Thoughts on first bike - CBR600F
Discussion
Morning,
Finally have my mod 1 & 2 booked for the 1st week of Feb so have started to take a bit more of a look into what do get.
Having come across the following two, does anyone have much experince with them...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Budget is £2,000 or under
Thanks,
Dan
Finally have my mod 1 & 2 booked for the 1st week of Feb so have started to take a bit more of a look into what do get.
Having come across the following two, does anyone have much experince with them...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Budget is £2,000 or under
Thanks,
Dan
Wouldn't think you'd go wrong with either of those considering the mileage & condition.
The 2nd bike is the better one to go for, later model with Alloy frame and current size (180 & 120) tyres (just have a good look at the damage around the front LH indicator - probably fell over at standstill)
Proper sensible all rounders but both with race winning pedigree.
The 2nd bike is the better one to go for, later model with Alloy frame and current size (180 & 120) tyres (just have a good look at the damage around the front LH indicator - probably fell over at standstill)
Proper sensible all rounders but both with race winning pedigree.
Edited by graham22 on Friday 19th January 09:47
For £2,000, I would be wanting a very good condition 1999 onwards bike. No way I'd touch a steel frame at that price.
You can get a 1999 onwards with knackered bodywork for about £1000, maybe less, so do bear in mind how much the nice bodywork is costing you.
ETA: Just bear in mind those bikes are tough but are getting on a bit. For 2K I'd actually be tempted to get something newer if possible.
You can get a 1999 onwards with knackered bodywork for about £1000, maybe less, so do bear in mind how much the nice bodywork is costing you.
ETA: Just bear in mind those bikes are tough but are getting on a bit. For 2K I'd actually be tempted to get something newer if possible.
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Friday 19th January 10:14
Danm1les said:
Perfect, thanks guys!
Whats the easiest way to tell between the frames? Was there an overall facelift to the bike?
1999/2000 (FX-FY) was the first year of the ally frames, but the bikes are still carbed. Significant facelift, yes. Whats the easiest way to tell between the frames? Was there an overall facelift to the bike?
2001 onwards they had another big facelift and received injection. Personally I'd go for one of these if I were you, it's a bit simpler, and more modern looking. They also ran the bodywork for a longer time so I think it's a bit easier to replace panels.
About 2003 (IIRC) they dropped the fully adjustable Showa suspension. But any suspension will be needing refreshed.
ETA: Some 2002 onwards ones in budget;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CBR600F-2002-MODE...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-02-HONDA-CBR600F-F...
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Friday 19th January 10:21
I had a 2003 registered, 2001 model F4i (ally frame, fuel injection) as my first big bike and initially it was my principle form of transport.
In many ways a great choice, very forgiving, not too much torque/power until the revs built, handles, brakes beautifully. Mine was yellow and looked mighty cool too!
I guess the issues might be: 1) Its not an aggressive sports bike but nevertheless you are leaning forward quite a lot, is this comfortable for your needs? Ultimately for me, my shoulders and neck hurt... 2) They are all quite old bikes and prone to small niggles especially if used every day. 3) With the fairing and 7000rpm+ power band it can be rather easy to go silly fast and get yourself into trouble with inexperience as confidence builds.
Two days after I passed my test I test rode mine and then rode it home 90 miles including motorways at night was certainly an experience! Biggest problem I had was trying to find the stand back on my driveway at home and not trigger the alarm (another niggle that needed removing).
In many ways a great choice, very forgiving, not too much torque/power until the revs built, handles, brakes beautifully. Mine was yellow and looked mighty cool too!
I guess the issues might be: 1) Its not an aggressive sports bike but nevertheless you are leaning forward quite a lot, is this comfortable for your needs? Ultimately for me, my shoulders and neck hurt... 2) They are all quite old bikes and prone to small niggles especially if used every day. 3) With the fairing and 7000rpm+ power band it can be rather easy to go silly fast and get yourself into trouble with inexperience as confidence builds.
Two days after I passed my test I test rode mine and then rode it home 90 miles including motorways at night
was certainly an experience! Biggest problem I had was trying to find the stand back on my driveway at home and not trigger the alarm (another niggle that needed removing). Edited by jonindorset on Friday 19th January 11:26
Prof Prolapse said:
1999/2000 (FX-FY) was the first year of the ally frames, but the bikes are still carbed. Significant facelift, yes.
]
Supposedly a second faster than the injection models too. ]
OP i also had an FY as my first bike and have no regrets about it. I ridden it everyday for 2 years with no real hassle. I then sold it to a friend for £1k and he now uses it as a daily. Here was mine:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/C1tTvxVNWhg9vDB93
Danm1les said:
Just to keep this updated, passed my Mod 1 today. Mod 2 booked for the 16th
Nice one! Congrats. I’ve recently passed too (last Thursday) and already have my first bike tucked away round the back of the house, just couldn’t wait. I’ll happily admit to being s
t scared riding home from the dealership, on my own for the first time, in the dark and cold for an hour. Very much looking forward to building my confidence and riding in this year’s week of ‘summer’. 2002 CBR600F with 36000km on the clock when I bought it in 2014 as my first bike.
That's the bike with still fully adjustable suspension front and back, and the fuel injection.
I passed my license on it.
I still have it, and use it daily, not only for commuting to work, but also on weekends for hill hairpin riding, that, even though I (currently) have 4 other sportbikes.
Mine has custom seat, braded front brake lines, 15/46 final gear ratio (+Speedohealer).
I did change suspension front and back, primarily because it was too low for me, so now the bike is 20+mm higher front and back. I had to weld a bit more material on the center stand and it is still not perfect (can't weld on more).
Ah, center stand, I love it, easy to work on the bike.
I kept the original exhaust, it is fine for me, now, after 76000km, it is properly burned in and makes good enough wail for my liking.
Exhaust noise is anyway mostly for spectators, because when you go 60+mph all you hear in your helmet is wind noise (or, in my case, music), but amazingly I was given positive comment on the sound from a Ducati rider who was riding behind me.
It's a sport bike, kind of, because handlebars are above triple clamp, but it only makes it very comfortable on longer rides, and you are pretty well protected from the wind by the fairing.
It's definitely a big bike, which fits my 6.1 height, but it is also wide. If you ride it back to back with something like the latest Daytona 675 you will understand that the tech has moved on, F4i is much wider and feels more like a boat in terms of handling....but when you ride it for a little while you still like it, it's fast enough in the corners, it is very friendly, not intimidating at all (unless 8000+), and very comfortable.
One negative about the bike is the chain tensioner. It makes noises around 4500-5000 rpm. I had mine changed to a reworked one (with stronger spring) but it now makes noises as well. I think this is more "cosmetic", and there is a solution with a manually adjusted tensioner from APE, I will probably buy one and install it later this year.
What can I say, I love that bike for what it is, not the fastest, not the latest tech, but I do love the looks and it is such a puppy to ride daily....but still exciting in the corners!
That's the bike with still fully adjustable suspension front and back, and the fuel injection.
I passed my license on it.
I still have it, and use it daily, not only for commuting to work, but also on weekends for hill hairpin riding, that, even though I (currently) have 4 other sportbikes.
Mine has custom seat, braded front brake lines, 15/46 final gear ratio (+Speedohealer).
I did change suspension front and back, primarily because it was too low for me, so now the bike is 20+mm higher front and back. I had to weld a bit more material on the center stand and it is still not perfect (can't weld on more).
Ah, center stand, I love it, easy to work on the bike.
I kept the original exhaust, it is fine for me, now, after 76000km, it is properly burned in and makes good enough wail for my liking.
Exhaust noise is anyway mostly for spectators, because when you go 60+mph all you hear in your helmet is wind noise (or, in my case, music), but amazingly I was given positive comment on the sound from a Ducati rider who was riding behind me.
It's a sport bike, kind of, because handlebars are above triple clamp, but it only makes it very comfortable on longer rides, and you are pretty well protected from the wind by the fairing.
It's definitely a big bike, which fits my 6.1 height, but it is also wide. If you ride it back to back with something like the latest Daytona 675 you will understand that the tech has moved on, F4i is much wider and feels more like a boat in terms of handling....but when you ride it for a little while you still like it, it's fast enough in the corners, it is very friendly, not intimidating at all (unless 8000+), and very comfortable.
One negative about the bike is the chain tensioner. It makes noises around 4500-5000 rpm. I had mine changed to a reworked one (with stronger spring) but it now makes noises as well. I think this is more "cosmetic", and there is a solution with a manually adjusted tensioner from APE, I will probably buy one and install it later this year.
What can I say, I love that bike for what it is, not the fastest, not the latest tech, but I do love the looks and it is such a puppy to ride daily....but still exciting in the corners!
Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Tuesday 6th February 18:44
MajorMantra said:
This thread is relevant to my interests. Got Mod 1 booked near the end of the month, and the CBR600F is a strong contender for a first bike...
If you have to do parkour (slalom, figure 8, etc) you still need to practice even though the handlebars are above triple clamp, CBR600F is not a naked after all.https://youtu.be/adpyHI-WBn4
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