Been watching a lot of videos during this looong cold winter season here in Omaha. Definitely keeps me ready to ride. Found this video (link at bottom) of a Guy doing quite well on the track with an F2, which I don't know what's been done to it. Here's a nice quote from user "jneedee", from fireblades.org. It was toward the end of a heated "debate" of the differences, pros and cons of the F2, F3, F4 and F4i. I thought it was interesting to hear about the ram air and other upgrades the F3 got, which some argue didn't add enough power for complications encountered in repairs mechanical dealings.

Quote: "I have owned 2 F2, 2 F3s, and and F4 and F4i. (other Hondas include VFR's, Hawk NT650s, NSR a VTR an RC51)...

Bottom line:

The fastest (top speed) of the above has been my 91 'F2. As has always been typical of Honda, the first rendition of a major engine overhaul has been the best. Honda's, almost as a rule, lose between 1-3% of the original horsepower of the "original" engine, every rendition, and sometimes every year.

The biggest difference in these bikes is generally the handling characteristics. Some are lighter, some have better brakes, some are jetted better out of the box, etc, etc.

Owning some of these bikes side by side allows me to make a very fair comparison and even moreso, interchanging some of their parts made creating the best hybrid possible.

Although I still own an F3, F2, R6 and YZF600, my favourite (and fastest, best handing, strongest motor - although unfair comparison), is my F2. I decided that the F2 motor was the strongest and then went on to install a 637 big bore kit, upgraded the front suspension to f3 internal (I kept the F2 lowers since the F2 brakes were superior), the rear suspension to F4 and a few other minor mods. I can honestly tell you that if you are so inclined, such a bike will do more than simply "keep up" with today's machines, fuel injected or not. The power and flickability of my F2 is unbelievable. I listed it for sale twice this spring since I'm trying to make some space in my garage but after having been pushed by the wife and offered my asking price twice, turned it down each time. I just couldn't get around how much bike there is and how I would go about replacing my F2 should I choose to. I ended up selling my f4i instead for only $200 more than I was asking for my F2 because I felt so bad for one of the buyers. Essentially, what I'm saying is, when it comes to Honda's, the earlier bikes are EXTREME gems that people (who have ridden the family of bike), come to appreciate over time and the facade of technology.

I read on here somewhere on this thread that the "technology" of 90's bikes don't compare (and I believe the comment was directed to the engine technology). Whomever said that doesn't have a clue. The "technology" of the newer bikes relies simply on weight and handling, the engines themselves have absolutely no new technology that would put them over on 90's bikes and even some 80's bikes. Basically, the last real effective technology introduced to bike engines was liquid cooling; being that overhead cams existed long before.. Other than that (piston and chamber design, materials, fuel injection and any other "technology" introduced in the new millennium) any functions other than lowering unsprung weight, could be defeated by going on a diet and working out.

I've been riding for a long time and still consider myself an aggressive rider; someone with plenty of experience, both in motorcycling, motorcycles, technology and hearing B.S. and most of what I read on these threads are Opinion. Everyone has one so it's value is limited to Zero. What common sense should tell you is that if a bike made in the very early 90's can do a 11.14 quarter mile time and it's great grandchild can only muster a tenth faster with similar top speeds, then you are splitting hairs and worrying yourself with things that truly will never matter to you.

This isn't rocket science. Go with your gut."

Ridge Motorsports Park CBR600F2 5/6/12 - YouTube

 

That video looks like one of bazacko's. He's a member of the forum here and posted a thread with track day videos....

https://cbrforum.com/forum/f2-media-...994-f2-136007/

That track is near to me. It only opened a couple of years ago and I'm hoping to head there this year, also on my F2.

 

Nice one! Yeah, seen that vid already. It's the slower of the two runs. Didn't know it had 60,000 miles!!! Amazing! Thank you Honda That Guy's got some skills. Where in washington is that track?

 

That's The Ridge motorsport park, it's near Shelton WA. It's so new that if you look it up on google maps it still shows up as just a dirt track that has yet to be paved.

 

Great writeup! I've been thinking many times should I sell my f2 and try to get something newer but always came down to the same question: why. Sure a newer bike could be lighter and prettier but then again so could I... I too have a tendency to become attached to these things but at least at the moment don't own other bikes if you don't count one 50cc scooter... As long as the tranny keeps going and I can get parts I don't see why I should part ways with it, selling it for cash would not be an option cause I could probably get 1k tops and the insurance cost way less than most other bikes (here the cost depends on your age, the bikes age, power to weight ratio and how common that bike is in crashes) about 550e a year compared to a ninja or something the kids keep wrecking that can go up to a thousand and more. Pretty hard to beat. It aint that bad looking either specially if I can get the mods looking like the pic in my head...

 

Nice. It really looks like a fun track to ride. Good speed, perfect twisties and not too complicated for beginners.

 

A lot of people see my bike and say "I wish I still had my 600". They're light, nimble and easy to manage in many situations. The F2 is as fast as any bike in the hands of someone who knows how to push it like it was designed to. And of course, the difference between 100 HP and 130 HP means very little on the streets. That being said, i'm perfectly happy with my F2 and will be for years to come because of the amazing looks, dependability and mechanical simplicity

 

Glad to see someone enjoys my video! I still have a lot to learn, but I've never seen another video of someone riding an F2 that hard

As far as mods, it has a Wileyco full exhaust. The bike has had a rough life and looks like shi t, but even after that trackday and a highside later in the season it's still going strong

 

After reading through this thread it makes my decison to purchase my 91' F2 even better. I didn't pay much for it but I have yet to have a major issue with it (fairings are cracked, R/R failed). This just makes me excited for this upcoming season.

 

Not trying to have a pissing match, but I have owned 3 F2's (One was a full superbike), and 5 F3's (currently have three in the garage now. Personally, the F3 is the better bike. And the '97-'98 is the best of the F3's. I have done very well on my SB F2, but the F3 is just a little better.