Yamaha R1 1st Gen (1998-2001) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the 1998-2001 Yamaha R1, otherwise known as the Yamaha YZF-R1.
This is for the first generation of the Yamaha YZF-R1 that changed everything in the world of superbikes. It effectively took over from the Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace, which is more commonly remembered as a sport tourer in comparison.
Here are all the Yamaha YZF-R1 maintenance schedules in case you’re looking for one of those:
- Yamaha YZF-R1 1st gen (1998-2001) (The original, carburettor-fed, 5 valve per cylinder)
- Yamaha YZF-R1 2nd gen (2002-2003) (Fuel injection, more muted design)
- Yamaha YZF-R1 3rd gen (2004-2006) (Braking improvements, ram air, Anniversary model)
- Yamaha YZF-R1 4th gen (2007-2008) (4 valves per cylinder, RbW / YCC-T)
- Yamaha YZF-R1 5th gen (2009-2014) (Crossplane crank, TC from 2012)
- Yamaha YZF-R1 and R1M 6th gen (2015+) (6-axis IMU, more power / track focus)
The 1998-2001 Yamaha R1 is based on a 998cc inline four-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and five valves per cylinder. It runs a 11.8:1 compression ratio, and is fed by 4 x 40 mm Mikuni constant velocity downdraft carburettors. It makes peak power of 110 kW (149 hp) at 10000 rpm.
This maintenance schedule applies to the 1998-2001 Yamaha R1. The bike did undergo some chanes in 2000 to smooth out the fuelling, but was otherwise unchanged from a maintenance perspective.
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Yamaha YZF600R Service Intervals
Like most modern liquid-cooled Yamaha sport motorcycles, service intervals for the Yamaha YZF-R1 are every 4000 miles or 6000 km, or 6 months.
At every service, you do an oil change, plus check for leaks and lubrication of moving parts.
Every two services, Yamaha recommends you change the oil filter and spark plug. And every 26600 miles / 42000 km, Yamaha suggests you inspect the valves of the YZF-R1.
You should also keep the fluids up to date, regularly replacing the brake fluid and the coolant.
The service intervals in Europe for the Yamaha YZF-R1 are a little different. Yamaha Europe recommends 10000 km or 6000 mile (or annual) service intervals, and 40000 km service intervals for the valves.
You can see more about the difference between Europe and US service intervals for Yamaha motorcycles here.
See below for items you’ll need to do a service on your YZF-R1, plus the full maintenance schedule.
What you need to maintain the 1998-2001 Yamaha R1
Apart from common motorcycle maintenance tools, you need the specific consumables below for your 1998-2001 Yamaha R1.
| Part | Yamaha YZF-R1 (1998-2001) |
|---|---|
| Oil | The old manual recommends Yamalube 20W40 for temperatures of 40F (5C) or above, or Yamalube 10W30 for temperatures of 60F (15C) or above. These days Yamalube 10W-40 or Yamalube 10W-50 (if you ride in temps above 100 F or 40 C) provide more flexibility. Don’t over-torque the bolt — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough. |
| Oil filter | Needs to be changed every time you change the oil. Either get a stock one (part 5GH-13440-70-00, used for many Yamaha products) or the HifloFiltro HF303. |
| Spark Plugs | NGK CR9E. This is what the manual and mechanics suggest. Make sure it’s gapped correctly to 0.7-0.8mm (get a spark plug gapping tool). Spark plug torque is 12.5Nm (9 ft-lb). |
| Engine coolant | Use any Valvolene Zerex G05 meets Yamaha’s spec of a high-quality ethylene glycol anti-freeze with corrosion inhibitors. |
| Air filter | The R1 uses an oil-coated paper element. Either get the stock one (part 4XV-14451-00), or the K&N YA-1098. |
| Brake pads | Either buy them OEM from Yamaha (2x 5JJ-W0045-00-00 for front, 1x 5FL-W0046-50-00 for rear), or EBC double-sintered HH (2x FA252HH for front, 1x FA267HH for rear). Here are some other brake pads for the Yamaha R1, including race-spec ones. |
| Brake/Clutch fluid | Yamaha recommends a DOT 4 brake/clutch fluid, e.g. Castrol DOT 4. |
You might also need the following general-purpose consumables and tools.
| Description |
|---|
| Paddock Stand — Makes maintaining your chain or doing other maintenance much easier. |
| Motul chain paste — one of the most highly-regarded chain lubes. Easy to apply, doesn’t fling off. If you need more stuff, get the Motul chain care kit as an affordable package. |
| Always good to have on hand lithium soap-based grease for lubing external pivot points (like the swingarm) and bearings. |
| Use Protect all cable life to lubricate your cables and controls. |
1998-2001 Yamaha R1 1st Gen Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the 1998-2001 Yamaha R1.
Maintenance schedule notes:
- As the 1998-2001 Yamaha YZF-R1 is no longer sold new, the break-in schedule is not shown.
- Past the end of the maintenance schedule, repeat it in the pattern shown.
- The original manual suggests cleaning the air filter. Advice from later Yamaha models is to replace the air filter rather than clean it with compressed air.
- Chain: Adjust, clean, and lube chain every 600 mi (1000 km) or after washing the motorcycle or riding the rain
1998-2001 Yamaha YZF-R1 Maintenance Schedule (North America, 4000 mile intervals)
In the North American manual for the YZF-R1, there are service intervals of 4000 miles or 6000 km, or 6 months.
| mi x 1000 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 25 | 31 | |
| Months | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | Every |
| Change oil (warm engine before draining). Use Yamalube 10W-40 or Motul 7100 10W-40 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Change oil filter (HF303) | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Check and adjust valve clearance | 26600 mi (42000 km) | |||||
| Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Replace spark plugs (NGK CR9E) | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Replace fuel filter | ✓ | |||||
| Adjust synchronization of carburetors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check and adjust engine idle speed. Adjust throttle cable freeplay. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the air cut valve and reed valve for damage. Replace air induction system if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check air filter, and replace if necessary (K&N YA-1098) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | More often if riding in dust/rain |
| Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Replace brake fluid and rubber parts of brake master cylinder/calipers | 2 years | |||||
| Replace coolant | ✓ | 2 years | ||||
| Check brake system operation, pad wear, and fluid leakage. Top up fluid / replace pads as necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lubricate control cables (Protect All Cable Life) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check swingarm bearing assembly for looseness | ✓ | |||||
| Repack swingarm bearing with lithium soap-based grease | ✓ | |||||
| Check rear suspension link pivot operation. Correct if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Check rear shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Repair / replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Repair / replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check steering bearing assembly for looseness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Repack steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease | ✓ | |||||
| Lubricate brake / clutch lever pivot shafts with cable lubricant lightly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lubricate brake pedal with cable lubricant lightly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check drive chain slack/alignment condition. Adjust and lubricate chain thoroughly (Motul chain paste) | 600 mi (1000 km) | |||||
| Check wheel bearing for smooth rotation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check sidestand pivot operation and lubricate with lithium soap-based grease | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check and clean sidestand switch, or replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check all chassis fittings and fasteners. Tighten/replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check lights, signals, and switches. Adjust headlight beam. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check crankcase ventilation hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check fuel hoses and vacuum hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check exhaust for leakage. Retighten /replace gaskets if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check evap control system (if fitted) for damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ |
Yamaha YZF-R1 Maintenance Schedule — Europe / APAC
The Europe / APAC manuals for the YZF-R1 specify 10000 km / 6000 mile maintenance intervals, or 12 months.
| km x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | Every |
| Change oil (warm engine before draining). Use Yamalube 10W-40 or Motul 7100 10W-40 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change oil filter (HF303) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check and adjust valve clearance | ✓ | ||||
| Check spark plug condition. Adjust gap and clean | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Replace spark plugs (NGK CR9E) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Adjust synchronization of carburetors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check and adjust engine idle speed. Adjust throttle cable freeplay. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the air cut valve and reed valve for damage. Replace air induction system if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check air filter, and replace if necessary (K&N YA-1098) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | More often if riding in dust/rain |
| Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Replace brake fluid and rubber parts of brake master cylinder/calipers | 2 years | ||||
| Replace coolant | 2 years | ||||
| Check brake system operation, pad wear, and fluid leakage. Top up fluid / replace pads as necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lubricate control cables (Protect All Cable Life) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check swingarm bearing assembly for looseness | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Repack swingarm bearing with lithium soap-based grease | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check rear suspension link pivot operation. Correct if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check rear shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Repair / replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Repair / replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check steering bearing assembly for looseness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Repack steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease | 24000 km | ||||
| Lubricate brake / clutch lever pivot shafts with cable lubricant lightly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Lubricate brake pedal with cable lubricant lightly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check drive chain slack/alignment condition. Adjust and lubricate chain thoroughly (Motul chain paste) | 1000 km (600 mi) | ||||
| Check wheel bearing for smooth rotation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check sidestand pivot operation and lubricate with lithium soap-based grease | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check and clean sidestand switch, or replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check all chassis fittings and fasteners. Tighten/replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check lights, signals, and switches. Adjust headlight beam. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check crankcase ventilation hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check fuel hoses and vacuum hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check exhaust for leakage. Retighten /replace gaskets if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check evap control system (if fitted) for damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | Year |
Maintaining Your Chain on the Yamaha YZF-R1
It’s important to maintain your chain on the Yamaha R1, as on any chain-driven motorcycle. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools to maintain the chain.
Yamaha recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule every 500 mi (US) / 1000 km (Europe / APAC) and after washing the motorcycle, riding in the rain, or riding in wet areas.
| Chain maintenance item |
|---|
| Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary (Motul chain paste) |
| Check drive chain slack, alignment, and condition, adjusting / replacing if necessary |
Naturally, if you track or race your YZF-R1, then attend to your chain more often.
About the 1998-2001 Yamaha YZF-R1 1st Gen
The 1st generation Yamaha YZF-R1 is the first in a long line of supersport bikes that Yamaha has been building since 1998 until the present day.
From its beginning, the Yamaha YZF-R1 has been known for its “no compromises” approach to track dominance. It’s not meant to be balanced, or the prettiest (though it is a looker, of course), or the highest tech — just the best at what it does.
The first Yamaha YZF-R1 arrived a few years after the first CBR900RR had already redefined the litre-class motorcycling world, but the R1 made a name for itself by not trying to be a superbike for everyone, but rather a track-focused speed and power machine.
The first 98-99 Yamaha R1s are already very hard to find, especially in mint condition (and ESPECIALLY in red and white).
The core of first-gen Yamaha YZF-R1 is an inline four-cylinder engine with 998 cc displacement and five valves per cylinder. This unusual design was ditched in the mid 2000s, but it makes for a very interesting engine and riding experience!
This early generation of Yamaha YZF-R1 also is carburettor fed and also doesn’t have the crossplane crankshaft of the 2009+ generation of Yamaha R1.
In 2000, Yamaha introduced a series of changes to improve the bike, and minor changes to the bodywork to allow for better long duration ride handling. Yamaha’s main design goal was to sharpen the pre-existing bike and not to redesign it. Still, they improved power, and reduced weight.
The top-end output remained the same, but changes to the fuelling system were intended to result in a smoother, broader distribution of power.
The bodywork was still unmistakably R1, although with a reduced drag coefficient. The headlight housing’s profile was sharpened, the side panels were made more aerodynamic and slippery, and the windscreen was reshaped for better rider protection.
Reference — Manual for the 1998-2001 Yamaha YZF-R1
The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the 2000-2001 Yamaha YZF-R1, and checked against the manuals for the 1998 and 1999 models.
Below is a screenshot of the maintenance schedule from the manual.
You can download it from Yamaha’s website here.
