Ok, I know I'm going to get hammered by a lot of people on this. I just finished the MSF course and I've been riding my friend's 250 Ninja for 2 months when he lets me. My plan has been to start with a 600 F4I. The problem is I just came across a great deal on a 954rr and I think I would be kicking myself in the *** if I passed it up, but then again I don't want to be afraid of riding it. I sat on it...........feels good and light. I got to test ride down the block...........handles good. Guys locally are ripping people off by selling F4Is at over $5500 I guess because they're easy to ride. This 954rr is currently at $5400. I told the guy that I was serious about buying it. Advice???

 

i started on a 99f4------ya i would get the 600------unlless you are not skeered

 

yeah i agree with him, get the 600, trust me u will have plenty of time to find good deals on bikes again but a 954 is not beginer bike, i had a 600 f4i for 3 years and just got my 954 and let me tell u the power is night and day between the two. The 954 is a beast and will kill u if dont know what ur doing. But hey to each its own.

 

f41 all the way,i ride a 954 and it has a lot of power,too much for a new rider,unless you think your gonna take it easy and trust yourself too do that.

 

It all depends on you. I started on a 954, great deal and couldn't pass it up either. Granted I haven't been riding long but I also am very mature and don't try and ride beyond my capabilities, that will come in time. And I want to be here to enjoy it and my family so with that being said, if you can trust yourself to take it slow then go for it otherwise NO!

 

I started on the 954 as well, and I didn't even move the bike from a parking for a week before I got used to riding it there... its an easy bike to learn on, but a furious bike when you push it!

 

I appreciate everyone's honesty. I just want to do the right thing. I heard that smaller bikes like the F4I are easier into corners than liter bikes. Can someone explain this to me? From what I can tell the 954 and F4I weigh the same.

 

The 954 simply has more power on tap at lower rpms than the 600's. This can be a real problem with a heavy right hand in the corners. I've graduated to a 954 myself and am continously amazed at just how hard it pulls at anything above 4500 rpms. Cruising down the highway at 70-75 in 6th gear (around 5 grand), a twist of throttle will put you into triple digits almost as fast as you can say "one hundred miles per hour"- not to mention what it will do down a few gears. Whatever you decide, be smooth with that right hand and watch out for the other guy ALWAYS ! Good Luck with "the decision" !

 

You're right molsen, the 954 and the F4i are within a pound of each other for dry weight. Both are very easy to corner and are very well balanced. Similar to what bglover said, the literbikes (anything near 1000cc which equals 1 liter) generally are stronger at lower rpm and do not have as high of a redline. They are also geared much differently. You won't really notice this since you don't have much time on a bike, but believe me, it's different. Either way you go, you can get yourself into a lot of trouble in a little amount of time. The 954 is just easier to get yourself into trouble with since it is capable of higher speeds, wheelies easier, and has enough power that if you get on the gas too hard in a corner, you'll be kissing the curb. The insurance is another factor to look into (cheaper with a 600!!!)


good luck with whatever you decide!