Hey Guys, I'm new here and have a question concerning the F4I. I went to the Kawasaki dealership and was seriously looking at a left-over Ninja 636. That was until I actually sat on it for a while. I just started riding last summer and started on a Ninja 250. Well I'm sick of that and I'm ready to move on. The seating position on the Ninja 636 was so much different from the 250. I knew it was going to be that way but I'm really not sure I like that position. My question is...Is the F4I seating position any different. I had heard that the handlebars were a little higher or back further closer to the rider, is that true. I know your probably still hunched over a little, but just not as aggressive as the super-sports. Is the F4I a good choice to go with. I have heard good things about them but I wanted to ask people who were really familar with them. The one I'm looking at is a '04 with 1400 miles on it. The dealership said the guy is bringing it in on Monday to trade in for a CBR 1000. He said its in flawless condition has a carbon fiber exhaust, cant remember what kind. Hot-bodies undertail and a couple other things I cant remember. I havent seen the bike, but I'm going to look at it as soon as the bike is traded in. The dealer told me I can get it out the door for 6,800. Is that a good deal for this bike. Thank you in advance for your help and I look foward to talking to you guys more about bikes.

 

Well I can't say I've sat on or ridden a 636, so I can't really make a direct comparison. But I can say the F4i has a more relaxed upright position than most late model sportbikes... higher clip on's and lower footpegs make it so you're not resting all your weight on your wrists all the time. There's rubber on the footpegs too so they're a little softer. The banana seat on the '04+ is VERY comfy too (and yes, knowing this, I still switched it back to the split seat style, hahah. it's all good though). Overall though, very good ergos on the F4i. Waaay better than the RR's, that I know for sure! LOL. I know I wouldn't have the mileage that I do on mine if it wasn't comfy for long distances

As far as this bike goes.... I'd try and haggle then down some, seems kinda high to me. The KBB retail value is $6005. I paid $8495 OTD for mine brand new back in October 2004, so you should be able to get it down some. Good luck!

F4i is a fantastic 'all around' bike.... if that's the kind of thing you're looking for, you can't go wrong here!

 

i have rode a r6 and f4i, i have to say the f4i is way more comfy, and mine is a 02 split seat, not just saying this because i own the f4i either.
I WILL VENTURE TO SAY THE F4I COULD POSSIBLYBE ONE OFTHE MOST COMFY AND STILL HAVING PERFORMANCE SPORTS BIKE MADE.I WOULD SAY ATLEAST TOP 5.
just my .02 cents

 

BaseballPlayer, I take it that you play baseball.
I rode the 636, r6, 600rr, 945, f4i, f3, gixxer 750. I can honestly say that they all suck! jk
636 is a lovely bike, just as nice as the gsxr. I think you will be just as happy with either purchase. However, r6 is all based on luck. The brakes get locked up, very easy to loop the bike with a power wheelie. The f4i on the other had and in my opinion has the same power as the other bikes but its a bit hesitant but very forgiving. All I can say is that the f4i is a great because it is less aggressive than all the other 600's. Less aggressive stance, seating, leaning, throttle, and breaking (very important to me).

Going back to the qoute you got from the dealer; seriously, he gave you an insane price on a USED bike. An 04 on the streets should sell for 55hundred at the highest. 5 grand is the norm.

 

That price is way too high, My brother just bought his 04 a few weeks ago with 3500 miles on it for $4200. I see them sell in this area for 4500-5500 all the time.

 

my friend who rides an honda rc51 rode my f4i and kept on telling me how he missed the f4i because it was so versatile and comfortable. i've heard other people say that the f4i is a great bike to start on because of its riding position, but I've this is my frist bike and I can only compare it to the pos bikes that msf courses let you use.

 

The seat is so comfy compared totheNSR I had and you can hang off it just the same. I got mine new 7495 (in September). Honda reliability...my NSR was 12 years old and I bet had had the odometertwistedback a bit.