Hi all,
Well I' ve been riding the GS500F now for 4 months and put 6000kms on her.
Its a very nice little bike, but I would want her to have a little more power... so I just got a nice offer on a 2001 EFI CBR600F and I am thinking of switching...
Now I would apreciate any advice on this bike, any does and don'ts, also any opinios on the CBR ..? and of' course how dangerous is the CBR in handling her ..........
Pavlos
It's not so much the power as it is learning cornering, traction, handling, momentum, and smootheness. Steering errors on a bike with steep steering geometry can tuck the front end, expecially if someone doesn't have that kind of experience with traction. Learning smoothness on a bike that has a more restricted powerband will give you more confidence and experience. One of the reasons veterans suggest a smaller bike is because of the limited power available. You need to be able to use all of that power before moving on. So if you're hitting redline regularily, then yeah, maybe it's time to trade up.
Do yourself a favor and stick with the GS for a year or two. You have a lot years of riding left. There is something to be said for experience. The power level of these 600 bikes is light years ahead of the GS. It's so easy to get into touble. Don't be one of those that gets scared off because he got into an accident or worse when he was young. If that happens you will miss out on a lifetime of riding.
Good luck in your decision. Ride safe.
There are a few mods you can do to give the GS more power so stick with it for a while longer. You'll get a 600 then an 800 seems more appropriate. Then before you know it you'll be riding one of these:
(http://www.artcarfest.com/images/vehicles/rocketbike.jpg)
And without the proper experience you could end up like this:
(http://roadanddirt.com/Pics/Stunfest1/bk/CRASH%20N%20BURN.jpg)
With people taking pics of ya and then posting them on the web saying stuff like..."he shoulda held on to that GS a bit longer"
But if that advice is no good then do what Scrtatch said.
:thumb:
I know how that feels. I have been riding this bike for a few months and already drooling over Gixxer 600 :nono: Probably I will trade up in a couple of years :P
cbrs are heavy and ride like a pig. Get a suzuki gsxr or a kawasaki. They are the lightest feeling when riding and also they have the cheapest parts. Hondas are really expensive.
This is no time to be breakdancing...go pick up your bike.
(http://roadanddirt.com/Pics/Stunfest1/bk/CRASH%20N%20BURN.jpg)
Look at the people clapping...and the guy that's checking his camera....oops...missed a goodie...
Well thanks for the feedback \but let me put things into prospective..
I am 37 years old, single man, that has started 1 year ago to ride bikes, now I have riden cars for more than 10 years.... so I have some road experience and some maturity to keep things together.
I have riden a Bmw650 for 9 months and now have the GS for 4 months, and I am 1.88m tall, and almost 250lbs.... I could really use the extra power
Now from the look of things I am probably getting my last bike here, as a family and wife could (or wish to) be coming some time soon.
Keep in mind also that the GS is not selling too well in Greece, so its used price has already lost 1000 and will get worst....
What would you say now...???
To make the bike seem faster, you need to find a way to improve your power-to-weight ratio. You can replace the air filter, rejet the carbs, or put on an after-market muffler, as these steps often help increase power. You could also improve the front or rear gear ratio by replacing the front or rear sprocket, which will hurt your top-speed but give you faster low-end speed.
If that doesn't help, try reducing the weight of the bike (remove centerstand) or reduce the weight of yourself; if you lose 25lbs, the total weight that the bike is trying to move drops dramitically, and the bike feels faster (it might help with the ladies too :) 8)
Get an SV650 or DL650.
The SV's are plentiful and cheap to maintain.
If you are looking for something that is used for long distances get
the DL650. It eats up the miles. Oops I mean kilometers.
Good luck. My brother-in-law is from Greece. He has a Kawasaki mean streak, 1500 cc. I can beat that bike at everything with my 650.
you have a bit over a year's experience. Get the cbr. screw those that say the cbr is heavy. the weight difference is minimal and wont affect you unless you're racing. The cbr600F4i (as its called in the states) is a fantastic bike that's built to last (classic Honda). Was top shelf sportbike before the 600rr came on the scene in 03. Cracking bike. DO IT! You'll never look back.
Ok , in case I go for it .... Pablo
This a 2001 EFI model they have proposed to me for just a 1000$ over my bike, what should I look for in this bike ....? and I understand this is the latest model, Honda hasn't updated it or anything, right ...?
Thanks Pavlos
Pavlos,
Since you're in Greece you had a different model than the US got. Non US model cbr600's had 2 styles-cbr600F and F sport.
The cbr600-
(http://www.cbrworld.net/CBR600/eurof4/2001grey.jpg)
and the cbr600F sport-
(http://www.cbrworld.net/CBR600/eurof4/2001sp.jpg)
I am not familiar with issues these bikes have but you should read through the info at www.cbrworld.net to get an idea what recurring problems there are. batteries (ie, rectifyer) seems to be common issues with honda bikes as are cam chain tensioners.
Honda hasnt really updated the bike very much at all, especially since the release of the 600rr in 2003. Now in the states, the cbr600F4i is only available as the single seat version above, since the RR is the racier bike now.
Both versions are good bikes.
Hi,
Well I have just learned some bad and good news, the bad is that the CBR is actually a salvage bike, now that gives me lots of concern .....
The good is that the Shop just got an SV650K3 first hand from a Gixxer upgrade and is willing to offer that for the same price as the CBR.........
Opinions if you please .......
I know I am pain ... but I really apreciate all your help here...
Pavlos
www.socalsvriders.com and www.svriders.com have loads of info on the sv.
Good bike. Might be just the thing. Might not be enough of a jump. K3? is that a 2002 model? Should be considerably cheaper than the equivalent )or thereabouts) year cbr.
Hi,
Well the SV turned out to be loads of crap and the salesman tried to charge me a 1000$ more, so I sent him to his mama and took off.
So I am back on track going today to see the CBR, so Pablo if you please a couple of questions, although I understand I am off topic here ...
a) How do I easily tell apart the EFI from the Carb model of the CBR .?
b) Does the Honda Vin's follow the general rule of 7th digit Year....?
c) And has Honda issued any new color schemes from 2001 and on ...?
Pavlos
a) besides looking under the gas tank I really dont know. I would assume you'd be able to see the carbs tucked in there. Might have to remove a body panel or gas tank though. There should be model designations for the fi-like some year they switched over so there shouldnt be both carbs and fi models for any given year. cbrworld.com and cbrworld.net might be able to enlighten you. at .com there is a thread I havent read asking what year fi started on the F4i.
b) dont know that either. I checked my vin and the 7th digit doesnt correspond to any year, nor does the 7th to last. the vin plate (near steering head, on frame) should also have a date of manufacture on it.
c) I assume so in Europe as it is in the USA. It is still in production and colors change for the different years. they even have multiple colors for some years. Imagine that.
Not much help, eh?
I just came across an article on used cbr600's in TWO magazine of April 2004.
They said check the rear shock for condition and function (riding it I suppose) and the condition of the brake discs, both expensive to replace. Cam Chain tensioners can fail on these bikes (and many other honda's) so listen closely for ticking. Honda Superhawks are known for having CCT failures around 25k miles. 2000 UK model has [flawless] fuel injection.
Also check to see if its been raced-new bodywork, drilled oil drain plug are dead giveaways (for safety wiring-drilled across the head, not through it).
otherwise they cant fault the cbr at all...exceptional bike in their opinion.
Thanks man, thanks a lot, the more I hear about this bike the more I like it ....
So I am ready to go and close the deal .. and guess what .. the bike is gone !!!, or at least the owner .... the dealer is actually a repair shop and he had the bike for several days for spring service, and the seller when he took the bike back he left a number, that is now a Fax .......
Now the cases are two a) either the dealer is telling the truth b) or is trying to blow me off as the GS is unfortunately a difficult bike to push..
(not a very mush trusting person am I ..? :roll:
Will have to wait and see ...
Pavlos
I dont see the reason yall are dissing stunters. most of yall dont have the guts to try a wheelie or a stoppie, most yall wont even try a burnout.
put down the crack pipe. what the hell are you talking about?