Well, I picked up my first bike today and I already am in love with riding it. It's a 2004 Honda CBR F4I, with 4469 miles on the clock. I was a bit nervous when I first took it out with all the hype of the power of the 600 but unless you really ring the throttle and get the rpm's up it stays very tame to me. I made sure to always upshift because I was nervous about hitting bumps and bleeping the throttle too quickly, etc but in the gears I was in and speed I was at there really wasn't much power unless you absolutely went WOT.

For the first hour I was shifting at less than 4k. lol I had it in 6th at one point and gave it some gas but it pretty much just stalled it for the most part. Luckily, right across the street from me is a technology park and since it's Saturday no one is back there. I immediately began freshing up on the stuff they taught in MSF. Going around 30 and stopping quickly. I tried it a number of times and the bike stops WAY faster than my Honda Nighthawk in the MSF. Turning around slowly in a parking lot in a small area. Bike definitely does not turn like the Nighthawk but if you lean it more it does OK.

The front brake is MUCH more powerful. In fact one time I stopped very quickly from 30 and I couldn't believe it and I'm sure I wasn't even touching what it could really do. I've been riding it on/off for past 4 hours or so. So far I've ridden 29 miles since 5pm, mostly not going over 30mph.

Anyhow, can you tell I'm excited? lol I wanted to ride more but it got dark so I came in. I did already ride on the streets with some cars in town going about 40. Didn't really make me nervous but I was scanning the area like KITTS scanner checking every intersection and watching what cars were doing.

I'm probably going to become a squid on this thing because there aren't any corners around at all! I live (Debary, FL). I found one corner that's a low speed corner that I can do around 15-20 on. Otherwise everything around here is as straight as an arrow.

I did have a few questions about this bike.

1) I've stalled it a few times off takeoff from not giving it enough power and when I do I can't get it started again unless it's in Neutral. Is that normal?

2) When I first turn the key and the power comes on there is a red light that comes on associated with a flashing oil can sign. It goes off upon starting the bike and does not come back on. What does this mean? And if I stall it they both come on as well.

Here are the lights.



This one caught the flashing oil can.


3) There are two long lines that are near touching the ground but I can't figure out what they are supposed to go to if they are at all. One of my friends said they should be drip lines but one is damn near touching the ground. Is that normal? Here are some pics.

Here are the strange lines.




4) Is this bike supposed to have a fuel gauge? Because nothing is displaying.

Sorry for typing so much but I'm just excited as hell about riding for the first time. I can't wait for tomorrow.

And for a reminder....yes I have full coverage, yes I took the MSF, and here is my gear.

Frank Thomas SP Tech Boots
Alpinestars GP Plus gloves
Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 jacket
Yoshimura AF-C Mesh / Cordura Jacket
Icon Field Armor Vest
Icon Field Leg Armor
Icon Field Armor Shorts
Shoei RF-1000 Voyager helmet
Teknic Warrior jeans


The only thing I don't have yet is pants so I was just wearing my jeans but I plan on getting some.


Lastly a crappy pic of the bike. You can even see the long *** line next to the kick stand. And the bike has a Two Brothers slip-on. Sounds awesome.



And yes, I realize I need front turn signals. The guy had robbed them to put on another bike and he is installing new ones for me on Tuesday so until then I'm just using my hands since I'm not going far.

Last question...lol What should the rpm's be at in 6th at 55mph? It was at 4,500 rpm's. Is that right?





Modified by 96 SOHC VTEC at 10:31 AM 8/19/2008

 

Congrats on the bike.

The lines near the bottom are supposed to be there. They serve as vents/drains.

IIRC, the "fuel gauge" shows up when you are on "reserve."

Does the bike start up the first time when you are not in Neutral? I had a similar problem with my GSXR when the clutch lever wasn't installed correctly.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 96 SOHC VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I did have a few questions about this bike.

1) I've stalled it a few times off takeoff from not giving it enough power and when I do I can't get it started again unless it's in Neutral. Is that normal?

2) When I first turn the key and the power comes on there is a red light that comes on associated with a flashing oil can sign. It goes off upon starting the bike and does not come back on. What does this mean? And if I stall it they both come on as well.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

1. As far as I know the bike should start in gear as long as the kickstand is up and the clutch is pulled in.

2. It's normal. The oil light is supposed to be on when the bike is not running because there is no oil pressure. Once the engine is running it has oil pressure and the light should go off..

 

Thanks guys.

My friend and I already re-ran the lines and cut one of them so it's not so long.

I don't remember it starting today without it being in neutral, even with the clutch in. I'll experiment with it some more tomororw.

 

that hose is some type of a run off, or drain hose.. i think one is a oil bypass, for like PCV system, and one is a coolant overflow dump. anyways.. the lower plastic has a small slot on the left side, and they sit right in that. you can barley see my 2 hoses right on the bottom.

 

Here are some new pics...I cleaned it up and cut the drain lines shorter. They are now zipped tied together nicely.

I've already ridden 200 miles in the past 2 1/2 days. Ridden is so much fun.












Modified by 96 SOHC VTEC at 6:25 PM 9/24/2008

 

bike looks nice! Congrats!

 

Pretty nice bike. Right now i'm actually looking at an '03 f4i. If I get all my classes taken care of i'll most likely pick it up.

 

600 ARE COOL YOULL GET USED TO IT QUICK THEN YOU WILL BE LOOKIN FOR MORE POWER JUST GIVE IT TIME

 

Did you have any prior experience on bikes before the MSF?

Just wondering because 600s aren't usually the best bikes to start on.. (or so I hear)

I have no experience either.. but have been looking to get the new 250r..

But I lovvee CBRs

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DsevenEm2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you have any prior experience on bikes before the MSF?

Just wondering because 600s aren't usually the best bikes to start on.. (or so I hear)

I have no experience either.. but have been looking to get the new 250r..

But I lovvee CBRs</TD></TR></TABLE>


No, not really. Back in '04 I first rode a Suzuki V-Strom around a parking lot for around 30 minutes. Then I didn't do anything again until the MSF. I was going to get a 250 but everyone I talked to besides forums said get a 600.

The first time I took it out I was pretty nervous because of all the talk of how powerful 600's are. Having ridden it the last couple of days I think the power is more than managable. Unless you really twist the throttle the bike doesn't really take off. I just upshift earlier too so that if I accidentally (hasn't happened yet) twist the throttle like crazy there is no power anyway. However, it is very tempting to get on it and I have to keep telling myself to take it easy because I don't know what I'm doing.

I've gotten a little into the power band and the bike definitely has a lot of power. The bummer....I've only found a few corners that I could try to go into and it was a lot of fun. I'm dying to find a road with more corners.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 96 SOHC VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


No, not really. Back in '04 I first rode a Suzuki V-Strom around a parking lot for around 30 minutes. Then I didn't do anything again until the MSF. I was going to get a 250 but everyone I talked to besides forums said get a 600.

The first time I took it out I was pretty nervous because of all the talk of how powerful 600's are. Having ridden it the last couple of days I think the power is more than managable. Unless you really twist the throttle the bike doesn't really take off. I just upshift earlier too so that if I accidentally (hasn't happened yet) twist the throttle like crazy there is no power anyway. However, it is very tempting to get on it and I have to keep telling myself to take it easy because I don't know what I'm doing.

I've gotten a little into the power band and the bike definitely has a lot of power. The bummer....I've only found a few corners that I could try to go into and it was a lot of fun. I'm dying to find a road with more corners. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Taken into consideration, thanks for honest input

 

keeping it under the powerband (I believe it picks up around 7k rpm) will keep things nice and tame. For the first 6 months or so, I never went above the 7k mark (my f4i was my first bike).

And like someone else said, there's really no fuel guage... when you have 0.9 gallons of gas left, four bars will show up on the left side of your HUD. They'll count down (disappearing one by one), and eventually, they'll reappear, but when they count down this time, they flash. If they start flashing on you, I hope you're very close to a gas station because you're basically out of gas. Generally, you'll see 120-140 miles before the reserve light comes on depending on how you ride (shifting at 4k, you'll probably go 140+ miles before you see the reserve light)

Enjoy the f4i and keep the shiny side up

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Built B16A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
that hose is some type of a run off, or drain hose.. i think one is a oil bypass, for like PCV system, and one is a coolant overflow dump. anyways.. the lower plastic has a small slot on the left side, and they sit right in that. you can barley see my 2 hoses right on the bottom.</TD></TR></TABLE>


That looks just like mine, hows that pipe sound? looks good

Yeah those hoses go though the fairing just forward in the pic.

 

I think the F4i is an awesome first bike, very tame when you want it to be but plenty of getup and go when its time.

 

The drain tube is for your battery, it would blow up if it did not have a chance to drain and get nasty acid all over your bike. That is why you check your water levels in your battery, to see if too much drained off.

 

Very Nice!! I gotta give you Props for doing the right thing! I mean the bike and the gear says it all!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MadnessRacing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Very Nice!! I gotta give you Props for doing the right thing! I mean the bike and the gear says it all!! </TD></TR></TABLE>


Ha. Thanks. I still gotta get pants but I like the rest of my gear so far. I've ridden in some decently hot weather so far and the jacket lets air in pretty well.

I'll probably get these pants.

http://www.motorcycle-supersto....aspx

 

damn dude u didnt really skimp on gear. congrats on the bike. u think its fun now wait til u get some exp. and start using those higher rpms and gettin down in the corners.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rd91sib18c5r &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


That looks just like mine, hows that pipe sound? looks good

Yeah those hoses go though the fairing just forward in the pic.</TD></TR></TABLE>

actually, that photo is really old.. i had only had the bike for a few months when that was taken, since then, same pipe, but i did a 01-03 tail conversion.. if you notice.. the mid pipe is the OEM.. haha, and then i welded the scorpion pipe on myself.. lol sounds good.. nice and deep.. louder and deeper than my buddies 08 ZX6R with a carbon yosh... haha, he hates me.

anyways.. here's a more recent pic of my 04 w/ 01-03 tail. (not to thread jack)




the F4i is a great starter bike.. (my 1st) ... but i'll admit.. ive been eye'ing out the 1000RR's too. might take the plunge if they get the APR right.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Built B16A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

actually, that photo is really old.. i had only had the bike for a few months when that was taken, since then, same pipe, but i did a 01-03 tail conversion.. if you notice.. the mid pipe is the OEM.. haha, and then i welded the scorpion pipe on myself.. lol sounds good.. nice and deep.. louder and deeper than my buddies 08 ZX6R with a carbon yosh... haha, he hates me.

anyways.. here's a more recent pic of my 04 w/ 01-03 tail. (not to thread jack)




the F4i is a great starter bike.. (my 1st) ... but i'll admit.. ive been eye'ing out the 1000RR's too. might take the plunge if they get the APR right.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Bike looks good. I think the only thing it's missing is a blacked out windshield.