New Rider

This weekend 8-10 Jan 10, my wife and I are schedule to take the Basic Riders Course (MSF) on Tyndall Air Force Base here in Panama City Florida. Feb 10 we're schedule to take the sports bike rider course for the three days. This is my question, I'm 6.3 and weight 255 lbs. I need to know what size bike would be appropriate? Don't say 250, not going to happen, I'm to big! I'm looking at purchasing two used Honda CBR 600F4I's  

600's should be fine especially considering you are going through such lengths to learn to ride right off the bat. they'll start you off slow and the right way so i say buy whatever you like.  

Hope the class went well.  If you haven't already gotten a bike, buy the one that feels most comfortable and just take it easy for a while learning.  I, too, am a big guy and therefore do not feel comfortable on some of the smaller bikes.  Just because you have more power doesn't mean you have to use it.  Exercise caution and practice.  Be safe and GoodSpeed  

The class was very educational, and must for all new riders in the United States Air Force. The Honda 250 is good bike to learn how to ride a motorcycle, but it was way to small for me. My plan is to purchase two used Honda 600 CBR's within the next two weeks. I'm not looking for speed, just a new hobby! After twenty five years in the United States Air Force. I'm looking at Craigslist, Motorcycle Trader and Ebay. Any advise?  

I bought two of mine from craigslist and only one was what the guy had described on the post. The other was a bit worse and needed some work so i talked him down on the price alot. The best thing to do is to have a legitimately experienced friend go with you to check out any potential bikes you may purchase and to let them take it for a ride to tell you what they think since you are new.

But advice on getting a better deal? Find a bike you want and tell the person selling it that you are looking at another bike just like theirs and the other owner is giving you a better deal somehow i.e. throwing in a jacket and helmet or dropping the price or that it has less miles for only a little more money...

Buying anything in a personal sale is a game. You just have to know how to play it.

Oh, and always make sure VIN numbers match the frame to the title.  

F4i's are fantastic bikes and a good price.

my girl started on a Ninja 250 and just moved up to the F4 (same as F4i, just not fuel injected).

she has admitted it's "all she could ever need."

they're fast, reliable and look cool. go for it!  

I took the Sportbike Riders course here at Scott AFB, IL this past summer and it was very informative.  Showed me a few more things that I could/could not do well on my bike!  I recommend for anyone, first time or seasoned rider.

I took my MSF on a honda Nighthawk, and then bought a 650R as my first bike.  nice bike to learn on, and very simple to handle.  But like many prior to me have said, get what you fell you'll be able to handle and not necessarily what the dealer or someone else tries to talk you into!  I know many who were talked into a liter bike right off the bat and ended up wrecking soon afterwards!  

get a 600rr, the newer f4i's have banana seats and look like poopy.  plus all those scum bag stunters broke all the f4i parts. haha  j/k  
www.Naarden.biz - Sportbike SuperStore

I'm ready to pick-up bikes for myself and my wife, it's between two Honda CBR's 600 RR's or Suzuki GSX R600 for her and GSX R750 for myself. I've found a dealer with salvage bikes, only scratches to the fairing and seats, frames are excellent. Low miles, no leaks and they run excellent. Bikes were purchase from a insurance company in Florida. The prices are 60% lower than NADA retail prices. Any ideas?  

i wouldn't take any chances being that it's your first bikes. i would try to start as new as possible that way you know how things should be when they are working properly, there's nothing worse than being used to worn brakes and then getting new lines and pads and locking the front brake cause you are used to alot of force being needed to squeeze the lever.  

just get a turbo 'busa and call it a day.  

holy christ...i really hope you know he's kidding. nobody likes suzuki anymore. what he means is get a supercharged zx14  

You know a salvage title doesn't allow for street usage, right?  Youll have to switch the frame, and Im not trying to down your skill but if you dont know what you are looking at it is easy to buy a total turd of a bike if you aren't careful  
www.Naarden.biz - Sportbike SuperStore

Okay I understand, but some of these salvage bikes just have scratches on the fairings, (2002-2006) but the insurance companies totaled the bikes. I'm looking at it this way, this will my first bike and more than likely I'll drop it. In a year from now I'll buy a better bike. Why not practice on a salvage bike as long as it is mechanically sound, I'm happy. In Florida you can register salvage bike as long as it doesn't have a certificate of destruction.