position, if you are used having lots of stuff in front of you, not so on an R1.
Bending down, tuck in and off you go.
You will be fine , test, ride, enjoy and then see for yourself.

 

[dub 24]

Hi Guys
A good friend of mine has decided to sell 1998 R1 that's not been run for a good 6 yrs. I'm definitely not a fast rider but it is very tempting to give it some TLC and get back on the road. Reading the reviews it comes across a bit of an animal and great care is needed to ride. Can a slower rider still enjoy this type of bike or is it best to walk away ?
I ride a GS800 Adventure so that's the level I'm currently comfortable with if that helps.
Thanks Dave

Snap it up,many years ago I had a Honda Blackbird as a second fun bike to my GS. My bike mates call me Captain slow but the Blackbird was a nice alternative to ride on occasions. So my advice along with everyone else is go for it.

 

[davben23]

Thanks for the replies guys much appreciated

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

Lovely bikes and of an era where it will have great bottom end power and the riding position wont be ridiculously extreme.

This engine is the one that ended up in the original Fazer 1000 and that made it an amazing bike, not sure that much was changed either (148bhp).

Can't go wrong unless it becomes a money pit.

 

[squibb34]

Riding 160 mph + sports bikes, if well fettled, is a treat whatever their vintage. A 26 Y/O R1 will still feel ballistic, if a little raw, after life with an F800GS for sure.

It's a modern classic, so enjoy the experience - Just take care; there was no ABS or traction control back then & few revenue cameras.

 

[beemerboy9]

Hi Guys
A good friend of mine has decided to sell 1998 R1 that's not been run for a good 6 yrs. I'm definitely not a fast rider but it is very tempting to give it some TLC and get back on the road. Reading the reviews it comes across a bit of an animal and great care is needed to ride. Can a slower rider still enjoy this type of bike or is it best to walk away ?
I ride a GS800 Adventure so that's the level I'm currently comfortable with if that helps.
Thanks Dave

Two lots of raod tax, annual maintenance and insurance. What a waste of time.
If you're against the throttle stop all the time on the 800GS, then upgrade to an S1000XR.

 

[Buttertub]

If you can get it at a sensible price i'd give it a go if you like it but just understand what your taking on. Never had one but i thought at the time they came out they looked an awesome machine.

They can be a handful, there's no doubt about that, just don't give it big handfuls. I remember being out riding alongside someone who had one. I was on a Busa at the time and we were both riding hard, i can still remember him now having to lean over the front to try and keep the wheel on the floor in the lower gears. But as they say, the throttle goes both ways.

 

[davben23]

The price is very good tbh but that's going off his statement that it was perfect when he laid it up. I've no reason to doubt this as he is a very good friend. My only concern was the way ot would ride as I said I've zero experience on superbikes.
I have a couple of bsa's and old triumphs so no problem adding it to my classic bike insurance policy (I've checked) so hopefully it's just a big service then hit the button

 

[Pukmeister]

Check it doesn’t jump out of second gear when accelerating, they had an issue of the engagement dogs on 2nd gear wearing if thrashed hard through the gearbox or hoiking too many mingers.

 

[Hustler]

Check it doesn’t jump out of second gear when accelerating, they had an issue of the engagement dogs on 2nd gear wearing if thrashed hard through the gearbox or hoiking too many mingers.

Good point, agreed.
Not sure how you'll check that if it's off the road though.

 

[Pukmeister]

If it was a much loved example it will be fine.

I still have a spare 4XV engine in bits under my bench at work that dropped 2nd gear, I fitted a new gear cluster just never got around to rebuilding it after I sold my R1. It has a small crack in the casing to tig weld, I’ll get around to it one day.