good 1st bike?
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good 1st bike? - 4/24/2006 3:17:23 AM
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jreelo4
Posts: 8
Joined: 4/24/2006
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do you think the 93' 1000f will be ok for my first bike?
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/24/2006 4:04:50 AM
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rippn
Posts: 742
Joined: 3/12/2006
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JREELO4, welcome, do you mean like never ever, no dirt bikes ect. ??? I feel the 93 kf, is one of the all time most balanced, ridable bikes ever... but... it is big and heavy compared to something like a ex 500, or an enduro of some kind. friends that ride my bike are amazed at it's lack of bad traits. I believe in msf classes, even as a refresher for "born agains". I got to be honest, a 550lb+ ( about 600w/ gas) bike, is not the easyist thing to keep upright. I tell everone to get a cheap dirt bike and go thash it, till you feel very comfortble. maybe friends would let you... sorry, no, you cant ride my duc, yet !!!!!!!!!!!! Get the hang of stay'n upright... we were all there once, if there ever was a place for take'n it easy, it's now. clean and free, only smoke'n harleys!!!! Ripp'n
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/24/2006 4:15:58 AM
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Aracanth
Posts: 103
Joined: 2/10/2006
From: Aberdeen, N. Scotland
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Gotta agree,
The bike is HEAVY, I have had a license for over 20 yrs, and I managed to drop my bike last weekend. Stupid really, but trying a U-Turn in a small area, very slowly, bike began to topple, put foot down, and got it trapped under engine side case! No damage (foot took entire weight of bike and me, CRUSHING pain!) but it does show how really easy this bike is to drop over at slow speed. If you do buy one, practice slow manouvering where it will make no difference if it falls!
Ara
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/24/2006 5:06:44 AM
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Kaasari
Posts: 46
Joined: 12/24/2005
From: Finland
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As said, 1000F isn't the best bike for new rider, but it's your own attitude what counts. You just have to learn how to control bikes mass in different situations, and you don't do that by thrashing through traffic like a lunatic. Best places to practise cornering, braking and driving slowly are empty parking areas, may feel boring when you want to hit the streets, but trust me it will save your ass some day. It may take time, but when you respect the bike, it respects you. Don't be afraid even if bike is heavy, you will notice that it has it's advantages with great stability and balance. So I say go for it, just remember to learn with time how to keep it under your control.
I have a friend whos first bike was Hayabusa, he took it slowly, learning how to control it, and now his driving skills kick ass, you can see that he trusts his bike and he knows what he's doing. On the other hand, I know guys who has had 10 different bikes and they still drive like blind handicapped and probably some day end in statistics with fatal motorcycle accidents.
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/24/2006 3:02:23 PM
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jreelo4
Posts: 8
Joined: 4/24/2006
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yeah i know it's heavy i've rode dirt bikes, and a few r6's not to there potential though, i wanted some thing bigger
then a older 600 so i will respect it more.
thanks
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/24/2006 3:51:52 PM
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R1000
Posts: 1128
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
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To be quite honest, there is a hughe difference regarding the chassi and handling capability on a more modern 600 or 1000 compared to a heavy and somewhat outdated CBR 1000 F. If you know how to ride and have the skill and committment, the old CBR will outperform any modern bikes with unexperienced drivers. However, with two equal and experienced drivers the CBR does not have a chance on track conditions or twisty roads and is not as forgiving as a lighter and modern bike with a stiffer frame and much better suspension. I dont believe that the more modern Blackbird is much better in this respect, it is a question of weight and chassi geometry. The brakes are also much better on a more modern and significantly lighter bike. The CBRs are highly priced due to its brand, comfort and quality, but you should also consider a more modern bike if you can find one for about the same amount, the handling difference i hughe. I hate to say all this because I really love and enjoy my CBR 1000 F -92, but I would not choose it as my no 1 bike since I drive really active at some times and need to have the chassi on my side in those situations. For a one only and not to expensive bike, I would perhaps look after an early Kawazaki ZX9R which are priced about the same here in Sweden as many CBR 1000 F from the same years. A more modern bike will not give you any more skill by itself, but when you have learn the basics, the Ninja would certainly be more enjoyable and maybe also safer for active driving. If you are just looking for a really good tourer, with high building quality to a low price as a used bike, the CBR 1000 F is probably a better choice. Old Kawazakis are not known to be very reliable. I bought my CBR 1000 F for about only 2 k USD, that was a price that could not be met by any Ninja or anything other than older and very sluggish and boring 400 CCs from the early 80´s. So I got a lot of bike for a good price which I'm happy with and also impressed of, since I did not expect it to be so powerful as it is and it is used as a commuter. It doesn't handle bad if you find the right line and balance it right with the throttle on exits. The backside is after drivning a more modern bike the day before, the CBR feels very heavy and unprecise in corners when you begin to puchs the bike hard. You get used to it again after a day or two, so it is no cathastrof, but when stepping down from a modern bike you really feel that chassis have developed a lot since the CBR was designed.
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 12:07:33 AM
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Rx7man
Posts: 279
Joined: 8/21/2005
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I rode a honda 185XL to start, then I seriously downgraded to a honda CT70... then i didn't ride for 10 years.. I then got my 1000F, and I really dont'have any regrets.. if you know the basics of riding, it's not a bad bike, even for people who aren't too tall (not a problem for me.. but).. it's a comfy bike too.. mine has handlebar warmers which are a godsend around here..
If you dump the bike, you better have some muscle to lift it back up.. but as soon as you're moving, it's really not noticable
_____________________________
Do not do as I do, I decline all liability and responsability for those who copy or attempt to copy what I have done
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 3:15:48 AM
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Kaasari
Posts: 46
Joined: 12/24/2005
From: Finland
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quote:
ORIGINAL: R1000
To be quite honest...
I'll agree on that, but then again, there is no such thing as "the best bike for beginner". No matter what bike you decide to buy, you still need to learn first how to control it, or else you'll go down when pushing it to the edge.
Like R1000 said, 1000F will definitely lose a race against newer 600 or 750 in track, but 1000F was never designed for that use. 1000F isn't by any means a pure race bike for the street. It's still a sport bike, it has plenty of power and will go fast. Little softer suspension and frame will lose time against clock, but guess twice which of those bikes is more comfortable in bumpy roads. So if you need that race bike, look something else instead, no matter if you're beginner or pro. If you want a bike which you can ride your everyday journeys, take a short (or longer) trip with your girlfriend/mother/grandmother in the back, ride up the freeway and twisty roads and even take it sometimes to the track, 1000F is a good choise. It maybe isn't the best bike for each direct purpose, but it does everything pretty damn well. Not the best race bike, tourer or commuter, but a friggin' good all-around bike. Well... Not maybe for off-road dirt track... ;)
Offtopic: R1000, I visited south of Sweden a week ago, and damn how good roads there were! Sadly I drove with a car, route from Malmo through Trelleborg, Skilllinge and Åhus along the coastline, and oh how I wanted my bike with me! Well, I probably wasn't the only one who had noticed those roads good for riding, there had to be like thousands of bikers there on that sunny day.
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 4:05:32 AM
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R1000
Posts: 1128
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
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Yes there are a lot of bikes out here in Sweden now and all roads, except within villages, seems to be free from dirt and gravel. I use my CBR 1000 F every day now to and back from work and really enjoy its great all around performance and high speed stability. I have Michelin Power tyres on and they feel very good.
I have noticed that the clutch slips a little at peak tourque when the engine is in the last stage of its warm up phase. This can happen within the first 20 km or so, after that it appears to be solid. I dont push it hard at all within the first 10 km's. I'll try to change the half-synthetic 20-50 to a full syntetich 10-50 since it is used at very high rpm frequently anyway, and see what happens to the clutch. Else I guess its time to change the clutch components.
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 5:57:09 AM
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Kaasari
Posts: 46
Joined: 12/24/2005
From: Finland
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quote:
ORIGINAL: R1000
I have noticed that the clutch slips a little at peak tourque when the engine is in the last stage of its warm up phase. This can happen within the first 20 km or so, after that it appears to be solid. I dont push it hard at all within the first 10 km's. I'll try to change the half-synthetic 20-50 to a full syntetich 10-50 since it is used at very high rpm frequently anyway, and see what happens to the clutch. Else I guess its time to change the clutch components.
Hah, guess what? I have had this bike for 2 years now, and I noticed that same clutch slip first time yesterday. Engine was still cold, it was around 9,000rpm and it slipped just a bit, then I rode it slowly so the engine warmed up and tried again twice, and there wasn't any slipping anymore. I think it's because of oil hasn't warmed up yet, but weird that I have used same oil type and brand all this time and it was until now that I noticed it. But anyway if clutch plates were worn up, it would slip no matter if the engine/oil has warmed up or not, also worn clutch plates tend to make some alarming noises too. Or should we do an article "DIY: How to change clutch plates on 1000F" together? ;)
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 6:10:55 AM
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R1000
Posts: 1128
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
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Interesting that you have exactly the same phenomen at 80% full rpm. By changin to 10-50 oil instead of 20-50, it will probably be thinner in the warm up phase which could perhaps help, but since it seems to come with age like on your bike this points more to a worn issue. I'm still running on my first oil fill since I've only used the bike for a few weeks.
I'll still try the oil change, but would now almost be surpriced if that helps after getting your comment. Yes, why not document the clutch rebuild on this web site.
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 8:53:11 AM
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Kaasari
Posts: 46
Joined: 12/24/2005
From: Finland
Status: offline
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The oil I have used all the time is Castrol GPS 15W-50. I just got back from a ride, tried to slip the clutch when engine was cold, but couldn't make it. I made couple of high accelerations when the engine was still cold, but the clutch worked just perfect. Damn. ;) Does your clutch slip every time you try it running cold? I'm still guessing (and hoping) it's just because of the oil, as they really have quite a crucial effect on how the clutch performs.
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 9:37:47 AM
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R1000
Posts: 1128
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
Status: offline
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I dont know if it slips every time when not perfectly warm since I avoid to load it to soon. One should not need to drive about 20 km before bottoming it out, and I have the genuine feeling that it slips every time within the first 5 to 10 km if it is gunned. For normal hard but not full acceleration it never slips even during warm up. Bad to hear that a well reputated oil like GPS 15-50 doesn't fix it. I 'm almost convinced after hearing this that the clutch needs service and will order new parts tonight. Since I havent used the bike previously, and the seller who used it since -04 never replaced the clutch, I'll go for a new one so I know that it is OK in the long run. My bike has about 100 000 km on the odometer and clutch plates are ment to be replaced from time to time.
Another reason that I want the clutch to be in perfect order is the planned exhaust change that may give 10 more ponnies and not making clutch life easier. I'll also order the 15% harder clutch springs since the hyudralic engager makes it easy to release anyway compared to many other bikes. New exhaust system is advertised to come in two weeks from now.
< Message edited by R1000 -- 4/25/2006 9:44:47 AM >
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RE: good 1st bike? - 4/25/2006 11:20:03 AM
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Kaasari
Posts: 46
Joined: 12/24/2005
From: Finland
Status: offline
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Yep, GPS 15W-50 is great oil and should work very well on these bikes. I'll test my bikes clutch more and report if it slips anymore. Like I said it only happened once for me, I start to worry only if it happens again. I'm planning that I open the clutch anyway and check all plates, my bike's been driven for 68 000km now and I'm quite sure the clutch is still original.
Good point on that exhaust change. I actually never thought that changing it would stress the clutch more, but it certainly does, so it's wise move from you to replace the clutch. Waiting to hear your experiences from that new exhaust!
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