Needing some advice

Hello guys! New to this site(as you can tell). I have been riding dirtbikes about 10 yrs now(yz250) and lately been looking at a couple street bikes. I'm 25 and only street bike I ever rode was a 500 not sure what make it was older bike. The bike I have been looking at is a 04 Yami R1. Do you think it is to much to learn on? I'm not a crazy rider like doing stunts or want to max it out on the highway. What is your guys thoughts on this? Thanks for the Reply's Jabbs  

If you've done 10 years of serious off-road riding, your bike control skills are probably there but riding in traffic is separate skill.

How about getting some professional rider training like the MSF or equivalent, see how it goes and then do your serious shopping for a motorcycle?

www.msf-usa.org

Cheers!  

Actually, riding on the pavement is a separate skill as well. While many of the actions/reactions are the same as a dirt bike, the weight distribution, braking emphasis, and traction loads on the chassis are totally different.  For instance, street bikes put the vast majority of their braking emphasis on the front brake, far more than a dirt bike, where your natural tendency would be to rely just as much on the rear brake. At slower speeds in the city you can get away with riding techniques that work on a dirt bike, but as the speeds increase, the technique required to get the bike to do what you want it to do-- and do it safely-- changes drastically.

While you already have some inherent riding skill from riding off-road for all those years, immediately stepping onto a literbike isn't the best way to actually learn something. It would be like if you had been riding an YZ80 for years, then decided to move up to a YZ250; you'd be spending all your time keeping the power in check, instead of learning the finer points of riding like cornering technique, corner speed, proper braking and shift points, etc. It's up to you obviously, but in my opinion, I'd recommend that you start off with a 600 first, so that you can learn more quickly about how pavement machines handle and react to rider inputs.

You'll probably breeze through the MSF course, but it will help a bit in getting you to understand the different handling characteristics.  

Good points wheelspin and I do agree on some of them.

When I mean serious off-road time I mean regular off-road riding time, not the "weekend warrior" riding of a Saturday here or Sunday there once or twice a month.

Most good dirt riders are actually very proficient with motorcycle handling because they possess throttle control and sensitivity many on-road only riders never learn. Off-roaders tend to learn it fairly quickly because failing to do so usually means getting intimate with terra firma.

They also have a good feeling for traction limits and do not as readily succumb to survivial instincts when tire slips, skids or spins up as might occur on gravel, a manhole cover, a tar snake on a hot day.

Not to mention, basic operation of motorcycle controls like clutch useage, shifting are already there.

Most of the dirt riders that I see come through an MSF class, most have no problem adapting quickly to heavier front brake bias and the dynamics of riding a motorcycle on the tarmac. After a while, most even adapt to the "street bike" body position of keeping the spine more in-line with the bike rather than pressing the bike underneath them in corners.

And no, an -R1 is probably never a good bike for any novice street rider regardless but who knows, maybe the member posting this thread is a rider in the mold of a Jeff Ward. He'll be quick and safe on anything with two wheels.  

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Most good dirt riders are actually very proficient with motorcycle handling because they possess throttle control and sensitivity many on-road only riders never learn.

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They also have a good feeling for traction limits and do not as readily succumb to survivial instincts when tire slips, skids or spins up as might occur on gravel, a manhole cover, a tar snake on a hot day.

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Not to mention, basic operation of motorcycle controls like clutch useage, shifting are already there.

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Most of the dirt riders that I see come through an MSF class, most have no problem adapting quickly to heavier front brake bias and the dynamics of riding a motorcycle on the tarmac. After a while, most even adapt to the "street bike" body position of keeping the spine more in-line with the bike rather than pressing the bike underneath them in corners.

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And no, an -R1 is probably never a good bike for any novice street rider regardless but who knows, maybe the member posting this thread is a rider in the mold of a Jeff Ward. He'll be quick and safe on anything with two wheels.

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A valid point. There are many riders who probably push the edge too far on the street- skillful or not.

My reference to Jeff Ward might be a flawed analogy. It should illustrate his ability to go fast on a motocross, supermotard or sport bike requires a high degree of skill. The more skill you have (given a modicum of intelligence, responsibility and self-control in a street environment), the safer you are. Regardless of the environment.

To bring this back on topic: Will a -R1 for a novice street rider provide for skill enhancement with greater safety and a shorter learning curve or will a more modest bike be better?  

Thanks for all the relpy guys. I think I'll just try out something a little smaller like a 600 for starters. Just for my wifes peace of mind LOL!  

If for no other reason, go with a 600 because they are less expensive. If you're a good off road rider it won't take you long to learn and unless you are going in a straight line in the desert, you don't really need any more than a 600 anyway. Just remember, DONT STICK YOU BOOT OUT GOING INTO THE CORNERS! Just kidding.

TEvo. Is that little Talladega in your icon photo?