New Rider's Delimma: Which Bike?

S-Words · 10-17-2004, 4:02 PM

I'm trying to decide between two very different bikes, and I hope someone on this board can lend me some insight.

First, some background on me. I'm 21, a college student, and I have never been in a wreck in my car. I am an avid mountain bicycle racer, so I have some 2 wheel skills. I did very well in my MSF course last weekend, and only got 2 points off on my riding test (for stopping too slowly). I'm looking for a bike for transportation in the city as well as trips up to the mountains, but no track use.

The two bikes I'm trying to chose between are the Honda CBR600F4i and the Ducati Monster 620. I realize that the Ducati will be much more beginner friendly, but it has drawbacks such as a lack of fairing and high maintanance costs. On the other hand, I'm afraid that the Honda might be too much for a beginner. So here's a couple of more specific questions:
1. How linear is the power delivery of a CBR600F4i? The main thing I'm worried about with a powerful bike is the power spikes.
2. What is the insurance difference between a Naked 600 and a faired 600?

Thanks for any help you can give.
S-Words

Latebraking · 10-17-2004, 4:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-Words

I'm trying to decide between two very different bikes, and I hope someone on this board can lend me some insight.

First, some background on me. I'm 21, a college student, and I have never been in a wreck in my car. I am an avid mountain bicycle racer, so I have some 2 wheel skills. I did very well in my MSF course last weekend, and only got 2 points off on my riding test (for stopping too slowly). I'm looking for a bike for transportation in the city as well as trips up to the mountains, but no track use.

The two bikes I'm trying to chose between are the Honda CBR600F4i and the Ducati Monster 620. I realize that the Ducati will be much more beginner friendly, but it has drawbacks such as a lack of fairing and high maintanance costs. On the other hand, I'm afraid that the Honda might be too much for a beginner. So here's a couple of more specific questions:
1. How linear is the power delivery of a CBR600F4i? The main thing I'm worried about with a powerful bike is the power spikes.
2. What is the insurance difference between a Naked 600 and a faired 600?

Thanks for any help you can give.
S-Words

Being a new rider, seat time is priority. More seat time = more experience and more fun, so that rules out the Ducati, based on trends in reliability. The F4i, on the other hand, is reliable as the sunrise, friendly to ride as they come and will fill your days with a lot of riding satisfaction. I have one with 33,000 trouble-free miles showing on the odometer.

The only downer I see to one of those is the inevitable tip over. Those shiny, pretty fairing panels will look like ass after even the smallest brush with the pavement. If you like things to look new, you'll run up a hefty repair bill and be in possession of a large collection of fairing parts in the garage.

So, you could pick up a used F4/F4i for cheap that is mechanically sound, but lacking a little cosmetically and get your feet wet that way, or get a naked bike. Naked bikes typically have a more upright seating position, which new riders tend to find more confidence inspiring, and a little more comfortable. No fairing panels to replace after that parking lot or gas station miscue. Speeds above 70-80 mph will be draining on the rider, fighting the windblast.

Check out the new Sportrider magazine, which has a test in there with new riders on the budget bikes from Suzuki (SV650S), Yamaha (FZ6), and Honda (CBR599). My personal favorite of that gruop is the SV650S. Suzuki makes a naked version of that bike, which many magazine testers have favored over the faired S version. The other two in that test are either overpriced (Honda), or handicapped by a peaky engine that requires sportbike commitment to get to the useable power (Yamaha). I'd suggest either a good used F4/F4i, or naked SV650 (also cheap in the classifieds) with a small windscreen from that aftermarket. Good luck, and get a bike, sooner is better!

Chindian · 10-17-2004, 5:34 PM

I agree with what was said above about the F4i however, I'd also suggest to stay with the idea you have, however, much like what has been said here, don't expect much street time on a Ducati... additionally if you do follow through with a Monster, the 600/620 will get boring very fast... and this is not from me, it's from a first time female rider who only has 4 wheel experience. I've ridden a Monster 900 and the F4i feels much quicker.

Insurance on a naked/streetfighter style bike is much lower in Canada and here in the UK. Not sure about where you are.

I started my biking life on an F4i and found it very forgiving provided I didn't ask the wrong things from it. I started my mods off with a damper, left it there for a while and then moved the pegs up a bit because I started dragging pegs on the street and then I figured out that I wasn't using my body weight enough, and through all this, the Honda stayed under me, taught me well, a great ownership experience I have to say.

You say you have some downhill experience, this should say something about your style of riding and the sort of person you are, which leads me to this, may i, if it were not too bold of me, suggest you looking into a KTM Duke/SuperMoto? You might find this to be a bit more up your alley. Lots of fun to ride, can take you about the city, hop curbs, jump off small buildings, and still take you through canyons carving up just as well as the sportbike boys...

Chain · 10-17-2004, 5:50 PM

Take it from an ex-owner of both a CBR600 (and F2) and a Monster (an S4):

get the freaking Honda!

It will be more reliable, it'll be more long term entertaining, and you'll be able to grow into it. A 620 Monster isn't fast enough to get out of its own way. The F4i OTOH will do everything you ask of it, from an occasional trackday to long trips to the weekday commute.

deez · 10-17-2004, 7:29 PM

SV650.

DUX · 10-17-2004, 7:32 PM

My first bike was an FZR 1000. Granted, at 23yrs old I wasn't experienced enough to know how much I didn't know about sport-bikes, but I managed to ride it for close 10yrs before selling it w/o a problem.

You've taken the course which shows some initiative towards responsibility. You have to be cautious no matter which bike you choose. The F4i is a sweet looking machine. I also agree with the others here, it should be a lot less hassle to own.

Take the others advice and check out the SV650 as well. One of my buds bought one this year as is first bike and loves it. Mods are relatively cheap and there are plenty of them out there.

Bacchus · 10-17-2004, 8:36 PM

If you end up with one of the two choices you mentioned, I hope you get the Honda, for reasons mentioned above.

*bwhip has been lucky so far.

HondaGalToo · 10-17-2004, 9:44 PM

Also check this thread on the forum

EDDIE110171 · 10-17-2004, 10:19 PM

The CRB600F4I and the 599 naked bike are both nice bikes. Oh and

to the .org

TGZ13 · 10-17-2004, 10:24 PM

If I had the choice for a first bike I would get the F4i. I watched a buddy with no experience but plenty of common sense learn on that bike and now rides the wheels off it

From the little that I have rode his F4i I would say the power is pretty rideable for a beginner. Of course it is a SS 600 so the power definately comes alive higher in the powerband but its easy to control with just a little throttle control.

The msf course was a good start and is exactly how I started

Good luck on your decision and

to the org

BDA116 · 10-17-2004, 10:50 PM

Hondas suck. Get an R1.

TGZ13 · 10-17-2004, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Hondas suck. Get an R1.

Last time I posted that some doof posted "what does he know he has a twin and a leaky seca"

BDA116 · 10-17-2004, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGZ13

Last time I posted that some doof posted "what does he know he has a twin and a leaky seca"

Yeah, and the last time you posted it was 7 posts after mine.

TGZ13 · 10-17-2004, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Yeah, and the last time you posted it was 7 posts after mine.

I didnt even notice that

CBRVFR · 10-17-2004, 11:13 PM

I'd recommend the SV650, but whichever of these excellent bikes you choose, the main thing is to continue to pursue motorcycling as a thinking exercise, get the best safety equipment you can possibly afford, and stay away from dumbasses.

I'm happy that this site seems to be attracting young people who are approaching the sport thoughtfully and without bravado. It's a pleasure to welcome you

BDA116 · 10-17-2004, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGZ13

I didnt even notice that

I was trying to catch my own fish, then you came in to my fishing hole, steppin' on toes and caught one yourself.
Sawed off little punk.

S-Words · 10-17-2004, 11:26 PM

Thanks for all the responses, guys! This is a great site and I will definitely be spending some time here in the future.

S-Words

TGZ13 · 10-17-2004, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

I was trying to catch my own fish, then you came in to my fishing hole, steppin' on toes and caught one yourself.
Sawed off little punk.

My bait was better

psubond · 10-23-2004, 8:56 AM

i'd go with the F4i

it'll be a while till you truly outgrow that bike. i have a 1KRR and i still have a ton of fun ripping up the twisties on my lil old '00 F4

TGZ13 · 10-23-2004, 9:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psubond

i'd go with the F4i

it'll be a while till you truly outgrow that bike. i have a 1KRR and i still have a ton of fun ripping up the twisties on my lil old '00 F4

F4i is a good machine. Ride it stock then once you get bored change up the gearing and do some mods and it will keep you ammused for ever.

My buddy was going back and forth between keeping his bike and buying a new one. Changed up the gearing 3+ in the rear and he loves it all over. It might not be the newest bike out there but it does everything you could want from a 600 all with the Honda reliability