R1 Buying Advice Please

[mikeb333]

Hello, someone at work is selling their R1 and thinking about buying it. It looks mint and since I have known the person selling the bike it has been pampered and regularly serviced even though he does few miles on it these days. Just lack of use is why it is being sold. Not had a bike in 20 years though so a bit apprehensive and wondering if should maybe start with something smaller.
Any advice from experienced r1 riders would be appreciated. It is a 2007 model that has covered 16,000 miles. It has a full Akrapovic exhaust system that was fitted last year.
Anything I should I be checking out with the bike before buying? Thanks Mike

[jompy]

Welcome in Mike
We call the 2007-08 model the 4c8 as long as it's not a late registered 2004-06 5vy , the 4c8 was from what i believe to be the first of the R1's that had the ECU programed with the emissions controls and therefore you can do a lot to them with a flash-tune / re-map .
personally i've only ridden the carb'd R1's but there are plenty of people that have owned & do own 4c8's so hopefully they'll be someone along to help

[mikeb333]

Hi thanks, yeah that's the one he said it is 2007 r1 'fly by wire' model. thanks for the advice though. Have always wanted one and it is on my bucket list so seems as good a time as any. Cheers

[samr1]

I've got one and can't think of anything off top of my head as its been serviced regularly should be good to go


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[jompy]

I've got one and can't think of anything off top of my head as its been serviced regularly should be good to go


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yep i was trying to think of problems and no common mechanical problems spring to mind , the biggest problem i can think of is i'm sure some have said there can be a bit of "lag" in the throttle when accelerating and the throttle can be lumpy that thats soon cured with a flash/re-map

[samr1]

Get used to it first before before talking about flash tunes etc


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[PJC]

Ive built crashed rebuilt crashed and rebuilt one, they are a great bike and have no real issues, some had engine issues but at 16k should be fine, 20 years is a long time off bikes and the 4c8 is docile until you hit 11k RPM, they are horribly restricted in the first 3 gears and can make overtakes very scary indeed . If you want the full on power get it flashed or PC3/5 with custom map. If you are planning to add your own touch, be aware bits aint cheap and take some tracking down

All in all its a great bike that you can tour scratch and track. I and many others love them

[mikeb333]

Thanks all for the replies and very useful advice from people obviously in the know.
If it all goes to plan I will take pics and post them once I get it.
The seller ha a private plate on it so needs to be swapped back first.
Once again, thanks very much!

[Horus-222_R1]

Hi Mike. Welcome in mate.

I can't advise as an experienced R1 person yet but very much in the same boat as you and a couple of months in so can add some value. If you've not had one on the road for 20 years I think you're going to love the R and be stunned by what they are. It's my first road bike for a bit longer than that even! I considered a stepping stone bike for about 30 seconds and glad I didn't. If you've got enough respect then why waste the time. Take it as easy as you need to and learn it well mate. You've made a fine choice.

Had my 2013 banger for a couple of months now. This forum is a great place for people like us for sure and you'll get a tonne of help from the people here!! Trawl around and read mate. I don't think there's a quicker way to get up to speed (scuse the pun).

Noted yours comes with a full and fairly recent Akra system. I'm still pretty confused by the cross-section of opinion on why and when it's right to think about a remap. Some swear by it and some don't seem bothered. Was yours flashed or PC'd to suit?
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Perhaps a greater / lesser requirement dependent on model type. Personal choice or individual bike character?? I'm not personally short on power as a newby but in need of smoothing things out with the banger. Decat exhaust (next for me) would leave me running lean and a flash would be on my list to sort that out. That seems to be the advice for me. I'm interested to know from the guys if this means the same for you (4c8).

Totally with Sam on getting used to it first before spicing her up but if it helps smooth the power and running too then I'd go for that. But that's me and my banger. How does it work on the 4c8?
I'm asking questions to those that know here not giving advice. Listen to them not me at this stage mate for sure !!

[R1ch]

a full exhaust system without some adjustment to fueling (flash/power commander/bazza etc) will most likely have a bit of a flat spot around 4000 rpm which could be a pain on the road
on the up side.. no exup value to worry about...
the standard exhausts with cats gets very hot... the full system cures this issue

as pjc says.. hit 10,000-11,000 + and the world starts to go backward rapidly as the bike races for the redline
(feeling is heighten due to the lack of mid range in standard form (although not forgetting this is a 1000cc bike with over 160 bhp))

check when the value clearances were last checked and adjusted.. as they maybe due ?
(general condition of the bike... chain/sprockets/pads .. condition of tyres ... wheel bearings.. swingarm bearings...etc)

can be hard on the wrists if you have not ridden a sports bike in a while .. more so than blades/gsxrs

if you've not been on a fairly modern litre bike recently, you'll be surprised how long first gear is ..

is it a uk bike ? should have a red key.. some us import 4c8s did have ecu issues which caused a huge delay in throttle response at certain revs

a great bike... but i'm very bias

[Horus-222_R1]

Don't under-estimate the wrists comment!! Agony first few weeks until I relaxed a bit and started riding more with the body. Stomp grips for me!

[samr1]

As. Pj says u can tour on them take mine abroad every other year 730 miles in one day was the longest I was on her didnt feel as fresh as a daisy after prob due to a monumental hangover but was in agony either


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[mikeb333]

That's really great advice from everyone.

I will make sure about the red key and check out what else was done when he had the full exhaust replacement done.

Thanks again everyone!

[Scrapman]

Flashtune on the 4c8 gets rid of low to middle throttle lag.
You can either choose a hard flash or soft flash.
Hard Flash removes all restrictions and turns it into a proper full power engine, a handful.
Soft Flash with do the same but will be less aggressive .