I'm thinking about getting my first street Bike. I'm thinking about the honda CBR600F4i. Anyone have any experiece with it here? If so, what do you think of it?

Jet

 

Good choice. I've had mine for about 6 mnths and I love it. I can pull it up easy in 1st gear. This is my first bike. I didn't even know how to ride it when I bought it. Salesman thought I was crazy. If you like F4I you might like the 03 Yamaha R6. Check it out at Yamaha's Website Tell me what you think of it...

 

y2KAOSMax,

That bike is SWEEEEEEEET. Man, I'm going to give that a hard look when it comes out. I went to dealer that sells both Honda and Yami's and he said the R6 is a more aggresive riding style. I decided on the CBR because reviews said that they are the easiest and most comfortable bikes to ride. But the R6's looks are hard to pass up.

I'm in the same boat as you, I've ridden an occasional dirt bike but that's it.

Jet

 

I purchased a 2002 F4i earlier this year. The bike is absolutely awesome. I suggest you wait for the new models though - Honda and Yamaha have made significant changes for the 2003 model year. The new bikes look different, and should be a little lighter and have more HP.

As for the riding position, the current F4i is a little easier to ride but that may change next year. It sounds as though they are releasing 2 different models - a RR (race ready) version, and a more streetable bike.

 

How much should one expect to pay for a lightly used street bike? I have always fantasized about getting one......

 

You want a real good bike? Get a GSX-R600. Better performance than a Honda.

Dixit

 

I bought a used 2003 R6 this spring with 400 miles on it from a dealer. Paid 6700 OTD. That price is only about $800-1000 less than a new one but it still had some time before break-in was completed and plus it was red, the only color I wanted. It was my first "real" sportbike and I absolutely love it.

Yes, there are times when I wish I had a little more but I am still able to blow the doors off anything else on the road, including many other crotch rockets. The power doesn't really come on hard until 10-11,000 but run it up to the 15,500 redline and you'll have a great time. Imagine 45 in 1st, 90 in 2nd and 130+ in 3rd. Don't try wheelies in first though unless you are prepared to open your wallet, even many experienced riders have done a good deal of damage simply because the revs build much too quickly. Second and third gear wheelies are more difficult but still pretty simple.

The handling is unreal on the R6 though, which matters to me more than anything. I can't think of another bike that can equal or beat the R6 in the corners. The only problem I have had with the bike is the notchy shifter. Sometimes it won't even go into first. Probably need to take it to the dealer to have it looked at. If you're going for refinement and more comfort get the F4, its an amazing bike, just not what I was looking for. If you'll be taking your 600 to the track and are agressive rider the R6 may be the better choice.

 

Put my vote in for the GSXR600. Before I bought my Ducati 996 I was very happy with my GSXR750.

Although, I never seem to have time to ride anymore. And insurance is just totally ****ing me off. Look into how much insurance will be before you buy the bike. If you have any speeding tickets Ins. companies will screw you royally on any "sport" bike. Some will even refuse you, just based on the bike alone.

 

I think you mean 2K2 right?? 2K3's aren't out yet...

 

Definetely the R6 or the Gixxer. Im a Gixxer for life person just cause.

But if I every get a bike again (selling my 600 this week) I will be getting an R1.

But if you get one make sure it is a 2001 or above, cause most of them all started with the new Fuel Injected system. Very very quick throttle response on them buggers.


Dixit

 

The only thing I don't like about it is the hard seat. One of my friends has a GSXR750 and another has a GSXR1000 w/ 2 pipes under his seat The seats on there bikes have a lot more cusion and are more comfortable than mine. Another friend of mine had a 2001 R6 and his was more comfortable also.. If you ride longer that 2-3hrs your butt will start to hurt..

asu174, I've seen 2K1 F4I's as low as 5,000 in the paper.. Same goes for GSXR600's and R6's..

 

Yep, dunno why I wrote that, the 2003s should be out in late Jan or Feb for those who are wondering. You can find a lot of information and some good people over at Yamaha R6 forums

 

What kind of bike do you have??

 

2001 Suzuki GSX-R600 Yellow.

Pics of the bike are at
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/dixitsuthar/bike

I am selling it, want $6000 for it and has only 2800 miles on it with a GSX-R1000 headlight conversion done to it.

Dixit

 

Check this out 2K3 F4I

Click Here

 

Nice bike, maybe asu174 will buy it...

Did you go the the bike show in Glen Burnie last weekend??

 

how long did it take you to learn to ride it??? i've always wanted to get a bike, but don't know how to ride...

 

is it possible to have a decent crotch rocket for about 2k? i want one for next year at college when i live off campus because its a ***** to park my max. i just want something decent i dont care about speed, thats what the max is for.

 

Honestly it took me no time at all.. I paid for the bike then drove it around the parking lot a little. B/c it was dark I didn't take it home. So I had a friend of mine drive it home the next day and then we both went out riding for about 2hrs. He was the one with the R6. basically I studied othere riders first. Watched how they shift and down shift. The hardest thing to do was get used to turning off the turn signal after I turned, but other than that learning the clutch point. For the first month I hardly leaned the bike, was too scared to drop it and fall off. The F4I is a good to bike to start off with b/c it doesn't have a lot of bottom end, but is a beast from 5,000 rpm all the way up to Red line which is 14,000 rmp..

 

I must be old. I drive an 00 Shadow Sabre 1100cc. Ain't nothing compared to a rocket, which if I had my choice I'd buy an FZ1 hands down. I guess an FZ1 isn't a rocket, more of a "standard" but it'll be more comfortable for the average street rider with more power than anybody really needs. I'm actually thinking of switching to one from my Sabre next year. Sabre is comfy, loud (V&H pipes), looks better than Harley, but doesn't have quite the ooomph I want. My other bike is a piped 2000 KDX 220r trail buster that I'm riding this weekend in northern MN. Throttle wheelies in 2nd, 3rd, sometimes 4th. ~Peace

 

thread has a limited lifespan... I'll give it a few more hours.

 

Ok.. I'm probably going to catch some heat for this.. but for a first bike I would look at something like the Suzuki SV650S. (www.svrider.com)

I looked at the different inline 4's and found the vtwin had alot more torque and was easier to ride as far as gear selection.

It's not as fast on the top end as some people would like, but I personally like going through the twisties much more than doing 150mph on the highway.

I'm looking forward to 2003.. supposidly there will be a SV1000 which would take care of any need for speed.

One thing.. if you haven't ridden before.. take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foudation) course. It's two and a half days of instruction in the classroom and riding. I can honestly say the training saved me from some serious problems a number of times.

- Bryan