The R1 was my first street bike owned, rode friends f3, and f4 a few times and felt that i needed more power. Now I know people on here may bash me but no worries, I rode dirt most my life and the principle is the same, keep the rubber side down. Throttle control is the main key to riding abilities. I have also read many times over that (some)Moto GP guys train in the dirt to sharpen their skills during off season. Any how I do not regret my decision and I am at the top riding ability of whom I ride with. I do not recommend this to be a first bike for most people as some of us have it and some of us dont.

 

I started on the dirt as well and my first street bike that I purchased was the R1. No crashes and I'm going on 3 years. My only regret is that if you annonce that the R1 was your first bike on this forum you get blasted by everyone and their brother about how stupid a decision it was. Lucky for me my R1 came with a throttle and I was able to use what they call "throttle control"... Get what you want and look into that thing called "throttle control" and you'll be just fine!:hellobye

 

My R1 is my 1st true street bike. I have a dr650 enduro that I used to ride but really sucked on the street and the dirt. I've been riding dirt bikes for a while now and I believe that they helped me, by getting familar with motorcycles. I rode my buddies rc51 one day and I had to go out any buy a street bike for myself. Truthfully, I don't regret getting the R1 as my 1st bike. Yes it has way too much power for me but I'm really getting used to it now and also I don't do insane shit on the bike. I'm 32 5'10" 175lbs and the R1 was a perfect bike. If your 17 (like one of they guys here asking if the R1 as a 1st bike) your way to young for a 1000cc,not to mention that you'll be dead within a year. Just my .02...

 

Yes, the r1 was my first bike. It lasted for two months until a grand cherokee t-boned the side of my bike:no Im having better luck with my 02 Streetbikes were always in my family so I knew how to ride them before i got my 00r1, so its not like I was a complete moron:crash

 

By the way i am 28 and know if I had done this 10 years ago I would be on foot or much worse. not that 28 is old but what I have learned in that time helps.

 

"Throttle control is the main key to riding abilities" - Gage151

I also purchased an R1 as my first street bike. I rode dirt bikes during my teenage years, and later played around on my friend's TL1000R until I mustered up enough cash to buy my first R1 (stolen/never downed). I suggest prudent restraint when using the throttle and grow into an R1 over the course of a year or so. No doubt people will flame, but you asked who bought an R1 as thier first bike and I'm raising my hand...I'm still alive no major incidents to report just lots of quality miles on the bike that that I would have wound up riding anyway.

P.S. I was 26 when I bought my '00 R1

 

Yes the R1 was my first bike rode my friends Katana like 5 or 6 times. If you do get the one as a first bike just respect the bike becouse it will get you in trouble really fast. Thats just my 2 cents.

 

in my experience, a smaller bike makes faster riders, people who start with a big, powerful bike never know how to use them, start small, learn gradually,learn completely, keep in mind that a faster rider will go faster on a slow bike than a slow rider on a fast bike. even an r6 is more than enough for the street, the only time it will feel slow(ish) is if your friends all have r1s:hellobye

 

yep, first one

R1..first bike. Took the MSF course and then bought it. No dirt experience. Never had ridden a sreet bike other than the MSF course.

You just have to be CAREFUL!!! I was so damn scared when I got it, I wouldn't even get on the freeway...I still treat it like it could kill me quickly.

because it can.

 

2 rules of thought

I believe in both schools of thought on this one... I believe you can buy a big bike and have nice "throttle control" and just let yourself get used to it... Some people can do that.. BUT..... I've known more people who have gotten liter bikes as thier first bikes and hurt themselves pretty bad... I guess It all depends on the person.. But as far as statistics go.. Buying a liter bike as your first bike could be a big mistake... There just isn't much room for mistakes on these things... But remember... I say it's all in the wrist.. Don't be an idiot and pull the throttle back all the way... That's more self control than anything.. Hell I almost bought a GSXR 1100 as my first bike but the guy sold it... I ended up buying a CBR 600 F2 as my first one.. And didn't regret it.. ONly paid 3800 for it at the time.... But I love my R1.. I wish I had it long ago.. :rock

 

My R1 is my first street bike.

I raced dirtbikes for 10 years and finaly bought an R1.

Having dirt bike experience definatly does help a little. The main thing is your maturity level. Take a 17 yr old kid who thinks he know everything, like most teenagers. In a car we all have tried stupid shit and either spun out or maybee had a minor accident. At least you have a full cage around you to protect you.

These kids on bikes have NO CLUE what poeer to weight ratio means. They get on the bike and think, I can handle it, not know what lies beneath there ass.

I have found that with most things in life, you have to have respect. I respect my R1 immensly. Like everybody else said, Throttle control is everything.

Just use your brian and have RESPECT for you and your bike. Wether its an R1 , R6 or another brand, you must have respect.

Just my 2 cents.

 

If you have dirt experience, I say go for it. You know what you are getting into.

if not:

1. Call MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) today to find out how to register for a class. You can learn to ride there. It will not be a 1000cc bike, because they are too expensive to have newbies crash, but yo will learn enough to safely ride on the street.
2. Don’t get an R1 for your first bike. It is not a good starter unless you want to sit in parking lots and impress high school kids. It takes a while (1 year) to get good on a bike. Until then you will just be the dude on the R1 that does not know how to ride. You will get smoked by every 400, 600, 650… bike because you will be the poser. Please take the time to learn on something more realistic.

BTW You will probably be looking at ~$500 per month for payments and insurance + tires + gear + maintenance. Good luck. It is so worth it when you drive out of the dealership on a brand new R1 and know how to ride it.


Erik S.

 

My O2 R1 is my first bike as well. I took the MSF course twice, just to make sure I knew what kind of trouble I was getting myself into.

Like someone said earlier, it's all about throttle control. Plus restraint from going faster than you're capable of...which requires maturity.

I had my bike delivered from a Chicago dealership. I had to pick it up from a delivery warehouse which was 30 miles from my house. Guess what? I had to get on the freeway in rush hour traffic. :yesnod I was a bit nervous at first but after about 10 minutes I was fine. I just had to get used to the throttle which was pretty easy. I commute to work about 3 days a week so I've gotten a lot of miles under my belt in such a short period of time.

I did a lot of reading on other peoples' experience and opinions over the net. Of course, most of it is usually negative when it comes to subjects like R1+newbie=death. But I followed through anyways and ride safely everyday I am on the bike. It'll all come down to your ability to learn and adapt. I wouldn't recommend somebody "young" to get an R1 for their first bike. But if you have the respect for this hobby, make your own judgement. :thumbup


Yong

BTW, the freighting company dropped my bike in transit on it's right side. The second day I had the bike, after a ride, I pulled up to my garage looking for my garage door opener. I "thought" I put the kickstand down. Clunk! Dropped on the left side. Lucky for me I installed some frame sliders the first day I received the bike. Too bad I didn't have the bike delivered with the sliders on. :cryin Anyways, other than that I don't let my concentration slip when I am on the bike.

 

"Throttle control is the main key to riding abilities" - Gage151

I also purchased an R1 as my first street bike. I rode dirt bikes during my teenage years, and later played around on my friend's TL1000R until I mustered up enough cash to buy my first R1 (stolen/never downed). I suggest prudent restraint when using the throttle and grow into an R1 over the course of a year or so. No doubt people will flame, but you asked who bought an R1 as thier first bike and I'm raising my hand...I'm still alive no major incidents to report just lots of quality miles on the bike that that I would have wound up riding anyway.

P.S. I was 26 when I bought my '00 R1

Patrick, When you coming out with us???

 

I bought it as my first bike. Yes I'm a newbie but I'm also sensible enough to know my limits. Had I been riding before? Outside of riding my cousin's bike about 2 blocks......nope

I'll put it like this. If I was 5 years younger, I would have bought the R6. I'm 29 and consider myself to be very sensible and careful when I'm out there. That's the ONLY reason (well outside of drooling all over the bike in the showroom:lol ) I bought it.

I've always loved the R1 since it first came out. Finally got to opportunity to get one this year....and did. I LOVE IT!!! I don't regret having it.

I was told that I should have bought a 600 or a 750 at the most to start on. I thought about it, and was headed out for the GSXR750. Then I saw the R1. :no
R1 it is. :rock

As long as you respect the machine and what it can do...
Not to mention respect your riding limits as well. You'll do ok on any brand.

Oh yeah. Not only did I take the MSF Safety Course. But as soon as I got my bike I was over at a friends shop who's been riding since he was little. He CONSTANTLY stresses safety and would ALWAYS find the time out of his day to take me in the parking lot to do drills with me to ensure that I could handle the bike and to refresh everything I learned in the safety course and what he's learned in his years of riding. I also plan to take the advanced course next season. Now that I got another 02 I plan to go see him this coming weekend to get another refresh on riding. Guess I'm lucky to have someone like him around.:yesnod

Just my .02

 

I bought my 1st Bike (02 R1) in May. I hadn't ridden Dirt Bikes, or 4-wheelers for that matter in over 15 years. I got bashed by my friends, fellow riders, family, etc for purchasing such a fast bike.

I started out riding with a friend that helped to show me the ropes, and took me to some different parking lots to ride, and learn: #1 My ability on handling the bike. #2 The ability of the bike. This really helped me, along with "Throttle Control" aspect of riding to only your ability and within your comfort zone.

Don't let people that you can't have an R1 as your 1st Bike, Because it is you that decides your fate on any motorcycle.

Good Luck, and Happy Riding!!!!!!!

 

if your an idiot you will wad up a 600 just as fast as open class bike. if your sensible, responsible and respect the motorcycle theres a much better chance of of not going down on any bike. and onther thing the new 600s are pretty fast bikes. a moron can't handle a r1 for the first bike, a level headed guy can. iam an idiot so i did it the other way around my first bike was a sv650, than an f4, 929rr, and then finally the 2002 r1
and ive been riddin dirt bikes for a while.

 

Gage151,

Thurs, at the Burger Master.

 

Bought mine in 2000, first bike ever. I never get on without reminding myself that this thing is no joke, and to stay well within my limits.

 

read this thread

that's my newbie R1 story - so far I'm doing OK :thumbup

 

my very first bike -> r1