I posted a similar thread in the F4i section to try and generate a response from F4i owners. I hope that's ok. I am back in the market for a Cbr 600. I have been riding for about 15 years and I am 54 years old. Hope i am not too old for a CBR. My last bike which I sold last summer was a 2006 Honda 599 Hornet . ( great bike by the way ) I have decided to buy a bike with a little more wind protection for longer rides. I have owned a 1998 F3 and a 2000 F4 I really enjoyed the F4, but most dealers and bikers i have spoken too have directed me to buy an older f4i bike over a carburated version. I didn't experience any problems with my 599. I have not ridden the f4i and I was wondering if anyone on this site has owned or ridden both, that could give me some insight into what to buy. I also realize newer is better and the bike I was interested in was a 2000 f4 again which is 10 years old. Thanks for your input. Cheers.

 

The injection will require less maintenance and run smooth n have chrisper throttle response.

love my F4 tho

 

Well put. The F4i will require less maintenance and doesn't have the carb issues an F4 will if the carbs get dirty or need rejetting. But I have never had a problem with my F4 and really don't mind the carbs. As long as they stay clean I think the F4 won't give you any problems and are basically the same bike as the F4i.

 

Injection all the way. 1) less maint. 2) Will start in colder weather a lot easier 3) Much faster throttle response. I love my F4, but i would take a F4i over it, call me lazy. plus it gives you some different options for customising. Either way a cbr is a great bike, you'll love it no matter which one you buy!!

 

2000f4 with a f4i engine thats how i see it.. my bike hasnt given me any problems but yes you have to clean your carbs...so theres a little work there but other than that is a great bike...great motor by the way mine has some 49,000 miles and very strong everything is in pefect tune...my friend has a f4i very nice and no probs...if there older i think you should be thinking about worst case scenario that is...stator,valves,CCT,sproket,chain,clutch assembly...those little things that add up... but if your passionate about older f4 go for it..

 

I owned both at the same time. Loved the f4 but I did have to tweak with the carbs all the dang time. The f4i is more of a get on it and ride bike. as far as handling and feel they are very comparable, and if you get an f4i after '04 it fills just like the f4 because they went back to the banana seat. the '02-'03 f4i was split and is a little more race aggressive sitting pattern.

 

I have only owned my F4 for about 2 months, and while it has mainly sat in the garage for the winter (registered it today btw!), it always starts right up if you put the choke on.. granted, it starts up easier at 40 degrees than it did at 20 degrees, but still it isnt bad.. it doesnt seem to need much time to warm up before you can crack the throttle a little bit without any bogging... I have seen worse...

Having said that I would love an F4i, but my F4 has really grown on me.. also they are rarer and its nice to have one of the last of the carb'd bike.. if I ever move on, it will probably be to an F4i though.. and a banana seat one since I don't mind it at all.

Adam

 

Hey dodi. Newer isn't always better. I just picked up a '99f4 maybe 3mos. ago which is my 14th bike by the way! I really wasn't too excited to even check it out but it was on the way to another bike I was going to look at. The bike was amazingly clean w/15,000mi. and looked to be mostly stock/orig. except for Braking front wave rotors and braided lines. Got it for $2,300!! I am amazed at how well this bike performs for supposedly being an "old" bike. As far as injected vs. carb.? I've only had a fueling problem with one of my bikes and I've had both FI & carb. and just about every type of bike there is. Honestly the only bike that gave me a problem was the CBR1100xx that I sold right before buying this bike and guess what? It was fuel injected. I can roll my bike out of the garage in the morning with ice on the cars and it fires up instantly w/choke and will run perfect with choke off by the time I'm at the end of my street. I did have an '02 ZX6r (purchased new) that was a carb. model and this bike seems to run much better. Actually this old bike seems like a better bike over all than I remember the ZX being. I wouldn't let FI vs. carb. be the deciding factor. If something goes wrong with a fuel injected bike it can be an expensive fix! Carb's. are really pretty simple and cheap. Hey I removed the airbox from my '98 Bandit and installed K&N pod filters and re-jetted the carbs to an exhaust system by myself. If I can do it...