R1 Newbie - First Bike

[Diablo2484]

Now I am not naive enough to think that I will not get maximum finger wags when I tell everybody that I chose an R1 as my first bike.

At the age of 25 I've become bored by 4 wheels. I needed a new thrill so decided to take a trip down "Mid Life Crisis" lane, grow a beard & buy a motorbike.

Having had no experience with bikes I was told, told again, told a little bit more & then some, about how crazy my choice was.

I picked up a nice deal forking out £1400 for a 2000 YZF-R1 Matt Black.

WOW she is beautiful!

I've just finished a minor overhaul. Pictures to follow when I figure out how. Will probably post in the "Builds" thread.

She had a full frame respray, full fairing respray, new carbon wrapped Wing Mirrors with LED Indicators & a new Taillights with Integrated LED Indicators.

Anyway, pleasure to be here & safe riding.

Diablo2484

[pod]

Welcome in. If 25 is mid life then I'm fucked. Will say the r1 isn't the best first bike , in fact I would say nutz. Please stay safe

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[jompy]

Welcome in Ashley
Your fucking nuts !you have a lot of learning to do *wags finger*
now that finger wagging is over . . . . . the 5jj's are a great bike and can be lovely smooth but nippy upto 6000rpm but be warned hitting 8000- 9000 rpm will see you holding on for grim death !
i would not advise an R1 as a first bike unless you can show a lot of restraint , i've been riding for 17 years & last year i accidentally pulled a wheelie past an unmarked police car ! these bikes are fast !
i think you should look into some track day training to teach you some advanced skills quick lol
get some pics up

[pod]

Always good to have some "before" and "after" pics lol

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[Siamblue]

i had my first R1 at 34 but i had 18 yrs of riding experience before that,stay safe mate,don't want you ending up a statistic,but i think you are mad,if you want to go fast take it on a track.. just my honest opinion..

[Chinny]

Welcome to the forum mate & as for the 1st bike being an R1. Well done fella. Don't listen to everyone about u should have got a 600 or a 400cc bike 1st. Your right hand controls the bike just like if you were 17& was given a Lamborghini. No one batters an eye lid when that happens. But no you can't get a 1000cc bike as your 1st ride. God forbid that was ever to happen. f**k them all. As long as your happy , you go for it

[Diablo2484]

It is a crazy choice but I'm a "deep end" kind of guy.

I had a discussion with a friend of mine who mentioned some track day training. I fully intend to look into it. The more experience the better.

I have restraint. My wife is 8 months pregnant. I HAVE TONS OF RESTRAINT!!!

I think I may have cracked the whole picture issue!

http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s41 ... nfhbty.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I hope that works!

[2002r1jon]

Welcome in Ashley

[pod]

It's funny , on the yank forum there is a 1000 post thread on "why not to buy and r6 as a first bike " this won't run that long I guess

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[Diablo2484]

I read so many forums about having an R1 as a first bike.

Most pointed me in the direction of the "Crazy" sign.

I have no intention of disrespecting the machine as so many riders put it.

What won't last very long?

[Siamblue]

I read so many forums about having an R1 as a first bike.

Most pointed me in the direction of the "Crazy" sign.

I have no intention of disrespecting the machine as so many riders put it.

What won't last very long?

It's not only about the bike mate,the riding experience you pick up along the way starting with low powered machines helps..on a 140hp you won't get many chances if you or someone else makes the wrong move..

[pod]

As in the yanks really jump on this sort of thing. The British ie chinny have a slightly different mentality

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[Diablo2484]

Everything helps I guess.

I still ride with my old instructor from time to time.

Each to their own I suppose. I realised this would be somewhat of a controversial topic before I posted.

My bike is a beautiful machine. Like any other machine, the more experience you have the easier it becomes to operate.

The excitement you get when you get on is unlike any other. 2 wheels really are better than 4!

[pod]

That's for sure

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[jompy]

Enjoy it & be semi safe lol

[Luke03R1]

This has been covered a few times, and as I've said before its not just the fact of safety..... But if you don't become a statistic your riding skills will take some much longer to perfect! How do you propose to find the limits of that?....
You won't unless you fall off
Track time might help or just bimble round and pretend it's a joer

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[masho46]

Welcome in. If 25 is mid life then I'm fucked. Will say the r1 isn't the best first bike , in fact I would say nutz. Please stay safe

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If mid life is 25 I'm already dead just need notifying.

[PJC]

Welcome in, congrats on your up coming arrival hope all goes well on that front

The R1 is a great bike I hope you have great times with it and learn the necessary skills to ride and maintain it

You say you have tons of restraint, I disagree; you allowed yourself to buy an R1 as your first bike whilst your wife is pregnant, that to me shows selfishness, I am not having a go it's just my take on your decision, yes I know any bike or car can get you into trouble as a new road user but no cars (most can afford)have what a 1000cc SS have.

I feel sorry for you really, you will never learn the skills most on here have by coming thru the ranks and getting a feel for different types of bikes, tyres and the suspension they wear.

I truly wish you all the best and you learn very quickly and I hope your confidence is not knocked by 150+ BHP, credit card contact patch, heavy weight, stiff suspension that is your first bike

If you stop posting I can only assume, you made the wrong choice

[Diablo2484]

WOW! Slightly over opiniated & rude.

I suppose you get the self righteous on every public forum.

Just for the record I also own a car so not sure how you've come to the whole selfish conclusion. The bike is a weekend toy as my job dictates that I must carry a ridiculous amount of sport equipment with me.

In future I will be more specific so to stop assumptions. Because we all know what that does....

I have no intention of riding like a complete an utter tool. The speed limit is the speed limit on or in anything.

I have faith in my own ability.

Your opinion is your opinion regardless of how completely irreverent it is.....

I'm off for a ride in the glorious sun.

Adios for now

[pod]

I agree with a lot of what pete says diablo. There was No Restraint when purchasing the r1. You say you have faith in your ability but as yet you have next to none! These bikes were designed to go round a track as quick as possible (but you knew that anyway). Gl fella . Hope it works out for you.

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[PJC]

I am sorry you read my intent that way.

So you think buying a bike with nearly 1000bhp per ton isn't being a tad selfish especially as you are about to become a father, man a 125 is dangerous never mind a fire breathing R1. You haven't taken into account other road users and pedestrians

Riding at the speed limit, why did you buy an R1

I am not self righteous, well not all the time but I will speak my mind either on here or face to face as others on here are well aware.

Your reply goes to show your complete lack of understanding of bikes and the dangers associated with riding them

My opinions are based on 31 years riding experience with over 1/4 million bike miles on 20 plus bikes with a few crashes to boot, ex racer and class champion and track day instructor. I now at weekends teach newer riders how to stay alive on modern sports bikes and try and pass on skills to those who want to learn

Like I say I wish you all the best, I just think even with your "faith in my own abilities" you are putting yourself in unnecessary dangers

[pod]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4JxrGZVgpU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

read this on the yank r6 forum 2 yrs ago, great article.

I got this from one of the imageboards. Thought it had some good advice on it, so here it is.

SO YOU WANNA GET A SPORTBIKE?

FIRST THINGS FIRST - BEFORE YOU BUY A BIKE
Before you buy a motorcycle, you need to buy some gear, and you need to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's basic training course. The MSF course will teach you the basics of riding a bike on the road. It's not terribly expensive, it's not hard, and it will give you a huge advantage when you start riding on your own. Plus, in many states the MSF course counts as your driving portion ofthe license test. To find a course, go to http://www.msf-usa.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As far as gear: at the very minimum, you need to buy a HELMET, JACKET, GLOVES, and BOOTS. Any time you are on the bike you should have all ofthat stuff on. Every time. Riding a motorcycle is DANGEROUS, there is always a risk of an accident, even if you do nothing wrong. Protect yourself.
You don't need to spend a lot, but you will probably spend close to $500 on decent stuff. Make sure the helmet is DOT- or Snell-certified, and everything you buy is motorcycle-specific. You should also really get some kind of leg protection - jeans last about two seconds while sliding across asphalt at 60 mph.

OK, SO WHAT BIKE IS GOOD FOR A BEGINNER?
The best rule of thumb for a starter bike is this: Two or fewer cylinders, 750cc or less. Any bike that follows those guidelines will be an excellent starter bike. But perhaps a list would be more helpful. The most common beginner sportbikes are, in no particular order: Ninja 250, Ninja 500, GS500, Ninja 650, SV650. There are others, but these are by farthe easiest to find and the most reliable. Each bike has its pros and cons, so do some research and find out what fits foryou and your budget.

Unless you have money to burn, buy a used bike. Two reasons for this. One: used beginner bikes hold their value very well, so you'll be able to sell it in a year or so forvery close to the price you paid for it. Two: you will probably drop yourfirst bike. It might be at 50 MPH, it might be at 5, it might be stopped at alight, but it's probably going to happen, and when it does you're going to feel awful about scratching and denting a brand new bike you're still making payments on. Buy a used bike, and it's probably got a few scuffs already, so you can pick it back up and move on.

I WANNA START ON A CBR/ZX-6R/GSXR/YZF R6/ETC. INLINE-4 SUPERSPORT!
Don't. Just don't. Don't even think about it. These bikes are little more than racebikes with lights, designed to instantly and unforgivingly respond to whatever input they get from the rider. These bikes do not tolerate mistakes, and as a new riderYOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES!

It's not simply a matter of speed or horsepower.

1. Four~cylinder motorcycle engines make huge amounts of power by rewing to very high RPMs, and this means they have a very peaky powerband. Twins have linear power delivery, meaning you get the same sort of response from the engine at 3500 RPM and 8000 RPM. are very sluggish at low RPM but extremely powerful at high RPM. Meaning the engine's response to more throttle will be wildy different in different situations.

2. Throttle response is very twitchy, due to a number of design features like lightweight flywheels and how the throttle itself is built. Supersport motors rev extremely fast and respond more quickly to changes in throttle position. Meaning if you hit a bump that upsets your right hand you'll get a huge burst of power, or if you use too much throttle on a downshift and let go ofthe clutch leveryou'll do an unintentional, uncontrolled wheelie. In the middle oftraffic.

3. Riding position on these bikes is extreme. On the track you want to be tucked down and forward, so the grips are set low and forward--so it's hard to ride at street-legal speeds without leaning on the grips, which is not only hard on the wrists, it makes fine control inputs difficult. There's a reason dirt bikers sit upright and have high, wide handlebars--they don't need to tuck down against 200mph headwinds, or crawl over the tank and hang half off the bike to one side at full lean, so they set up their bikes for best control.

4. The brakes are extremely strong. More than strong enough to eitherflip the bike or lock up eitherwheel and make you crash.

Putting all these elements on one motorcycle and puttingthat bike underneath a new rider is a recipe for disaster. A new motorcyclist DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING and needs to learn on a bike that will put up with the errors of inexperience. Additionally, insurance on these bikes is much more expensive than on proper starter bikes. Full coverage on a 1999 GSSOO: $300/year. Full coverage on a 2006 GSX-R 600: $1800/year.

Note that older 600s are not any better for a beginner. Bikes like and early cbr 600f4's, early 2000's GSX-R's and ZX-6's may not be quite as powerful as the brand new stuff, but they all share the same design features that make supersports bad for beginners. Any bike that was a top—of-the-line sportbike should be avoided.
But maybe you're still not convinced, and you've got some other reason to start on a supersport.

MY FRIEND STARTED ON AN 600 (OR EVEN A LITERBIKE) AND HE'S STILL ALIVE!
The purpose of your first motorcycle is not 'survival,' it's learning to be a skilled, capable rider. It's idiotic to say that starting on a supersport guarantees your impending doom. But it makes the risk of an accident monstrously higher, and even if you don't wreck you're going to be awful at riding. A skilled rider on a 250 will easily outpace a bad rider on a 600 on a twisty road, because it's so difficult to learn properly when you're concentrating on ‘survival.’ No successful motorcycle racer in the world started riding on a 600cc-class race bike.


BUT THOSE SMALLER BIKES AREN'T AS COOL OR AS PRETTY or MY BUDDIES WILL MAKE FUN OF ME IF I DON'T START ON A 600
If appearances are the reason you want to buy a supersport, you need to seriously ask yourself why you want to start such a dangerous, expensive hobby in the first place. If you want to ride because it looks fun, because it's a unique and exhilerating experience, you need to be willing to put offyour dream bike for a while. It's a tad cliche, but it's true: your first bike is not your last.
If you want a bike because you want too look cool or impress people, then it doesn't really matter what I say, does it? Going fast in a straight line takes no skill, and cruising past the mall in a wifebeater and sandals takes even less. Hopefully you'll get bored and sell your bike before you end up in a situation you're not prepared for and wind up dead.

I WAS TOLD IF YOU HAVE SELF-CONTROL WITH THE THROTTLE, YOU WON'T CRASH
Whoever told you that is a moron. This is usually a justification for starting on a big bike or even for not wearing gear. I've already explained why supersports are bad for beginners and why horsepower isn't the only reason; and the fact is that even the most perfect rider in the world is always at risk of an accident. Traffic is almost as likely to cause an wreck as the rider is. All it takes is someone driving an SUV to not notice your presence fortwo seconds, and all of a sudden you're off your bike. Maybe they didn't look carefully enough when pulling out from a stop sign, or maybe they were too busy on their cell phone to see you before they merged. Rider vigilance will go a long way towards avoiding a wreck with a cager, but it's not a guarantee. Wear all your gear, all the time.

HOW ABOUT A 1000cc TWIN?
The linear powerband of a twin is great for a beginner, but the bigger twins make huge amounts of torque. The big liter twins trade top-end power for enough low-rev grunt to get a new rider in serious trouble. Power wheelies in second gear kind of trouble. They also share similar suspension geometry and brakes with their 4-cylinder cousins. All told, a 1000cc twin is just as bad as a 600cc I4 to start out on.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO SELL MY FIRST BIKE IN A YEAR WHEN I GET BORED
1. Motorcycling is not something you do for convenience. You have no cargo room, you get wet if it rains, you've got to carry a helmet around with you, you get hot and you get cold. Why is the mild inconvenience of dealing with a vehicle sale such a concern? 2. You really shouldn't get bored. Many riders who've been riding foryears and years buy Ninja 250s for the sheer simplicity and easy handling, or commute on 650cc twins because they're so much fun in everyday traffic. These people are more than qualified to be riding around on brand-new literbikes but they choose not to. They probably know a few things that you don't. 3. Again, your first bike is not your last. Be patient.

I'M A BIG AND/OR TALL DUDE, THESE SMALLER BIKES AREN'T POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CART ME AROUND
Unless you weigh at least 400 pounds, it just doesn't matter. A Ninja 250 can hit 90+ MPH easily with a 250lb rider, and it has two seats, for crying out loud! If one of the smallest motorcycles available can do highway speeds with two human beings aboard, using your weight to justify a 600cc bike is just bull .
Height is a different matter. From personal experience I can say that legroom on the new 250R is rather cramped if you're taller than 6'2". Be sure to at least sit on the bike before you buy it. If you're on the tall side, look for a naked bike like the GSSOOE orthe SV650N, or you could look for a dua|-sport/supermoto, basically a road-legal dirtbike. In any case, full-on supersports are going to be even less comfortable, because of the position of the seat, handlebars, and footpegs.

I DRIVE A FAST CAR, SO CAN HANDLE A FAST MOTORCYCLE
This is probably the worst argument for anytning ever. Driving and riding are nothing alike. You're really reaching for excuses now, aren't you?

I'VE READ THIS WHOLE THING BUT I STILL THINK I CAN START ON A 600, I'M CAREFUL/SPECIAL/RESPONSIBLE/AWESOME ENOUGH TO BE OKAY
There comes a point in conversations with wannabe riders, especially on the Internet, when it becomes apparent that the guy only wants to be told what he wants to hear. He's already made up his mind, and the only reason he's asking is to hear people tell him "yeah, go ahead!" Any advice to the contrary just gets ignored. I don't know of anything else to tell you. Starting on a race bike is not a good idea, but in America at least you have the right to purchase whatever motorcycle you like. If you're lucky, you won't crash. If you're not lucky, you could be seriously injured or killed. You've come asking the advice of those with much more experience than you have; ignore it at your peril.


This has been "Sportbikes are not Beginner Bikes" by Matt Pickering of the now defunct BeginnerBikes.com, chopped and screwed by Anonymous people here and there on the internet



I know some have proposed changes. Friend me on mymoto and hit me with a PM, or respond here and I'll make the edit.

In gif format:

http://i.imgur.com/s4wtm.gif" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Diablo2484]

Well Mr 31 years experience, track day instructor & all round bike warrior

I politely request you take your mountains of over exaggerated experience, opinion's & negativity somewhere else.

They are not wanted nor appreciated here.

I joined as an enthusiast hoping this forum was different from the countless others full of big time warriors.

I'm sure you are public friend number one if "everybody" knows you speak your mind. Congratulations. Another masterful achievement.

So in short.... Thanks but no thanks.

[jompy]

Hey Ashley Pete wasn't having a pop he's just showing concern don't get all defensive , your into your sports if someone came up to you & said i've never run in my life & i'm unfit but i'm going to "run" the london marathon you'd be concerned for them too .
Don't go getting all defensive buddy these people are a bloody good bunch & they're trying to help you

Now I am not naive enough to think that I will not get maximum finger wags when I tell everybody that I chose an R1 as my first bike.

You said it yourself & now you get defensive , chill out bud .

What i believe Pete was trying to say is you have a child on the way but instead of buying a slower ,lighter , safer recommended bike to learn on you've bought an R1 and the extra risk that goes with it & just like Pete said good luck with that ! you maybe able to be restrained and it may all be about the image of owning an R1 , f**k it i know i love owning a half 1 lol

give the guys on here a chance & we'll give you one too but remember if you bike they'll go fishing just for the sport

welcome to the forum dude hope you had a good ride

[Luke03R1]

Well Mr 31 years experience, track day instructor & all round bike warrior

I politely request you take your mountains of over exaggerated experience, opinion's & negativity somewhere else.

They are not wanted nor appreciated here.

I joined as an enthusiast hoping this forum was different from the countless others full of big time warriors.

I'm sure you are public friend number one if "everybody" knows you speak your mind. Congratulations. Another masterful achievement.

So in short.... Thanks but no thanks.

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