CBRWorld.net

Hey guys,

Well, I have ridden a few bikes, probably have about 20 hours of total ride time. I am in the process of purchasing a 94 600f2. When riding the other bikes, I am a lil scared of leaning in too far while taking a tight corner. I feel like the bike is just gonna fall over. I am kind of a big guy. 6ft 290lbs. Is this normal for newbies? I know how to ride a bike, its like second nature for me. I have driven everything from a gsxr 750 to a semi truck. I feel I can drive anything, but am I just hallucinating? I see these other guys leaning in and scraping their knees and cant understand how its so easy for them when im scared to lean even half of that.

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1994 CBR 600 F2 -- K&N Filter, Micron Slip-On, -1/-1, Pig Spotter Mirrors. Led rear signals, Custom undertail.

first off... ride more, ull get over the feeling.

secondly, how are the tires on the F2? pressure set properly, say 35f/38r psi?

then, is the suspension adjusted at all? i suggest u crank the preload and rebound in all the way, and set the compression about 1 turn out. this wont be anywhere close to perfect, but itll help. (wups, guessing u havent ridden the F2 yet)

last but not least, no sportbike in stock form is made for a guy your weight. most of em are made by the japanese for small japanese riders (ie 140lbs). the front end of an F2 is notorious for dive because of their dated design, contributing to an unstable feeling. at the very least, u need to install stiffer fork springs and increase the fork oil weight to help solve any handling woes. the rear shock is borderline ok, but could also stand some work.

oh, and dont in any way expect to just be able to drag knee like the pros. the skills required are well beyond the comfort level for tight corners... and really, im only saying this because those that try to force the issue (try really hard to corner fast and drag knee) end up sliding on the pavement. if tight corners produce some "o-shi*t" moments for u, uve got quite a ways to go. being able to "drive" anything doesn't always correlate to skills when "riding"

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Naked 93' F2...... RIP -- 04/12/07
04' 600RR Black - currently stuck between track and street usage
- Brembo Master, Sato's, & Ohlins out back

I havent really ridden the f2 very hard, Just a 15min test drive around the neighborhood to make sure nothing is wrong with it. Im not sure how the suspension is set up on it.

I know that these bikes werent built for my size, I am in the process of loosing some weight. I am a big guy, but id rather have a streetbike than a harley like everyone says I should buy. A lot of people say that im too big for a sport bike. I dont think so. Sure, I cant tuck onto the tank like the little guys, but im not getting it for speed, Im getting it just for enjoyment and I love how sportbikes look in general. I love the sound of 13k rpms.

I figured that it was just my imagination creating a fear. I guess ill just have to get the f2 and learn my limits as far as corner speed.

Thanks for your insight.

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1994 CBR 600 F2 -- K&N Filter, Micron Slip-On, -1/-1, Pig Spotter Mirrors. Led rear signals, Custom undertail.

I would suggest you try and find a bigger bike you can afford.  I see ZX-12's and older Hyabusa's for cheap in Cycle Trader all the time.  I think a bike with twice the displacement and a little longer wheelbase would be better for you.  You'll give up some cornering ability, but you'll be more comfortable and riding conservatively anyway.  Good luck.

 

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J

2006 Honda CBR 600RR, Yoshi carbon fiber RS-5 undertail exhaust, PCIII, Zero Gravity dark smoke DB windscreen, Hotbodies smoke flush mount front turn signals, fender eliminator w/ LED signals, Pro Grip CF tank protector, Galfer blue SS brake lines F/R, Diablo Stradas F/R, Pazzo levers, Driven grips
*********This b*tch is fast!!!**********

I would love a zx12 but #1 I cant afford it right now, Im getting the f2 for $1600.
#2, I dont think that my first bike should be a 1200cc speed demon. Ill be too tempted to find a long back road and do 180.

I think ill get the 600 F2 for now and play around with it while I save some money for something bigger. Im pretty sure ill end up dropping this bike, I dont wanna drop a busa.

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1994 CBR 600 F2 -- K&N Filter, Micron Slip-On, -1/-1, Pig Spotter Mirrors. Led rear signals, Custom undertail.

jferguso:

I would suggest you try and find a bigger bike you can afford.  I see ZX-12's and older Hyabusa's for cheap in Cycle Trader all the time.  I think a bike with twice the displacement and a little longer wheelbase would be better for you.  You'll give up some cornering ability, but you'll be more comfortable and riding conservatively anyway.  Good luck.

 

all the 180lb guys ive seen/talked to that ride Ninja250s would disagree w/ you. im sure a few pushed 200+lbs

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Naked 93' F2...... RIP -- 04/12/07
04' 600RR Black - currently stuck between track and street usage
- Brembo Master, Sato's, & Ohlins out back

[quote user=stangmx135]

 

all the 180lb guys ive seen/talked to that ride Ninja250s would disagree w/ you. im sure a few pushed 200+lbs

Thats what I was thinking. I rode the F2 and it picked up very nice. I also used to ride my friends 89 katana 750. While the 750 got spanked by my friends 06 R6, It had enough speed for me.

I know that these bikes werent built for bigger guys, but im not gonna be tracking it. Just basically to have fun and save gas.

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1994 CBR 600 F2 -- K&N Filter, Micron Slip-On, -1/-1, Pig Spotter Mirrors. Led rear signals, Custom undertail.

socalmk1:

Thats what I was thinking. I rode the F2 and it picked up very nice. I also used to ride my friends 89 katana 750. While the 750 got spanked by my friends 06 R6, It had enough speed for me.

I know that these bikes werent built for bigger guys, but im not gonna be tracking it. Just basically to have fun and save gas.

awww, but u live sooo close to the racetrack (Willowsprings). i think ud have a ton of fun at Streets of Willow and it would vastly improve your riding ability. if u can come to terms w/ the handling of the bike and install some stiff front springs and good tires, i say the track is def an option. plenty of big guys on little bikes out there having a blast.

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Naked 93' F2...... RIP -- 04/12/07
04' 600RR Black - currently stuck between track and street usage
- Brembo Master, Sato's, & Ohlins out back

The advice that people gave here about suspension is very sound, however it is only a secondary issue in your case.  When I ride together with my girl our total weight easily exceeds 300 lbs, and on the twisties we can lean enough to scrape the pegs. 
You just lack experience, skill, and confidence.  There's a huge difference between riding and driving.  Any 8 year old kid that knows how to ride a bicycle can "drive" a motorcycle from point a to point b.  If you want to RIDE like the skilled riders you see in the twisties you really have to learns the skills.  Body position is of huge importantce.  How and where you hang off the seat, how you distribute your weight on the pegs, how you DONT support your upper body weight with your arms, how you countersteere,  how you hold the line through the turn, how you brake, how you handle the throttle, even where you look when you turn, etc.  And of course your bike needs to earn your trust and you need to develop the feel for it which will only come with time and lots of practice. 
I dont wanna sound condescending, but right now you dont know how to ride, and it is not second nature to anyone.  Like they say in the military "Forget what you think you know about ____."  There're a few good easy to read books on the subject, where you can read about one technique at a time and go practice it over and over again.
When you go in the twisties you can easily spot who has the skills and who dont when a guy on an old beat up bike in mismatching gear just smokes all the hotshots on their brand new super sport bikes.

stangmx135:

jferguso:

I would suggest you try and find a bigger bike you can afford.  I see ZX-12's and older Hyabusa's for cheap in Cycle Trader all the time.  I think a bike with twice the displacement and a little longer wheelbase would be better for you.  You'll give up some cornering ability, but you'll be more comfortable and riding conservatively anyway.  Good luck.

all the 180lb guys ive seen/talked to that ride Ninja250s would disagree w/ you. im sure a few pushed 200+lbs

I disagree.  I'm 170lb and riding an '07 250 was quite pedestrian.  We had a guy ride with us one time when we were all on 600's and bigger and he was on a Ninja 500 that he borrowed.  This guy is over 250lbs and could not even begin to keep up.  The guy in this post said he was near 300 lbs.  He's going to be cramped on a smaller bike.  He would be more comfortable on a bigger bike and IMHO therefore more confident and more likely to gain seat time.  Me with my girlfriend on the back my 600RR is pushing about that weight, it has a stronger engine than the bike he's getting, and it is noticiably much slower than when I ride solo.  Bottom line-if you're scared of the power of a ZX-12, find an older Katana 750.  It has decent power and should fit you better.  Good luck. 

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J

2006 Honda CBR 600RR, Yoshi carbon fiber RS-5 undertail exhaust, PCIII, Zero Gravity dark smoke DB windscreen, Hotbodies smoke flush mount front turn signals, fender eliminator w/ LED signals, Pro Grip CF tank protector, Galfer blue SS brake lines F/R, Diablo Stradas F/R, Pazzo levers, Driven grips
*********This b*tch is fast!!!**********

relax, look where ya going, roll that throttle on . . . .