Yamaha Thunderace

The Yamaha Thunderace, was designed as the bike to beat the Honda Fireblade in sales and on the track. It failed. However the Thunderace is worth a look if your a road rider like us.
Both Jon and Me owned the Thunderace above and loved every minute of it. I would still have it now if Jon hadn't have wanted to change his R1, the bike I always wanted. The only thing missing for me was a 6th gear, but the bike certainly is no slow coach, it can still cut it amongst the Fireblades, Gixers and R1s. I have riden this bike at over 155mph on the Nurburgring circuit, it felt effortless and at home both at high speeds and touring around the countryside. Personally I think the design has aged well looking more modern than some other race bikes designed in the same era.
The bike was made from 1996 to 2003 and was unchanged through the 8 years. We owned a 1996 model for 5 years between us.
The bike was made from 1996 to 2003 and was unchanged through the 8 years. We owned a 1996 model for 5 years between us.

Controls
 The speedo and revcounter are of the analogue type, which include an odometer and trip counter, there also is an engine temperature guage. Across the bottom of the clocks are the usual array of warning lights, for neutral,indicators, low fuel,oil and main beam. I found the clocks were set rather along way back under the screen which could make it awkward to read them. The mirrors also seem to be in the wrong place somehow. Not enough to be a problem, but enough to feel to close and gave a good view of your elbows. The rear part of the seat comes off and there is plenty of room underneath for a u lock, the tool kit supplied, sandwiches and a bottle of cola. The bike has twin headlights that can be turned on and off.

Riding it
The ride though was nice. The bike originally designed as a superbike for the race track is actually better described as a sports tourer and does a good job of it. The seat is comfortable and well positioned.The pegs are slightly back and the handle bars being low gives a racey position.
 Unfortunately Yamaha only gave the Thunderace 5 gear. 1 down 4 up, I think that having a 6th gear would have enhanced the mpg and the engine would have not reved quite so much when touring.
 The suspension soaked up the bumps nicely but needed to be stiffend up for my liking.

Official Stats and Everyday Superbike stats

•  Engine size - 1002cc
•  Top speed - 165mph ( we saw 155mph)
•  BHP - 145
•  Weight - 198kg
•  Fuel Tank - 19 ltrs
•  Avg MPG - 35 (we saw 42)
•  Tank range - 180 ( at about 150 the light comes on)
•  Insurance group 16
•  Tyres - Front 120/70 17, Rear 180/55 17 on Bridgestones avg 6000 miles on front & 3000 rear.
•  Suspension - is fully adjustable.

Modifications
 On the Thunderace we had was a tinted screen, a Blueflame end can, Dynojet stage 3, K&N filters and Uridium spark plugs. The exhaust gave a nice racey sound and it kept up with the R1 and Fireblade with no problem.

Yamaha Thunderace, with Blue Flame exhaust

 In many ways you can see how the R1 took over from the Thunderace, they have similar riding positions and share some designs. Overal a very underated, fast, comfortable, ridable bike.  

Typical load for a long weekend ride

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Suzuki GSXR 1000



Jons Suzuki GSXR 1000 K7

The GSXR K7 model has the indicators built into the mirrors

 This is Jons Suzuki GSXR 1000 K7. The model was released for 2007 - 2008. Suzuki have always made class leading motorbikes and this is no exception. The power was raised to 185 BHP and was the first main stream bike to have a power mode switch that lets the rider select between full power, medium for economy and a wet weather mode. Suzuki have fitted twin pipes on their 1000cc model which is different from the other manufacturers who make superbikes.

Controls
 The Clocks have a rev counter, with a gear indicator, a Digital Speedo with 2 trip counters and odometer, temperature guage and clock. the usual array of lights surround the left side of the rev counter, and a rev limit light is set just below. The handlebars are a nice distance away and slightly higher than the Yamaha, and the foot pegs are adjustable, giving the rider a choice of aggressive or relaxed seating positions. Suzuki has removed the indicators from being stalks sticking out the fairing front and back, but have gone for indicators in the mirrors and built into the rear body, this gives a sleeker look and reduces wind drag. Suzuki have only one centre headlight, so if the bulb goes when your out theres no 2nd light to get you home.The rear section of the seat comes off and there is room for a tool kit, wheel lock, a drink and a Kitkat, but if you replace the seat with the plastic seat cowl there is enough extra space for a packet of crisps!

Riding it
 There is plenty of power from the engine when in A mode and after 8000rpm in B mode. All Suzuki engines have a sporty sound to them and this one sounds great. The handling is very good, turning in when you lean into the corners. The bike makes you feel in control at whatever pace your going. Because of the adjustable foot pegs you can have as much room to move as you set it too. The suspension is fully adjustable so can be set for any sized rider.


Stats and Everyday Superbikes stats

• Engine size - 999cc
• Top speed - 186 MPH
• Power - 185 BHP
• Weight - 172 kg
• Fuel tank size - 17.5 ltr
• Average MPG - 38
• Tank Range - 146
• Insurance group - 17
• Tyres - Front 120/70 x17,  Rear 190/50 x17
• Suspension - Fully adjustable

Mods

 Jon has added 2 Arrow end cans, and a power commander to his bike.
 Carl has had fitted a 2 into 1 straight through exhaust, and had the bike lowered at Revs suspension (revsracing.co.uk) ,who did a great job of setting the bike up for him to ride.

Before a lap of the Ashwood Triangle

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Carls GSXR K8 Has slight update to paint scheme

Jon with his GSXR

Yamaha R1



Yamaha R1 / YZF R1 series 3 2002 - 2003 

 The Yamaha R1, or  if you prefer the Yamaha YZF R1.
 This model is the Yamaha R1 5PW  2002 - 2003 version, it is the first major update Yamaha did to the R1 and is regarded by many as its best looking.
  The update included the addition of fuel injection, which delivers as much fuel as the engine needs at the given rpm.

Controls
  The Instrument display lights up in blue, has a rev counter and a large digital read out of the current speed. The select button scrolls through 2 trip counters,the Odometer and if held for 1 second displays the time. The rev limit light can be adjusted to illuminate at your desired rev limit. When the ignition is first turned on the rev counter needle is used as an indication to problems the computer diagnostic might find, and the bike makes some impressive servo noises as it goes through its checks. The bike has twin headlights which cannot be turned off and was the first version of the R1 to have a rear light made of LEDs. The rear section of the seat lifts off to reveal a compartment big enough for the tool kit, a drink and a KitKat !

   Riding it
  
  The seat is nicely padded, and  the reach to the bars is not too far. The foot pegs are quite high and back giving it an agressive feel. On longer journeys or sitting in traffic can cause wrist and shoulder/neck ache as for me at 6 feet tall the handlebars could do with being a fraction higher, but sitting close to the tank helps this a bit. Out on the road the bike has a lot of punch when you open the throttle, turns quickly, yet feels stable at the same time. Pirelli Diablo Corsa tyres give great grip and feed back giving confidence through the bends. I found the best tyre pressure for me is 31psi in the front and 40 on the rear.

  Official stas and Everyday Superbikes Stats

•  Engine size - 998cc
•  Power - 150 BHP
•  Top Speed - 165 MPH    (160 seen)
•  Weight - 175 Kg
•  Fuel Capacity - 17 Ltrs
•  Avg MPG - 38   (42 seen regularly)
•  Tank Range - 149 miles (but only if you have spent a long time in 6th gear)
•  Insurance group - 16
•  Tyres - Front 120/70 17, Rear 190/70 17
•  Settings - I like 31psi in my front tyre and 40psi in the rear.
•  Suspension is fully adjustable, One must do, is to stiffen up the rear shock.

Settings Standard Yamaha settings
          Front:- Preload - 6 lines showing
                       Rebound - 1.75 turns out from full in
                       Compression - 1.5 turns out from fully in
          Rear:- Preload - Position 4 / 9
                      Rebound - 2 turn out from full in
                      Compression 2 turn out from full in
                      Tyre Pressures F 36 : R 42

Performance bikes recommended road settings which we also like:-
           Front:- Preload - 4 lines showin
                       Rebound - 0.75 turns out from full in
                       Compression - fully in
            Rear:- Preload - Position 5th or 6th
                       Rebound - 0.75 turn out from full in
                       Compression 1 turn out from full in
                       Tyre Pressures F 34 : R 39

   
   Modifications.

  My bike has got a Power commander, a Blue Flame exhaust can, K&N air filter and oil filter and I have replaced the brake hoses for a set of braided ones.
I have made an aluminium spacer to raise the front seat by 7.5mm which helps my knees and added Crash Bobbins incase it should fall on to its side.
 I have a double bubble screen which makes a small difference when touring, though I like the look with the original screen better.

   Common Problems.

Gearboxes have an issue going from 1st into 2nd gear this is most common on bikes that have been wheelied alot. If you have this problem its not a cheap fix. Expect to pay between £450 and £500 to get this sorted out but it can be done in a couple of days.
 Also the Exup valve can seize up, symptoms are the bike feels as though it is lacking power at low revs. Its a problem Jon had when he owend the Yamaha Thunderace. Its not too hard to fix and normally can be done with a bit of effort and some WD40.
 The Regulator / Rectifier / Stator, this is to do with an electrical / charging problem. Common fixes are to add a pc fan to cool it down.
 Neutral switches can stick but can be easily fixed with some WD40.
The wiring loom has a big white connection block at the front end of the bike, this can get corroded and cause electrical problems, but its not a major problem to repair.

Check the R1 owners forum for information that may help solve any issues you may have.

 Problems I have Encountered

 The few problems that I have had, was with the neutral switch click to see more, and the Stator/regulator rectifier
 Also the auto choke seized up so again with some WD40 the problem was sorted out.
  I had a low speed accident when pulling out of a junction avoiding a pot hole in the road, which damaged the clutch case/cover and edge of the exhaust can. The clutch cover was expensive, so thats the reason for fitting crash bobbins.



   Newer versions.

 On the newer versions of the R1, Yamaha have kept a similar riding position, adjusted the position of the exhaust, added some googlie eye headlights and added an array of electronic wizardary, however you will need to find out about those bikes elsewhere.

Phill

As New

YZF - R1  1998 and 2002 models

Ready for take off

R1 At Spa

Just after a lap of the Nurburgring Nordschleife

Jon bought the R1 brand new.
Look at his little face!

Suzuki GSXR 1100M



My Gixer 1100

 This Suzuki GSXR 1100M was the model from 1991 it was nick named the sling shot by many owners and people in the bike industry. When the bike was new it was hailed as the bike to own getting a reputation for being the meanest, biggest and baddest because of its massive power. 

 In1994 the Honda Fireblade came along bringing with it the modern era of motorbikes and in 1998 the last GSXR 1100 rolled of the production line.

 The GSXR 1100 was introduced in 1989 through the years had very few changes made to it. Most of them invovlved changes to help with the handling. 

Controls

 The bike I owned was not as it came out the shop by the time I bought it, and the instruments differed slightly to other GSXR 1100s that I came across. The speedometer had a trip counter and odometer, and the Rev counter which was the same size was set slightly higher. Underneath was the usual array of lights. The Handlebars were in a nice position, and the seat felt quite low and peg quite high, sitting you more upright than the modern superbikes. The seat seamed huge, and the rear section lifted off to reveal a compartment large enough for tools,locks,dinner and drinks.

Riding It

  Believe all the reviews that you read that say the handling was poor. I know they say a bad workman blames his tools, however at the time I owned this bike I thought I was rubbish at going round corners, until I rid the same road on another bike, then I realised how hard to handle the gixer really was. Mind you it made up for that on a straight or slightly twisty road with the power the thing had, you twist the throttle and it just kept going faster and faster and the noise was amazing! The engine was air/oil cooled and when it got hot, the heat went up the inside of the fairing right at you.

Stats and Everyday Superbike stats

   (its been a while since owning this bike so some stats are estimated)

• Engine size - 1127cc
• Top speed - 155 MPH (I saw 120mph)
• Power - 145BHP
• Weight - 238kg
• Fuel Tank - 21 ltrs
• Avg MPG - 38
• Tank range - 180 ish ( I never did more than 180 but it could have)
• Insurance Group 16
• Tyres 130/60 zr17 front, 180/55 zr17 rear
• Suspension - Fully adjustable all round. Upside down forks on front

Mods

 The bike I ownedI think is still my favourite to look at, the colours were good and the polished aluminium finished it off nicely.

It had a list as long as your arm of alterations, so here goes with the better bits:-

 After market rear swing arm, K&N filters, Dyno Jet stage 3, Full Art race exhaust system, Ohlins suspension for front forks, braided brake hoses, Tinted screen, Painted wheels, Gold Chain set (cant remember the make though).

 This stuff above would have given it more power and is the reason it made it sound as good as it did.

Unfortunately, the bike had so many problems it was off the road for 6 months of the 2 years I owned it. 

 These were:-

            The cog on second gear stripped some teeth and the gear changer kept jamming, it suffered with Clutch Creep, thats when your stopped but in gear with the clutch is pulled in and the bike trys to move very slowly forwards. Other people used to love the bike that much that they tried to pinch it twice.

 It is the only bike I have ever took the engine out of and took to pieces, suprisingly I put it back together and it worked first time. 

Oh and did I mention, that awsome sound :)

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