Bike World Dream Rides | Honda Fireblade CBR900RR vs Yamaha R1

[@myturkishlife1777]

It's funny ,, I sold my 96 900 RRT when I moved over here to Turkey and over here bought a 2000 R1 😁 Both really are great bikes , even just to wheel out of the shed and look at while drinking a cuppa.. Have a great day everyone 👍

[@SMITESHSURESH]

Is it just me or does the CBR look better and better as time goes by 😍

[@Sunrazor]

The CBR is fantactic to look at. Ages very well.

[@Christian-xc9bh]

What does that say about the style of modern design? Hmmm.....

[@paullacey2999]

Yep defo

[@davenewcombe7208]

Agree 100 % but which would you have ??

[@blueyondermoto]

yes but im biased, exact same bike as on here.

[@morganmartin9286]

The 900rr was a hugely popular stunt riding bike amongst my friends in the early 2000's. The abuse I've seen them take and still keep going is unreal, damn near indestructible.

[@spencerengwall2304]

Mine is a former stunt bike... Took a LOT of maintenance to rescue, but it came back!

[@shane35fowler]

The only weak point was the holes in the fairing.... Lots of wheelies cause them to break easy

[@lawrencejack5038]

Passed my test on a Honda CB 125 in 1992 and went out and bought a brand new Honda Fireblade for my first ever road bike, it was the black and silver. Absolutely loved it

[@manitolas]

Amazing😍

[@marky9117]

Nice feature! 😎 I passed my direct access aged 21 in 1999. I’d read all the reviews of the first R1 and had to have one. As soon as I got a years NCD I bought a ‘99 R1 (4XV). Kept it until 2013. Other bikes came and went but the R1 stayed until I gave up riding. Awesome bike. I came back to biking in 2021 and it had to be an R1. This time a 5JJ as in this vid. I prefer the looks slightly. Always did. It’s fantastic. As with my cars I’m not interested in new stuff. Analogue all the way for me. 👍🏻

[@dukie1616]

These series of videos have been quite fun and a great trip down memory lane. Thank you gents👏

[@mikefitzgerald7756]

Great video 👍🏻 I have a 98 and it was my poster bike. I remember standing in the kitchen when the first ad came on during a break on Eurosport, and blew me away. Never thought I’d own one, and it absolutely lives up to the hype and more 👌🏻 Love the 90s 🙌🏻

[@paulking8055]

Got my R1 in 98, ended up having the engine tuned and blue printed by Bob farnham, Marvic 6 spoke wheels, ohlins, Full brembo wsb brake set up, Acro titanium system. Rode that bike all over europe following WSB for 6 years and it never missed a beat. Wish I hadn't sold it.

[@andrewlucas6214]

I have owned both a 96 blade and 2001 r1 and 100% agree with all the points you made. Highlights…many comfortable long trips on the blade and the r1 was the best standard bike I rode on track.

[@stuwhite1969]

2000 model r1 is still one of the best looking bikes ever in my opinion, you need to see it I the flesh to really appreciate the lines!! Also you definitely don't need to spend 7k to get a mint one. Nice try bike specialist lol

[@xsnypz200]

picked up a clean showroom condition body with 32k miles. Such a beautiful paint scheme

[@180FiftyFive]

a mint one with ohlins suspension is about 5k euros

[@shavy9655]

this is by far the best review of these two bikes i have ever seen. It is just spot on. You can feel the passion of these two men and they understand what makes the bikes so great. Often times it really infuriates me when people say that the old R1 is slow compared to a current R1. IT IS NOT. It might be on the track, but on the road where all those people are riding, both, the R1 and the Fireblade are more than what most men or women are able to ride.

[@jackleonard2088]

I owned both of these bikes when they were new. Rode on the street and track days. Both great, but the R1 always seemed a little more special. Thanks for the video.

[@MotoGoato]

Those 'blades just look so so right ...... exactly how a superbike should look .... absolutely love them

[@johnszwede8516]

I had a 2000 R1 on my learners (L plates ) in 2000 it was a Wheelie good time 🎉. Sold it , and fell in love with twins . I love this channel ❤

[@Peter-Alexander]

Really? That's awsome man! Twins....weren't they on Austin Powers's bucket list as well? 😂

[@badger4361]

I bought a 1998 CBR 918 RRW brand new after I saved getting my first proper decent job. I still have it, it still lifts in second off the power and can dive into corners with the eagerness and actual kerbweight of a modern middleweight, it's truly a special machine, braking upgrades are a good shout. I'd also love an R1 and a ZX9R as well. Fireblade's are great they will run and run and run and run.

[@yonniboy1]

Thanks for taking me back to younger days lads! I had an urban tiger blade and the first gen. R1, superbikes back then were so much more comfortable and compliant, I used both to commute and for fun at the weekends, also with 90s bikes short arses like me didn't need a step ladder unlike todays litre bikes, my bike before the blade was a Yamaha FZR1000 which was like an elephant on ice compared to the blade and the R1 raised the bar higher again.

[@sk2283]

I had the 5JJ R1 in those colours ! Loved it, raced it, won on it, crashed it, rebuilt it, crashed it again, sold it in carrier bags ! Now 17 years later I want one again !!

[@MadChalet]

The pleasure you two had chatting and riding together (first time?) is contagious. Thanks! 🤘

[@8888swatt]

I have a 2000 5JJ R1 with 20k miles that has been tucked at the back of my garage and SORN since 2014 but seeing this really makes me want to get it back on the road in the spring.

[@davidbarton7463]

Thanks for the video, I passed my bike test abroad and bought myself a CBR 400 RR in 1994, I still have it after not riding for years but thinking about getting it back on the road for next year. Mate of mine also had the blade so we had loads of fun riding in Cyprus.

[@willspeakman2461]

Those 400s look amazing. Some of them are worth more than the 900s.

[@barrymccloskey]

loved that R1. Still my all time top speed at 176 could hardly take my eyes of the road to read the speedo, White line looked solid, Good times indeed!

[@gdfggggg]

I did 165 on my mates gsxr1100 when it was easier, back in the day. I’ve got a cheeky little ZZR1100D7 now, and that feels crazy fast. It was still pulling like a train at 130, at which point I let off the throttle.

[@Miguel-k5l5b]

My cbr900rr 97 was my fastest at 190mph stack and turned erien racing full exhaust carburetor jet kit and my cbr1000 was a 1987 also 190 mph this cbr were stoning

[@nickcox8049]

I owned 2 RRT 918cc in black and yellow blades from 1998 to 2002. First one N reg / then a P reg. Went to the first Fireblade day at Silverstone back in June 2000. I'm in the photos taken by Honda. Good bikes 👍.

[@markmundy3435]

Still have my 01 R1, like the one in the vid (just with the fake carbon fender some came with) but she is now a garage queen. I should put her back on the road, its been 6 years. Still to this day think its one of the best looking bikes.

[@alexstewart2247]

That was brilliant to watch, these legends will never die. New bikes just aren't the same, would have been nice to see the Kawasaki ZX9R in the mix also!, so underrated for the time. Would have made a great classic trio comparison between the brands!

[@spencerengwall2304]

Ooohhh yeah... Pretty sure the ZX9 was actually a bit faster than the fireblade, but heavier than both of these. Rare bikes too

[@aidens04]

ZX9R is an absolute stunner

[@alexstewart2247]

@@aidens04 yea I love mine

[@colinmaddocks9352]

Hi, I've placed a video up of my extremely original 1994 ZX9R B1. The colour is Candy Wine Red/ Pearl Gentry Grey/ Ebony Black. Check it out please. (I only started my channel 2 days ago) Best regards.

[@nomojo1110]

Many of us forget just how good the 20 valve R1 engine was before the change to 16 valves then the big bang.

[@SONO4B11T]

I'm just learning about these older generation bikes as the series goes, and I'm really enjoying it.

[@pauldark3044]

Brilliant review as always! And brings back memories, should also do a review of the forgotten child 98-99 ZX9R

[@spencerengwall2304]

I absolutely love 90's sports bikes. I've done 400+ miles in a single day on my fireblade without getting tired, it just makes you want to keep on riding!

[@miljororforsprakpartiet290]

Man these look fantastic side by side with those color schemes!

[@mt-10addiction]

Great clip, looks like you had loads of fun on these bikes!

[@AnthonyDonnellyTT]

Had a '98 Blade. Beautiful machine. Spent time on a '97 R1 (white & red)... Thing was a beast! Low, sexy roll on wheelies in first or second a breeze... Stonking motor. Fond memories.

[@Schmitzelhaus]

This exact duo would´ve been it for me and my dad back in the days, the Fireblade was always his favorite and the R1 was mine! 🤩👌

[@GoFullAuto]

"Carbs R1" = LAUGHS IN THE HELMET every darn time. Former owner of the white-red 1998. That bike will never cease to amaze!

[@jonkinnear-mt1yk]

You really can't go wrong with classic japanese sport bikes, cheap, reliable and they look better than todays bikes.

[@TrashPandaSA]

Had the 98 R1 still love that thing and miss it everyday, cheap on front tyres wheelies every where.

[@mikemills5144]

Looks like you two had an absolute blast on those bikes!

[@RCLTalksBikes]

Another amazing episode with hands down, the best sport bikes of that era ! So satisfying seeing that R1 on the back wheel ! 😅

[@MZain1]

I grew up watching 2014 R1 and Fireblades Absolutely Enjoyed this Episode ❤️

[@JTmoto]

I used to have a similiar foxeye blade as my first 'liter' bike. Loved it, such a cool bike.

[@R.S.407]

I owned first generation versions of both bikes, i could never feel comfortable with the Honda, as a small person at five foot five it just felt for me the fuel tank and seat was to wide, i traded it in for a new R1 and that bike fitted like a glove, the fun and entertainment i got from it was unreal.

[@TriAngles3D]

Finally...the last of the Analog. Bikes that involve just you and your machine. No computers, analog. You launch, You brake and You corner. No launch control, no ABS, no TC. Now just waiting to see when they test ride an old Yamaha FZ 750 1FN/1FM...

[@jafo4u508]

You guys are making me want my first bike ever even more now! At 50, wife is not too happy about my new addiction. Had my license for about a year, can't seem to pull the trigger on one.

[@stanbarrington]

Been commuting daily for 35 years! first a 96CBR900RR,then a 954.I will retire in four years and will sell the bike.Who wants to be on a crotch rocket at 70 years old! And only two very minor low speed low side crashes.

[@JonMurray]

I love this series. Every episode has been brilliant but I’ve watched this one more times than any of the others. I’ve got a baby blade I say I’m restoring but haven’t looked at in far too long and I’ve always wanted a first or second gen R6 and an R1. That R1 shape is just disgustingly beautiful. Genuinely for me peak look of the R1 and bikes going forward. It’s aged so well. Still the best looking bike out there in my opinion. One day hahah!

[@iceninja46]

My brother had both of these in the same colours and I borrowed them a few times. The blade was a beautiful bike but I loved the R1. He eventually street fighter'd the R1 which I wasn't so keen on. Great bikes... 🤘

[@ΚωνσταντινοςΑναγνωστοπουλο-χ2υ]

I love your series…you remind me my youth …

[@rd.r577]

Great Video!!! The 2001 R1 and 97 Blade you have look absolutely 💯 Beautiful and the way they sound ..They are Proper Machines and the Colour Scheme on them look Awesome 👍.. I have to buy a 900rr and 1st style R1 up to 2001 with the carburetors... Truly. iconic Machines!!!

[@bonesmakoy667]

This model of R1 is such an improvement from the first gen, longer 1st gear ratio and better looking headlights, everything else is the same. Took the best bike at the time and made it better.

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

That Fireblade is the exact model I owned in the same colours! Still a weapon today. Didn’t rate the handling on the early R1 and bought a gen1 Mille which was the first bike I had that ran rings round the fireblade on handling. Very similar performance to the RRT too. Blades then were great engines only let down by weak gearboxes and an appetite for steering head bearings probably because of all the wheely antics owners pulled😂

[@luisabrantes2778]

Had one of those Fireblades. 96 as yours. 🙂 Best bike I ever owned.

[@Terraceview]

The R1 still looks STUNNING, timeless design.

[@firebladeclements]

Too bad a 954 wasn't in house to go along with the r1! That would have been interesting to hear your thoughts. Back then we had a duc, gixxer, r1, and blade to swap out between friends. Hoons to the end!

[@carlmayer691]

Like to hear thoughts on the 2nd generation Triumph Daytona 955... w/ the 147 BHP triple, single sided swingarm model.. surprised me ..bit 'bland' certainly not a "dream ride' but neither is a CBR 900RR or R1 .. they are everywhere.. at least Daytona are few and far between.. and that "triple howl" induction noise ... can't stop giggling when you go WOT .. great for an old bike review ..Cheap to buy, insure and repair

[@lentilsouper]

954 was and is unbeatable in riding terms

[@Panagiotis-Skordilis]

954 was epic

[@firebladeclements]

@@lentilsouper yup, got mine in 02. As far as on road, the others couldn't touch it. 22kg lighter than the gizzer to boot. Best wheelie machine ever invented with that flat torque curve!

[@uhtred7860]

Should have had a 929 to go up against the R1, that was the model that sold along side it.

[@huwbishop6995]

Still own a 96 blade. Have had it for 20 years, nothing out there really interests me in the sport bike department. Yes everything since is faster and handles better. But it still feels special every time I ride it. It's my two wheeled friend. Love that R1 as well, took the blades crown and advanced it back in the day.

[@Neo-mw1pp]

Had both, great wheelie machines. Never really got on with the 16" front wheel on the Blade though in corners, being used to 17" fronts it was like falling off a cliff tipping the Blade deep into corners...

[@jimmynickelz]

2nd gen of R1 nailed it. Raw af, but handled so much better than 1st gen. The Fireblade with the 17 inch front conversion and some fork tuning...spot on. Love both

[@martintownley5803]

Early standard Blade had horrible vague front end. Even with 17” CBR600 front wheel conversion was still not great. ZX9-R C1 was leagues ahead. You could take massive liberties with the front end of the Kawa, even in the wet!

[@jimmynickelz]

@@martintownley5803 gonna respectfully disagree with you. Was the c3 the light one with the single headlight or the one after with the dual. The lightened zx9 after the fat one was fast, but the front would wanna constantly tuck. Never rode the dual headlight one. I did ride the zx12 and absolutely loved that heavy weird beast. The fact that we're having this discussion means I fux with u. Respect.

[@martintownley5803]

@@jimmynickelz Never had any problems with the front end tucking. Maybe it’s tyres or suspension setup. ZX6R of similar vintage had even better front end. In uk I think the fat 9R was the B model and the C model was the light one with titanium exhaust and magnesium engine covers. A mate had a 98 R1, and that thing had an amazing engine, but when the rain came down the handling wasn’t as sure footed as the ZX9R, again probably a tyres thing. At the end of the day 90’s sports bikes are awesome and have given us all some brilliant memories. I’m probably just biased cos mine was setup really well for fast road riding by a mate who really knew his stuff. Have a good day 👍

[@jimmynickelz]

@martintownley5803 It's amazing how much difference a little preload or rebound made. I dropped the forks in my r1 about 3mm and popped some racetech valves and springs in it and my track days were so much more fun...and fast. 90's and early 00's sportbikes were just amazing compared to 4 wheeled vehicles of the same era. Off topic, but I so enjoyed Garry Mccoy try to wrestle a two stroke in motogp against the new at the time 4 strokes.

[@martintownley5803]

@@jimmynickelz Hell yeah. He was the king of sliding the rear and steering that way

[@nicholasgage2095]

Great series and I had a 99 R1 and it was a brilliant bike and would like to still own it.

[@jonathanbeckwith5617]

Owned my 2001 R1 for 17 yrs, and still blows me away how good that engine is. Last of the carb feds till it went all injection. When 1000's without rider aid's where lairy hairy and a little scary to ride . 🤪

[@uhtred7860]

I bought my 01 brand new, in 02, after trying both the 954 and the GSXR1000, the R1 just won me over, felt better and looked better. Didn't get an 02 R1, because the sales guy wanted to get rid of the last, still in its crate, 01, and gave me a deal i couldn't refuse. Still have it, its absolutely mint with only 14,000 km (6500 miles) on it.

[@1991julez]

That burnout shot was the absolute business!

[@flanners41]

Had a new R1 in '99.......loads of bikes since......now looking for another one!

[@MrNeilparry1]

I bought an 11k miles and one owner 2000 R1 in blue, she’s lovely to ride, suffer with cracked liners if not looked after ❤

[@zakelwe]

The roadbike mags over the years spotted the Kawasaki GPZ900, then the CBR900Blade, then the Yamaha R1, then the BMW S1000R as the bikes that moved the generation on in power, and more importantly handling. Also, even after all this time they look modern, a lot more attractive than some modern sports bikes, Kawasaki I'm looking at you ...

[@VgnLewis]

Got an '88 CBR400RR (before it was named the baby blade), and a '99 blade. So much fun, so easy to ride. Great video!

[@soulja304]

I ride a 98 CBR900rr , I love it 🥺 my first bike was a 2020 CBR300r . I think I’ll ride CBRs the rest of my life tbh.

[@Peter-Alexander]

Both really iconic bikes, had so much fun to watch thanks! Just subsribed so no doubt a lot more fun videos😊

[@chrisnightingale6417]

Two fantastic bikes, great vid, loved the Sportbike 90s 👌

[@willspeakman2461]

Both great looking bikes. I think the blade would be the classic from these two. It has a much more distinct styling whilst the R1 is the now traditional sports bike shape. Ive got a 2004 GSXR1000 which is also a 2nd generation under looked model. People want the original or the 3rd gen which improved in almost every aspect. The 2nd gen makes a great value road bike though, 160bhp with decent torque, lots of room and very stable.

[@maamajhigouri1207]

These bikes look so good 😍😍😍 and that exhaust note aah 😌. Bring more such videos

[@NudaMan]

Nice! Got a Silver 2003 Yamaha R1 (3rd Gen) it’s way too fast for the street but very very very smooth, the exup valve cuts power so it’ll go soon lol and a steering dampener because the front loves to wiggle

[@duncanorr5926]

Imagine your parents owning matching blades

[@JonMurray]

So cool. Absolute legend status in the group getting to drive the blade at 15 too hahah!

[@martinhughes9769]

Both look and sound absolutely stunning 😊

[@robbroy]

I sold everything (1199s / 1098 / 1198 / 2014 R1 / 2005 ZX10R / 2013 RSV4R) and have only kept my 2005 CBR1000RR 😍 Just so so good.

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Yeah - I'm still banging about on my 04 1KRR. Thing just goes and I love the lack of safety aids.

[@2mpoida]

Always a Honda man but those R1's were my second favourite hands down.. awesome piece of kit

[@DailyDrivenBikes_1]

The R1 is the full package of a sportbike that everyone wants. 🙂🤘👍

[@ser4025]

У меня r1 1999г. Неперестаю восхищаться этой красоткой 👏👏👏👍

[@BorisKarloff66]

Great video. Still got my 99 R1, it's going nowhere

[@martintownley5803]

Best 90’s sport bike I ever owned was 98 ZX9R. Bike of the year in the magazines, and best in class and 6th overall in the Bol d’Or stock for French Police race team. About 1mph slower than R1, and heaps faster than Blade with best front end of any big sport bike of the day and bloody reliable too. On wet Scottish Highlands roads was untouchable by Blade or R1

[@sergiu239]

Can't wait to get my R1 2001!

[@ogofog9120]

The extruded & cast aluminium frames on those early blades (rather than pressed & welded) were so gorgeous like HRC kit. I’d have the blade

[@kingnidge9541]

Great video lads 👍

[@nickrider5220]

The Fireblade 900 never made me want to buy one, one go on the original R1 did though, it was staggeringly good !

[@presstodelete1165]

I part exed my 93 fireblade for a new 00 R1 - this was when you could still buy grey imports for £6.5K - the R1 repeated the make it lighter trick of the 92 Blade but with more POWER.

[@andrewgiblin3468]

I’ve got an 06 50th LE in Kenny Roberts colours in my living room beside my 996S, both are stunning beyond words and in better condition than when they left their respective factories. Every guy that comes in loves them every woman thinks it’s ridiculous including my wife!!

[@uhtred7860]

I can relate, i have my restored 86 GSX-R1100 and my 01 R1 in my lounge😆 I have a friend who bought a brand new, last model (04 i think) TZ 250, and has it in his lounge, still unpainted in the white gell coat it came from the factory. He hasn't even started it😲and has all the full spares kit it came with, its like a work of art. But christ i want to hear it run🤣

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Favourite bike I owned was my 98 R1 , no TC no ABS no anti wheelie a proper bike

[@danthreepwood2760]

The 1997 (+-) Fireblade model is the last true classic supersport. No fancy electronics. No fuel gage. But still room for 2 pints and a (slightly squashed) big mac.

[@trantas4]

I hope one day i'll see a 98-01 VFR 800 in this series. Such an underated beast..

[@Vialli100.]

I had that Blade then Repsol Blade both brilliant bikes.. Though my favourite bike ever was my SP1..

[@nickwelch5267]

A 954 would of been a fair comparison

[@uhtred7860]

Na, the 929 was sold the same time as this R1, the 954 sold against the later 02/03 R1.

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

Awesome, loved this one - i own an RRX blade and i have to agree - very capable and very comfortable for a sports bike!

[@PikesBikes]

I've owned both these bikes and I have to disagree with you guys. The R1 didn't handle well at all and you had to ride it aggressively, pushing and forcing it into a corner, whereas the Blade you just looked at a corner and you was round it, like mind control. Night and day difference to me and I found the blade a much better bike. I do recall wide open throttle on the blade and thinking, meh, would like a bit more power, but I never wanted more power when I had the R1. Straight line R1 is king, throw some corners in and the blade would clear off. That's my experience of it anyway.

[@hopalong8715]

Lovely bikes! Random and possibly boring request, but I'd love to see you guys cover the bandit series of motorcycles. For many budget minded folk, that was the bike to have with the smiles per £ with those being off the charts and so they too got the reputation of being hooligan bikes. They're still super cheap today, and yes most of them are in bad condition but they are still a popular first "big bike". I know as I have a final generation 650 naked :)

[@ccaalluuss]

for me the R1 was the end of my favorite SS bike era...said that ..CBR 900 forever, an AMAZING do-everything-good bike

[@colinduncan-farrell8966]

The r1 first came out for sale in 1998, the press bikes ,first shown in milan in 1997 ,( September), im sure were re- instated and sold as 98 bikes, so im pretty sure you cannot get a 97 r1, although im sure you can still get a 97 thunderace .

[@RikkyTang]

I had a '99 R1 about twelve years ago and even then I found the riding position a bit too extreme... but I was skint and so I did the only thing I could think of and that was to flip and reverse the clip ons! I know, I'm a monster. It was a terrible idea and put my wrists in an unnatural position, but I was more upright so I was happier. Didn't last long - next bike was a Yam FZ8 😁

[@paullovesey4863]

Geez, that first shot of you on the couch at the beginning I thought I was watching Waynes World - Scooby Doo ending???

[@petrichor649]

Had that blade with beringer brakes and rotors, ohlins rear, revalved front end and raised 10mm at the rear, it was fantastic, track or touring.😊

[@tysoncott7402]

I recently purchased a 1993 CBR900RR and rode it a couple times, it had one of the most awkward riding position, i call it the 90’s position, high pegs & longish reach to the bars, i have rode R1’s of that vintage and definately prefer the yamaha riding position

[@OGCrypto33]

Im a gsxr fan, but id pick the R1

[@MandPDirect]

Heart says blade, brain said R1, license says "no!" right hand says "SPEEEEEEEEED!"

[@chriss6971]

Had a 94 Fireblade in the orange colours great bike, good for road and track at my level anyway.

[@LondonSteveLee]

If you want to buy the R1 to ride then you're better off with the cheaper 2nd gen anyway as the front end is so much better, the original R1 understeered a bit - loads of grip and lean angle - but with some understeer due to flexing in the engine cradle..

[@woooster17]

I love this series.. These bikes are my era and passion. I have 6 ‘90s early ‘00s Sportbikes, including a later 900RR. I have just bought another bike, a 1999 Suzuki TL-R. I sold my Ducati 916 back in 2002 for an ‘01 R1, and whilst it really was a better bike in nearly every way, I regretted it. Saying that, I am on the lookout for a red/white ‘98 R1😄 Another brilliant video guys 👍🏼

[@AnthonyDonnellyTT]

TL 1000 ... Another beast. Tried both the S and R. Delish.