2002 CBR 600f41 Advice

I am new to the forum and looking for got advice from some experienced sport bike riders.

Two days ago I purchased a 2002 CBRf4i and I wanted to know what you guys think of this bike, if anyone ownes one, or any problems that they have had. This is my first sport bike and I am just looking for some advice on things that I might want to be aware of.

Originally posted by 4cylbagged
I am new to the forum and looking for got advice from some experienced sport bike riders.

Two days ago I purchased a 2002 CBRf4i and I wanted to know what you guys think of this bike, if anyone ownes one, or any problems that they have had. This is my first sport bike and I am just looking for some advice on things that I might want to be aware of.

First things first: WELCOME to AF! You can always browse our car forums, too. Gotta love it. ;)

Next: GOOD CHOICE for a starter bike. If you haven't already, go take the MSF safety course. It may sound dorky, but the techniques have saved my ass more than a few times this past season alone. Not to mention that it's free in some states, and not too expensive in others.

Don't override yourself. Know your limitations, and don't push too hard. Pavement hurts... a lot.

If you haven't already, (Yes, I am AF's safety nazi mod) please get a brain bucket and some other gear. Flip-flops do not equal protection. I'll probably be starting up a safety thread in here since I'm on semester break, so keep an eye open for it, and a few other additions I'm thinking of.

Don't be afraid to ask more questions. We don't bite... often. ;)

Honda makes a great bike, the F4i is a perfect example, it is forgiving enough to be a starting bike, but with enough power to ride with the rest of them. If you have not ridden for atleast 3-4 years before you got this bike, definetely take the MSF and get GEAR. No expections, your life is worth more then a 400 dollar helmet. Ride slowly and let the bike teach you how to ride it, don't try to learn how to ride the bike.

R-1: What makes the CBR600f4i a good bike for a begginer?? I know you say its "more forgiving", but can you please elaborate? According to the Motor Cyclist's index, the Honda is actually quicker than the R6 by 4 hundreths, quicker than R6 in a 60-80 roll by over a tenth, and weighs slightly more... If I recall correctly, you seem to try to sway people away from getting an R6 as a first bike.. So please explain.. I don't understand.

Originally posted by fatninja19
R-1: What makes the CBR600f4i a good bike for a begginer?? I know you say its "more forgiving", but can you please elaborate? According to the Motor Cyclist's index, the Honda is actually quicker than the R6 by 4 hundreths, quicker than R6 in a 60-80 roll by over a tenth, and weighs slightly more... If I recall correctly, you seem to try to sway people away from getting an R6 as a first bike.. So please explain.. I don't understand.
Don't R6's have a twitchy throttle, and that makes them bad bikes to learn on, because things can get out of hand for someone trying to learn on it too easily?

IMO any new 600 isn't a good bike for a new rider. Any one of them can put ypur ass on the pavement before you know what happened.

The one advantage the Honda has is the geometry. The steering isnt as quick and twitchy as some of the others. Also, the rider is more upright on the Honda. This reduces fatigue. Tired riders tend to make more mistakes :D

Plus, the CBR come with typical Honda quality. It will take a beating and ask for more.

Originally posted by fatninja19
R-1: What makes the CBR600f4i a good bike for a begginer?? I know you say its "more forgiving", but can you please elaborate? According to the Motor Cyclist's index, the Honda is actually quicker than the R6 by 4 hundreths, quicker than R6 in a 60-80 roll by over a tenth, and weighs slightly more... If I recall correctly, you seem to try to sway people away from getting an R6 as a first bike.. So please explain.. I don't understand.

Timing is all in how you ride it. The CBR600 F4i is FAR more forgiving. The throttle is not as "twitchy" as the R6, and the extra weight actually helps. It keeps the rubber a little more glued to the road surface. First rule in riding is SSUSSD, or Shiny Side Up Sticky Side Down. ;)

The R6 is the most race-ready stock bike on the market right now. The only real rival is the new Honda 600RR. Neither bike is good for a starter. Naturally, it's best for a rider to start on something even smaller than a 600cc bike, but for those who have self-control and a quick learning curve there is absolutely nothing wrong with learning on something as "gentle" as a 600 F4i. Most riders won't even meet the bike's full potential for several years.

Prime example: I rode dirtbikes as a kid, so I have no problems with balance and riding control in that manner... My dad bought a 650cc single cylinder BMW which was really what I learned to ride on. Yes, it's a little large, but the single cylinder makes for a very calm throttle and there isn't much power behind it. I then took the MSF safety riding course through PennDOT. We rode 125cc bikes with NO power, and a max speed of 80mph, and that would probably be downhill with a tailwind: Technically the ideal learning bike. I was licensed, and continued to ride the 650, but with FAR more confidence. I then bought a V-twin 500cc bike: the perfect first year bike. But guess what: It bored me. I couldn't keep up on the interstate with the 600 F4i's b/c of the lack-luster power. During windy rainstorms (yes, we ran into quite a few on our group adventures) my bike was too light to stay on the road, and also my tires were far too skinny to be effective on the track. The 600 F4i performed more than well for those riders. I outgrew my 500cc bike in one season. Sure, I had previous riding experience, but I couldn't get my bike to perform as I needed it to in order to ride safely.

Now that I'm done writing my novel, I'll hope it doesn't get lost in the server. Just wanted to share my $1.02 :p

Thanks for all that info.. From my memory, I think the Honda weighed less than 10 lbs more than the r6.. Does a meager 10lbs make that much of a difference on a bike??(please excuse my ignorance) I'm planning on a sv650 for a first bike... any thoughts or comments??

Originally posted by fatninja19
Thanks for all that info.. From my memory, I think the Honda weighed less than 10 lbs more than the r6.. Does a meager 10lbs make that much of a difference on a bike??(please excuse my ignorance) I'm planning on a sv650 for a first bike... any thoughts or comments??

10lbs is 10lbs. When a bike has THAT much power, every little bit counts, ya know? The SV650 is also a good "high-end" starter bike. It has power, and some people like the SV because it doesn't have fairings to ruin when they go down. (Fairings are the plastics that make the bikes look all cool and colorful) It'll keep you satisfied after you've learned, but riders starting out on such a big V-twin (2cyl in a V shape) often end up feeling dominated by the bike. You want to feel comfortable and always in control... it sounds dumb, but you really want to feel like the bike is part of you.

Honestly, if you're a newbie rider, buy used. You'll lose out on your purchase price no matter what, but this way it's a little less dramatic. Not to mention that if you end up not liking riding, your pocketbook will thank you.

Also, keep in mind that buying used bike means more money for gear. Yes, I may be the AF safety nazi, but pavement isn't kind to your hide. Not to mention that your head is worth MUCH more than a $20 helmet.

Originally posted by fatninja19
Thanks for all that info.. From my memory, I think the Honda weighed less than 10 lbs more than the r6.. Does a meager 10lbs make that much of a difference on a bike??(please excuse my ignorance) I'm planning on a sv650 for a first bike... any thoughts or comments??

It isnt always the amount of weight, instead it is how the weight is distrubuted. Some bikes hide their weight pretty well. IE the Honda RC51. On a scale the thing appears to be a pig. But to sit on it and ride it, you dont notice the weight.

A new rider (and most novice riders) will never notice an extra 10 pounds.

Nothing to worry about as the F4I is a great bike with decent handling in stock config, honda reliability and really nice ergos. Just break it in nice and easy and have fun!
hth,
Bill

Just remember, the bike is YOUR bitch, not the other way around. You tell IT what to do, not hang on while it does it's own thing;)

LOL...what a crock of sh*t!!!..funny statement though.

You might want to put a simley face when you're joking, else the newbie's take your joke to heart...;-)>

Actually there are several occasions where you must relax at the bars and let the bike find it's own level. Think gravel/sand/tar strips/etc...
Bill

Originally posted by bvia
LOL...what a crock of sh*t!!!..funny statement though.

You might want to put a simley face when you're joking, else the newbie's take your joke to heart...;-)>

Actually there are several occasions where you must relax at the bars and let the bike find it's own level. Think gravel/sand/tar strips/etc...
Bill

lol, true. But theres truth in my statement too. I've seen too many people fall off of my dirtbike (not get hurt luckily) because tehy were too afraid to hit the throttle when they needed too, or too afraid to crank the bars to turn out of the way of an obstacle. Or even afraid to brake hard. Yes, there are occasions when you should relax up on the bars and let the bike do where it wants, like if you hit a rut, heavy gravel a really bumpy patch of road you didn't expect. But then there's also those occasions where you just have to hit the gas to get out of the way. I personally have had two occasions where instead in slamming into the side or back of someones car that pulled out ricght in front of me, I slammed the throttle in and went around them. After that and swearing obscenities at them through my helmet, i got home and i shook. Scary times.

Bah!...not understanding the controls, not being able to understand how motorcycle physics work and not being prepared, both mentally and physically to operate the motorcycle has nothing to do with "making it your bitch".

Riding a sportbike the way it was intended to be ridden is not about beating it into submission, it's about finesse. It's about balance. It's about art. Don't think you can muscle a bike through a corner. That slamming on the brakes is the fastest way to stop. You have to balance on the edge, not jump up there, screaming "top of the world, ma!" while all the king's horses and all the king's men look up.

I've had those same situations also and rode home cursing...at myself for not being more attentive. For my lack of concentration. For allowing myself to almost be hit. I'm glad you were able to avoid them, for sure!

I think I understand what you're trying to say though. That the operator is not a passive participant (neither is he the only active one), but must act upon the various controls to produce the needed outcome.

hth,
Bill
:bandit:

Yeah, that was better said than my statement. The passive participant thing is right. It's not like a car where if you you see your going to get into an accidnet then you just close your eyes pucker up and brace yourself. (i know its a hyperbole, but still), on a bike, you have to do everything in your power to avoid that accident. It's just a different mentality of a car.