Trying a new bike

[TroubledMind]

I just started riding the beginning of this year. I've now put around 3,700 miles of my v-star 650. I'm finding I want something with a little more lean to it. A friend has offered to let me try out his Yamaha R1. Is it too soon to make a leap like that?

[Kuurus]

From everything I have read here,



YES !

It's not even a R6, it's a R1. It's very powerful and the slightest mistake could be taken out of proportions quickly. Why not try something more sport-touring like ? A SV650, A Fazer 600 (FZ?), a Bandit 650, or something around those. It's still quick enough and since it's a sport-touring, it can lean a lot, without having trickery brakes and stupidly huge amounts of power.

[ceemes]

If you want to take a big chance on committing suicide in a spectacular fashion, then no, it's not too soon.

If you wish to live to a ripe old age with all your bodily functions in working order and many miles of riding pleasure, then YES, it's far to bloody soon.

I've been riding on and off for over 20 years and R1 types of bikes of today scare the hell out of me.....and I've owned and ridden a Kawasaki Gpz 1100 in the past.

[Wrider]

Depends... Are you still dumping the clutch, revving way too high, missing gears? Stuff like that? If you're riding comfortably then I'd say no. I only had 2500 miles under my belt the first time I rode a Hayabusa and had no problem with it. Granted the R1 is way faster steering and more race-ready, but I rode an R6 at 1000 miles and didn't have much problem except for not realizing that I couldn't keep it under 4K RPM without it wanting to die. If you're careful, are very comfortable on your bike, and not pressured, feel free. If you're still dumping the clutch or messing up on your own bike, then a resounding NO.

[Amdonim]

I'd say probably not yet. Not to sound snobbish, but 3700 miles isn't a lot of miles. It's ultimately your choice, but a liter bike is the pinnacle of danger when it comes to production bikes. I'd honestly say way till you have 10-15k miles before you pick one up. Just my two cents, take it as you will.

[MZ33]

Best to try a few other bikes first, even if they are cruisers, just so you realize how different other bikes are. That's a hell of a bike to switch to. Everything will be different. I got to demo a Ducati last weekend, and the rep made sure we all knew to keep the revs over 3000, and two-finger those brakes. The position of legs, pegs, and shift are very different from a cruiser. That was just the 696 Monster. If you are looking for more lean, I would not try it out on your friend's R1. Heck, even a 250 Ninja will have more lean than your VStar. There are smaller bikes to test.

Are you regularly scraping pegs on your VStar?

[RhadamYgg]

I put about 5300 miles on my Ninja 250 before upgrading to a truly giant bike.

I bought the bike without a test ride and I'd say - while I'm happy with the bike now I probably wouldn't have purchased it if I had test rode it.

Apparently, not a lot of dealers will let you test-ride a bike with a billion horsepower.

My bike has two modes - A and B - for regulating horsepower. I always ride in B mode. I ran once in A mode and it wasn't too bad. A bit twitchy if you weren't in the correct gear, though. My bike is basically a Hayabusa without an upper fairing.

I've had some difficulties with my bike. Riding your friends bike introduces a little bit of legal difficulties... Apparently, motorcycle insurance does not always work the way it does in cars and you personally are covered on YOUR bike and your friend is covered on HIS bike, but YOU are probably not covered on HIS bike.

That being said, I've noticed that even small changes in riding attire can change how you can handle the bike. I would consider a major change to be a bike that changes your riding position.

This early in your riding career I would consider riding your buddies bike - should only be approached in a cautious manner (if approached at all). As previously mentioned, you should have utter and total confidence in your current bike before going after the R1.

I'd take it the MSF way... Parking lot, duck walk. Clutch practice/friction zone.

Personally, I've seen enough videos on youtube of people first time riding on powerful (or not so powerful) bikes and wheelieing the bike, running in to trees or resulting in some other mishap.

I even have a friend who used to ride at my job who had a 600 class riding buddy try a liter bike and overdo the throttle on start off and shoot the bike down the road. (Seems odd to me)

Some bikes, like mine, the Hayabusa and Aprillia Shiver have low power modes that would make trying them less HP induced trauma, and give you the higher lean angle you want to pursue.

So, even with all that - it is up to you.

RhadamYgg

[dr_bar]

I just started riding the beginning of this year. I've now put around 3,700 miles of my v-star 650. I'm finding I want something with a little more lean to it. A friend has offered to let me try out his Yamaha R1. Is it too soon to make a leap like that?

If you have to ask, you already know in your gut that the answer is that it is too soon. 3700 miles??? I've put over 6000 miles on my current trip and I'm still not home. 3700 is peanuts when you're talking about experience...

[Brackstone]

+1 with what Rhadam said

I would not go to an R1 and R6 a CBR or a GSXR or anything like that.

There is a big difference between Cruisers and Sport Bikes and still a difference between V-Twins and 4 Cylinders.

I had a lot of fun on my Ninja 250 if you arent' a realyl big guy (I'm like 155) then try that first. If you are a bigger guy try an SV 650 or Gladius which are V-Twin Engines but more sport tuned.

[TroubledMind]

If I had some type of opportunity to try a smaller bike I would, this is the only person I know in the immediate area with a sport bike, Well I did it today, I started out like Rhadam said and did some MSF practicing with the friction zone and getting a feel for the bike. I had no problems with the clutch or throttle. I actually really enjoyed it and could see myself getting a smaller sport bike in the future.