My F4i was the my very first bike and I had ZERO experience with bikes. I took the MSF course then bought this thing. It is easy to ride and reasonably comfortable. It can be very fast for a noob (like us) so just remember the throttle goes both ways and give yourself a lot of room to stop, especially in the beginning. Be careful riding with better riders and don't try to keep up in turns and winding roads. Enjoy.

 

I just passed the MSF riding course today. I have years of experience racing motorcross, but that was 30 yrs ago. I also raced bicycles in college. All that really made it easy for me to transition back onto a motorcycle.

However, let me say that I really think it would be wise to enroll in a MSF course right away. Do this BEFORE you buy the bike. It will help you make a much more informed decision as well as give you some survival skills & truly needed practise doing things like panic stops, emergency lane changes, practise crossing over debris and obstacles in the road, etc.

For what it's worth, there were a lot of folks struggling in the class. Including 2 young dudes who already rode bikes & 4 wheelers, etc. They had never been exposed to precision riding & accident avoidance skills, etc. One in fact, had just crashed his Suzuki 650 the day before class began. He could've easily been killed too. Ugly sounding crash.

Just my opinion for what it's worth.

 

i am already signed up for a class in the end of may, that was the earliest they could get me in

 

Copy that, I too am taking the MSF course at the end of May and am getting ready to purchase the new f4i. Almost the exact same scenario as you. I've been scanning this thread and the people on here have contributed to my decision to step up to the f4. I've been to the dealer, I sat on the bike, I twisted the throttle. Without this board I dont know if I would have actually followed through. Good luck to you fellow newcomer.

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Its the good weather, the MSF classes in my area have been all full up too. Earliest my friend could get was July.

 

I called into the college on the 26th of last month and got into a class on the 5th. I got luck and called after someone dropped out. I just finished is and it was fun. It rained on sunday so we got a lot of rain riding in. I was the only one who got the 2 turns part of the eval in the aloted time. The only thing I missed points on was I stopped 1ft past the point I should have, but then I was on a DS, so I don't think it was too bad.

 

Lots of replys to this... so i may be echoing someone else but...

I got an 05 F4i .. No difference but color options for the 06.

Best thing to do is go sit on the bikes, see which one is more comfortable to ya. .. Last week i went with a friend who is looking to get his first bike and I suggested the F4i.. he said I was bias lol..

Anyway after sitting on the others and including the RR he went with the F4i .. Very comfortable. It does have plently of power for your first and maybe second year.

I started off on a old Hurricane 87' and eventually found myself up with a 1k cc but after a pretty nasty spill i took a break.. here I am back with a CBR.. this time I think Im gonna stick with CBR... Maybe the RR 1k if they change that seating.. doesnt seem very comfortable for a 40 to 50 mile trip.. who knows

My opinion is that you'll love the F4i ... Like earlier posting.. Respect it and it'll respect you. Its got power and can own you if you dont.

 

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