R1 memories rekindled…
I really enjoyed the many pages dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Yamaha YZF-R1. Being the owner of both an original and more modern version, I was wondering if (as mentioned in the article) there was anything coming up which featured more modern versions of the legendary Yam sports bike? I really wanted to know more about what Mark thought about the more modern bike? I’ve been a serial owner of R1s, I’ve had two 1998 models, a 2002, 2004, crossplane crank version and an SP. I’m currently saving for the latest model. I have to say I followed Olly Crick’s original 1998 R1 upgrade in the ‘other’ magazine. It was in a decade ago and I’m now drooling at the thought of – perhaps – getting an original 4XV and going to town on it. My issues are that I really want the latest version first! And even the 1998 bike isn’t dirt cheap any more! It was also nice to see the shot of DJ (bit of a ropey pic mind) and you guys celebrating his amazing achievements on the Island with that V&m-tuned bike.
Bertie says: “Barry, putting modern bikes in the mag (those that are younger than 15 years or so) is not our thing, so we leave that to our sister magazines in the Mortons portfolio. What I do know is that – while doing the 1998 R1 piece for us – the legend that is Mark Forsyth did something on BOTH 1998 and 2018 blue YZF-R1S which will appear in Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, while our ‘younger’ friends at Fast Bikes will be doing something on the old and new R1s in a future issue. Pics are shown here so – our question is this: red/white or blue?”