SUPERBIKE · MOTOCROSS ·
TOURING · CLASSICS · CRUISERS · SUPERMOTO
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Thursday, 29 August 2002 |
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Page 3 of 3
| OK. I don't make bikes or design them - I just ride them. However, I do sympathize with the job that manufacturers have with the current crop of open classers. They have a tough job to make these bikes better every year. If it was me, I'd be tempted to just repaint it a jazzy color, make the front wheel lighter and re-introduce it as the new (sic) faster, lighter XYZ-1000 and be done... |
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My choice? I think the R1 is close to the perfect bike. It's got the technology, style, performance and a price that cannot be beat. Yamaha, being the smashing chaps that they are, saw fit to totally rework the bike from (w)heel to toe. As you can see, it's a winner. |
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The 954 is a perfect alternative if you want to trade a tad sharper ride for some creature comforts. I hate to use the term Honda friendly, because this is one of Honda's angriest bikes since the original RR. There are no faults with the ride, style and rideabilty of this years '54 , I'll just take mine in silver.
The Gixxer is relegated to last place the same way the venerable Kawasaki ZX9R was relegated by the Honda 929 and the R1 in 2000. The Suzuki has the beans but I think it needs a freshening up that matches its stellar power plant. If I really want a one thou' let's not make it look (apart from physical sizing) like its 600 little brother.
So what did I crash test ? (Dummy). The hmmm, cough, hmmm Suzuki...
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Look ere' you doubters… I think I've quantified its last place position and it's not because I crashed it. Both of my fellow testers complained about the big Zooks front end, too vague said one, dodgy tires said t'other. The forks admittedly were a little stiff and unforgiving, so I stopped after a couple of laps and took out a touch of compression to try and get some compliance and some feedback.
Big mistake, because at the next fast corner, the front end literally collapsed, chattering so badly that I couldn't stay on the brakes. I knew if I went off road I would ding the bike. I did my best "look through the corner move" and turned in, alas I drug the back brake a tad too much, which saw me slide in nice and sideways and disappear over the highside.
Game Over. |
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The bike faired reasonably well, as did I. God bless Kushitani and Arai, but there goes our petty cash for the next 10 years.
Mike Emery
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| Yamaha 2002 YZF-R1 Specifications |
| Engine Type |
998cc, liquid-cooled, 20-valve, DOHC, in-line four-cylinder |
| Bore x stroke |
74 x 58mm |
| Compression |
11.8:1 |
| Carburetion |
Suction-Piston Type Fuel Injection w/40mm throttle bodies (4) w/throttle position and RPM sensors |
| Ignition |
Digital TCI |
| Gearbox |
6-speed w/multi-plate clutch |
| Final Drive |
O-ring chain 43/16 |
| Suspension/Front |
43mm inverted telescopic fork w/adj. preload, compression and rebound damping; 4.7" travel |
| Suspension/Rear |
Single shock w/piggyback reservoir and adj. preload, compression and rebound damping; 5.1" trave |
| Brakes/Front |
Dual 298mm floating discs w/4-piston calipers |
| Brakes/Rear |
220mm disc w/2-piston pin-slide caliper |
| Tires/Front |
120/70-ZR17 |
| Tires/Rear |
190/50-ZR17 |
| L x W x H |
Length 80.3" Width 27.4" Height 43.5" |
| Seat Height |
32" |
| Wheelbase |
54.9" |
| Rake/Trail |
Rake (Caster Angle) 24.0° Trail 4.1" |
| Fuel Capacity |
4.5 gallons |
| Dry Weight |
382 lbs. |
| Colors |
Team Yamaha Blue/White; Red/White; Liquid Silver |
| MSRP |
$10,299* Available from February 2002 |
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