www.YamahaR.co.uk

I haven't had as many bike's as others on here but this is how i did it. I got myself a 50cc scooter back in 2000 which i had for a year did my full bike test and went out and got a ZXR6 . I had 1 years NCB from the scooter so the insurance wasn't to bad. I stopped biking in 2004 and had a break till 2010 when I went out and got a R6 which I kept for 7 months and jumped on the R1 . I'd only ever sat on a couple of R1's before that never riden one till i picked mine up from the show room & that was 3 years ago. Like some of the others have said at the end of the day it's up to you pal. I'd get a few insurance quotes 1st & if they good go get a R1 and enjoy it.

thanks guys - all really helpful - it's quite a community and lovely to hear! Positive and negative I think all your thought have helped me...

I'm going to go check to a couple of SV's at the weekend (I wont lie and say en-route there may just be a small diversion to 2 places and they have YZF's.

Interesting point on the fuel injected V carb'd ones too I actually was under the reverse assumption so it's great to know up front.

I'm not all too bothered on going quicker or slower than anybody (who knows better than you all if that will change) but I'm definitely interested in the two main reasons why I think the R1s are a bit of a challenge - 1 insurance costs (ok I figured of the 2 quotes I got - 1 was f'off and the other was 700 - perhaps the 700 hundred was unrealistic because they knew I didn't own one yet). But 2 - it's certainly a plus to think that a smaller engined bike will allow me to develop more quickly - I was under the (wrong?!) impression that I could use a faster bike but do it slowly then grow into the bike. I guessed the near misses and accidents would be a higher rate but I also hoped the learning curve would ultimately be the same ie. I wasn't expecting to learn anything on the commute's except overtaking on single lane 60 was terrifying when somebody doesn't check their hidden driveway exit.

I'll try an XJ and a fazer on my travels too with some luck - maybe Thursday lunchtime...

Thanks for all your advice.

I bet I'll still be a complete plank if an unmissable deal pops up on an R6/1 and it'd end up mine, but I'd spend the spare 300 quid on a dirt bike and just clean/strip/rebuild/look at the R1 (at least for a few months)

This is a great forum mate, and it doesn't matter what you ride we are all here to help give tips and advice, you have made an enter acne and are now part of our community, so please stay here, wherever you buy. Just remember take time to build up your skills, become one with your bike and learn to interpret what it tells you through the pegs, seat of your leathers, bars etc, bikes do tell you what's going on underneath you and that information is invaluable in staying upright. You will drop the bike at some point, we all have , it's part of biking.

There are times when my R1 has had a little slide as I have been going round a damp bend, the bike is saying steady on Stephen it's a bit slippy, back it off a bit.... You will learn this.

Good luck in you bike hunting and here's wishing you many happy miles in the saddle.

I think an R-1 as a first bike - is absolutely nuts...........

I know, I was that soldier!

Passed my test (late bloomer) in 2004, and really hankered after the brand new Honda SP2 in the local dealers. What the Fcuk was I thinking? It would have pulled my arms from the sockets!

A worse bike as a first one, would be the Fireblade 954 - short first gear - can hoik a minger at the drop of the hat - at least the R-1 has a tall first ratio, so is controllable off the line.

In the end I bought a BMW BoxerCup Replika (1100 cc boxer - 100bhp). I think I did the right thing.

Al

Ive had 3 different 600's.

a honda hornet and 2 zx6r's.
Even the small power difference of like 20bhp between the 600's ive had is very noticable.

Sounds to me like you want the R1 and no matter how much deliberation that's where you are going to end up.

It will not forgive your mistakes
It will not be more planted on the road ( a level of skill is needed for that also )
It WILL give you the fright of your life
You WILL crash ( we all do ) but on an R1 it could be horrendous

Learn your roadcraft and bike craft progressively .
CBR600 ?

Having a big heavy fast bike is not going to benefit you in any way shape or form until you are ready for the bike.



Sent to heaven coz hell was full.

Some great advice on here for you.

I had a few 600's before my R1, I started slow and built up. I had an FZ6 for three years, used daily, when I started to get bored on it I then looked at litre bikes. I don't think we can emphasize the need to learn how to ride correctly, countersteering etc. There is no better way to learn than do miles, loads of miles.

If you get the R1, which you are entitled to do now you have passed your test, be carefull, they bite.

At the end of the day it's your choice.

My first road bike after I passed my test was a brand new R1 bought in 1998.
It was the 4th R1 in Aberdeen, and the first one written off. Read into that what you want.

Dry stone dyke at The Spittal of Glenshee 1 v new 1998 R1 0.

Coddy wrote:At the end of the day it's your choice.

My first road bike after I passed my test was a brand new R1 bought in 1998.
It was the 4th R1 in Aberdeen, and the first one written off. Read into that what you want.

Dry stone dyke at The Spittal of Glenshee 1 v new 1998 R1 0.

lol

Just to clarify my 4xv is quite smooth even at low speed & the power is smooth too . . . . . . . . . well until you hit 8000rpm & then it goes mental

hello mate, i can see where your coming from im young and everyone said noo not an r1, but it wasnt my first bike. I dont think its necassarily the speed of the bike its other things, the er6 has higher bars, probably better visibility, more manoeuvrability and if you drop it theyre parts are cheaper to buy. On the other side most superbikes including r1's have crap turning circles, not the nicest riding position etc (dont get me wrong i love mine, she comes before the mrs) . All im saying is obviously its your choice and fair play whatever you choose with but i dont think its acceleration or speed which is the difference between them.

Feck it get ZZR1400

seriously a if you have the £££ get a tidy KTM 690 great bike get a year or so under your belt

I am quite surprised that although people are advising against an R1 that they are advising to get an R6.
An R6 aint exactly that much slower than an R1 and you can get into near enough the same trouble on an R6.
If you have the self control not to go nuts on an R6, then you have the same self control not to do it on an R1.
Personally I have found my R1 to be the easiest bike I have ever ridden but I did have many many years of experience under my belt before I got one.
This all includes learning to deal with speed and braking from speed, its very easy to be going a lot faster than you think you are going and then hit a corner 20mph to fast.
I'm going to change my mind on what i said earlier.
Get one, whats the worst that can happen?

stug wrote:I am quite surprised that although people are advising against an R1 that they are advising to get an R6.
An R6 aint exactly that much slower than an R1 and you can get into near enough the same trouble on an R6.
If you have the self control not to go nuts on an R6, then you have the same self control not to do it on an R1.
Personally I have found my R1 to be the easiest bike I have ever ridden but I did have many many years of experience under my belt before I got one.
This all includes learning to deal with speed and braking from speed, its very easy to be going a lot faster than you think you are going and then hit a corner 20mph to fast.
I'm going to change my mind on what i said earlier.
Get one, whats the worst that can happen?

Have to agree re the R6, for one its tiny and cramped especially for a 6ft + guy. Ive ridden one and all it wants is revving and revving hard.

For me I would go and buy a 98 FW CBR600 or FZR600 foxeye, both cost not a lot, spares are cheap and they are great bikes that will work on track as well.

PJC wrote:

stug wrote:I am quite surprised that although people are advising against an R1 that they are advising to get an R6.
An R6 aint exactly that much slower than an R1 and you can get into near enough the same trouble on an R6.
If you have the self control not to go nuts on an R6, then you have the same self control not to do it on an R1.
Personally I have found my R1 to be the easiest bike I have ever ridden but I did have many many years of experience under my belt before I got one.
This all includes learning to deal with speed and braking from speed, its very easy to be going a lot faster than you think you are going and then hit a corner 20mph to fast.
I'm going to change my mind on what i said earlier.
Get one, whats the worst that can happen?

Have to agree re the R6, for one its tiny and cramped especially for a 6ft + guy. Ive ridden one and all it wants is revving and revving hard.

For me I would go and buy a 98 FW CBR600 or FZR600 foxeye, both cost not a lot, spares are cheap and they are great bikes that will work on track as well.

+1 there was mention of the er6, but like stug said the r6 is a screaming banshie that wants to be ridden! my older brother after riding for six+ years had a bad car accident he returned to riding and bought a hornet 600 fucken lovely bit of kit comfortable, plenty of power, superb handling! and its a bloody big bike too (you mention being a gert fella)



That is not me on the bike

I dont think its a wise move getting an r1 as a 1st bike, the r1 has a very quick throttle action and miniscule input will see the front wheel in the air and your ass on the floor..
If you cant see why advice is dont do it , get a test ride and find out for yourself!!

Back in 2001 when i had my 1st r1 i had a client that had a big touring bmw, he was asking whats it like is it comfy etc etc etc, i said take her for a spin and find out , omg i sh!t myself as he opened the throttle making the front leap into the air and then slam down again as he shut of , it was like a bucking bronko..
He stopped and i had to bring her back .. he looked at me and just said fkn hell with sheer terror on his face.

This is a bmw rider and he wasnt ready for a pure sports tool like the r1 , think about that !!!

I dont want to say your a fool or yeh great idea, just want you to be well aware what the r1 is .. its not a motorbike its a missile and trust me when i say this it will get out of shape far easier than a 600 .

sorry for being negative but i would rather see any new rider enjoy the 1st few years of biking by not drowning before learning to swim

Don't think I can really add too much more to what the guys have said and I agree with the majority that has been said. My answer would also be no to a R1 at this stage. Why? Like the rest of the guys on here I ride a R1 so I know what they are all about. They demand respect even from the most experienced riders and they bite hard when things go wrong. Everything happens fast and the speed can easily creep up unnoticed. You may be older and wiser but riding a motorbike takes time to perfect and believe me everyday is a learning day. My first bike was SV650s which was more than capable of bring a smile to your face. I rode this bike in all weathers/situations for as many miles as I could. Once I thought I was confident with my riding I decided to move up to GSXR 600 - what a difference, all the levels had moved up a notch. Steering was quicker, throttle response was sharper and braking was harder - time to learn again. After a few years with the GSXR 600 I started thinking about a litre bike and spoke to few big bike owners who gave me lots info on what to expect. Finally took the plunge a got a test ride on a GSXR 1000. The jump from SV to 600 seemed big but from a 600 to a 1000 was bigger still. From my experience and looking back to my first bike and thinking what you are asking I just think its a bad idea and could potentially put you off biking for good.

Scrapman wrote: It will not forgive your mistakes
It will not be more planted on the road ( a level of skill is needed for that also )
It WILL give you the fright of your life
You WILL crash ( we all do ) but on an R1 it could be horrendous

Having a big heavy fast bike is not going to benefit you in any way shape or form until you are ready for the bike.

Agree with the WILL points just hope my undies stay white and it's not so bad. I kinda understand this from cycling (sure some people are lucky tho)

Tonight is a "not such a good idea" night... On the upside I think I'm going to head over to wigan yamaha soon - they have a thudercat 600 which seems same sort of size and a more tame alternative. But also they have a few fazers. They look to also have a hornet and a vstrom - Out of the whole shop I should be able to find something the right size that works on and off track at least to some degree...

Appreciate the feedback as always. I'm thinking I can be restrained enough to manage a YZF but there's nothing to say I cant start on a 600 average bike which may not teach me as much or as quick on the track (maybe, maybe not the case). But if I quickly outgrow the 600 quickly (within 8 months being quickly in my mind) I can always trade up to a YZF... I think this way if I outgrow a 600 Fazer for example, I get to say to all ya all - see told you so If not I get to say thanks and who knows the consensus of opinions may have even saved me a fall or two or three...

If anybody knows anythink about Wigan Yamaha let me know (or any dealer tricks and tips to get a better deal).

Thanks all - even if I end up on a Honda I'll stick around - its a great forum and community you got here and because eventually I'd want the amazing 2008 R1 I keep seeing - who knows I may surprise myself and get there (skill wise) in 12 months - who knows!
thanks
Mike

Luke03R1 wrote:

PJC wrote:

stug wrote:I am quite surprised that although people are advising against an R1 that they are advising to get an R6.
An R6 aint exactly that much slower than an R1 and you can get into near enough the same trouble on an R6.
If you have the self control not to go nuts on an R6, then you have the same self control not to do it on an R1.
Personally I have found my R1 to be the easiest bike I have ever ridden but I did have many many years of experience under my belt before I got one.
This all includes learning to deal with speed and braking from speed, its very easy to be going a lot faster than you think you are going and then hit a corner 20mph to fast.
I'm going to change my mind on what i said earlier.
Get one, whats the worst that can happen?

Have to agree re the R6, for one its tiny and cramped especially for a 6ft + guy. Ive ridden one and all it wants is revving and revving hard.

For me I would go and buy a 98 FW CBR600 or FZR600 foxeye, both cost not a lot, spares are cheap and they are great bikes that will work on track as well.

+1 there was mention of the er6, but like stug said the r6 is a screaming banshie that wants to be ridden! my older brother after riding for six+ years had a bad car accident he returned to riding and bought a hornet 600 fucken lovely bit of kit comfortable, plenty of power, superb handling! and its a bloody big bike too (you mention being a gert fella)



That is not me on the bike

Would never have guessed

cmsmwoo1 wrote:

Scrapman wrote: It will not forgive your mistakes
It will not be more planted on the road ( a level of skill is needed for that also )
It WILL give you the fright of your life
You WILL crash ( we all do ) but on an R1 it could be horrendous

Having a big heavy fast bike is not going to benefit you in any way shape or form until you are ready for the bike.

Agree with the WILL points just hope my undies stay white and it's not so bad. I kinda understand this from cycling (sure some people are lucky tho)

Tonight is a "not such a good idea" night... On the upside I think I'm going to head over to wigan yamaha soon - they have a thudercat 600 which seems same sort of size and a more tame alternative. But also they have a few fazers. They look to also have a hornet and a vstrom - Out of the whole shop I should be able to find something the right size that works on and off track at least to some degree...

Appreciate the feedback as always. I'm thinking I can be restrained enough to manage a YZF but there's nothing to say I cant start on a 600 average bike which may not teach me as much or as quick on the track (maybe, maybe not the case). But if I quickly outgrow the 600 quickly (within 8 months being quickly in my mind) I can always trade up to a YZF... I think this way if I outgrow a 600 Fazer for example, I get to say to all ya all - see told you so If not I get to say thanks and who knows the consensus of opinions may have even saved me a fall or two or three...

If anybody knows anythink about Wigan Yamaha let me know (or any dealer tricks and tips to get a better deal).

Thanks all - even if I end up on a Honda I'll stick around - its a great forum and community you got here and because eventually I'd want the amazing 2008 R1 I keep seeing - who knows I may surprise myself and get there (skill wise) in 12 months - who knows!
thanks
Mike

Mike, you must be local to me, I get my bikes from Wigan Yamaha, as have a few others on here. I can't fault them, however some of the guys have had some concerns about servicing, I haven't... See the three I started re your dealers...... James and mark the salesmen are good blokes, tell them You know me, Steve Edwards....

I guess you must be local to me, I'm in Warrington, where are you? If you fancy going for a run with someone let me know, I will try to show you the ropes. .... Good luck with the bike hunting

Steve

Thunderpuss's are good bikes and the early fazer use's a detuned thunderpuss engine ,but a fazer , hornet ,sv or bandit make ideal first bikes & who says you can't take any of them on the track ?

Can you let us know when you are going to Wigan Yamaha, I am sure a few who are close by will pop along and guide you to the R1's let you look, stroke, drool and even sit on one, then kindly lead you away to a bike that is far more suitable and one you will enjoy.

Cheers Steve!

Steve R1 wrote: I guess you must be local to me, I'm in Warrington, where are you? If you fancy going for a run with someone let me know, I will try to show you the ropes. .... Good luck with the bike hunting
Steve

I'm in Ewloe so a bit of a graft to Widness/warrington but if all the right bikes are in the same place I'm cool nipping over (those guys have all the right bikes I've been looking at).

Update: Been to Bill smiths in chester at lunch today. I sat on an R6, R1, Suzuki GSF and triuph's I can safely say the R1s I dont feel too daft on but I look a bit daft on (unless my chins on the tank) The R6's pretty much the same deal. the newer R1s (maybe it was the colour or subttle differences) seem much more suitable but alas out of my piggy bank's reach and the wife has her's electrified... I took the wife and she prefered the GSXR's but even though they seemed to look wider just felt a bit small. The triumph speed's look nice but when I sat on I seemed to take all that away and make them look like a pit bike

The GSFs seemed the perfect type of bike but it just felt like it would be a bit sloppy on a track?? - ideall for commuting I'm sure...

GSX1200F was there too - the one available was way outa my budget but seemed to have a nice feel to em.

I think this saturday's out but yeh would be good to get some opinions, advice and to be led away from anything thats a bit of a duffer

been using MCN reviews as my bible - but it's always good to get some real world opinions where sponsorships and coorporate opinons are not involved...

will let you guys know when I'm heading over and if anybody's free would be great to get you along...
thanks

r1 might be ok, but unless your use of throttle, clutch and front brake are very good, it might catch you out it will "wheelie like a bastard" and for general running about probably won't be any quicker than ER6 - i've had 4xv for 14 uears and it's a brilliant bike but I'd been riding 25 years before I worked my way up to it. I ride in the fast group (or inters) on track days and still get duffed up by er6s if they are ridden well on the slower bits.
Actually had a test ride on an ER last year and it was brilliant fun - could rag the crap out of it - would have one if there was room in the garage! - cheaper to buy and no plastics to damage, check out times round tt course.
whatever you get enjoy it

be careful of More Crap than News and alot of other media , they can only tell you what they think & they also often push products & bike because they've gotten them for free or the bikes on loan !

As for what's good on track... It's who's good not what they're riding!

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