Purchasing new bike...

Im looking at buying a 2001 Yamaha R6 or Honda CBR F4i. From what I
hear, I can get some more power from the Yamaha, but the Honda is more
comfortable and built to last longer. I've been riding my uncles
cruiser for about 2 years now and this will be my first sportbike. Im
not planning on hitting any tracks soon, but I definately want
something with enough power to take me for a ride if I every change my
mind. I live in central florida, so while most of my riding will be
around my college campus and around the city, I plan on looking for
roads out of the way to just let loose and fly down. If anyone has
any suggestions, or can confirm what I've heard, please let me know.
Thanks,
Ray

 

I also heard some decent things about zx-6r's but not enough to
compare to the R6 or F4i.

 

pic whichever is a good deal and rides the nicest, any jap bike is pretty
good.

 

For what? With who riding? I have an '03 ZX636B for track-only
use. It'd be dangerous and a waste of good rubber on the street, IMO,
due to the compact riding position and harsh suspension. There are no
free lunches: on the track, street 'detractions' become 'benefits.'

Puttering around on the street, there hardly seem significant
differences between any Middleweight. Use whatever subjective
criteria you want, including comfort and riding position. I'm fond of
fuel injection, but for '03 all the Middleweight players have that,
too.

Most of the WMRRA guys in 600 Supersport around here ride Gixxers and
R6s, though with a few new Hondas and ZX-6R's. Gixxers are
well-understood, though they too will see significant changes for '04
(while mostly unchanged for '03). We'll see what the local field
looks like in '04, when more '03s hit the amateur racing scene.

I occasionally street ride with a guy on an F4i. He has a great time,
though rides too fast for conditions. He'll wad it one of these days;
whatever. Regardless, he has a great time: the bike's competent,
reliable, and pleasing to the eye.

Roadracing World, April 2003 cover story: "2003 Middleweight
Shootout, on the Track, Street, & Dyno: <five JPN middleweights>"
Track-oriented test of the current contenders by guys who race for a
living. Taken with that caveat, an interesting and comprehensive
comparo. The F4i wasn't invited, however.


'-----------------------------------------------------
' Daniel Bannon
' NW WA State, U.S.A.
' 2003 ZX636B Hercusaki, 1999 CBR1100XX
'-----------------------------------------------------