Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDX on March 28, 2006, 09:48:09 AM
Ok, so I'm pretty sure I'm not thread jacking, as we have all told him what a great/horrible decision he's making. Personally, I wish you luck with your R6; someday I'll be on one too.

But here's my question. I was looking into R6s as my next bike down the road (like DOWN the road...I am not getting rid of the GS in the near future), and got thinking about how maybe a tamer version would be better, which is the YZF600. And then I of course thought of Gixxers and all that, but also CBRs. And just while thinking and looking, I noticed there are a few different varieties of the CBR600: the 600 F4, the 600 F4i, and the 600RR (I think that's all).

What's the difference between the 3? I'd guess the RR would be the most race-specific, with a more aggressive seating position and more powerful motor. And the F4i is injected, right? But I think I also heard the seating position is more akin to that of the GS, is this true? So the F4 is more leaned forward, and the F4i is more upright?

I have no idea...

The F4 replaced the F3 and was built in 99 and 00.  In '01 Honda came out with the F4i (i signifying fuel injection).  I'm not entirely sure when the RR debuted (2003 maybe?  Pantablo probably knows), but you're correct that it's the racier version.  The F4/F4i have pretty relaxed ergos (for a sportbike) and are supposedly pretty comfy.

(beat me to it)

the F4 is an older carbureted model and was their top shelf sportbike, with separate fron/rear seats. then it went fuel injected and got the F4i moniker. same bike essentially-same top shelf bike that was a good (still is) compromise between all out performance and comfort.

The RR stepped it up a notch or two and was introduced in 2003. It is now their top shelf race replica and the F4i got a little softer, including a single 2-up seat. That is about as close to the GS as the F4i gets though (the seat). Its still a very capable sportbike, make no mistake. The ergos are similar to the YZF600 in that its more comfortable than the racier R6 ergos but still a forward, low clip on seating position. yes they are pretty comfy though. Significantly more comfy than my RR.

Yeah, I knew pantablo had an RR. Cool, thanks.

I'm going back to school soon, so I figure that I should pay off the GS and just keep it. I could sell it and get an older 600 for the same amount, but then things like maintenance and insurance go up. So I'm keeping her, at least until the end of the year, and likely for another year and a half.

Anyways, I just like looking at what's for sale in my area and thinking about what's next. I'm all over, from an SVS to an R6. Luckily I have pleeeeeeeeeenty of time to look and decide.

Thanks again,
Dave

Quote from: pantablo on March 28, 2006, 01:25:05 AM

You're not talking to a new rider buying a sportbike as a first bike. tarzanboy has been riding almost a year and has racked up 4500 miles. That would suggest he's familiar with the dangers. He's probably taken MSF course too.

Yeah, Pablo, I agree.  I should have made it clear, I was talking more directly to Alpha and those like him that keep talking about safe riding.  Personally, I ride knowing that I just can't be safe, it just blows my mind when people think it a normal hobby, when in reality its a treacherous obsession.

Quote from: aplitz on March 28, 2006, 04:46:09 PM

Quote from: pantablo on March 28, 2006, 01:25:05 AM

You're not talking to a new rider buying a sportbike as a first bike. tarzanboy has been riding almost a year and has racked up 4500 miles. That would suggest he's familiar with the dangers. He's probably taken MSF course too.

Yeah, Pablo, I agree.  I should have made it clear, I was talking more directly to Alpha and those like him that keep talking about safe riding.  Personally, I ride knowing that I just can't be safe, it just blows my mind when people think it a normal hobby, when in reality its a treacherous obsession.

I'll reitterate. Safe riding is also about knowing your limits, both in handling and in power. If you only think you know how to deal with the extra power put out by one of those bikes but you really don't, then you're riding unsafely. If you can't handle leaning on a bike and knowing what it's going to do then you shouldn't be upgrading.

QuoteManaging the power is part of safe riding, as is wearing all the right gear and being able to know your limits. That's what I've been trying to say, and pablo has been hitting on "respecting the power of the new bike" a lot, too. That's all part of safe riding.