yeah its getting old, fast.....

 

Haters? Please kid, I ride an F2 like I bang your mom. Hard, fast, and like it pays me money :P

I LOVE my f2 (unlike your mom), but I also know what it is, and what it isn't. I also know the learning curve 95% of beginners fall into. Getting a pretty nice first bike is just asking for headache and heart ache.

Get a beater, make your mistakes, sell it to another beginner for almost no less, and then get on an F2. It's a great bike, it looks great, it performs amazing, and for the price it can't be beat. I spank fancier bikes all the time with my F2

 

There is a difference between an F1 and an F2. the F2 is better. by a good margin.

The F2 is a good first sports bike... but I would recommend a smaller/lighter bike for somone with no experience especially if you aren't a big person (who can 'catch' the F2 with a strong leg at parking lot speeds).

If you have to have a CBR (they do look sweet) then look for a good engine/breaks/suspension and hope that the plastics look bad so the price is low.

a street legal dirtbike is the best bike to learn on... super light, doesn't get damaged much when dropped, cheap to buy, fun.

 

Wow, I had no idea this hadn't been addressed until now!

Yeah, the difference here is HUGE! There's way more parts on an F1 (I own both) that are a pain in the *** to service, and parts are far less common. They also produce less power, use antiquated suspension technology, and run bias ply tires.

The difference between the F1 and the F2 in consequence are monumental. Oddly enough though, for a hesitant beginner, the F1 features a lower seat height and more relaxed ergos! If you can find a fightered F1, I'd recommend it over a pretty f2!

Now this is the truth, although street legal dirtbikes (dual sports) tend to be a bit taller. While the suspension does settle, they're still pretty darn tall. I have an XR250 (dirt specific, not the dual XL250) and despite being modest in size, it's a bit much for anyone under 5'7".

 

OK I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spark any rows or disagreements over this. But from what I'm reading the F2 sounds like quite a big step up from the F1. Couple that with the fact I prefer the F2 looks and I really think I should hold out for a good F2.

I saw this F1 on ebay and have been tempted but it's too much money I think!
A nice bike though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-HONDA-CBR...item3a5fdb01e8

 

Don't get an F1! seriously, f1 are great bikes but do not compare to f2. You can really get a decent F2 in decent shape for about 1500 considering that the season is over

For people who are saying to get something even older model than the f2, for the price you are gonna spend on that, rather than just get f2. Anything older than 95 will be around the same price for the most part. I say do not even think about f1 and go with f2

Like i said, the F2 is perfect for a beginner as long as you don't get in the power band all the times and how often do you get in the power band anyways? unless you are riding like a retard!

 

My boyfriend's mate is calling round this weekend. He owns an F2 and said he's prepared to let me try it up and down the road. This way I'll know for sure but need to try one and see how they feel. Can't wait!

 

I'm not saying take an F1 over an F2, I'm saying get a hunk of **** for your first bike, haha. If you get an F2 "because you like the looks" prepare for heartache when you destroy it's pretty looks by accident.

 

I finally had a go of an F2 on Saturday morning. It didn't feel too powerful to me but I never went near any powerbands. But it did feel quick and smooth compared to what I'd ridden before a CB500 twin. It was fun to ride and I liked it a lot!

 

It's not all that lively until about 7k, and it really gets moving at 9k