Hi. The power is no drama, because you control it with your right hand (most if the time!), and it'ssuch a heavy bike so it balances out.
The weight is the thing to watch. Take time to get used to how long the thing takes to pull up enough to take a corner safely.
Also the steering lock is pretty poor, so watch it manouvering slowly around town or in traffic. Once itstarts to go over it's hard to stop.
The positive side of all that weight is the safe, stable feeling these bikes have. I've ridden mine a few times through BIG storms, with water all over the road and savage cross winds, and have been glad not to be on a light sports bike!
Take it easy, anddon't try to force the big girl around. Try and just flow around on her. I use a fair bit of opposite steering pressure on the 'bars, and find she tips over pretty easily into tight corners.
Once you get used to the weight, you'll love it!

By the way.....cool Birthday present!
Dave.

 

Maybe you could doa Defensive/Advance rider course, learn some skills and build some confidents, they would be a bit of fun doing as well?
remember, the problem isn’t usually you, if the other F.ck W.ts on the road you have to look out for.
So keep your eye on your spacing and mirrors.

Bike riders are usually better car drivers, I always know of all the cars around me at any point in time, most car drivers are flat out knowing what in front of them.

 

My first real bike was a 1980 cb900 had around 80hp but was really heavy. I was very intimidated. Once you ride it several miles you will want to see what it's got( I don't mean seed but power ). After a few days or weeks you will feel very confident. A course isn't a bad idea though.[align=left] [/align]

 

I once had a 80's CB750, about 1/2 the power of the CBR1kF

 

I've considered an advanced course that I can bring my own bike to, but it IS still February here in CO, and the classes probably won't start until late March or April. I did lay the bike down already, but it was at a dead stop. My right foot slipped on some gravel and the damn thing is so heavy that I couldn't keep her up. Oh well. It didn't do any damage and I got to practice my bike lifting techniques, which are actually quite handy.

 

Great b-day present...still love mine! Had one new in '88. Got back into ridin' recently and bought the same exact bike again. Friends and I are going to go to the Total Control riding class near us in the spring. Good luck with the new bike.

 

It sounds like these points were all pretty much made, but my thoughts:

The bigger engine will make it trickier to be smooth on the throttle. Be aware of that and you will get used to it but it is easier to yank the throttle in one direction or the other as compared with a smaller engine. Smooth is good!

The heavy bike is stable in a straight line and you will get used to it in corners - work into that slowly and don't go over your head. However, you seem to have just learned the biggest problem I have found with the bike which is slow speed maneuvering. When in doubt stop the bike andput both feet down. Be careful of walking the bike from one side as it is really tough to stop if it starts tofall away from you. Moving the bike around from the seat doesn't look as cool, but is a lot better than sharpening your skills at picking it up off the ground.

You have a great bike so enjoy and be safe.