I've gotten back into riding after a 22 year or so layoff, and am trying to find the right bike. I bought an old Kawa. triple to fool around on this summer, mainly because it was for sale a few miles from my house, was cheap, and that's what I had ridden back then.

I'm looking for a nicer ride, and I had thought about a CBR F4i, but can't get past the riding position. Dealer stock these days seem to be Harley wannabees (not for me) or CBR-type bikes, with little to nothing in between. Ninja 650 seems pretty good, maybe a Street Triple, but that's about all I've found.

There's a Honda CB599/Hornet for sale near me, and from the pic. and what I've read, it seems like it might be just the ticket for me. Any thoughts on these? Good/bad, whatever. Thanks.

 

Feels good doesn't it? ;-) Nothing like riding!

The F4/F4i has a pretty comfortable riding position compared to what's out there now. My F4 is very comfortable & more straight up riding position than my RC51.

If you can sit on a few dif bikes w/ feet on the pegs, you'll get more of an idea of the riding position.

The Street Triple is a nice bike but really, the riding position isn't all that dif from the F4i. Its all a matter of preference in looks.

If you really want a sportbike, you'll break-in to the riding position, so to speak. ;-) It will be old-hat to you in a matter of time & you won't even think about it.

Welcome to the forum. Good to have you w/ us.

 

welcome to CBRF

as you can see, most of us here ride CBRs, and we all will recomend the f4i. but it all comes to what you want.

 

Went and looked at this morning. Neat bike, and I pretty sure that a CB599 will be my bext bike. Its cold here, and riding season for all but the most diehard is over.

General question about value on bikes--this stuff is new to me. The shed the bike was stored in was smashed by a tree that fell in a recent hurricane-type blow. There's a dent in the tank, the tail piece plastics are chipped, the headlamp chrome ring is dented, and there are a couple of other scrapes. The seller showed me pics. of the bike burried in debris, and he replaced with insurance money the headlamp bracket, gauge cluster housing, mirrors. The scrapes and dings don't bother me. How much does something like that hurt price? On a CBR, for example, how much less would you offer?

I'm also starting to think that I should wait to spring, but this bike is about a mile from my house and would be easy. How much less do you cold-weather area guys offer of get in the winter? If its all the same, then I definitly wait. Asking on the bike is $3400. Any advice would be great.

 

anyone?

 

IMO 3400 is a helluva lot for it considering condition , but then we'd need more details
- like year - miles - pics etc ------

you'd get a decent CBR for that or less
with no bumps or scrapes

Personally if I was looking at a bike that had a tree land on it - well I'd be knocking about
1/3 the value of it but then I'd never give anyone more that 75% of their asking price
for a well used bike (anything over 18 moths old) either !

 

2004 with an aftermarket exhaust and 4200 miles or so. KBB was $3200 or so.

 

Well with a KBB for a good condition one for 3200

Me I'd be shooting for under 2500 ... given what has happened to it !

and the fact that he's got paid insurance on it too

I'd pass - if ya are thinking of 3200 - you sure can do better imo

 

I was thinking around or just under $2500 myself. I think I'm going to wait for spring, and look for a clean bike then. Thanks alot for the advice.

 

You are welcome : it's always wise to wait and not to impulse buy but having
said that winter / off season is the best time for bargains too