I believe I have come to a decision, and it is between these two bikes.

'01 F4i with 5k miles, super clean, no rashes, slip-on, minor mods...but the guy wants $5300.
'02 R6 with 3500 miles, super clean, no rashes. $4900.

I love the styling of both, and the F4i has the white/red color scheme (!).

I'm mainly worried about the reliability issues of a Yamaha; but I have buddies that have racked up 20k+ miles on their R6's/R1's.

I'm not going to start a poll, because I'd like to hear people's opinions on both. I know I cant go wrong with the F4i, but the price is...

Yay for tax returns.
I'd like to sell my naked bike first, and money isn't an issue at the moment; and I think that F4i isn't going to be sold anytime soon...but the R6 might. 2 bikes and 2 cars would make me a moron, but I'd really like to get on something lighter than my GSF600.

Tks.

 

Oh, and was the 2nd gear issue addressed for the '02 R6s?

 

You dont need to worry about the reliability of any of the major brand bikes. Go with what you want. Us forum members wont be riding it.

 

My previous bike was a 01 R6. I absolutely loved it. The bike is incredibly light and corners like a charm. The only disadvantage I can see is that the R6 is Carb and the F4i is FI. The R6's powerband seemed to be in the higher RPM range but that was exactly what i wanted. The seat is a lot more comfortable than my current R1, I am 5"8 and 135lbs and i was quite comfortable on the R6. I say go for it!

 

I may be wrong but I think the 02 R6 is FI.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yimmy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I may be wrong but I think the 02 R6 is FI.</TD></TR></TABLE>
yes you are wrong! FI started in 2003 for the R6.

 

Bastard

 

Frickin' Yamaha riders defending Yamahas.

I just spoke with my buddy about Yamaha issues (he's had 9), he stated about the 2nd gear and battery leak.

What do you guys think about the prices?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yimmy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bastard </TD></TR></TABLE>
how are you liking your R1? I kinda miss my R6 because it's a lot funner in the twisties.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nihonjin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Frickin' Yamaha riders defending Yamahas.

I just spoke with my buddy about Yamaha issues (he's had 9), he stated about the 2nd gear and battery leak.

What do you guys think about the prices?</TD></TR></TABLE>
The price is decent but by no mean it is a steal type of deal. The R6 you're looking at has low miles, most of that model R6 i've found are always in the 9-18k mileage range. I'd try to talk him down a little by a couple or a few hundreds. Maybe down to 4500-4600 if possible. One good thing about the R6 is that it is highly in demand, I sold mine within a week, while my buddy with a Kawi struggled for weeks. I only experienced the second gear issue once and it was due to me dropping it causeing the shifting rod to bend in causing a friction and it would be difficult to shift past first. I don't think you should worry about it, of course test ride it first!

 

Love it!!

Although at the end of this season I may switch it up to another 1000. I may dabble into a different brand or might just get the bodystyle you have. I must admit though I am not really even brand loyal. If he woulda said 600rr I would have voted for that. I have never liked F4i's. No strokes for different folks I guess

 

R6 Had a 01 and its a great bike


for the second gear problem, change the shift spring (aka detent spring; about $10) as preventative maintenance. It should prevent sloppy shifting and save your 2nd gear

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by big pete &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">R6 Had a 01 and its a great bike


for the second gear problem, change the shift spring (aka detent spring; about $10) as preventative maintenance. It should prevent sloppy shifting and save your 2nd gear </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks, if I pick it up I'm definitely going to look into that.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HDNBenjamin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe down to 4500-4600 if possible. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That'd be my goal.

 

another vote for the r6!
heres a forum on r6mn all about defects and problems with r6's of all years.
http://www.r6messagenet.com/fo...p?f=6

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by leXpression &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">another vote for the r6!
heres a forum on r6mn all about defects and problems with r6's of all years.
http://www.r6messagenet.com/fo...p?f=6</TD></TR></TABLE>


That's terrific, thank you x 100

 

R6 all the way...

 

Get what you like man.

I've had an R6, and an F4i (I'm now on my 2nd F4i). I liked both. BUT:

Sure the R6 was faster, sexier, lighter and more nimble. But it was also more attractive to thieves, a little harder on the wrist, and I didn't feel like I could ride it as hard as I could the F4i (I'm not that good). So I chose an F4i just a couple of months ago.

You just need to sit down, write down the pro's and con's for each, then take a long hard look at em, and decide. Truth is, you wouldn't really go wrong with either of the two.

Best of luck


Modified by newtothis at 8:30 PM 3/14/2006

 

^ true that I love my F4 though

 

F4i! *especially* the white/red!

i feel the F4i is more comfortable and more forgiving/easier to ride. R6 seems twitchy and over-sensitive. but like everybody else says: try 'em for yourself.

 

Holy mother, after reading through that r6messagenet site, I'm pretty scared of Yamahas. Seems to be the FI'ed ones that's been having problems though (even '05s).
My buddy that's had 9 Yamahas didnt have major issues...

 

lol. reading on the MN had me kind of warry about getting an r6 too. but all in all, that will still be my first bike.

if you absolutely have to get a carb'd r6, then do so.

i love r6's, but id go with the f4i simply because of FI. considering that you can talk him down on the price, or find one thats slightly cheaper.

 

im biased torwards the f4i because it's what i own, but as soon as you get used to the seat it's the best bike i have ever ridden and the only thing i would get instead of it is the 2006 cbr 1000rr. however ride them both and get what makes you happy, every bike will have its issues, but to be honest everyone knows that honda is the most reliable thing you can get....but don't buy it for that reason im sure yamaha is reliable too...but i have heard more stories of yamaha's ******* up then i have heard of f4i's ******* up.....oh yeah and f4i's are more sexy lol

 

F4i. It's a little pricey though.

 

i like the looks of the r6 better, and with the cheaper price, it'd be a no brainer for me.

 

agree with Ross, thats a bit on the high side for the F4i