personallyi would lean towards the 02, since the otherone has a "custom" paint job, it has probably been downed... and it sounds like an eager seller=good for buyer

just my $.02

 

thats what i did only a 1973 hond CB350

 

Wow another one of these....

Well I started with a 600rr but any of these bikes can kill you just as easily if you don't take it easy on them. How does he drive? Does he like to put his foot down a lot because that will turn much deadlier when it carries over to an f4i vs a less powerful bike.
It's really up to you guys but I tell all my friends who are looking at bikes NOT to do what I did because looking back on that it really was a horrible decision and the way I ride sometimes I'm lucky I didn't kill myself long ago. Buuut when I saw that bike in the showroom I just had to have it....DAMN MY 600RR FOR LOOKING SO SEXY!

 

Sounds like what i said when i met your girlfriend

 

For my 2 cents, I would tell him to go for the second bike (silver). It looks sexy as hell and it comes with an Arai helmet plus jacket and gloves. Hell you can't beat that. I am a new rider as well. I bought my 06 F4i back in December, and I had never ridden before. I thought the F4i is a perfect bike to learn on. It is a hell of a lot more comfortable than most other sport bikes. It handles great. Most importantly once you figure out how to ride, you won't feel like the bike is holding you back; instead you realize just how much of the bike you were never touching before. The most important thing for your friend to know is TO RESPECT THE POWER OF THE BIKE. After that just tell him to have confidence and take the motorcycle safety course. That course is great for anyone, no matter how long you have been riding. Once again this is just my opinion.

 

The F4i is not just a learner bike... The F4i has loads of potential as far as a high performance sportbike. These are quick machines built for high speed circuit racing. I wouldn't call it the perfect bike to begin on. In my humble opinion a Kawisaki Ninja 250would be about right for the novice rider. A very forgiving ride not to mention VERY low maintenance and economical.