Honda CBR600F4i - First Bike: GO or NO-GO ??

[JOSEPHLB]

looking into getting a motorcycle in the 600cc range..

haven't rode a bike since my younger years on a small dirtbike..

being close to 200 lbs, I feel a 250 or 500 may be pushing on the low end side..

comments, suggestions.. or flame.. just bring it

Thanks!

 

[Fausto]

NO GO. The displacement is fine, but you'd be well advised to get something without all that nice bodywork for a while before you plunge into a CBR600.

New riders will drop the bike at least a few times....usually when trying to park or maneuver at slow speed. It just happens, trust me.

Get something simple like a Yam Seca II or similar for 6months or so until you are used to the weight of a bike and then go for the nicer sportybike. I started with a, 84 Honda VFR 500 and was glad I did....I would have hated to crack up the beautiful bodywork on my Triumph Daytona.

Good luck,
Fausto

 

[chickendinner]

New riders will drop the bike at least a few times....usually when trying to park or maneuver at slow speed. It just happens, trust me.

You will definitely want frame sliders on your first bike.

 

[The Stigenator]

Even though you have riding experience from teh past the CBR 600F4i is a lot of bike.

I wouldnt suggest it as its a supersport as a first bike.

If your under 21 (18 in some states) you will require the MSF course. I suggest taking it to get your reacquainted with riding on two wheels.

Then I would suggest one of these bikes:

Suzuki GS 500 - tad bit underpowered but solid bike very fun to ride. Easy to work on and mod. I have this one.
Suzuki SV 650 / SVS 650 - awesome engine and bike
Kawasaki Ninja 500 - bit more powerful than the GS, and got the plastic crotch rocket body.
Buell Blast 500 - single cylinder 37hp.. pretty powerful
Honda Nighhawk 750 - its not really a starter bike cause its quite powrful, but its a good bike for someone who has some experience.

Personally I would vouch for teh SVS 650 cause its a much nicer bike, and its quite a bit powerful. About 75hp from 650cc engine, unlike the 600cc supersports that have over 110hp for 600 cc.

dont worry about your weight the bike will still lug you around. I know a 250 pound guy 6'2" guy who rides a GS500 and still has no problems riding it.

TGG

 

[Spendthrift]

ill back up good guy on the suzuki gs 500 recommendation

my brother had a gs500e that was fun to ride. im about 6'1" 180 and it had plenty of power for me.

overall its a great bike and its easy to find parts bikes if you need a repair.

oh and my brother had it about a year and managed to lay it down about 3 months after he bought it. (hit gravel on a corner and put it into the ditch) thankfully hed taken an MSF type course and knew how to lay it down without hurting himself (and he was wearing leathers). so he was fine. but it took him a few months to rebuild the bike. hed totally thrashed the front end.

 

[amnesiac]

I did a lot of research when I planned on buying a bike and I didn't hear a single person NOT recommend the GS500.