Looking for input on next bike
#1
10-15-2009, 07:32 PM
Join Date: May 2009
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Looking for input on next bike
I have been riding for about 4 months, putting on about 1800 miles. I currently have a 92 CBR F2. Is it worth itto step up to a 1000cc or go slower and do at least a fuel injected 600cc? I feel comfortable, but is it that much of a shock to go to a 1000 from a badly tuned carburetor 600?
#2
10-15-2009, 07:45 PM
Hmm... Speaking for myself, I can't see a reason to go up to a 1k. Not unless it was irresistibly sexy and there wasn't anything equally so in the 600s. Like the 2010 BMW S1000RR. My badly tuned carb 600 is plenty powerful and fast.... But...
I'm 5' 10" 150lbs after a rainshower in full gear. From what I've seen, many go to a liter bike simply because it fits their body better. Others because they get more heavily into riding, not travelling or commuting. So the question is "What's the motive?"
I'm 5' 10" 150lbs after a rainshower in full gear. From what I've seen, many go to a liter bike simply because it fits their body better. Others because they get more heavily into riding, not travelling or commuting. So the question is "What's the motive?"
#3
10-15-2009, 07:46 PM
Senior Member
I have been riding for about 4 months, putting on about 1800 miles. I currently have a 92 CBR F2. Is it worth itto step up to a 1000cc or go slower and do at least a fuel injected 600cc? I feel comfortable, but is it that much of a shock to go to a 1000 from a badly tuned carburetor 600?
Dont fall into the gambit of bigger is better because its bullshyt. A skilled rider on a small bike will out ride a shyty rider on a big bike anyday.
Work on skill n not speed, be able to control your bike at a snails pace as well as you can doin a buck-fifty.
hope I helped ya. Now be ready for McSquid to pop in and say how he start on a 1k n can smoke rossi but has chicken strip the size of Maine and dont own one piece of leather...
#4
10-15-2009, 07:58 PM
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IMO 600 are far from slow. Yeah you might get beat by a 1K in a drag race but unless you plan to do a lot of drag racing I would stick with a 600 personally. Plus you'll probably won't get into as much trouble with your right wrist. If you are tired of the carbs then get a F4i or RR, ride that for a year or 2 then decide if you want a 1K.
#5
10-15-2009, 08:51 PM
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Well im 6'0" near 300lbs. A bigger bike under me would fit better. I don't do tracks really, just rides with friends. I want to do at least fuel injected cause mine is a headache and seems to stutter a lot on pulling my big butt. I know a tweak and im set, but I want also a little newer. Truthfully, if I could afford it and handle a 1300 or 1400 I would get it, but I know thats suicide for me.
#6
10-15-2009, 09:13 PM
Hmm... well again it might be my body. Or it could be that my bike isn't as badly tuned as yours. I've only opened the throttle to a little past halfway on my F3. And damn near shyte myself when the headshake from the front wheel skipping across the road started.
PG does bring up a valid concern: lack of experience. Going from a 250 is a 600 was a world of difference, something that I was reminded of after taking the BRC (god, had to retrain my throttle control after just 2 days on that Nighthawk). I'd been off a bike so long and was so inexperienced with my own 600 that I had readjust and relearn for my bike. And I hate to say it, you'll prolly forget 3 of those 4 months of experience during the off-season. Put bluntly, doesn't sound like you (and myself as well) have riding down to the point where it comes naturally and instinctually. Most of your current experience won't be valid and it'll hella more dangerous with the bigger bike.
I doubt you'll get much winter riding done in the Chicago area (not unless you like frostbike and lowsides). My recommendation is take the winter to get your bike tuned right, tweak her for your body style and ride her for another season. If you don't beat her too badly, look at the bigger bikes around this time next year
PG does bring up a valid concern: lack of experience. Going from a 250 is a 600 was a world of difference, something that I was reminded of after taking the BRC (god, had to retrain my throttle control after just 2 days on that Nighthawk). I'd been off a bike so long and was so inexperienced with my own 600 that I had readjust and relearn for my bike. And I hate to say it, you'll prolly forget 3 of those 4 months of experience during the off-season. Put bluntly, doesn't sound like you (and myself as well) have riding down to the point where it comes naturally and instinctually. Most of your current experience won't be valid and it'll hella more dangerous with the bigger bike.
I doubt you'll get much winter riding done in the Chicago area (not unless you like frostbike and lowsides). My recommendation is take the winter to get your bike tuned right, tweak her for your body style and ride her for another season. If you don't beat her too badly, look at the bigger bikes around this time next year
Last edited by Kuroshio; 10-15-2009 at 09:17 PM.
#7
10-15-2009, 09:31 PM
Senior Member
Maybe you DO need the torque and room. And I suspect your carb problem is just a carb problem. Maybe the last guy was screwing with the carbs when he didn't know what he was doing, or put a fancy air filter and or pipe/can/muffler on it without jetting. It may be cheaper to take it to a good mechanic, and you might be happy, if the bike fits you at all. Otherwise:
Consider big and not so scary, like a 93 to 96 CBR1000F. You can get a really nice low mileage one if you look around for what I consider really cheap. Or a 99 to 2003 "Super Blackbird" if you want something newer and fuel injected. If it is low mileage, like under 25K miles, it should run like new, and you will be able to tell that almost from the first rev at a demo.
Ok, and I will now offer a disclaimer: all of this assumes that you are capable of being a good, safe rider that can comfortably control a bike, and won't get antsy and try to see how much power you can give it in a corner in traffic. If you aren't one of those, and every ride is the thrill ride of the wrong sort (Gee, I wonder if I can live through this ride?) then you should probaby try a different hobby.
Consider big and not so scary, like a 93 to 96 CBR1000F. You can get a really nice low mileage one if you look around for what I consider really cheap. Or a 99 to 2003 "Super Blackbird" if you want something newer and fuel injected. If it is low mileage, like under 25K miles, it should run like new, and you will be able to tell that almost from the first rev at a demo.
Ok, and I will now offer a disclaimer: all of this assumes that you are capable of being a good, safe rider that can comfortably control a bike, and won't get antsy and try to see how much power you can give it in a corner in traffic. If you aren't one of those, and every ride is the thrill ride of the wrong sort (Gee, I wonder if I can live through this ride?) then you should probaby try a different hobby.
Last edited by JHouse; 10-16-2009 at 11:16 AM.
#8
10-16-2009, 01:32 AM
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Unless you have the willpower of buddha, the self control of ghandi and the wrist control of bruce lee I'd say you might want to wait on a literbike because without the riding experience you'll need all three. Regardless of your height and weight you really don't have the experience and practiced throttle control to keep yourself safe on a liter. For example.
Your taking a long turn, bikes leaned to the left, car ahead of you slows down, you slow to match, car ahead speeds up, you speed up as well. Seems simple, however on a liter the throttle changes midcorner like that are dangerous if your not practiced at it and have good throttle control. It's easy to ever so slightly over accelerate with the bike leaned and have it slip, grip, highside and your airborne. These bikes have far more power than they have grip, and it's easy to overdo it ever so slightly.
You might be thinking, yeah I can do that. But you don't need to just do it once, you need to do it every single time, without fail, while watching for traffic, modulating your brakes, shifting, scanning the road for debris and hazardous conditions, watching for pedestrians and maintaining proper body position. The one time you don't your likely bucked.
Just take your time. If you can, test ride a 600rr, I think you'll be amazed at the power difference between one and a f2-f3. More than likely it will be all you want. My brother test rode my f4i and was amazed at the power, he's around 300 pounds himself, and now wants to buy it from me.
I'm not knocking on you, in all seriousness your probably a decent rider, and will likely become nothing but better in time. But a liter isn't something to jump onto on a whim, with only 1800 miles under your belt. At least that's my opinion, take it for what it's worth. Either way, good luck and stay safe man. If you do pick up a liter, be careful with it.
Your taking a long turn, bikes leaned to the left, car ahead of you slows down, you slow to match, car ahead speeds up, you speed up as well. Seems simple, however on a liter the throttle changes midcorner like that are dangerous if your not practiced at it and have good throttle control. It's easy to ever so slightly over accelerate with the bike leaned and have it slip, grip, highside and your airborne. These bikes have far more power than they have grip, and it's easy to overdo it ever so slightly.
You might be thinking, yeah I can do that. But you don't need to just do it once, you need to do it every single time, without fail, while watching for traffic, modulating your brakes, shifting, scanning the road for debris and hazardous conditions, watching for pedestrians and maintaining proper body position. The one time you don't your likely bucked.
Just take your time. If you can, test ride a 600rr, I think you'll be amazed at the power difference between one and a f2-f3. More than likely it will be all you want. My brother test rode my f4i and was amazed at the power, he's around 300 pounds himself, and now wants to buy it from me.
I'm not knocking on you, in all seriousness your probably a decent rider, and will likely become nothing but better in time. But a liter isn't something to jump onto on a whim, with only 1800 miles under your belt. At least that's my opinion, take it for what it's worth. Either way, good luck and stay safe man. If you do pick up a liter, be careful with it.
Last edited by Hangfire; 10-16-2009 at 01:36 AM.
#9
10-16-2009, 04:54 AM
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I got a f4i thinking I would upgrade to a 1k in a year or so. I have by no means mastered the bike but have 13,000+mi on it and don't see any reason to up grade. My girlfriend got an F3 and I spent a lot of time on it, and have to agree with others that it is a large power increase to go from a F3 to a F4i. She has upgraded to a 02 F4i and loves it. We commute to work and try to do all day rides as much as possible. I don't plan on getting a 1k till I have to do 160mph+ 
(never).
(never).
