I am planning to ride from Toronto to Vancouver next summer. My girlfriend will meet me there and we will spend some time riding out west.

The bike I was planning to use is my old CBR F2. I was looking for a parts bike and I stumbled over a F2 in great condition. Initially I was just going to rebuild my old F2 but the one I found is pretty much ready to go.

I wonder if the F2 is everything I think it is. See, I am very fond of the F2. When I was young and broke that bike never let me down. I think it's a very reliable bike and it should have no issues doing this trip. I find is comfortable and good enough to carry two people and all their camping needs. While it's not an RR, is it really that outdated? I don't remember it being under powered and I think it's suspension and brakes are very good for a sport-touring(the way I see it) bike. Is my view of the bike distorted because it was my first bike? Will it feel like a massive downgrade comming from my KTM SMC, which is a different beast, but it's brakes and suspension corrupted me to put up with it's ergonomics. Would it really be a big difference if I got a F4i for example?

 

It really depends on what you want out of it, as you seem to already know, the F2 is a great all-around bike... very versatile, but you really can't go wrong with any of the F series.
One advantage of the F4i, would be the relative simplicity of tuning, with injection rather than carbs, but carbs really aren't so bad, though I've complained about them in the past... once you've got the fueling right (to work with any modifications), and keep the fuel system clean, it's no biggie.

Whether or not it's underpowered, really depends on you - my F2 is fast, too fast for some to handle properly, but definitely no modern fuel injected liter bike... it really is relative to the person twisting the throttle. I've never had mine "loaded to the hilt" with gear, but I've been on long rides with a pillion wearing a moderately loaded backpack, and a tank bag, and it's got pleny of power for that!

 

I wish i still had my F2....

HMMM my RR has fuel injection and a ~3krpm higher peak HP... only gets 7 more horse power, and same fuel economy WTF???

Id trade my RR for a fully rebuilt F2 in a second(none exist to my standards)... sure it may not be as fast on the highway to 130, and lean you over effortlessly, and has no stabilizer. but it has a way more comfortable seat/position, no clacking injectors, carbs sound sweet, and i think a better torque curve.

granted my f2 had 50k miles, shot springs, a 'cooling' problem, a busted speedo hub, and 50 more lbs, and thank god i dont have to wrench on it every weekend.