I currently ride an 01 929RR and my buddy is looking to get his first bike. When I started riding I purchased a '98 Katana for $2500 and learned on that until I was ready to move up. He wants to start on something that is more of a sportbike, but after talking to me, has come to his own conclusion that he doesn't want anything more than 600cc's. We were looking at craigslist and he decided that for price/looks he was going to go the route of the F4i. I know nothing about this bike. Is it a good starter bike? Is any one year better than another? Thanks for any replies I get, and here are a couple of links to bikes that he is seriously considering. We are planning on going "shopping" on Sunday and getting his new ride.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/mcy/394877985.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/mcy/398805314.html

Thanks again!!

 

its not as good of a starter bike as your can of tuna because its much lighter and has more HP then that bike so if you think your bike was fast the F4i is way more touchie. that being said if your friend respects the bike then sure an f4i is a good starter bike.

but if I would have started on my f4i i woulda wrecked it doing somthing stupid that i thought i could controll but i really didnt have the skill untill years later.

just my 2c.

 

well the newer the bike, the lighter and more HP it has. i got to agree with lockless, it probbly alittle to throttle touchy for a starter bike. I mean I know alot of people that have done it, you just have to respect the bike that's all..
F4i's are more of the less agressive look bikes - you more laid back while riding while a "RR" is more agressive looking and your more into the bike. so at least he is going for an F series compared to a RR.

what you need to tell your friend is just to be careful on it, and wear gear intill he is actually good with riding.

 

depends on the rider. I bought my f4i as a starter bike and worked very well for me. I say f the can-o-tuna and get a f4i

 

Personally, I bought an old 1981 beater for $500 off of craigslist, put about 1,000 miles on it (which takes like a week or less since a new rider will ride day and night every day and every night) and then I bought an f4i for my first bike. Like all have said, you just need to respect it - I still haven't gotten anywhere near tapping its true potential. I have about 3,000 miles on the bike.

 

When you say starter bike do you mean he has never ridden any two wheeled variety before? Not even a dirt bike? If thats the case then any bike he gets will probably end up in a low speed spill IMO. I had a friend that had only ridden a scooter went out and bought a Kawi zx6r 2007. He dumped it in the first 20 feet. It wasnt the bike that caused it. It was his cluelessness in how to ride.

I dont think the F4i is a beginners bike but I do think it can be ridden by a beginner. It can be ridden long after he has advanced his skills as well. He may never want anything else once he feels its comfort and has enough power to keep up with most other 600cc bikes.

If he wants the split seat he needs to be looking at a 2001-2003 model. If he is ok with the banana seat then 2004-2006 is what he needs. If he does find a good deal on a 2004-2006 but hates the banana seat he can do the tail conversion. I have a 06 with the conversion and I LOVE it.

Either way the F4i is a GREAT bike for all skill levels and IMO a slick looking bike as well.

 

I started with my F4i and it really wasn't ideal but it is doable. The main drawback is probably that I have bad habits that I wouldn't have if I learned on a smaller, less powerful bike. With the 600, you can always power your way through (or into) things that a 250 would have you plan for.

Actually I really learned (after MSF) on my buddies 051krr and that was just insane so I 'settled' for the 600. The main reason I got the F4i and not the RR was the ergos and the type of riding I thought I'd do. The big question is what type of riding is your buddy gonna do.

 

i learned on a f4i, have him take the msf course, will learn way more than he will on his own. like they all said, as long as he is aware of how much power is between his legs he will be fine. one big plus is that he probably wont sell the f4i after 2 months like happens to most 250's...

 

i bought my f4i, never rode before other then a 50cc honda, and a few 4 wheelers, and i was fine. Also i never took the msf course ( wanted too but it was backed up 5 months!) I already had the bike and wasnt about to look at it until then. I just took my time, and read books and research on proper riding techniques. With pratice i learned completely on my own. I guess it boils down to the individual. I learn well on my own, others may not......

 

Thanks for the replies. He is a brand new rider, never been on a bike, and will mostly be using it to commute to/from work to avoid the awesome SoCal traffic. He is already registered for the MSF course since we get to take it for free. We also go ride in the mountains every other weekend or so, but since he hasn't even ridden yet I'm not sure what kind of riding he'll want to do. I never understood the people who have a bike and dont' like to ride the twisties, just preference I guess. Anyway, anyone have any suggestions on the two bike ads that I linked? Do you think one is a better deal? They are both roughly $4k and have close to the same mileage. Thanks again!!