New to the Forum - Need Advice

[DBarton02]

Ok guys - Want to introduce myself as quite the NOOB!

My name is Dan, From Chicago (or just south of there) and I am working a deal out on a 98 CBR600F3.

Funny enough as it goes, I was engaged a year ago, broke it off, and can't get rid of the ring.
By the graces of God, someone contacted me about it on Craigslist and is offering a trade for his CBR... so I thought, what the hell? Might as well get into riding - I've always wanted to do it.

So here's the question I have for all of you experts:

I always thought when I did, I would go for more of a cruiser than a sportbike - but to learn, for me, a bike is a bike (even though I know there is a difference).

How great is the F3 as a 'starter' bike? What are some ups and downs of it?
Give me your opinions - I'm curious to know!

Also, when I get a time set up to check this thing out, what are some of the things I need to look for to know that it's in good shape?
All I know right now is it has 10,000 miles on it.

THANKS!

[blkpitbull]

welcome NOOB!! Glad you found us!!!

The F3 is a great starter bike IMO!!! Ive had mine since new in 98 and am still in love with it!!! ANY bike can hurt ya if you let it. Take it SLOW and respect it and maybe you will never get rid of it!!!

BTW do a search for the things to look for, its been covered a few times!!!
Good luck!

[eyeofthestorm]

hey friend, first of all welcome aboard!

to answer your question, any bike can be a great starter bike as long as you repsect the bike, ride smart and always ride responsibly. that being said, an f3 really is an excellent sportbike to start out on, older cbrs are fantastic first bikes. theyre simple, reliable, very light, and when you break out of your shell so to speak from noobishness to full on rider, youll find that the horsepower was there waiting for you all along, you just gotta tap into it, WHEN YOURE READY.

looking for a few things on a new bike can be tough. theres been a few threads, but just cause you asked, im bored, and im a post whore ill give you a few tips.

firstly, check the chain and tires, they will reflect on how the bikes been ridden and cared for. you want to see a well rounded tire, and a clean, well kept chain. greasy, dirty, rusty chain = previous owner didnt know shit.

sprockets should be clean and well kept as well, rusty worn out teeth on the chain = fail.

alot of that sort of stuff is self explanatory, look for damadge thats obvious, look for dents scrapes scratches and cracks, most of this kind of stuff can be superfluous, and easily fixed. however it will be a sign of the previous owners level of care for the bike, and as such will determine how much work its going to be.

when the bikes running, look for smoke out the tail pipe.
blue = burning oil
black = running rich
white = run like hell, dont touch that bike!

you want to see a nice cloudy grey come from the tail pipe, if the exhaust is at all visible.

when the bikes runnign you want to listen for ticks and noises that dont sound right, also you want to listen for engine stumble, it should idle smooth, any roughness means youre jetting could be wrong, carbs could be bad, or your valves could need adjustment.

aside from that, use your better judgement and all should be well. treat a bike like you would a car besides these few things, and youll be able to make an educated descision. for any more information you can search for the "what do i look for on a new bike" threads, theres some that are more thorough.

[1badF*I]

No smoke and no loud noises, trade it for the ring, that ring may have been expensive, but hey its a bike, good trade.


Craigslist Ad.

Will trade my fiance for your bike.. Seriously.

j/k

[eyeofthestorm]

will trade anything i got for your bike, except my bike. i dont want a different bike, i want more bikes! bwah hahaha im gonna have more custom shitcans than anybody! so far im up to two, next project is my two smoker cafe racer!