Should I buy or Pass

[Junkie]

Finding an F4 or F4i that hasn't been thrashed is a bit difficult; I've been looking for one. Also, the inline-4 power-band isn't great for street riding. No power/torque below 8000rpm then you get all of it in the space of 2000rpm.

If I were the OP, I'd be looking for a Kawasaki Ninja 650, Suzuki SV650S, or CBR650F. If they're open to naked bikes, I'd add the CB650F, SV650, and Yamaha FZ-07.

the F4i powerband is much friendlier than the newer 600s

 

[Norcal-Cycles]

Imho... Pass...

 

[Morphine]

Imho... Pass...

pass for me as well. I know it's exciting to get the first 'real' bike but..

it's 11 yr old! Bikes are generally low mile. There's ding on the exhaust pipe. Where are the turn signals? Red flags man. And even if it's pristine, $5k is pushing it for 2007 R6.

 

[nebulous]

F4i's are terrible bikes!! Don't look for them!! Really! awful, bad, pthui, gross. cough, cough.

Finding an F4 or F4i that hasn't been thrashed is a bit difficult; I've been looking for one. Also, the inline-4 power-band isn't great for street riding. No power/torque below 8000rpm then you get all of it in the space of 2000rpm.

If I were the OP, I'd be looking for a Kawasaki Ninja 650, Suzuki SV650S, or CBR650F. If they're open to naked bikes, I'd add the CB650F, SV650, and Yamaha FZ-07.

 

[kurth83]

cbr500r is one of the 4 bikes Honda makes with the 500cc parallel twin, I own one of the others (the cb500x), so I can speak to the motor.

It is a great motor for a 500, smooth flat torque curve, fantastic mpg, cheap to buy, cheap to run, it's a Honda in every way.

But it isn't enough more powerful than a 300 to be worth it (say 30ish vs 47 HP). And IMHO it lacks sufficient power to be satisfying in highway traffic. It can hold 70mph into a stiff headwind (unlike my old 250 @22hp), but you have to reach pretty deep into the throttle. On the plus side it will give you almost 70 mpg. My 700 is closer to 50 mpg but is a better fit for the task of commuting on the highway.

 

[Pking]

Hey everyone, I am in need of your wisdom!

Soo I am coming from a ninja 250 and in the market for an R6, 07 or newer with decent miles for a great price(budget is 7k). I found this on craigslist today (link will be down below) and I feel like this is too good to be true as there is a dent on the gas tank with scratches as the seller has notated and there is a dent of the exhaust(not too big a deal as I would be changing it out). Now I am really skeptical about this bike because there is a dent in the gas tank and it looks like they have added aftermarket fairings since it does not say "Yamaha" on the bottom of them. This still holds a clean title and has 10k miles. What do you think?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/d/2007-yamaha-r6-low-miles/6536653311.html

The other side of the equation would be: how long have you been riding the 2fiddy? Is it really time to bump up if you haven't ridden at least 60% of the bike's true potential? Just asking because I hear a lot of 2fiddy/300 riders want to bump up but have only rode their bike for a very short time. Not saying you can't do it, just concerned bro

 

[ScottRNelson]

Is it really time to bump up if you haven't ridden at least 60% of the bike's true potential?

I believe that it is a fallacy to try to ride every bike to its "true potential". I don't have to come close to the limits of a given bike to enjoy riding it. I know one BARF member - that I haven't seen around here for a long time - who spent years on a Hayabusa and said that he had never opened the throttle all the way. He used it as a sport touring bike that made it up in the hills sometimes and it met his needs well.

Sometimes more powerful bikes mean we can be a little more lazy about being in the right gear all the time, so we can enjoy them more because it is less tiring to ride the thing.

 

[HadesOmega]

I believe that it is a fallacy to try to ride every bike to its "true potential". I don't have to come close to the limits of a given bike to enjoy riding it. I know one BARF member - that I haven't seen around here for a long time - who spent years on a Hayabusa and said that he had never opened the throttle all the way. He used it as a sport touring bike that made it up in the hills sometimes and it met his needs well.

Sometimes more powerful bikes mean we can be a little more lazy about being in the right gear all the time, so we can enjoy them more because it is less tiring to ride the thing.

Yeah that reminds me of when I took my Yamaha Warrior 350 to the dunes I'm pretty sure I am riding the balls off that mid sized quad now, its so much work to climb the dunes with it, this dude let me ride his Raptor 700R and it effortlessly climbled the dunes pretty much in any gear it has so much power. I'll tell you this when you go from a slower machine to a faster machine you appreciate the power much more.

 

[Moto Beck]

Sometimes more powerful bikes mean we can be a little more lazy about being in the right gear all the time, so we can enjoy them more because it is less tiring to ride the thing.

absolutely - having owned a Tuono and now a street triple R - i see advantages to both

- smaller engine - more times wide open on the throttle (which is fun) and clicking up and down through more gears (can be fun but can be annoying depending on what you're doing)

- bigger engine - never really going full throttle - but don't have to shift as much

all depends on what you're looking to get out of a bike

 

[fubar929]

the F4i powerband is much friendlier than the newer 600s

Friendlier ≠ friendly.

Aside from that, power output from 600cc inline-4s hasn't changed a whole lot over the years. Sure a current bike might make 10-15HP more than an F4i but someone who has 3K miles riding a 27HP bike isn't going to be able to tell the difference: any 600cc sport bike is going to feel like a rocket to them.

 

[Reli]

Your comment is really confusing.

Are you implying that a GSXR 750 or Ninja 636, both inline 4 supersports with more power than an R6 due to larger displacement, would be better bikes for a less experienced rider coming straight from a 250?

I actually agree with him. R6's 2006+ are total crap as street bikes. The other bikes he mentioned are more comfortable and more tractable at lower RPM's. Both of which are important for a street bike.

Of course, given that OP is coming from a 250, I would suggest transitioning to an SV650 first, as its power characteristics are more what he's accustomed to.

 

[Caddywumpus]

http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524444

first page on classifieds...

under budget too

 

[295566]

I actually agree with him. R6's 2006+ are total crap as street bikes. The other bikes he mentioned are more comfortable and more tractable at lower RPM's. Both of which are important for a street bike.

Of course, given that OP is coming from a 250, I would suggest transitioning to an SV650 first, as its power characteristics are more what he's accustomed to.

Well I suppose you're right, they're marginally better "street bikes" than an R6 or similar... though that's like saying stepping on a shiny new nail is better than stepping on a rusted one because you don't run the risk of getting tetanus. Doesn't make stepping on that shiny new nail any better of an idea!

OP, buy an SV650.

 

[Runehx]

I appreciate everyone's advice. Thank you all for being so open and friendly! I have since decided to pass on the bike (R6) that was in question and have decided to look into purchasing an FZ-07. I will open a different thread as I have questions of the modification's. Thank you all.

 

[mototireguy]

have decided to look into purchasing an FZ-07. I will open a different thread as I have questions of the modification's. Thank you all.

+1

Good choice, good spec sheet, solid but not crazy power, comfy seating position, reliable, etc.

Easy on the modifications. Don't rush into fixing stuff that ain't broken.

 

[Marcoose]

+1

Good choice, good spec sheet, solid but not crazy power, comfy seating position, reliable, etc.

Easy on the modifications. Don't rush into fixing stuff that ain't broken.

+1. Everybody says great things about the FZ-07.

 

[ST Guy]

Your comment is really confusing.

Are you implying that a GSXR 750 or Ninja 636, both inline 4 supersports with more power than an R6 due to larger displacement, would be better bikes for a less experienced rider coming straight from a 250?

A disciplined right wrist is all one needs.

 

[MC BumSlap]

Your comment is really confusing.

Are you implying that a GSXR 750 or Ninja 636, both inline 4 supersports with more power than an R6 due to larger displacement, would be better bikes for a less experienced rider coming straight from a 250?

Yeah. It's seems counter intuitive. In fact, fuck it, he should go straight for a liter bike. Go big or go home, right?!

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

I appreciate everyone's advice. Thank you all for being so open and friendly! I have since decided to pass on the bike (R6) that was in question and have decided to look into purchasing an FZ-07. I will open a different thread as I have questions of the modification's. Thank you all.

Much better choice, IMHO. And 3000 miles in 2 years is nothing. It's not enough consistent riding for good muscle memory to be in place. When you get that new bike, make the time to log some serious seat time every weekend. And pick up Lee Parks 'Total Control' book, and Keith Code's 'Twist of the Wrist II' DVD. Watch it, every 2-3 weeks. You'll learn new stuff every time, which is cool!