Alright, so for about a year I have been looking into bikes and it's about time for me to get one. The first bike I had my heart set on was a 2003 cbr600rr, but after reconsidering because it's a relatively new bike, and im a new rider, I've been thinking of getting a 96 or 98 cbr600f3. I know the basics of motorcycles, I used to ride a dirtbike, even though it was small, I have the motor skills. Of course I am going to enroll in the MSF course soon and I can't wait. I've looked through and I don't see many pro's and con's for and against this bike so I figure it is a good neutral starter bike. So is the cbr600f3 a good starter bike? Any major pro's and con's? Thanks.

 

the f2's and f3's are kick *** starter bikes. cheap, tons of parts, not too much power but not too little that you'll get bored in a week. I'd recommend this for your first year and then upgrade to the 600 or other bike that you really want. 1 note would be that i highly recommend NOT going to a liter bike until you have more then 1 year experience (I'm talking like the r1's, gixxer 1000's, 1000rr, zx 10-r there are always exceptions though...)

 

yes, definately. I know the power of these bikes are insane. Most liter bikes have more horsepower than my car and weigh like 1/8th of my car. I plan on using this bike until I at the very least have over a year under my belt, then upgrading to an 03 cbr600rr. And possibly upgrading later to an r1, love the style even though its not a honda . I could probably start out on a liter bike but I'd rather not because they are not nearly as forgiving, and I'm not about to take the risk. I also believe starting out on a 600 wil give me more skill and confidence so I can become a better rider.

 

starting out smaller will mean you get the noobie mistakes out of you. like dropping it in the parking lot cause you forgot to put the stand down, or stepping on loose gravel. you'll care a lot less about screwing up an f3 then a brand new or really nice used 600rr.

 

yea, i took that into consideration while choosing what i wanted, im too scared to buy a new one as of right now haha.

 

F3s are awesome bikes. Their regulator/rectifiers and cam-chain tensioners are notoriously weak links. R/Rs are cheap, and manual CCTs are available through APE if you like.

 

Manuale CCT's are like $45 bucks.

F3's and CBR's in general are AWESOME bikes.

You should most definitely get that, and when you do, you will enjoy it, drop it, then move on to a better and faster bike, and be all the better for it.

 

yea, I've been looking into bikes for about a year and I think the f3 is for me as a starter bike, thanks for the input guys,

by the way, what are CCT's?

 

Cam Chain Tensioner. It applies pressure to your cam chain. When it starts to go, you will hear a distinct rattling noise. When it does go, you have two options: 1) replace it with another automatic CCT, which will eventually wear out, or 2) replace it with a manual CCT, which requires adjustment approximately once a year (give or take), and should theoretically last a lifetime.

 

oh ok thanks

 

If and when you're ready to upgrade, let me know. I may buy your F3.

 

may be a while, but sure
i bought a cycle trader today and noticed a 98 f3 for $3000
thinking about buying it, ill have to check it out

 

What part of Cali are you in?

 

south san diego sir. and yourself?

 

San Gabriel Valley.

$3000 is a decent price, depending on the bike's condition. Hope it works out for ya.

 

well, 26,000 miles, doesnt look like it has any major body damage, im definately going to look into it. thanks

 

I know it's cali but that seems high imo... Then again it's a seller's market right now with the weather getter nicer now

 

My first bike is an F3 and I love it. It's just like they said. Just enough power to get you by and not enough power to be retarted.

 

well sounds great, cant wait to get on two!
yea it might be a little high for a price, but its san diego , i have 360 days of perfect riding weather a year

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by knockout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> i have 360 days of perfect riding weather a year </TD></TR></TABLE>

You dont have to rub it in, *******.

I'll be out there soon enough. It's in the 30's in the Washington DC area tonight

Good luck picking up that F3.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nihonjin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You dont have to rub it in, *******.

I'll be out there soon enough. It's in the 30's in the Washington DC area tonight

Good luck picking up that F3. </TD></TR></TABLE>

hahaha sorry, its just an awesome city with awesome weather
....with awesomely insane housing prices.
thanks, im going to take a look at it tomorrow and see how it is.