'02 CBR600F4i - your thoughts? [Archive]

Jase W

26th February 2006, 20:32

I'm in the market for a new bike to upgrade from the 250, and I'm dead keen on the CBR600F4i at TSS motorcycles:
(http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=1316104&TabID=3553&Alias=motorcycletradernz)

Is there anything important I should know about these bikes? Known faults? I know that they tend to have rattly camchains, but this one is having it replaced this week.

So yeah, just after some thoughts & opinions as to whether or not these are good bikes etc..

cheers

kiwifruit

26th February 2006, 20:45

i dont have any personal experience to offer,
but it sure looks nice! :cool:

Toast

26th February 2006, 21:16

Can't comment on problems, but I have ridden one, and would have to say it's probably the easiest bike to ride that I've ever been at the helm of. Not sure of your riding history, but if it's your first choice, you couldn't choose much better (except for an '00-'02 ZX6R, ofcourse :) )

Zed

26th February 2006, 21:24

I know that they tend to have rattly camchains, but this one is having it replaced this week.That'll be the CCT (cam chain tensioner) and not the actual chain itself, common Honda problem but relatively affordable & easy to fit.

So yeah, just after some thoughts & opinions as to whether or not these are good bikes etc..

cheersAll of the CBR6 models are good machines, and that specific model is very 'user friendly' and comfortable to ride. I owned the same shape bike but it was the carbed 2000 model.

I do think the sale price is rather high for the mileage of that bike in the link you provided, a more realistic price would be between $9-10k. :yeah:

boomer

26th February 2006, 21:44

i had the '99 model.. again carbed and loved her!!!

Funny re the price; I bought mine 33,000 on the clock for 9k and traded her in for 8k and shes back on the market(trade) for $9450.. so theres a bit of a benchmark.

Jase W

26th February 2006, 21:46

Ill have to talk to Fergus down at TSS, see if he can drop the price a little (paying cash will help in that regard i think)

Motoracer

26th February 2006, 22:10

I love em bikes. I'd have one, if I could afford one any day.

Jase W

26th February 2006, 22:14

Jonty

27th February 2006, 07:29

You will love it. The F series are very forgiving and the F4I has that little bit extra in terms of injection. Just be wary of the price as has been said before as you can pick up a carbed model 98-2000 for between 6.5K and 9K. I think Jimdathorn was selling his 98 for around the 6k mark.

Quasievil

27th February 2006, 07:38

Is there anything important I should know about these bikes?

Yeah they arent anywhere as good as my ZXR636 which you can have for a few more bucks:niceone:

Jase W

27th February 2006, 10:33

Yeah but you're in hamilton and I dont really have a few more bucks hehe.

I understand this is an F-series cbr, and I have usually associated F with slower, tourer style bikes, however because they didnt start making an RR model till 03, does this make the F4i the performance model of its time?

loosebruce

27th February 2006, 10:50

Has Cycosis still got his CBR, that one looks familar for some reason.

The F4's a fast bike in the right hands, plus i reckons they look pretty cool for a honda. Can't go wrong with it, if the price is right.

Zed

27th February 2006, 11:16

...however because they didnt start making an RR model till 03, does this make the F4i the performance model of its time?Yep i believe so. :hitcher:

Jase W

27th February 2006, 11:22

Sweet, cheers for everyone's help!

Toast

27th February 2006, 12:09

Yeah its definently a beaut of a bike. One thing that I remember from the test ride however, is that when i was plodding up the esplanade at about 30-40k (roadworks), the temp spiked up to 100 degrees. That seems rather high, but I have no idea what temperatue the red zone is (its a digital temp gauge, and doesnt seem to have a warning - unless there is a light or something somewhere?). Once I got the speed back up to 50-60, the temp dropped back to around 80 degrees...

Don't fret about that. It's exactly the same behaviour as my 'Blade in those conditions.

As to what LB said about these bikes being quick in the right hands. I reckon they're actually pretty quick in anyone's hands, on the road. They're just that easy to ride.

Mental Trousers

27th February 2006, 17:58

quickbuck

27th February 2006, 18:13

I reckon they're actually pretty quick in anyone's hands, on the road. They're just that easy to ride.

Hey, not really anyone's hands. And you do need a little skill.

I agree, they are easier to ride than most bikes. That is much thanks to Honda's R+D department. Not everybody's cup of tea, and in some respects they lack a bit of "Mongrel", but I love the CBR F's to bits (So maybe I am a little bit biased).

The F4i, yes, the flagship of the Honda 600 range at the time.
I'd say Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

mikey

27th February 2006, 18:36

buy a cbr. but not that one.........

Zed

27th February 2006, 18:40

Liftback, i just thought i'd show you a couple of pics of my old F4 (pre write-off), was carbed and had different colour scheme, decals, and headlight, but other than that pretty similar to the F4i. Great bikes, buy one!

pritch

27th February 2006, 18:41

and that specific model is very 'user friendly' and comfortable to ride.

The Brit magazines often refer to these as the last comfortable 600 sprotbike. In fact they usually refer to them in such glowing terms that I found myself wanting one...

Slingshot

27th February 2006, 21:13

Don't fret about that. It's exactly the same behaviour as my 'Blade in those conditions.

As to what LB said about these bikes being quick in the right hands. I reckon they're actually pretty quick in anyone's hands, on the road. They're just that easy to ride.

Agreed, my F3 use to do pretty well over teh Takas.

boomer

27th February 2006, 21:22

Guess chicken strips help resale value eh boomer :whistle:

one lady owner bro :blip: * 8

Jase W

27th February 2006, 21:43

I've been thinking some more and I think I may hold off before I rush in and buy a bike (for one thing I need to sell my two bikes - borrowing money from parents is no fun!). The CBR is definently a beaut, but the price vs. k's is making me a bit iffy. I also cant decide if I want a screaming four or a thumping twin... I'm going to give the Hyosung a go next. Havnet ridden one but heard one running with a can, sounds awesome! and they're really affordable (which could tip the scales for me)

Everyone's advice has definently helped in regards to the cbr, I am pretty confident that I would be happy with one, but I need to test some other bikes before I rush in (im really bad at rushing into things like this lol).

Zed

27th February 2006, 21:56

Everyone's advice has definently helped in regards to the cbr...Glad to help, one of the reasons i like KB.

I hope you can flick off your other bikes quick and fund the new bike yerself. Go out and test ride a range of different bikes and make your mind up then, but a Hyosung? Must admit i'd like to try out the GT650R. ;)

Jase W

27th February 2006, 21:58

Thats what i'd be going for - and it'd have to be black with an aftermarket can hehe

Jase W

27th February 2006, 22:38

does anyone know of this R6:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=49098811&permanent=

looks good & a pretty reasonable price...

kiwifruit

28th February 2006, 18:30

that r6 is looking pretty sharp! <3

Jase W

28th February 2006, 19:41

Yeah, unfortunatly it just sold... however im now looking seriously into an '04 636 (see other thread)!

Slingshot

3rd March 2006, 09:15

does anyone know of this R6:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=49098811&permanent=

looks good & a pretty reasonable price...

It's also an '03 model, not an '04...not hugely different but they got the fuel mappings sorted for the '04 model.