How many of you out their have went from a liter bike or higher powered bike to an F4I? If so was the adjustment dificult? Just curious because I'm going to pick up either an F4I or 636. Also does anyone know what the Horsepower is on these? Thanks!

 

HP stock is around 95 if I recall correctly. I haven't stepped down, but the differences will be common sense. Acceleration will not be the same. Maneuverability will be different - much easier to flick around a 600. F4i has a slightly more upright riding position than most other sport bikes.

 

Pretty much what Aken said. Its pretty obvious you will note differences in power some ergonomics etc..
I've jumped around all over the displacement range.
I started off riding an 93 Katana 600, after that a 99 CB 750, I bought a salvage 06 ZX-14 in 2007 and bought my first brand new bike a 2006 Ninja 250R that same year. Sold my older CB and bought a 2003 CB750 and owned 2 F4i's for a while before I sold one.
It's a crazy bike history but an obvious range between displacement.
The F4i has been a easy to maintain motorcycle, pretty dependable,(no bike is as dependable as my CB though) great for commuting, pretty comfortable although a few fellow F4i owners will agree its not the most comfortable touring motorbike( IMO my ZX was easily more ergo friendly, for longer rides I mean).

Anywho, the short end of the deal is: Get the F4i, its a good bike,
Or the 636, bit more agressive, all-round than the F4i, (rode it borrowed while my mechanic buddy worked on my CB.) Both good bikes, wouldent consider either "a step down" just IMO.

 

I dunno...I think liter bikes are over rated, at least for the street. I have an Aprilia Tuono (998cc) that's just stupid fast. The performance is all but wasted on the street.

The F4i is lighter, more nimble and just as fun. It's not as fast, but it's fast enough.

600cc middleweights--all of them, if you ask me--are just...amazing.

--Paul

 

my 08 1000RR vs my f4i is basically the same unless i'm on the freeway, when i'm on the freeway the 1000RR is just like being in 3rd gear this thing fly's i don't need to downshift to pass anything.

the f4i si slower

that being said my 1000RR has 156hp and the f4i has about 95or 90.


they are both WAY too much bike for being on the street.

 

I agree. They are both way too much for normal street riding. For me a 250 would be fine for most of my daily riding. My daily riding consists of going to work on the freeway for 25 minutes. Getting up to speed is always fun on a more powerful bike but cruising at 75 is pretty boring on any bike. It all depends on how you are going to ride and where you are going to do it.

I've played around a bit with a CBR1000RR on the freeway and he kicked my trash pretty good. So I want one! But only for the rush of pure power excess.
When it comes to passing on the freeway I'd take more power every time. When it comes to manuevering through the canyon I'd take a 600 any day.

Rojer, your quotes are awesome!

 

I was looking at an 05 636, they have closer to 107 HP. Either way you're going to out run anything on the street and have more power than you can ever effectively put to the pavement.

I've ridden both and prefer the 600 right now. Theres no denying the liter bike power, but when it comes to mountain twisties like I have around here, I am much faster on a 600. I'm sure a skilled 1K rider would be faster, just not me

 

totally agree with that comment.
Most SS bikes nowadays are insanely fast. Sh*t, any sports bike for that matter.
I moded my 06 Ninja 250R to the max, full Muzzy Exhaust, jet kit, K&N breather, D/bubble screen, lowered clip ons etc etc.. and although it might sound stupid I thought that my 250R was the Sh*T! It had way more than enough passing power in emergency situations for highway freeway riding.
Its been known for the notorious 250 class to spank 600 and 1000 displacement bikes with newbs ridin em in the twisties tracks. Its amazing. looks like art in motion the way pro's flick those 125 and 250's around...
Anybody can go fast in a straight line..

 

Around here the expert class runs one of the tracks in the low 1 minute range, and they all have worked litre bikes. A couple pros ran it a while back on 600's and were clocking 55 second laps. Litre bikes mean nothing to me and you.