The F4i is very forgiving and is a nice step into sportbikes. The first bike I rode / learned on was a 07 600rr, that was not very forgiving... Since its a race replica the clutch engagement and responsiveness are different as well as the seating position. For me the F4i has the perfect mix of both, you'll be hardpressed to find another sportbike with the ergonomics of the F4i as well as the power. Be careful and know your limits, always wear your gear and you'll be just fine.

 

you can start on anything and be okay... will you pick it up as fast as if u were on a lower spec bike? no.. first time i rode a bike was a day before i picked up my first bike, i rode a dirt bike for ten min, next day i was on the street and i never looked back.

i took the msf a month later, becausec i was already signed up, although i had my license, took it on my ninja 500, and there were guys in the msf class who could not control a 12hp 125 in a parking lot with no traffic so i believe its more the person then anything.

that being said im glad i started on a 500, i def picked it up faster then my friends on 600s and the transition is a pretty easy one actually

 

I started out on a 2005 cbr f4i and I love the bike. Since I had never riden before I was really considering getting a smaller bike. The prob with that is you'll get a smaller bike then a few months later want to go bigger. So basically what im saying is youll grow into it. Enjoy riding and be safe.

 

I'd get a brand new ninja 250. 1) They look cool as hell now. 2) They are a blast to ride because they are insanely flickable. 3) Gas mileage. The other day I was riding with my buddy in the back country and this bike comes up on us, we all waved at eachother, and then I realized he was riding a ninja 250 and I got kind of jealous. I definitely wouldnt want that to be my only bike. But if I had a choice between riding around town on the 250 or a 600+ I'm taking the 250. However on the longer high speed trips I'll take the 600+.

 

Guy I work with just got a brand new one 6 months ago. You are right they do look very good. I think for me it wouldn't be a good choice because of my size. He told me a story of how he got beat in a race by a chevy tahoe, that just sounds plain embarrassing. When I think of a sport bike I think of nice sounding high revving motor, his 250 sounds like my old 450r.

 

I love that whole "size" argument that people need to convince themselves they need a bigger bike when they've never ridden one.

 

Your probably right the bike would be fine for me. From what everyone is saying I think I'm going to go with the CBR. The 250 just isn't something I want to spend my money on. I appreciate the input though.

 

600cc for the first time on a bike... It can be done. It's not advised. Take 2 people with equal natural traits, give one a 250 and the other a 600. The one with the 250 will be better faster.

Take it slow, very slow. You'll know you're on the right track when you find yourself blushing at the thought of how ridiculous you look puttering around the supermarket parking lot in full gear on a bike that can hit 130 mph easy.

 

I'm gonna say start on a 250. Especially with no street experience. It can get stressful fastand that's when wrecks happen. On a 250 it's not so much to handle and they aren't that slow when ridden right. The 650r is a good one too if u think a 250 is embarrassing. I'm not saying u can't do it but what i've seen is my buddies get 600s with no experience and wreck in just a few days bc they couldn't handle it. It was a smooth fz6 too. Others i've seen start on 250s learn good habits and don't get big headed.

That's just what I've seen from those close to me. I'm not saying anyone here has these issues. But I do reccommend starting smaller and spending more on your gear than your bike. Gear is the most important part

 

my f4i was the first bike id ever ridden too....i do agree with it being a bit touchy at first but u will get used to it, just dont get over excited and push when ur not really ready, i learned things the hard way, and it gets expensive haha...but i guess it did make things a lot easier when i had to take my street riding course (mandatory in manitoba, canada) to get my license. i went from learning on a cbr600 to being tested with a buell 250 or somehting like that...world of difference and it made me realize just what this bike is capable of doing...just take it slow and cautious and expect the unexpected...haha sounds so cliche