Why are you trading it in? Need more power? Tired of keeping the revs high to stay in the powerband? Ask yourself why you're thinking of trading and what you hope to get with a new bike. You might find that with some money put into the right mods, you'll end up with a killer F4. Just because it's 5 years old is no reason to trade unless you just have to have the latest and greatest.

If you give us some specific reasons on why you're thinking of trading the F4 in maybe we can see what direction you're hoping to go and what you want out of a new bike.

Keep inmind that a modded F4 (with carefully chosen mods, like upgraded suspension, tuned jet kit/exhaust, tires, brakes) will be an ultra capable bike in the right hands.

If you just want to trade it because you want a liter bike, why do you want a liter bike.

We're here to help you if you give us some more information.

Cheers,
Scott

 

Well both 600's and 1k have their merits. I rode and R6 for the first time a few days ago and had a blast on it . Feels a bit less intimidating than the R1 in the twisties but doesn't have the growl of the beast which I like. Mind you, I am no Racer Joe, but I prefer the "endless power" feel of the 1k bikes. And they make them so light now a days......And as far as people I know who moved up, 100% of them don't really miss their 600's. That's also due to the fact that most they kept them in addition to their new bikes!! Thinking of picking up a 600 track bike myself. To tell you the truth, most of us probably have no business on a 1k bike other than the fact that it is one of the ultimate street machines out there and it's fun as hell.

 

I had an F4 at one time untill it was stolen. I do not regret moving up to a 1 liter bike. The only real difference between the two in my experience is that I was able to spank the smaller bikes a little harder because they required it. The larger bike comes on so strong from down low that it makes lazy riders.

That being said, the most fun I have ever had was on a 750. I think they are great bikes. A genuine "do everything" bike.

 

I plan on keeping my R6 to keep riding hard and posing on the R1 (just kidding). I like them both, and well, since I can afford both, im going to keep both. Ill never stop riding the R6 despite what everyone seems to say! Do what you think is right, you can always sell what you have and move on (or back) ...


:fire

 

i wouldn't say i 'regret' getting the one but i do miss my R6 somtimes, i am 5'7'' with stubby legs so i am tiptoe on the R1, the R6 just felt like it was built for me, i have only ever owned the R6 and R1 and the R6 just felt more planted to me, maybe becasue of the weight, i still haven't gotten to trust the R1 front end as much as i did the R6, when i did alot of canyon riding the R6 was just more fun becasue it was less imtimidating, now that i don't canyon ride so much i appreciate the R1 torque when cruising the streets and freeway :dunno

but everyone is different, i hope you are happy with whatever you choose:thumbup

 

I started out on 600's, then had a few ZX7's. I finally decided to get a liter bike because of the all-around package you get from it.(IMO)

I have no regrets on stepping up. Lots of people analyze the hell out of everything, and force second-thoughts into their head.

Do what you think is right for you. :thumbup

 

after riding my new R1... i almost want to sell my R6. the thing handles better in my opinion than the R6. seems more planted in terns both at speed and in parking lots.

 

A do everything bike? How about the Kawasaki KLR650? Now there is a monster that can truly do everything. I ride it in the twisties spanking some of my sportbike friends and when I miss a turn it's perfect in the dirt!! ha ha, kidding about missing turns.... Sure is interesting going between the the R1 and the KLR as I ride both about equally. Don't know if it makes you a better rider but it is great to have two totally different riding experiences. I did notice that after i got the KLR my speed on the R1 in the canyons improved a bit. At least my buddies say it did. Maybe I'll take the KLR on the track and.....look like an idiot!! ha ha....wonder if I can get a power commander in this thing.....hehhe

 

I went from a Busa, to a Gixxer1000 and now I ride the Duc.

The better the rider I became, it seems that I go down in power output.

Interesting huh?!

For the street, a 600 is plenty of bike. If you're using the top end of anything over 600cc, you're pretty nutz. Then again, if you are even using the top end on a 600 on public roads, you're still nuts.

So like I said, a 600 is plenty for the street. And the 1000s are usually too much for the track this side of Daytona. Just get what you like and assess the type of riding you will be doing.

Unless of course, you ride with one of these gay-ass biker boy clubs that like to treat the streets like their personal race track.

The only way I can justify getting a bigger displacement bike for the street is if you ride a passenger frequently. Or if you are a lazy rider and hate shifting. Otherwise, we really don't "need" bigger bikes. But we sure do "want" them.


Wow! did I just type this??? I must be getting old. :lol

 

I used to have a 500 before my r1... although it only had 50 or so hp I would pass up plenty of 600s on the canyons since you don't use all the power there (not to mention the 150 of an r1)... but the main reason that I loved the 500 so much was because I knew I was RIDING the thing. I was taking it to it's full potential... while on the r1 I'm just sort of ... riding it:sleep .. not being anywhere close to it's full potential..and just trying to get all I can from the r1 I'm in danger of being arrested. It's not as satisfying. But I can't say I regret moving up... there's always the track for the r1.

 

I had a F4 as my first bike back in 1999, then I moved up to a 750 for a year, then R1 and R1... never regret it, my next bike would be another 1000 also. :yesnod

 

I regret it. Honestly if I could start my whole riding career over I'd stick with a 600cc and no more. It's more than enough bike for the street. You couldn't get close to using what it's got on the street.

I'll tell you why a 600cc is a better bike than any liter bike. You actually learn how to ride a motorcycle correctly with a smaller displacement bike. You learn how to carry corner speed,shift,exit corners,turn in and braking. IMO you cannot learn how to correctly ride a liter bike without first learning how to ride a smaller displacement bike and push it to it's potential.

Anyone who really want's to become competitive in motorcycle racing or even become a good track rider will learn more in time on a smaller displacement bike then they will ever learn on a liter bike. Keep that in mind for those of you that are looking at motorcycling in a competitive way and how to learn it correctly. Better yet start out on the dirt or flat track.

 

I'm lazy and like the low end of a liter bike. I've never looked back wishing I had kept my R6.

 

after riding my new R1... i almost want to sell my R6. the thing handles better in my opinion than the R6. seems more planted in terns both at speed and in parking lots.

Handles better? eh no

 

The only way I'd get another 600 is if I kept a litre too. I love both but having 1 and only 1 bike it's a 1k for me.

BTW don't get the Kawi 600rr unless your using it as a track bike alot. Get the extra 37cc and more midrange from the 636r. Ridden both and liked the 636 ALOT better in every way for the street...power ,suspension etc. A friend had to have the rr and after riding a 636 then his again he REGRETS the 600rr . Just food for thought......The 636 is like almost 750 zone kinda sorta

 

Why are you trading it in? Need more power? Tired of keeping the revs high to stay in the powerband? Ask yourself why you're thinking of trading and what you hope to get with a new bike. You might find that with some money put into the right mods, you'll end up with a killer F4. Just because it's 5 years old is no reason to trade unless you just have to have the latest and greatest.

If you give us some specific reasons on why you're thinking of trading the F4 in maybe we can see what direction you're hoping to go and what you want out of a new bike.

Keep inmind that a modded F4 (with carefully chosen mods, like upgraded suspension, tuned jet kit/exhaust, tires, brakes) will be an ultra capable bike in the right hands.

If you just want to trade it because you want a liter bike, why do you want a liter bike.

We're here to help you if you give us some more information.

Cheers,
Scott

I appreciate everyone's responses. Im thinking of trading the F4 for a number of reasons. Its in great shape, but it was the bike i "grew up" on. I dont want to deal with anything that may come from that first year of sloppy shifting, (and anyone who has ridden an 99 F4 can probably tell you about how annoying it is that it seeks neutral when you dont hit second with a really solid shift) , and any problems that may come up from all the sitting it did during my deployments. Its never been dropped and has always been babied as much as i was able to. Having waited 6 years, i figure id enjoy the world of changes that have taken place...starting with fuel injection:fact :lol Its a toss up and ill be taking another month or two to decide. Nothing sucks worse than buyers remorse. Straightaway speed and wheelies arent really my thing, maybe id be happier staying on the 600's? Anyway guys keep your stories coming, they give me different things to think about.

 

I moved from a '93 ninja 600 to a GSXR1000 and I wasn't overly impressed with the handling and power. It was really nice to have a new bike though. It got stolen and I got the R1. This bike really impresses me. This is what I expected out a liter bike. Its a street version of my KTM300 and thats a good thing.

 

Straightaway speed and wheelies arent really my thing, maybe id be happier staying on the 600's? Anyway guys keep your stories coming, they give me different things to think about.

Gixxer750?

part of the fun of looking for a new bike is the research, think hard and long about it and don't decide until you are sure

good luck on deciding:rock

 

why dotn you give it another year save some money buy a 06 r1 keep the f4 so you can have both

 

You'll never want to go back down to a 600 after having a liter bike on the street. On the track a 600 is a blast I think because its not as intimidating as a liter bike. On the street you will always miss that midrange and bottom end power if you go back to a 600.MOst of the roads we ride around here are nice smooth sweepers and a 600 you gotta be on your game to try and stay with the liter boys. but once a straight comes they'll pull me and then I'll reel em back in in the corners. I'm on a gixxer 600 right now after having an 02 R1 last year that my dumbass totalled:2bitchsla and everytime we go ride I miss that constant non stop rush of acceleration.get the R1, you'll never look back. :yesnod

 

I'm going back to this . . . the R1 is just too damn intimidating, besides I need full roll-over protection :2bitchsla

plus you can save money on gear too :riding

 

My last 600 was in 82... why? Because too much is never enough! Another good reason to get the R1: It's better looking and you won't be trying to make it more powerful for a little while. The R1 is the size and weight of a 600 but has a rocket up it's ass waiting to go off when you need it. If you lack rider skill even an R6 will be a handfull. But always by more bike than you need because regrets suck!

 

I haven't ridden under a 1K for over 10 years. I'm sure the new 600's are a blast to ride, but I like big bikes.

 

I haven't ridden under a 1K for over 10 years. I'm sure the new 600's are a blast to ride, but I like big bikes.

Three years on liter bikes for me. I'll probably keep it that way from here on.

I've ridden 600's and 750's since having liter bikes, and just don't enjoy it as much.

I don't ride on the track, so I don't see any smaller bike in my future, except a dirtbike to go along with what I have now. :rock

 

i dont regret owning a litre bike but when i ride 600s i really do enjoy them also,if i had the money i would own both,that said im selling the R1 anyway to go and do the Ducati/MV exotic bike thing,good luck with your decision:thumbup