The f4i will kill you just as fast as any other 600CC bike it is NO slouch I would never recomend it as a first bike.

Buy a used 250 for 3k or 2500 and you will be able to ride it as long as you want and resell it for the same price. they never go down in value unless you total them.

I bought an 06 with 1400 miles on it that had been laid down once cash for 1400 dollars and resold it 3000 miles later for 3,000 and that was in 2007. You will always get your money back and your life is worth the wait on the extra power.

 

Could not agree more with you. I see you are in no hurry to "upgrade", you'll have a blast with the 250R.
Seems like you are going to make an excellent choice either way.
Good luck with your purchase!

 

I beg to differ ...

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_...nas/index.html

GSX600F Katana

Suggested retail price: $6199
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled, transverse,
in-line, four-stroke four
Displacement: 599cc
Bore x stroke: 63 x 49mm
Carburetion: 4, 32mm Mikuni BSR
Rake/trail: 25 deg./3.9 in. (99mm)
Wheelbase: 57.9 in. (1471mm)
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal (20L)
Wet weight: 491 lb (223kg)

 

I was actaully in the same situation as you. I was going to go with a ninja 250 as my first bike and then came across a f4i. This is what happend.

I was looking into getting a brand new 09 ninja 250 4600 OTD. I was looking at used 08s and didnt really find much of anything and dislike the older ninjas. I then decided to look at some other bikes. I came across a 02f4i. I did alot of reading on both bikes and decided to go with the f4i. It took me along time to save up for a bike as is. And i couldnt justify spending that kind of money on a bike i will outgrown by next year, or atleast want something bigger. I went with the f4i and payed 1000 less then i would of with the ninja 250. The ninja just feels to small for me, My buddy got one, and it just wasnt the bike for me. Plus i want to ride with my girlfriend or any other person of that matter i dont want it to strain the bike. With two people on the 250 it makes that thing work hard. Iam 6" and weight about 170, and the sitting position would really get annoying imo after 30mins. In my eyes i made a awesome dicision with no regrets. All bikes are fast buddy, just some get there faster. Respect. Just my 2cents.

 

Exactly. The relatively high weight of the Katana makes it a little bit more difficult in the parking lot for a smaller rider, I'm 5'7" and couldn't sit on the seat and back it up a slight incline without great difficulty. My 250 I could just walk around as if it were a bicycle. I even used the kickstand to do u-turns in the garage ... with the Katana that same maneuver had me looking like Austin Powers in that scene where he was turning around the golf cart in a hallway

 

I have an F4i. And would recommend it.

 

i just picked up a 02 f4i last night for $3000 with 21k miles on it so im gonna say thats a good deal. i was also debating like you i was looking at used 08-09 250r's but most people that are selling them want what they owe and people are pretty firm on them lowest used one i saw was $3300 and would move because thats what they owed this is my first bike and its deffinatly different just take it in a big lot and get used to it. it deffinatly can get away from you if your not careful. my dad actually went with me even being 21 he still cares and is scared so he test drove it and he said even getting on it hard it wouldnt come off the ground with the exception if you popped the clutch.

id say buy it and just take it easy. my buddy went out and got a 250r and he wants a 600 already and hes had it for a little over a month

 

My mistake. I thought you were referring to the bike in question which comes in at 370lbs. But honestly... The F4i is a fairly tame 600. If that one is decent with no major issues and they are asking the same price as a 250 then I'd buy the F4i. If you have a truck just haul it to a nice large vacant parking lot for a couple of days til you get used to the throttle, brakes, and overall feel of the bike... Baby steps. But ask yourself if you are scared to death of the bike. Some people say that fear is key to not killing yourself. I say bull****... Fear leads to panic and panic leads to death. Just know what power comes with the machine that is in between your legs. If you are honestly scared of the bike then start on a 250. It will only be maybe a $250-500 investment since they retain their value.

 

Ive ridden all the other 600s and im not seeing any difference other than egros. (they are all 2 wheeled evil) Which does come into play when it comes to being a novice. If thats what you where meaning..

 

I find it extremely hard to believe that you have ridden all the other 600's and couldn't tell a difference between a F4i and a RR/R6/Gixxer/636, besides the design.