I recently passed my MSF course and am currently looking for my first bike. I have a friend who layed down his 2000 F4 a few years ago. Bike has been sitting in his garage ever since. Would it be worth fixing this bike up and using it as my first bike, or should I just be looking for a used bike that is already ready to ride? How safe are bikes that have been layed down and then repaired?

 

For a first bike, I'd recommend something that is in good running shape so you don't have to deal with the headache of trying to get it to run. If you are somewhat competent with a wrench and can get the bike for cheap, it may be worth your while to tinker with it.

With a bike that's been sitting for a few years, I'd be worried that the gas is bad and has gummed up the fuel line and carbs. Also, the tires are probably shot, and you may need/want to replace/flush the brake fluid and brake pads.

You should also change out the oil and oil filter.

Repaired bikes can be as safe as ones that haven't been down, but it depends on the extent of the damage.

 

well said, Marm

 

Marm

Thanks for the suggestions..I wont have to pay anything for the bike, just the parts and labor its going to take to get it running again. Im pretty goood with a wrench, but I have never worked on a bike before. I was going to pick up a service manual and do most of the easy stuff myself, but leave the harder things to someone who knows what they are doing.

 

how was the bike laid down? and what are the damages?

 

Hell, if it's free I'd say go for it.

My first bike (I've only been riding for about 2 weeks) is a laid down bike and tbh I enjoyed working on it and I saved about 4k by buying a laid down bike and doing the work myself.

 

Not sure how fast he was going but he tried to avoid a big rock that was in the middle of the road and lost control. Slid the bike on the right side. Damages are, bent seatrail, cracked most of the farings, broken clutch cover, broken handle bar, broken pegs and brake pedal, and the front tires is pushed to one side so I think the forks are bent. I as hoping to find most of the parts used on ebay.

I also just found a 03 Yamaha R6 with 19K miles for $4500..Dunno if I should fix the F4 or just pick up the R6.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DevineCRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not sure how fast he was going but he tried to avoid a big rock that was in the middle of the road and lost control. Slid the bike on the right side. Damages are, bent seatrail, cracked most of the farings, broken clutch cover, broken handle bar, broken pegs and brake pedal, and the front tires is pushed to one side so I think the forks are bent. I as hoping to find most of the parts used on ebay.

I also just found a 03 Yamaha R6 with 19K miles for $4500..Dunno if I should fix the F4 or just pick up the R6.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats way too much for the r6 btw. id go for the f4

 

i say wait a month or two and the prices are gonna go down big time

 

Depending on where he lives, the prices may or may not fall (SoCal, the prices tend to stay consistent regardless of the season). Of course, free is hard to beat.

The bike slid on one side, but there are broken pegs on both sides? Did the bike flip/somersault? If the damaged/broken clutch cover was replaced, would the bike run?

For your first bike, I'd get something else. If you can still get the F4, pick it up and just wrench on it, but get a different bike for riding. For now, at least.

Maybe even a 250.

MSF Gear Insurance!

 

No real winter weather here in Hawaii, so I dont think the prices will drop here..The bike didnt somersault or filp, the pegs are only broken on the right side. Im trying to look for a clutch cover on ebay so I can see if the bike runs..

 

seems like an easy fix if thats what all got damaged. i'd pick it up and practice on it.

 

get that F4....really nice and tough bikes. Get a 600rr front end and forks and a set of race plastics maybe some spray paint and ride away.

You could ahve a really nice bike for 1000-1500 stop reading and buy. Ive had a few F4s and F4is of you have any questions feel free to pm me

 

Thanks for everyone's suggestions..It makes me feel better knowing that a repaired bike is still safe...I actually started buying parts for the F4 on ebay. Is there anything that I should buy new instead of used?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DevineCRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for everyone's suggestions..It makes me feel better knowing that a repaired bike is still safe...I actually started buying parts for the F4 on ebay. Is there anything that I should buy new instead of used?</TD></TR></TABLE>

most of the downed bike didn't even touch motor/trans since it's all caged in. I wouldn't go for a set of nice plastic now since you have a good chance to laying it down again soon.

just get it running and ride, after you drop it couple of time you'll stop caring about plastic and looking good