I've posted in the forum so many times in so few days because I wasn't able to ride the F4i I had just bought. Weather and responsibilities weren't permitting me to ride the gorgeous bike I had only rode two miles home on many days earlier. But tonight, I finally got to ride my first EFI bike.

I wasn't impressed for about the first thirty minutes. My old ZX6 had a brutishly peakey powerband. It was nothing until 7k RPM. Between 8 and 12k, the ZX was stupid. I actually spun my rear shifting into fourth on that nasty old carbed thing. On the CBR, I had cruised to 120 without even realizing it. It was so smooth I flipped my visor down without thinking about raising a hand from the bar at triple digit speed. Yet I hadn't found the guts.

I exited the freeway through a sweet little L/R and smiled at the handling. Testing the throttle again, I was impressed, but disappointed. The damn little CBR smoothly pulled right up with no surprises. Yeah, I mean wheelie.(no one was around or I wouldn't have) I smirked in my helmet, but still was disappointed. It was too easy. The bike was just TOO smooth. I poked around the tach...6500 maybe? no, still no rush...7000? nope...I was rolling off and on, really looking around for that roll on point, but the bike responded the same at any RPM above 4500.

"These EFI bikes are cake," I thought. Anyone can ride these. I miss my ZX.

"This is a great bike," I said to my helmet while accellerating away from a light. I liked the sound of EFI, but I wanted that fear I got keeping that Kawasaki revved up. In the powerband, the ZX was touchy. Small doses of throttle brought about dramatic change. Above eight thousand, a quarter throttle wouldrace the redline in a second, full throttle straightened out my arms as the needle on the gigantic tach would pin in the red. No electronic rev limiter here.

"I think I hate EFI," I said to the wind. I spied a turn ahead. One of my favorites: A wide arcing left that tightens into a sweeping right before heading left again. Angered, I dropped a gear and opened the stop...er, the electronically controlledspray nozzle as it were, "Scare me B*tch!!" Seven thouasand came quick and then, there it was, right as I met the apex,the beautiful little bump on the face of an otherwise cake smooth powerband.

The rear broke loose for an instant, then pulled back in line and lifted the front a sweet inch in the middle ofone of those perfect turns.The bike went from 70mph to 103 in a period of time I didn't even notice. Nor did I notice any change in the handling of the turn after that burst. I rolled on further, the last bit of the throttle, saw 105 and quit looking as I raced through three turns I never thought I could take at over a hundred ( not in the lines anyway.) These CBRs are sweet little performers. I don't miss the Kawa too much. And mine's an '02...you guys on the fresher bikes must have cake all over your face.

Except that on the Kawasaki, I didn't have that damn clattering CCT. God, I had forgotten. I now remember the sound of those from big bore four stroke singles Honda had for enduro bikes. I always thought the footpegs were loose on them, I never knew what it was. Even my goofy Honda Reflex had that rattle. That rattle was why I hated four-strokes for years. I guess you have to ignore it.

Oh well. I still love it.

anywho...just got back from the first REAL ride of it. you guys already know the buzz. sorry for the prattle. g'night

 

imagine now with proper suspension set up and some power mods...and take that to the track!

i don't know how people claim they've outgrown the F4i and need something bigger, newer, badder, etc...

they're the same ones holding up everyone else at the track and twists.

 

I always liked the gixxers even after owning the f4i for a couple of months but over time as I started to know her better she's never ceased to amaze me. I absolutely love the handling, as long as you don't mess up she'll toe the line. She may feel sluggish at lower rpms but wait till you get higher up, this baby screams & delivers. Take her out on the long haul & your spine is still intact.

My bike is currently in the shop with about 5k worth of cosmetic damages. Since the insurance might total(fingers crossed) the bike I was looking around at other bikes & guess what, even the 07 RR's don't cut it for me.

I love the character of the f4i & so far she's treated me good, I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

When i read this all i hear is bitchin................. What honda should have done with the bike was go with a 520 conversion -1/+2 or keep the 525 and have 15/45....... its seems as tho learing the teeth really bring the f4i out....!!!

 

the F4i is already geared lower than the RRs and most other bikes...

F4i is 16/46 and the RR is 16/43. I'm using my stock F4i sprocket on my RR until I get around to putting my new chain and sprockets on. Why would they put a 520 on it anyway??? Street riders wouldn't notice it and racers will change it anyway, but it won't last as long as the 525 so whats the point?

 

bragging rights at starbucks...that's worth every penny!

 

Yeah street riders will notice a difference..... i did !

520 converison and 15/46 was what some of the AMA bikes were running at seca ...just thought i'd share.....

 

Nice post...thanks for sharing. It's always fun to read someone's first impressions. Ride safe.

 

"bragging rights at starbucks." hahhah love it

So tonight I went out and beat on the lil bike. I went faster on the CBR than this old motocrosser ever went.without negotiating whoops or doubles-158mph. Ooof..it was cake, like a Cadillac. The old ZX was terror after 130, especially since it didn't have a windshield. Heh. I love the Honda. So fun.

At a keg party tonight, I was talking to a friend who mounted a helicopter turbo on his Miata. He lifts the front end shifting to second in that car. He is really excited about building something for my bike. Anything I learn, I'll share here. Since no-one makes anything for the measley 600F series, I'd like to help any of my brethren out. I'll post more later.

After I get some sleep tonight, I'm hoping to work on the suspension settings a bit. I hit my nuts at 120 over some small bump and almost lost my fajitas. It kinda sucks sometimes to be 135 pounds soaking...I have my dampening set as low as it will go. Heh. I should set the bike up like no one is on it.

Good night friends...don't let the cars bite.

 

Stand & move a back a little, give it a little throttle to make the front end light, save the *****. And please, get used to your bike before hitting triple digits. As an exercise find a secluded stretch & try braking hard at 100.

Ride safe.