Hi Chris,
Sorry been a tad busy lately, I missed your question regarding the M on the road, thankfully good old Jompy PMd me...
As Clarky says I've only ridden my M on the road, indeed its the first bike I've had that hasn't been on track, and she isn't venturing out in track at all.
When I'm riding her I have to remind myself she has 198bhp because it is delivered in a very smooth way. Her throttle is perfectly precise for road riding, even on the bumpy bits heading up to Rivington Barn, the road is atrocious but keep a relaxing grip on the throttle and the suspension soaks up all the road can give.
The M is my sixth R1 and by far the best to ride on the road, I generally ride in throttle 1 suspension M2 (track setting road tyres) that's cos I've always had my bikes set up for track and I prefer the harder suspension, however when on a wet road or a particularly bumpy road, I will change down to power mode 2 and sometimes suspension M3 (road setting, road tyres)
I remember once going to meet a mate, it started raining heavily, I pulled up at a red traffic light, flicked the bike into power 2 and suspension M3 , we set off from the lights and the bike just glided along....perfectly composed.....
As Jompy said I did hum and ar a bit before I got this bike... I really could not make my mind up, I know now, she was the best purchase I've ever made, worth every penny.....
I really love the M, I find her so silky smooth, but I had had 7 years on the first Big Bang R1's, I had three of them, they were an awesome if somewhat difficult bike to ride, their throttle was very snatch and they did teach me delicate throttle control... even so I always had to slip the clutch negotiating junctions, the M doesn't need that at all, where I was slipping the clutch in the banger she is more than happy to go around on the throttle alone....
The electronic suspension you get on the M is perfect for me at 10st 2 lbs, the bike is so light, similar in size to my old R6 and so precise at steering, no under or over steer , she is totally at home in the corners and is as flickable as my R6, indeed Yamaha seem to have made an R1 to handle like a 600 but with the power of a litre bike..... perfect
The 6 to 7 month wait for your M will be worth it mate, and as they say in game of thrones.... "winter is coming" ... lol
My M is totally capable whether she is on the motorway, filtering through heavy traffic, on bumpy roads on the twisties or for long days out..... she is a totally rewarding ride...... I don't think I will ever buy another bike......but I am getting a tad long in the tooth
Any other questions you have just ask away
