So I went and looked at my first CBR F4i tonight. It's a 2001, with just under 12,000 miles on it. The guys asking $3,600. Bike starts right up without a problem. At his house, there were old burnout marks on the garage floor, but looked like from a knobby tire, he has dirtbikes. It's a college kid, bought it from his friend, another college kid, and its been dropped. Not sure if it tipped or was moving, hard to tell in the scratches, not long, but fairly deep, but not through paint or anything, just decals, but they were striped back like it was moving. So let me know what you guys think of the whole deal, and let's just say that these first 12,000 miles have just been the hardest miles on a bike possible, should I be concerned about the life of the bike? Any big things to watch for? Thanks!

 

When buying anything used its a hit or miss. Right now I just bought a F4i as well a couple of weeks ago. Runs great and there are some scratches. I just found out the rotor is way warped and the pads need replacing. Be prepared to do some work when you buy a bike.

 

if they were the hardest 12,000 miles on a bike possible, then I would look elsewhere.

Is this your first time buying a bike? If it is your first time I would be careful and advise you to look for other bikes (there are so many). But if you have experience I would just tell you to make your own judgement.

Best is to take a reputable gear head and go with him to look at the bike and you MUST take that baby for a spin.

 

honestly i'd say look for another bike that is older and cheaper reguardless of miles. as a first bike chances are very high that youll drop it or bang it up. plus insurance will be cheaper on a f2 or f3 then a f4i.

my first bike was an 04f4i and i had so many close calls that were my errors of drops and scratches etcs. learn to ride and build confidence. then after that period of time however long then spend a nice chunk of change on a clean low mile bike.

if you do buy the f4i, look at the chain adjustments on the swing arm. i was told that burnout will effect chain life/stretch. duno if its true or not. also look at the tire and look under the seat for burnt stuck rubber. also start it up cold and check oil level and if its clean or not

my .02

 

Well I had my dad with me, and hes an auto mechanic. I'm fine with doing some smaller work, just don't want to have to rip into the motor. Any idea what the life expectancy on this bike would be if I rode it nice and maintained it all?

 

Following the maintenance schedule you should be able to hit 50k easy.

If you do buy that bike on top of the usual change all the fluids, I highly recommend checking the valve clearances immediately. Its close to its scheduled time anyways but you might catch something while its small.

 

Even if it has been riden real hard you think it can go that far before a big issue? I'll check the chain thing, hopefully going to go look again for the stuff you guys said this saturday. If you think of anything else, I'd love to hear it! Thanks!