Just got my F3 this week, and its my first bike. The little I rode it (need parts) was amazing. Ive ridden my friends bikes a few times (honda cx 500 and ninja es 500) so I was daring enough to push my F3 on a straight and it almost made me drool. Its not excessive power, you wont pop a wheelie (I didnt) as long as you use sensible throttle buildup (idk, you might even need to clutch it, I didnt try and wont try wheelies). Its good for a 600, all the bike shops praise it for being able to keep up with even the newer ones and 650s. Deffinitely a good choice (I think) for a first bike. The only thing that dissapoints me is I paid $2750 for mine and Im looking at spending at least $200-$500 to get it in top shape (bought it privately)

 

These bikes are heavy as ****. They're almost 40lbs+ on an R1 and those are liter bikes! Clutch wheelies are crucial...no power wheelies here

 

yeah, repair book says around 450 wet, haha, I almost cried

 

I'll be the crazy guy who disagrees and says the F3 isn't a good bike to start on. Maybe it's because I bought mine geared down one in the front and up two in the rear. It's my second bike, having started on a Ninja 500. The 500 was fast enough and I only sold it because I wanted something more aggressive. The F3 fit that perfectly, and the thing was like a rocket compared to the 500. My F3 pulls power wheelies in first, and I hitting the back roads aggressively last week I found it can do a power wheelie in second as well.

But I'm outnumbered in this forum, so I know my advice will be ignored.

 

Once you lose the fear of the bike it becomes a **** ton faster. This bike felt slow as hell until I loosened up. If anything it's the rider, but off the line i'm going to say these bikes aren't powerhouses like a Busa

 

I don't think so. Not on a carbureted engine. Power Commanders are for fuel injected bikes.

As for the 600 being the first bike. If you've never ridden before, then I don't think so. I would be more conservative. You can always get a 600 later.

 

well there's a good 650 or so CC difference

As far as power goes, It's a 600, and 10 or more years old, but still kicks ***

Personally, I think (with correct gearing), for the price and length of time these things last (with good care) it's a GREAT first bike, as long as you're into getting a crotch rocket for your first bike and not starting small.

 

oops, that was in reference to the busa comment, didnt see the second page

 

Well guys I went out and bought the F3. This bike is amazing and IMO its pretty easy to learn on. I'll get pic's up tomorrow afternoon.


Thank you everybody for your input!

 

This bike is too heavy for a first bike IMO. I hate how heavy this thing is...[&:]