F3 vs 600RR
#1
05-30-2011, 10:27 PM
F3 vs 600RR
Pros? Cons? Are they both pretty good bikes? Pretty sure one of the two is gonna be my next bike... And for the record I currently have an '07 Kawasaki Ninja 250, and it deff. time for an upgrade.
I've taken an '08 600RR out for a test ride, about 10 miles, and loved it, however, they downward handle bars I was not fond of, only because I started thinking ahead to longer rides and how uncomfortable that may get? I've sat on a '97 F3 and fell in love but was not able to take it for a test ride. (Dealership didn't have enough insurance for test rides? I don't know, it was stupid.)
I would throw an F4i into the mix but I don't feel comfortable sitting on them, I figure if I can't even stand to sit on them, then actually owning and riding one isn't a good idea.
I'm open to other bike suggestions but those are the two bikes I've found to be most comfortable, at least for a female rider who stands 5'3.
I've taken an '08 600RR out for a test ride, about 10 miles, and loved it, however, they downward handle bars I was not fond of, only because I started thinking ahead to longer rides and how uncomfortable that may get? I've sat on a '97 F3 and fell in love but was not able to take it for a test ride. (Dealership didn't have enough insurance for test rides? I don't know, it was stupid.)
I would throw an F4i into the mix but I don't feel comfortable sitting on them, I figure if I can't even stand to sit on them, then actually owning and riding one isn't a good idea.
I'm open to other bike suggestions but those are the two bikes I've found to be most comfortable, at least for a female rider who stands 5'3.
#3
05-30-2011, 11:17 PM
Senior Member
#4
05-31-2011, 01:11 AM
2011 Ride of the Year
#5
05-31-2011, 01:13 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
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The f3 has higher bars . I have an f2 and I love it. It takes me everywhere, it never gives me any problems, its easy to work on, and its still fast as hell...it keeps up with everyone elses bike. As much as I like it....its still 18 yr old outdated technology. I would like to have a 600rr. It just wasnt in my budget, but Ill get a newer bike eventually...in a few years.
#6
05-31-2011, 01:19 AM
#8
06-01-2011, 12:58 AM
Time for an upgrade because this will the the 4th riding season with the 250 and after taking the 600RR out for a test run, hopping back on the 250 made me depressed, literally. I never realized how little power the 250 had. Granted, she puts up a fight and tries her damnedest to keep up with the big boys, but she just doesn't have enough power behind her that I want/need.
It'll be a sad day though, the day I sell her to someone else. I've had her since she was just out of the show room with only 7 itty bitty miles on her. However, after 13,200 miles, I think it's time to move on to bigger and better things, let her be a good first bike to someone else...
However, locating the right bike, is another story. I have the money but there's next to nothing around here where I live, except for the dealerships but we all know they want an arm and a leg. So I'm sitting here playing the waiting game until the perfect bike pops up on either Craigslist or eBay.
It'll be a sad day though, the day I sell her to someone else. I've had her since she was just out of the show room with only 7 itty bitty miles on her. However, after 13,200 miles, I think it's time to move on to bigger and better things, let her be a good first bike to someone else...
However, locating the right bike, is another story. I have the money but there's next to nothing around here where I live, except for the dealerships but we all know they want an arm and a leg. So I'm sitting here playing the waiting game until the perfect bike pops up on either Craigslist or eBay.
#9
06-01-2011, 01:13 AM
Well here are my expanded thoughts.
Performance: honestly don't know. Both bikes have more performance than you'll prolly be able to use for a couple years. Both will do 0 to Stupid in less than "I wonder if this will be a good idea?". So from a performance standpoint, especially since I never even got on the same continent as my F3's limits let alone approached them, performance is really a non-issue to me.
Ergos: I rode my F3 for a year before moving to an F4i. I sat on my buddy's 600rr several times but never felt comfortable enough to take her more than around the parking lot. There's definitely a difference in the positioning. I did, however, buy my F3 from a stripper about your height. She had a lowering link installed that I had to immediately take off to ride safely. She never had any problems riding it. And considering all the dangerous mechanical issues I found with it (like the wrong spacers on the front axle) she rode it well.
Ownership:
Sorry, a newer bike is easier to own. It's easier to find parts for a 600rr than a F3, especially fairings. From a maintenance standpoint, Fuel Injection beats the **** out of carbs. Nevermind turning the key and pressing the starter with the F4i vs the elaborate ritual of choke adjustments and sacrificing kittens with the F3 on cooler mornings (ok, the kitten sacrifices were solely to keep my spirits high). And no matter how well you maintain your bike, you will eventually have to mess with the carbs. Or worse, have to pay someone to do it for you. And it seems most shops charge extra just to allow a carbed CBR in their garage (one dealer demanded 2 hours labor just to look at Rain, my F3)
Last thing is the weight difference: honestly, I only really noticed it while sitting still and holding my F3 up. My F4i does feel faster turning in but that may be psychological. Again, the F3 is an extremely capable bike. Most likely, more capable than you are. Definitely more capable than I am. So it's really a non-issue
Performance: honestly don't know. Both bikes have more performance than you'll prolly be able to use for a couple years. Both will do 0 to Stupid in less than "I wonder if this will be a good idea?". So from a performance standpoint, especially since I never even got on the same continent as my F3's limits let alone approached them, performance is really a non-issue to me.
Ergos: I rode my F3 for a year before moving to an F4i. I sat on my buddy's 600rr several times but never felt comfortable enough to take her more than around the parking lot. There's definitely a difference in the positioning. I did, however, buy my F3 from a stripper about your height. She had a lowering link installed that I had to immediately take off to ride safely. She never had any problems riding it. And considering all the dangerous mechanical issues I found with it (like the wrong spacers on the front axle) she rode it well.
Ownership:
Sorry, a newer bike is easier to own. It's easier to find parts for a 600rr than a F3, especially fairings. From a maintenance standpoint, Fuel Injection beats the **** out of carbs. Nevermind turning the key and pressing the starter with the F4i vs the elaborate ritual of choke adjustments and sacrificing kittens with the F3 on cooler mornings (ok, the kitten sacrifices were solely to keep my spirits high). And no matter how well you maintain your bike, you will eventually have to mess with the carbs. Or worse, have to pay someone to do it for you. And it seems most shops charge extra just to allow a carbed CBR in their garage (one dealer demanded 2 hours labor just to look at Rain, my F3)
Last thing is the weight difference: honestly, I only really noticed it while sitting still and holding my F3 up. My F4i does feel faster turning in but that may be psychological. Again, the F3 is an extremely capable bike. Most likely, more capable than you are. Definitely more capable than I am. So it's really a non-issue
#10
06-01-2011, 02:45 AM
There is another female member here that rides a 600rr. Her name is yumoncbr (and is also quite short). You could ask her a few questions.
The thing is, if you fell in love with the F3, why not just get the F3? I have an F4 and I'm quite comfortable on it. I'm too tall for the RR and I really don't like the ergonomics/comfort of it. I've never had any problems with the carbs on my F4 but then again, my bike doesn't sit still during the winter. I would have gone for an F4i if I didn't get such a good deal for the F4. It needed some (non carb) work and off I went!
I'm just wondering something, why weren't you comfortable on the F4i? As far as I know it's identical to the F4 and that's one of the most comfortable (non cruiser/sport cruiser) bikes I've sat on. Was it the one with the banana seat or the double?
The thing is, if you fell in love with the F3, why not just get the F3? I have an F4 and I'm quite comfortable on it. I'm too tall for the RR and I really don't like the ergonomics/comfort of it. I've never had any problems with the carbs on my F4 but then again, my bike doesn't sit still during the winter. I would have gone for an F4i if I didn't get such a good deal for the F4. It needed some (non carb) work and off I went!
I'm just wondering something, why weren't you comfortable on the F4i? As far as I know it's identical to the F4 and that's one of the most comfortable (non cruiser/sport cruiser) bikes I've sat on. Was it the one with the banana seat or the double?