[Langdon]

Hello guys.. never posted here. I was trying to do some research for this bike im getting and came across this forum which appears helpful.

So I dont know really anything about bikes except that I've wanted one for the longest time. That being said, I'm in a good position to get screwed over. I'm looking to get a 1998 cbr F3 600 that has 14,600 miles. It has a Muzzy stainless steel exhaust with carbon fiber muffler, Jet kit installed and K&N air filter. Guy says he has babied it and is garaged and is in perfect condition. He asked 3500 for it but offered 3 flat an he accepted.

From what i have researched this seems like a good deal, but like I said, I dont know nothing about bikes. Am I getting a good deal on this bike? im not going to be able to test drive it because I dont have a lisense or gear, but he is driving it up to my house so I know it atleast works. Any advice would be great.

Thanks

[fl-929]

Sounds good to me. F3's are great bikes.

[donthaterufio]

yea..umm..its a 98..thats old..get something thats fuel injected..3 isnt bad for that bike but for a lil more u can score something that is newer and fuel injected with less miles..friend scored a 03 rr for 4k..now that was a deal.never laid down or anything..so yea keep looking..if he snaped at the 3..something might be wrong...ive seen those f3 screw up easy.

[Langdon]

Originally Posted by donthaterufio

yea..umm..its a 98..thats old..get something thats fuel injected..3 isnt bad for that bike but for a lil more u can score something that is newer and fuel injected with less miles..friend scored a 03 rr for 4k..now that was a deal.never laid down or anything..so yea keep looking..if he snaped at the 3..something might be wrong...ive seen those f3 screw up easy.

thing is 3 G's is about all im willing to spend. I am a broke college kid. Im probably not going to be driving the bike long distances, only around the district. I just want to make sure I wont need to put any money into it. Need something dependable.

my friends have me all nervous about getting a bike, they dont think its a good idea.. im going to take the nrc training course before I ride, hopefully that will make me less worried about wrecking the ****. on top of that, I have nowhere to put it, so its goin in my apt living room ha

[slickwill]

First - decide how much you are going to spend and then find the best bike you can for that amount of money. It is easy to say, "well, I'm spending $3K on this bike so why not spend an extra thousand for something a little better." Then you decide that you are going to spend $4K and start saying the same thing about the $5K bikes and pretty soon you have worked your way up to financing a $9k bike down at the dealer. If $3k is your budget then go with it. $3k seems like a solid deal for a '98 F3 that is in good shape.

Second - Remember you can only really compare a '98 F3 to other 98's. It isn't fair to try to compare it to newer bikes. I was reading all the major bike magazines in '98 (got my motorcycle endorsement in '96) and not one of them had a bad thing to say about the F3. It was clear back then that I decided that my first sport bike would be a CBR. It was the right choice. I was actually prepared to buy a '98 F3 and then the bike that I'm riding now fell into my lap, but I think that I would have been very happy with the F3.

Third - I love the feel of the new RR's, but the F3 is a much better bike to learn on and is quite a bit more comfortable. I was riding my brothers '95 FZR before I bought my bike and it still had more than enough performance to put a smile on my face and the F3 is a lot more bike than the FZR.

Fourth - Make sure that whatever your "budget" is that you include a good helmet, jacket, and gloves at the minimum. Boots and pants should be included also as soon you can afford them.

Fifth - since you can't ride the bike have the guy take you on a ride and make sure that it feels smooth, sounds normal, shifts smooth, and stops smooth. While it's parked check horn, signals, headlights, sprockets, chain and fluids. Check it out as much as you can without being able to ride it. If you have a friend or your parents have a friend that rides see if you can get the guy to let him (or her) take it for a quick ride.

[slickwill]

get something thats fuel injected

Fuel injection is nice, I won't lie, but it isn't worth spending an extra grand just for FI. The only problem I ever had with carbureted bikes is remembering to turn off the stupid petcock. I couldn't ever remember on my dirtbikes. I see that you are in Seattle. It doesn't get to cold very often in Seattle so there is another reason that carburetion is fine.

I am a broke college kid.

I hear ya. I had to wait until I graduated to get my bike. I'm in med school now so I have even less money. I hope the bike makes it through all four years. Only 3 and 1/4 years now I guess.

[deftones156]

Originally Posted by donthaterufio

yea..umm..its a 98..thats old..get something thats fuel injected..3 isnt bad for that bike but for a lil more u can score something that is newer and fuel injected with less miles..friend scored a 03 rr for 4k..now that was a deal.never laid down or anything..so yea keep looking..if he snaped at the 3..something might be wrong...ive seen those f3 screw up easy.

Yeah, FI is nice, but not mandatory by any means. What do you mean you've seen those F3's screw up easy?? The F3 was the best selling 600 SS bike for a reason--they are great bikes.

$3500 isn't out of line for a good condition F3 with low miles. Sure, you could probably find a better deal, but I'll let you in on a little secret: There is always a better deal. Search hard enough and you'll find a better deal every day. You just have to pick which deal suits you at the right time.

BTW, is this your first bike? Have you taken the MSF course? What is your motorcycle experience?

[Triax]

Thats a good deal, I had a 97 and loved it. You won't be disappointed with it.

[Langdon]

Originally Posted by deftones156

Yeah, FI is nice, but not mandatory by any means. What do you mean you've seen those F3's screw up easy?? The F3 was the best selling 600 SS bike for a reason--they are great bikes.

$3500 isn't out of line for a good condition F3 with low miles. Sure, you could probably find a better deal, but I'll let you in on a little secret: There is always a better deal. Search hard enough and you'll find a better deal every day. You just have to pick which deal suits you at the right time.

BTW, is this your first bike? Have you taken the MSF course? What is your motorcycle experience?

i talked the guy down to 3000 flat. with gear included, but likly not to fit me lol. This will be my first bike and I do plan to take the novice riders course they offer here before I start riding the bike. I grew up riding an Mr-50 as a boy and thats the only experiance I have on 2 wheels.

The worst problem im having is the fact that im gonna have to keep this bike a secret from my family. Im buying the bike with school money and my parents are the type to worrie about **** even when im 23 and living on my own. the next problem is I dont really have a place to put the bike.. gonna end up driving it into my living room and letting it sit. If you have ever really wanted something dispite the odds, then you know how im feeling about the bike. Its something I have always wanted, just want to make sure the bike works as good as the guy says it will. I wont get a chance to drive it, and my friend who works at cycle barn has to work the day the guy is bringing down the bike.

[sinfuldragon]

If you really want to have your buddy check the bike see if the guy can bring it later in the day after your friend is off work or a day later or whatever so that it can be looked over. Getting it a day sooner is nice but finding out a day later that something on it is screwed up sucks!!

[nedro]

Originally Posted by Langdon

Guy says he has babied it and is garaged and is in perfect condition. He asked 3500 for it but offered 3 flat an he accepted.

Thanks

O.K., a bit of advice.
Have the mindset that you are not going to buy the bike when he rides it over because....There's nothing worse than being all starry eyed when doing a deal. Starry eyes do not see minor scratches and dents that this, "Babied and garaged F3 will definitely have on it." Or the scraped clutch cover, or the slightly bent foot peg, or the tiny end piece that was broken off the brake lever. Of course, all of this on the, "Babied and garaged F3."
Keep your wits about you!

[hrd_drvr]

I have owned two used bikes. I'd listen to Nedro on this dude. I had been wanting a bike my WHOLE life, I had the itch just like you. And this guy told me that the bike was great. And man, when I first got it, it was. The bike ran soooo good. He said the only problem that it had was that his son broke the front fairing so he bought another one and repainted the whole thing. I didn't care about nothing except getting that bike. I didn't notice that the side fairings were jacked up till way later. Then the clutch cable broke. The drain plug was stripped. Then had an electrical problem which led to a starting problem and the fan would blow the wrong way. This happened within 4-6 months having owned it. My chain broke one day, I dumped it and broke my hand. When I went to replace the chain found out that it had the wrong wheels on it. There were other things but my point is not to discourage you, but to say "buyer beware". and if you have a friend willing to check it out, have him do it and don't rush it. Believe me, I think we can all understand how you feel, but you won't regret taking a little extra time to make sure this bike is right for you. I personally wouldn't buy another used bike because after having two and most of the time the bikes weren't running cuz I didn't have the money to fix 'em, it was frustrating as all hell. But I think it's good to buy used when you're learning, just don't rush it man. Have someone check it for you that is looking out for your best interest.

[nedro]

Well...did ya get it?

[Langdon]

ready for the heartbreaker?

I was going to be buying this bike, http:// adcache.cycletrader.com/5/7/1/87755571.htm (take out spaces) for 3000 flat. The guy was going to be driving it up here.

So I call him thursday morning to make sure he was still coming. He said yea ill be going up there around 12 or 1. Asked if I wanted him to call me before he left I said yea.. Now this guy seemed very dependable and trustworthy.. an older guy who seemed to have a new baby from what I could here in the background which is why im guessing he was getting rid of the bike..So im all nervous.. finally my dream of having a bike was moments away. I went down and bought a few little things like some gloves, a cover from GI Joes and almost bought a helmet but decided I better wait until I offically have the bike to start spending big money. So 1:pm rolls around and I get a call.. its him and he says he langdon.. some things have come up and Im not going to be able to make it down there today so lets shoot for tomorrow.

Im thinking to myself.. well.. ok.. tomorrow isnt much of a wait and this guy is giving me a good deal.. sure.. so he tells me he will call me later in the evening to let me know when on friday he would come...so i go home that night and start checking out the weather reports to make sure he wont be rained on. 9pm rolls around and dont hear from the guy.. so I text him letting him know the weather should be clear fri morning before it starts to rain just to let him know.

moments later I recieve the text that shattered my dreams. That mother****er texts me saying sorry, a guy showed up and paid full price. I had to take it.


now im sitting there thinking what in the **** just happend.. I had a deal with this guy days ago and just talked to him today. and not once did he say that someone else was coming by to look at the bike, or that he was even still showing the bike to people.. We ALREADY MADE THE DEAL.. The right thing he should have done was call me saying hey I got an offer for full price and since you were the first buyer ill give you the chance to match it before I sell it.. BUT NOOOOOOOOO I just get ****ing dusted.. That is some messed up **** I tell you.. the bike was perfect and It should be sitting here with me right now. Ill never find a bike like that for 3g again.

so yea.. im heartbroken

[sinfuldragon]

No worries fella, plenty of fish in the sea so to speak

[hrd_drvr]

you never know, could've been the best thing that coulda happened too, you'll never know so just think positive and you'll find something. you know my friend is selling, I think it's an '04 R1 for $6000. It only has like 3,000 miles. He never gets to ride. the bike is like brand new! But that's here in Southern California and I don't know if that's too much. But it's great deal! The only reason it hasn't sold is because he's not trying to sell it, but I know he'll sell it in a heartbeat if someone came and said they wanted it. I almost bought it, but I don't really want an R1 and don't have the means to come up with that kind of cash. I gotta go for the financing

[MR_TiGGer]

Originally Posted by Langdon

the bike was perfect and It should be sitting here with me right now. Ill never find a bike like that for 3g again.

so yea.. im heartbroken

Lucky escape I'd say, why on earth buy any bike that you can't test ride, and you clearly lack the experience to be able to check a bike over, so you don't get screwed over.

I'm not knocking ya I promise, way too many 600 sports out there that have been thrashed every single mile of their lives, stoppies and wheelies, dropped crashed. And I personally hate bikes that have the add-ons for power up grades, make me nervous about the abuses it "Might" have suffered.

Get all the gear and paperwork you need to ride before you buy anything, make sure you can test ride, take a mechanic with you who knows bikes, or arrange to have it seen in a garage. If you don't know then find someone who does. Litrebikes don't tend to attract the arseholes apparently

Being the most popular 600 Sports out there, you'll not be long without a decent ride with the F3 CBR

[SGTCONRAD304]

Did you ever Stop to Remember that One and Important thing. Maybe God is watching over you and trying to make the right thing happen. If it is meant to be then it will happen and if not then there is always a reason. Just keep your head up high and focus on your school stuff, you only get to go to school once. Bikes will always be around and ready and waiting for you when the time is right. If you have the desire to own a bike as bad as me and the rest of us, then focus on school and get that Great Job that pays better then some and then you own the best bike out there. I never went to College, I went into the Marines and then became a cop and I ve been one for 14 years now. I too wanted a bike as bad as you when I was your age, and I too kept on spending a little money on CBR 600 F2 models to fix my desire. Then finally years down the road at age 36 have I been able to by my First Brand New CBR 1000 RR off of the Showroom floor and ride it home. If I would have went to College and been able to get a better paying job I would have had my Dream Come true quicker then age 36. I would not change a thing about though I love every memory. You have a Big Choice about spending that money on school and having a good repore with your parents. Or you could mess that up and spend that money on a bike. Do what a Marine would do be Faithful and keep your Integrity with your parents and yourself...I hope your Dream Comes True...but hopefully it will happen the right way...

[slickwill]

I agree 100% with what the SGT had to say. I wanted a sport bike so bad for so long. My parents were not supportive of the idea. Things change and parents soften. It is to the point that when I called my dad to tell him that I had signed up for my first track day (which was yesterday, the call, not the trackday) he was so excited that he was wishing he could come to Iowa so that he could witness it.

My best friend bought a bike behind his parents back, two actually, and it created a pretty big mess for awhile.

[nedro]

You never saw the bike in person. So don't convince yourself it was perfict. And don't think anything slipped though your fingers because it didn't.
When you find the next one, don't go into it thinking you have to buy it because someone else might buy it before you. There are soooooo many bikes out there. Before handing over your precious money, make sure it's a good reliable bike.

[Quick 26]

everything happens for a reason. i had a fella that was supose to buy my bike and i had another bike lined up. he kept giving me the run around and then i stoped hearing from him. come to find out, he went and bought bike somewhere else. no big deal, but he could of been a man and told me what was up instead of having his buddy tell me. what a bitch

[Langdon]

thanks for the advice.. so here is a bike im checking out this wed. 98 Honda CBR 600 Its the same bike as the other one, only it has 4k more miles, is a differnt color, and costs 800 more haha imagine that. To top it off he said might need a new chain, and it was dropped in garage. how much does a chain costs to instal? is this a good deal or should I keep looking. Im worried summer is going to come around and the bike selection will deminish

when I see **** like this it makes me wish that I had got the last bike for 3k

oh and another thing.. why are the katana's so cheap? I was looking at a few that were 02-05 in the same price range as these 98 f3's What would be a good bike for me

[sinfuldragon]

At least this guy seems to be being honest with you about some of the issues. Chains aren't all too much and if you can install yourself thats even better

[nedro]

Because they are portly and don't handle as nice as a real super sport bike.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by sinfuldragon

At least this guy seems to be being honest with you about some of the issues. Chains aren't all too much and if you can install yourself thats even better

Ya, all except for the, "Dropped it in the garage" comment.

[slickwill]

why are the katana's so cheap? I was looking at a few that were 02-05 in the same price range as these 98 f3's

Bigger bike, smaller engine. Actually HP might be comparable but I think they weigh almost 100 pounds more. Oh, and they are ugly.