j4k3

I've been looking at the CBR600F4i for a first bike to pick up sometime this summer. I dont plan on buying a brand new one as it'd be my first street bike. The only real reason I looked at this is because i used to have a dirt bike which was a honda and it never broke and always ran fine and I also drive a honda and I think they are a real good production company with their shit together.

The GSXr600 is looking promising also, but i really havent really done some searching to find out what bike would be the best to pick. I want to get some good reccomendations about what to pick. Even though this is going to be my first street bike i plan on keeping it for a while and i know its going to happen but i dont think i'll drop it too much.

If anyone has any input for me about what to choose then it would be awesome.

If it helps at all I'm about 5'7-5'8 and weigh around 160ish

RandomTask

Thats a pretty quick bike. I'd reccomend a CBR600 F2 or F3. Both of those bikes are quick as well but probably valued slightly less. Chances are you're going to lay down your bike, simple as that. Both of those bikes are excellent for learning on and keeping around for a while.

20psi 240sx

i bought a f4i last summer. i have been very happy with it. its a little soft on suspension. engine is pretty powerful. mine is an 01 first year of the f4i. you can lower any of the sportbikes fairly easy.
the f4i has a common problem with the timing chain tensioner. just have to replace it with a new one. about 1 hour or so to change.
i don't like the new ones, the seat is one peice and makes the bike look more like a touring sport. i really like the cbr 600rr. might be my next bike.

j4k3

is there a difference between the cbr600f4i and the cbr600rr?

20psi 240sx

different engine. the rr is more sport. center exit exhaust too. completely different bike

CBR600F4

Different in every way possible. Here's my F4(carb'd version of the F4i, that fuel injection is really the only difference) next to my RR.......nevermind; pic is too big and I can't access cox.net from here.

Oh well....................


I would also recommend and F3/F2 instead of the F4i......................

skr00zloose

coming from experience....

f4i's are great bikes, they just don't break. (with the exception of the easily cured timing chain tensioner).

f2's/f3's are getting on in years, and finding a clean one is harder than it used to be. the steel frames on them are bent easily and aren't always noticable at first. most of them have been dropped a few times.

rob, there are other differences between f4's and f4i's. alot of the parts are interchangable, but that doesn't make them the same.

gsxr's are great, and they're a dime a dozen. they are more powerfull than the honda's, but that comes at a price. honda'sd have always been down in the power dept, but they run FOREVER. the highter up the performance ladder you go, the shorter the expected lifespan. that's kinda why there are so many cbr's still around form back in the day. if you plan on keeping it for a while, go with an f4i. it's built honda tough, still performs quite well, and it's up to date enough to keep you entertained at any sane street speeds. if you plan on doing alot of track time, go with the gsxr (rob, i know you'll agree wioth this) as the f4i's just don't have the needed suspension and ground clearance needed for serious track use.

that said, there is a HUGE differencr between the track and the street. just because the honda may have some track based shortcomings, doesn't mean that it's any less of a streetbike. you'll probably never get to the same level of corner speed and/ or lean angle on the street as you would on the track.

personally, for a beginner street bike, that'll keep you entertained, and keep up with the pack, without becoming a headache down the road, i'd go for the f4i. i've rebuilt too many gixxer's in my years.

timr32

'02 F4i was my first street bike! I don't regret getting this bike at all. Of course I wreked it the night I got it and the again a year later. It's easy to work on and very reliable. After I wrecked it I was going to sell it but I realized it really is a great sportbike! If I do ever sell it, it will only be to get another Honda! Ride safe man! Happy buying!!

j4k3

lol thanks man, sounds like you liked this bike a little more than the amount of luck you had with it.

crxinout

I have an 01 f4i Love it. Coulld not get off of it last summer. I haven't even had the bike a whole year and i put 6,000 miles on it. The only problem i had is that I had to replace the rear tire...Let me know if you wanna check it out. I'm looking to get a bigger bike. Looking to get $5,500 for it. Its in great shape. Black and red......here a pic www.myspace.com/carlosjrodriguez login to myspace first