Hi guys,

As the title suggests, I've been riding dirt bikes for a few years now, and spent last summer racing motocross, so I'm not new to motorcycles. I AM, however, pretty new to street riding. I've always loved sport bikes, but I don't want something that'll kill me, so I'm trying to be sensible about it. I'm a big guy (6'1"/250ish) so my options are a little more limited in what I can buy. I've sat on a Ninja ZX6R and thought I could ride one, but wasn't especially comfortable. Comfort's not a HUGE factor, but I want to at least be able to ride a moderate distance (no more than 100 miles) without needing to relocate my spine back inside my body. I recently discovered an article in Sport Rider about the CBR 600 F2/F3, and became interested. I think the CBR F3 is a beautiful bike, and it appears to offer a more relaxed riding position than most of the newer bikes. The two things that worry me are, 1) is it an appropriate choice for someone with quite a bit of dirt bike experience but not a lot of street bike experience, and 2) will it be able to accomodate my chubby self without trying to rip the top half of my body apart from the bottom half?

Thanks for your replies. My mind is in no way, shape or form made up at this point, so if you don't think the F3 is the bike for me, please let me know. I want as many opinions as I can get, since I know of no F3s for sale locally and will probably have to travel some distance to pick one up. I just want to make sure the trip to get one, if I decide it's what I want, is worth the time and gas.

 

Well I'm not your weight but I'm 5' 10 (Docs insist I'm 5' 11"). I have an F3 and feel pretty comfortable on it. I tell people all the time that when I was forced on the 250 cruisers during the MSF, my *** hurt within 5 mins and I was forced to constantly stand up whenever possible (that whole realigning the spine inside the torso thing). Got to the point I was near begging the instructors to let me bring my bike (not allowed during the BRC where I took my course).

Is the F3 worth a hike to bring back home? if you find one in good condition for the right price, HELL YES! It does have the downside of being a carburated bike. If you've been riding dirtbikes for a couple years, I'm pretty sure you've also been doing a bit of your own maint. So it's less of a downside for you than others. If you were a completely new rider with no wrench experience and no mechanical aptitude, I'd say aim for an F4i. But you should be in pretty good hands with a F3

 

Hey, thanks a bunch!

The YZ426F that I'm riding now is my first 4-stroke. Before that, I had all 2-strokes, including a Yamaha Banshee quad, so I know the joys of working with carburetors.

My dad is a hell of a mechanic, so if there's something on the bike that I can't swing a wrench on, he'd be more than happy to help me out.

This might be a tough comparison, but how does the bike's "bite" compare to that of, say, a YZF600R?

 

Hey welcome!

I have been riding dirt since i was 12 and just got my f2 in july. I love my F2. Its a great bike to learn on for the street. Coming from dirt to pavement is a sorta big difference. Not so much the turning aspect but now having to worry about traffic, oil spots, and other road hazards besides branchs and large rocks. Anyways the F2 is an amzing bike and super comfy. I ride it from shreveport, LA to austin, TX which is a bit over 300 miles and i do that trip about once every 3-4 months. I stop every 120 miles and thats just for gas. So ya good luck on whatever you get! Be safe

 

Sorry i didnt see this part at first. The bikes bite is good. Not as fast as newer bikes but it still keeps up with the young bikes. Mine is a 96 frame with a 93 F2 motor and its a damn strong bike. Itll pick up easy.

 

Hello & welcome to CBRF!
The F2-F3s are solid bikes,relatively comfortable to ride (compared to todays 600SS)
Go for it if you can find one,you wont be disappointed

 

Well ......you are about my height and size and a CBR1KF is where I found myself
for a variety of reasons.mostly to do with power , weight and comfort. See no reason
dirt riding would impede street riding ....just adds more fun if you ask me .

Anyhow enjoy the forum .......I'm sure you'll pick the right bike

 

Welcome from Clanton, AL and I would highly recommend the F3. I am 55 years old and not in great physical shape. Got rid of my Harley in early spring when the docs said I couldnt ride anymore. The problem got resolved (mostly) and my soon to be son-in-law has a 96 600 F3 that i was fixing up for him. I started riding it and now I ride it to work (50 100 miles round trip 80 of it is interstate) and I LOVE it