Yamaha R6 & R1...

Message

Maverick33 · Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:17 am

I haven't bought my streetbike yet, but a couple buddies of mine from Indiana (I recently moved to AZ) bought R6's as their 1st bike and are riding them quite well actually (they have no previous experience). I've been riding on dirt since I was about 11 years of age (so I've got much more experience than they had when they started) and I am now 19. I really like the R6 and I'm also quite fond of the R6's big brother (R1). I know these bikes are quite the machines (been doing my research), but I was looking for some pointers from people who have some lagitimate experience on them...want to hear what people think of these bikes. Also, any stories welcome. Thanks.

stock28 · #2 Unread post by **stock28** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:22 am

You're going to get the same responses here as you did in the begginer forum. They are not a good starter bike. End of story. If you want one get it, just don't say you haven't been warned. Good luck with what ever bike you decide on.

Keyoke · #3 Unread post by **Keyoke** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:41 am

read this:-

viewtopic.php?t=583

'nuff said...

stock28 · #4 Unread post by **stock28** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:49 am

Is that a sticky? If not it should be. Cut and paste is the easiest way to answer that question.

Toyuzu · #5 Unread post by **Toyuzu** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:09 am

Maverick,

Even the R6 makes the most powerful dirtbike ever made look like a schwinn. Your experience in the dirt means nothing on the street. The only similarities are the controls on the bikes. Street riding is completely different, and street bikes are completely different. Especially those street bikes.

If you're determined, there's obviously nothing we can say to dissuade you, your friends who started on R6's are at a great disadvantage riding on the street. They have no experience, and if an emergency situation comes up, they will not know how to handle it. On the bikes they're riding, they will overreact and get hurt, or worse.

They have been lucky so far, but that's no guarantee that you will be, too. Just think, with their lack of experience, you could get a more beginner-friendly bike and learn to ride the wheels off it. You'll probably even be able to out-ride them on their R6's.

Mag7C · #6 Unread post by **Mag7C** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:06 pm

Toyuzu is right. Get a better learning bike and after a few hundred miles you will be able to outride your R6 friends. I've outridden sportbikers on my 700cc cruiser in the curvies. Of course, once we hit the straight stretch I eat their dust...

To be honest, I wouldn't even buy a sportbike at my stage. Maybe a 250. Maybe. They're crazy touchy machines though.

My advice: Start with a standard. Standards are good all-around motorcycles, and in most cases won't kill you for a mistake.

Maverick33 · Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:43 am

I'm still looking around...and I do appreciate all the advice. I don't want to die (yet), but I do want to have a good time on something I appreciate riding. So, I'm going to humor you guys with a "typical" post. First, I'm not looking to "outride" everyone on the street, so as much as your stereotypes and statistics say I am going to be just another crazy, completely ignorant streetbike owner out there...I have to say that's not the case (I'm the "exception" haha

). Sure I will want to get on it every once in a while (and it might scare me to death, but trust me, it's happened many times before), but I'm not lacking common sense. Also, I am aware that dirt riding and street riding are, indeed, two different scenarios, but I disagree with Toyuzu...I'm thinking (and many others that have learned on dirt and progressed to street riding are knowing ) that many of the skills I have acquired on the dirt will, in fact, benefit me on the street. Sure, the fundamentals are somewhat different, but by no means does that mean I can't adapt.

...and Stock28, I didn't post this in the EXPERIENCED FORUM to try and get the "response they want" from other members...I did it for some information (like TechBMW suggested). I'm not "set" on any bike at this particular moment, so the more information I get, the better decision I will be able to make.

...Keyoke, you're right...that was a great post and I learned from it.

I understand that the temptation to do stupid things will always linger around, but I've been tempted to do many stupid things in my life (i.e. drugs, girls, etc.). And hey, so far I'm not a drug addict and I'm not a father...(of course that excludes illegitimate children...kidding!

)

stock28 · #8 Unread post by **stock28** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:39 am

As I said, you posted the same question on both boards and got the same repsonses. You don't have to try to do somethng stupid on a 600 sport bike to get hurt. Would you expect driver's ed at school to provide students with a 700 HP NASCAR race car to learn on? Same concept. If you do a search on first bikes, you will see this question over and over with the same answers and the same justifications on why they can handle it because they won't TRY to do anything stupid on it. I nor anyone else here is trying to jump on you. I/we just don't want to see someone get hurt or killed.

Toyuzu · #9 Unread post by **Toyuzu** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:44 pm

Maverick33 wrote: Also, I am aware that dirt riding and street riding are, indeed, two different scenarios, but I disagree with Toyuzu...I'm thinking (and many others that have learned on dirt and progressed to street riding are knowing ) that many of the skills I have acquired on the dirt will, in fact, benefit me on the street. Sure, the fundamentals are somewhat different, but by no means does that mean I can't adapt.

You're missing my point, Maverick. I'm not questioning that your skill on the dirt, as far as the mechanics of the bikes, and to some extent how they handle cannot be transferred to the street. (The first time you try to put your foot down in a corner on the street will be the LAST time, by the way. It hurts.)

I'm referring more to the vast array of hazards you will have to deal with on the street. When you're riding off road, there are no semis blowing tires while you're passing them. There are no soccer moms in SUV and mini vans who are always oblivious to your presence. There are no blind drivers turning in front of you. There are no vehicle trying to occupy your lane on the freeway while you're still in it.

If you start out on a bike that has a power level closer to what you're used to on the dirt, you will be far more prepared to handle any of those hazards.

You can argue that you're the "exception" to the rule all you want, and you may, in fact, posess more restraint than most, but facts are facts, and statistics prove than an R6 , let alone an R1 is no bike to begin your street riding experience on!

oldnslo · #10 Unread post by **oldnslo** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:52 pm

Exactly what dirt-riding skills are transferable to the street? Some are, to be sure, and they definitely count, but what are they, and how significant are they in the grand scheme of street survival? Just wondering what people with only dirt experience think.