WAS IN A GENTLE SWEEPING RIGHT HAND TURN AT MODERATE SPEED WHEN THE FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY LOST TRACTION AND SLID. THE TIRES WERE WARMED UP PROPERLY, AND PRESSURE HAD BEEN SET JUST BEFORE RIDING TO MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SPECS. COMPONENT FAILURE LED TO A CRASH, WITH SUBSTANTIAL INJURIES TO ME, THERE HAD BEN NO WARNING FROM THE TIRES OF TRACTION ISSUES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, AND THE ROAD SURFACE IN THE CORNER WAS LATER FOUND TO BE FLAWLESS. MANY OTHER PURCHASERS OF 2002 YAMAHA R1 HAVE MADE THE SAME COMMENT. I CAN PROVIDE A LIST OF THESE COMMENTS, TAKEN FROM VARIOUS MOTORCYCLE WEBSITES SORRY, I INADVERTANTLY LEFT "FRONT WHEEL DRIVE" SELECTED ON THE 'VEHICLE INFORMATION' PAGE, WHICH IS OF COURSE INCORRECT. VEHICLE IS REAR WHEEL DRIVE. *AK