Is the R1 too much for me?

I have ridden the Honda Nighthawk for many years, and have borrowed a friends GSXR750 occasionally. I haven't ridden at all in a few years and really want to get a new bike. I want to get something that I won't need to upgrade in a year or two, but I also don't want to get in over my head. I am not unfamiliar with riding, but maybe to this class of bike. In your opinion, is the R1 a wise choice? I have also considered the R6, but with the changes coming next year I don't want to get this years model, and I definately don't want to wait.

Since you do have experience of bigger cc bikes I think you can handle the R1. Just be careful! It can surprise you.

Why not the poeple who get in real trouble are the ones that KNOW they are up to the task. Just give it a lot of respect. The R1 is tame except for the power. :thumbup

I find it to be vastly more forgiving than the 01 I had prior.

Originally posted by Viking I have ridden the Honda Nighthawk for many years, and have borrowed a friends GSXR750 occasionally. I haven't ridden at all in a few years and really want to get a new bike. I want to get something that I won't need to upgrade in a year or two, but I also don't want to get in over my head. I am not unfamiliar with riding, but maybe to this class of bike. In your opinion, is the R1 a wise choice? I have also considered the R6, but with the changes coming next year I don't want to get this years model, and I definately don't want to wait. The R1 is an extremely poor choice as a first sportbike.

get the R1 and use your head.... respect the power, you will be fine :jump

I bought an R1 as my first bike years ago and when I bought it a friend said to me " It's all in how much you twist the throttle, you can buy the fastest bike out and still ride it slow, you don't have to go fast" Just respect the bike and you'll be fine with an R1. It's the guys that think they know everything that find themselves sliding across the pavement with a three day old bike.:)

I must agree with ryberg-R1,I have been riding for a while now(the 2002 R1 shall be the tenth bike) and to be frank with you,my first ever superbike was the GPZ1100.Just like what you're thinking,I didn't want to end up wanting to get something more powerful in say....6 months?.Therefore it doesn't matter what you ride..it could be a beast or a pussy cat but if you wanna get killed even the pussycat will do.RESPECT,is the keyword here.respect for the well engineered machine which can almost take you to the moon with its power,which at the same time,you could crawl about at ,say...40kph as well.ask yourself this..is the Ferrari too much for the old coot who can afford it?(it took him that long to make the money to buy it).Nothing is too much if you ask me.These machines that go so fast so well can also go slow well.Take your time at it and you will surely have that wide grin across your face soon. ps.sorry for the long ass reply but I had to get the message across....and try not to ask this question again

:jump Hey, I might get some shit from some folks but I'll throw it out anyway. I bought my first bike, a '99 R1 last Feb. Every second I'm on it I never ever forget that my right wrist is essentially the midget operator on the express elevator to Hell... I love that bike more than life itself, but RESPECT it every second. I never push my skills, and just ride for fun. Get whatever bike you want, ride responsibly, and life will be good.

:jump http://www.allwebtoys.com/images/retro/road_hog.jpg