I am still looking for an F3 and will be in Palm Springs in a few weeks and came across this ad.....any suggestions re purchasing
1998 CBR 600F3

 

how man miles on it? the side and front fairings aren't original but the back and tail are. that's symptomatic of a wreck. id find out the details of that.

 

Just check over the frame, make sure the forks are straight andAare not leaking, etc. Make sure the title VIN matches the frame.

Are you a rider already? If so, try to ride it.

Its a 17yr old bike. It has history and its priced too low for a mint F3, so you need to focus on getting a mechanically sound bike. Like hamlin said, replaced/repainted fairings are indicative of a wreck, so try to get info about that. It being downed doesn't mean its a bad buy necessarily, just make sure the frame is strsight, nothing is broken, etc.

Make sure its cold when you get there. You want to see how the bike starts cold AND hot. If you have IR gun, take it and make sure your headers are heating up similarly. Check the oil. It should be black. I'd be weary if it were brand new, you want it to be black like coffee. Also make sure its at the right level (while bike is cold). Check the coolant and reservoir. Make sure you dont smell oil or fuel, etc.

Good luck!