i did my first four trackdays on my r1. i'm already looking for an sv650s trackbike.
if you're not even used to the r1 yet, there's two schools of thought here.

1. no better place to get used to the bike and ride it decently hard
2. you're going to eat shit

i think both may be correct actually. :lol

i would say go for it, but just work on picking up the race line, body position, getting a good feel for the bike and leaning it over. also, make sure and get your suspension set up before you go, or at the track (especially) if it's available.

good luck and keep us posted.

 

Shouldn't be a problem. Repect the bike, and keep your ears and eyes open. Be ready to learn alot in a little bit of time.

GL.

 

I think it was said well above.....respect the bike!!!! Your first time on the track should be learing the racelines.....ie where your suppose to be on the track at any given time. Once you become smooth and fluid your lap times will drop. Just learn the track...stay loose and have fun.

 

I did my first trackday on my 05' R1 at Barber, not exactly a liter bike track anyway, and it only had 750 mi on it. I short shifted it and probably only got it to 10grand once all weekend because it still wasn't broken in yet. I think that was good because I more focused on body position, lines and where I was on the track as opposed to flat out speed and acceleration. So, I think its fine.

 

respect the bike is about the perfect way of putting it - just watch your right hand and you'll be fine.

 

I went to my first trackday on the R1, it will only go as fast as you make it, learn all you can without pushing it to the limit your first day. Theres tons more you can hear from everyone here, but you'll be having so much fun out there all this will go out the window, have fun.

 

Today was my second track day. Both being on the R1. I had ridden it quite a bit before, and I felt confident that I could be able to keep disciplined while riding the track. Both at NJMP, Thunderbolt and Beaverun, I kept the bike in 3rd gear and was able to keep pace with no problem. Unfortunately I bit it today (high sided on the last lap or the day). I walked away, but I am pretty bruised up. Luckily the bike held up pretty damn well (thank you Motovation!)

I am attributing the crash to fatigue and loss of concentration. However, with that being said, I am going to trade this in, or may buy an R6 track bike. The amount of power these things have are so ridiculous.

People here have been riding the tracks for years on R1s with little to no problems. I was just one of the unlucky ones to roll on the throttle too much to early.

 

Today was my second track day. Both being on the R1. I had ridden it quite a bit before, and I felt confident that I could be able to keep disciplined while riding the track. Both at NJMP, Thunderbolt and Beaverun, I kept the bike in 3rd gear and was able to keep pace with no problem. Unfortunately I bit it today (high sided on the last lap or the day). I walked away, but I am pretty bruised up. Luckily the bike held up pretty damn well (thank you Motovation!)

I am attributing the crash to fatigue and loss of concentration. However, with that being said, I am going to trade this in, or may buy an R6 track bike. The amount of power these things have are so ridiculous.

People here have been riding the tracks for years on R1s with little to no problems. I was just one of the unlucky ones to roll on the throttle too much to early.

Man I hate to hear that, but glad you're OK

 

There you have it. I agree with respect the bike. LEarn the race line,stay loose and focused was said earlier ad I like that. The first few laps you go out may be nerve racking for you, it was for me. Remember to relax, staying somewhat low rpm range coming out of corners is not a bad idea for first timer. After a few sessons, you wil get more comfortable and the track will start to have a flow to it. Take it easy especially n the morning sessions, and the first lap or two of every session

Once you get fatigue and you feel like you may make a mistake on the track, DO NOT GO BACK OUT, regardless if there is one more session left. Hate to make an example out of tapcon but it happens. Sorry to hear about the getoff btw.GL

 

as long as you are all right , all that matters , then the bike .. i see a third track day coming soon as the bruises are gone

God i cant wait to get a track day in one day ...

 

Yeah, unfortunately the bike won't be ready for my next track day (June 1 @ NJMP). So it'll be Road Atlanta at the end of July.

 

Did my first on my new R1 and totaled it in the last session. bought a 600 track bike aweek later and I dont regret a thing!

 

you'll be fine on the R1, just ride your own ride.

 

Did my first two track days on my FZ1. My '03 R1 doesn't have quite the power of the '04 and newer, but it is a much better track bike than the FZ1. I crashed big time at my last track day (fall 08'). This was at least partly because my suspension wasn't set up right and also probably wasn't able to be set up (too soft springs at both ends). The other part was I made a mistake. In any case, I only have a fat knuckle left over from a 100+ mph low side. I am going back to RA in June and July so it didn't keep me away. I did send my suspension out for rework so hopefully that will help along with a lesson on what not to do if you don't get the throttle fully closed while breaking (i.e. let go of the brakes and bar and then quickly regrab the brakes locking the front tire).

Bottom line: Get good protective gear for you and the bike and get your suspension set up and HAVE FUN! Don't be afraid to sit out a session or two. Just remember to stretch before getting back on if you do.

 

...those above are giving you the right advice - if you already have a liter bike, no need to rush selling it off to get a 600 just so you can go to the track.
Rememer, everything on the 1 is more (more power, more torque, more hp, etc).
So trying to wring the chit out of that thing will cause nothing more than body injuries to you and body injuries to the bike (read: your pocket book).

So if you already have it, make sure you prep it according to the rules of the track host (they will have the info on their web site, if not - call them).
After that, ride at no more than about 70% of your comfort level with the bike. Your first track day should not be about how fast you can go. It should be (and this goes for all first timers to track) all about the line, and making smooth transitions from gas to brake, and steering.
This will take up a large chunk of your time during the track day. Forget about others who just buzz by you - they either signed up in the wrong level (should be in intermediate but are too chicken to do so), or are riding way over their head and will eventually cause a wreck (trust me - you do not want to be near them when that happens - it is often messy).

So make sure you ride only for yourself. If you bring friends with you, it is actually a good idea not to grid together because you will eventually want to play together and will egg each other on to ride faster and faster until you both are beyond your safety and capability limits. Then, it is a 50/50 if you go down, and the longer you do it, the larger the chances you will have an event.

So the important thing is to give yourself a huge margin for error, so you can react and stay upright. Lines and smooth transitions are the fundamentals without which you will not progress beyond mediocre rider capability. Too often do we see in school riders who think they are the fastest think on 2 wheels, but when we observe them, they are erratic, unsafe and riding on the edge of falling down. I have shot so many vids of riders who just beg to lay it down by riding unsafe, and it is a shame to see especially since we speak to them and tell them about it, and they do not adjust at all.

My favorite quote is: Slow is smooth - Smooth is right - and RIGHT IS FAST!!

So you want to be fast, begin by teaching yourself the right habits by riding slow, smooth and proper.

 

Some fine advice being given here. I'll add my $.02 by saying I ran my first track day on my 04. I was really nervous about wrecking, so I took it easy. A little TOO easy in my opinion, but I met my goal. I had a great time, didn't crash, and learned a lot. Wound up buying an R6 just to feel more comfy on the track. Gonna run my 2nd track day with the R1 later this summer. :thumbup


Just to give an example of how "easy" I took it, this pic shows how far over I leaned the damn thing all day. :lol But it was enough to get rid of the chicken strips. Get out there, be safe, learn something, and have fun!

 

Alright well you guys have calmed my nerves. As long as I get to ride within my comfort level and focus on lines and riding technique I shouldn't be at more risk of crashing than on any other bike. I'll try to stay away from my friends on the track as they are first year riders and probably have a greater chance of crashing than me. Can't wait!

 

Just be safe and keep a cool level head on your shoulders, leave the ego at the gate and let the faster people by...

My first trackday was on my R6, which I totalled since then.
I have my second trackday next month and gotta keep the right hand under control on the R1