So I sold my '01 F4i this past week after a year of riding it to a friend and I wasn't sure about getting another bike. I started looking for another 600cc Honda and ran across an '03 600RR with 5500mi, all stock, with only a couple scratches for $4700 near me. I jumped at this chance and am working with the seller to make the deal.

The point of this post is...the 600RR rides a lot differently from my old F4i. I expected a more aggressive stance and the powerband to be different, but the whole thing rides differently. I can't imagine how someone would be able to start on one as a first bike. The clip-ons are much lower, which I expected, but the front tire also follows the road a lot more than the F4i's. It took a while to get used to but after I couple miles I realized that I had to put a lot more weight on it when countersteering. This was epecially true at low speeds.

My question to you, oh Great HT Community, is this: Is having a 600RR for my mostly street riding even worth it? My F4i was more comfortable for around the town but still held great in the twisties up in the mountains. Or should I just sack up and get used to the RR and doing so will only improve my riding?

Gimme your $.02 please

 

I just got mine a month ago... same year with 9k miles... First bike ever and I'm doing really good... I did take the motorcycle class. So yeah it is my beginner right.. You are right about the steering... but now I'm used to it... before I didnt lean to much but now I'm doing just fine. Id say you should get it. Oh yeah, this is my daily driver too... my car got stolen and decided to get this...

 

No motorcycle will automatically improve your riding ability.

Street-riding only? Does that include twisties? If you like the 600RR, then go with the 600RR.

 

sack up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quiks66 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had to put a lot more weight on it when countersteering. This was epecially true at low speeds. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Differences in tire brand or pressure will cause this too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SHORTBUS. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sack up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

+1

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quiks66 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My F4i was more comfortable for around the town but still held great in the twisties up in the mountains</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly why I bought mine. I didnt want to commute to work every day on something like a 600RR, and it still handles great.

 

i have a 01 F4i and my friend just picked up an 03 600rr. The steering @ slow speed kills me. It basically steers itself.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Exactly why I bought mine. I didnt want to commute to work every day on something like a 600RR, and it still handles great.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea, I like the RR and the one I'm looking at is mechanically very clean. I'm just still not sure if I should stick to an F4i. Oh well, I have a little time to think on it. Any other thoughts?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jasper_db1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Differences in tire brand or pressure will cause this too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And to respond to this, thanks for reminding me! The tires are a different brand (and likely different pressure) from my F4i's tires. The seller also recommended that I get the rear shock adjusted for my weight and the fronts valved as well.

 

Oh and one more thing...would a steering damper help this? I know I would need to check the tire pressure, shock valving, etc. first, but I'm guessing part of the squirrely feeling would disappear from the steering if a damper was used. Any thoughts?

 

Sack up!

My first bike was/is my RR. Man, what a bitch to learn on. Definitely a bad choice as a starter bike for sure. Oh well, I love it now. Lol.

 

the f4i is a sport-touring bike, the 600rr is not.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b18C1_liLkyLe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sack up!

My first bike was/is my RR. Man, what a bitch to learn on. Definitely a bad choice as a starter bike for sure. Oh well, I love it now. Lol.</TD></TR></TABLE>

im suprised at people. i started on a 600rr after years of dirtbike riding. i find that it has its normal ups and downs. for one thing, the seating/bar position makes the riding pos. a lot more aggressive and compact. but, the bike is incredibly agile. i almost bought a f4i but i got a killer deal on a 06 600rr. its all rider preference. either way, the RR is more of a track bike that a daily..........

 

Stick with the 600rr, they are great bikes and you will love it

 

i thought learning on the 600 rr was easy...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by guessinthe2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i thought learning on the 600 rr was easy... </TD></TR></TABLE>


I thought you just bought your bike like, a month ago?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by guessinthe2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i thought learning on the 600 rr was easy... </TD></TR></TABLE>

like i stated before, i learned everything i kno on a RR................

 

I( learned on a RR too, pretty easy.


I say if you like the bike, learn to ride it. I use mine as a daily too

 

i still cant figure out how people ride the newer 600s on the road. my wrist,forearms and back hurt within minutes just sitting on one at the dealership

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quiks66 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

And to respond to this, thanks for reminding me! The tires are a different brand (and likely different pressure) from my F4i's tires. The seller also recommended that I get the rear shock adjusted for my weight and the fronts valved as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The 600rr does not need a steering damper. I put 10k miles of hard riding on my old one and not once did i ever experience headshake. The electronic one they put on the brand new ones is nice but i wouldnt bother putting an aftermarket one on an older one.

Steering dampers only increase that feeling you mentioned about having to push harder to turn in and such. It does make everything feel tighter which is nice. I prefer the feeling of no damper so much that onon 929 i take my damper off half the time.

 

yea i have a 06 rr and i love it!! the only thing is the seat is too hard

 

Well...as a follow up, I'm picking up the RR next week. Yay for me

 

I've put 20k miles on my 600rr, its fine for me commuting 20-25 miles each way. Some people are just girls when it comes to daily riding on supersport bikes hehe.

Just wait till you start taking it into the twisties and getting familiar with it, its a super stable bike in the corners.

 

Sure you can commute with it just seems like a waste of the bike to me but hey i own an rr and a powerhouse 250 ninja so oh well

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slowrex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sure you can commute with it just seems like a waste of the bike to me but hey i own an rr and a powerhouse 250 ninja so oh well</TD></TR></TABLE>

Waste of a bike? Hmm...it's not my commuter vehicle, just my around town and through the canyons toy. I have my EM1 for actual commuting