so i'm a new rider and i'm an inch away from buying a 1996 CBR 600 F-3. I've been told that it's a good first bike to have but I'm just nervous- chalk it up to first time buyer jitters. Any one have any comments and/or suggestions for me?

 

Yes, dress for the crash, not for the ride. Everyone puts it down at some point. I think that an F3 is a great starter bike. Not too much, but not too little. Your jitters shouldn't leave for a while. What you should do is ride your bike in your neighborhood for 2 weeks or more to get a feel for stopping, going, and braking. Additionally, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers some excellent courses for beginners. I paid 25$ for the beginner class and I'm going to invest another 25$ into the experienced class this year. There is a wealth of information online and in those classes for riding properly, knowing your limitations, being seen, and seeing in ways you've never thought about before. Most bikers who get into trouble do so by not following basic safety rules and riding beyond their limits. You can still have a lot of fun with this while being safe. I always do. Welcome to the forums.

Start reading this:
https://cbrforum.com/m_360824/mpage_.../tm.htm#360824

I started it with the intentions of helping others by sharing experiences/knowledge. We're here to help.