Yamaha R1

I bought this 1999 beauty in early 2003 from a guy who took immaculate care of it...as you can see in the photos.  It's a 1000 CC bike, with a few modifications to include jetted carbs.  About 150 horse power, with a top speed of 180 mph....

R1-Side.JPG (790702 bytes) R1-Rear.JPG (377169 bytes) DSC00307.JPG (613392 bytes)
DSC00309a.jpg (159444 bytes) DSC00305.JPG (611541 bytes) Sean making sure it's safe for Dad.
SeanR1-Side.JPG (619384 bytes)
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The above 3 pictures were from a track day, where you race the clock amongst other riders on a racing track.  This is Putnam Race Track about 40 miles north west of Indianapolis, Indiana on 09-25-04.  All glass must be taped off for safety, along with the radiator fluid flushed out to ensure it doesn't leak on the track.  We used Water Wetter which is a 'legal' coolant on the track.  Down the straight, you're around 140 mph - quite a boost to the heart.

On the last track day in 2006, and the last lap around the track, it has started raining slightly.  I had been improving by leaps and bounds all day and got a bit too over confident.  Coming into turn one during the deceleration from the straight, the rear slipped a bit on me.  Instead of holding steady, I immediately let go of the throttle, which forced excess weight on the front wheel, causing it to slip out from under me.  The next thing I knew, I was sliding off the track at about 50 mph - on my back, watching my bike sliding along with me about 150 feet into the grass.  I walked away just fine (you're required to wear full racing gear), but big blue wasn't so lucky.  Other than all the plastics down the right side being broken, the right foot peg snapped off, and the right handle bar (clip on) snapped off too - so it couldn't be ridden.  Rob, Martyn and Bill helped me get her home, and then Rob helped me rebuild her.  Now big blue looks as good as new again!

See the newest Yamaha Model HERE