Newbie here, and I have an FZ-1 and a V-Rod, and looking to add a CBR600f4i to the mix. I know they started in 2001 and go to I think 2006. What I want to know is:

What should I know about the different years? I just read an old Motorcyclist mag, which tested the 2002 f4i and found it to be down 10hp compared to the 01 f4i - WTF? Then an old CycleWorld mag commented the same, that the 2002 was 'down on steam' compared to the 2001 model. WTF again? So...

Are there reasons for this? This ain't 'different dyno' stuff. Same reviews from all over regarding the 09 CBR600RR and it being down on power compared to the 07 and 08 years. WTF!?! That power diff matters to me... (Motorcyclist got an 2001 f4i to do a 10.72 quarter mile!)

Anyway, what do you guys know of any differences for the f4i between 01 and 06, even the stuff not mentioned by Honda but everyone ends up figuring out? What should I be aware of?

Last, I'm looking at a 2005 f4i in mint cond (I saw it, 3100 miles) at a Honda delaership for $6198 out-the-door. Seems high to me, but it does really look brand new. What do you guys think? Wondering is $5700 OTD for this bike would seem to be too much.

Thanks,all.

 

Any advice would just be based on personal taste such as my dislike for the 04-06 banana seat. What year FZ1 do you have and how is that not enough bike for you along with your VRod?

 

Welcome to the site, IMO the 2001 being more HP then 2002+ is just and old wives tale, I owned an 01 and now I own an 05 and at one time I had them both in my garage and I never noticed a difference in power between them.

That being said I paid 8400 OTD after all TTL and everything for my 05 new in 2005. I would think that's a pretty good deal on a left over model provided it has never had oil or gas in it.

But it never hurts to lowball them some after all, it's been sitting there for 5 years now!

 

Rojer, the model he saw was used w/ 3100 miles. I wouldn't pay more than $5500 for it, personally.

 

That's right, it has 3100 miles on it. I've scanned craigslist, ebay and cycletrader, and there are cheaper f4i's, but none are in this good shape. I'm thinking $5500 is my limit too. I do want it, but my wife is going to freakin' kill me if I get this anyway.

If I do buy it, I will then sell the FZ-1 later this year. I like the FZ-1, but I'm just kind of tired of it, and after riding my buddy's 1999 f4, it just fit me like a glove and had plenty of power. (I had a Busa and a F3 in the past, of course I sold them to get other bikes). This F4i is probably the best looking one (candy red) I've seen aside from the dark blue f4i.

Anyone else agree, max $5500?

 

$5500 sounds like a good deal to me. Does it have any mods?

 

Just a beautiful looking pipe (Great carbon-fiber look). The rest is full stock. I plan on riding it this week. Anything specific to the f4i I should watch out for?

 

I think that if you do the right research and be patient, you can find the bike you want at the price you want. Personally i think that $5500 is on the higher side of things. Maybe you should see if they can throw in a helmet or some gear to help sweeten the deal. My buddy bought a bike a couple hundred more than he wanted, but it evened out cause they threw in a free helmet, gloves and jacket to make the deal. He already had gear so he sold it all on ebay and craigslist and ended up getting $400 bucks back. In other words he bought the bike for less than the price he originally wanted to pay. ... Just my 2 cents

 

apparently honda changed the fuel/spark curve in 2002 to reduce power becuase they were introducing the 600RR in 2003 which was designed to replace the F4i as the more track-oriented bike. the first year F4i's tested quarter mile times are a little faster supposedly. I think it's a marketing strategy geared towards people that only look at numbers thinking that 1/10th of a second is better when they dont even know how the bike rides or takes to corners.

+1 on the taking your time and searching. you can get a good F4i for $4500 or so. bikes seem to be priced a little higher this time of year. I'd keep looking and i'm sure you'll be able to get a deal by may/june.