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Ninja 250 vs CBR F4i?

laviedami

laviedami

New member
Joined
Aug 1, 2009
Location
Pleasanton
Moto(s)
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Name
Ami
Hey everyone. So the subject line says it all, but here's my situation:

I regularly ride a scooter around but have also ridden a couple CBR F2s. I was fine on the F2s and am pretty good about handling the speed and whatnot. My only problem is that I'm about 5'1" (5'2" with my shoes/boots). So, keeping the bikes up when I come to a stop and slowly moving/turning them can get pretty scary. But other than that, I'm fine and I really enjoy them.

I'd really like to get myself an F4i.. But I understand that I could just be getting carried away with myself. So I'm also looking into the Ninja 250. I like both of them, but I gotta be honest and say that I'd like the F4i for the power and speed. I'm wondering if I'd be able to shave the seat down or buy a different seat that could help.

Can I get some opinions on this?
 
one good benefit of the F2 is that you can raise the forks about 5mm-7mm through the triple clamps that lowers the bike a bit and give it better turn in without sacrificing stability.....
 
.

laviedami said:
Hey everyone. So the subject line says it all, but here's my situation:

I regularly ride a scooter around but have also ridden a couple CBR F2s. I was fine on the F2s and am pretty good about handling the speed and whatnot. My only problem is that I'm about 5'1" (5'2" with my shoes/boots). So, keeping the bikes up when I come to a stop and slowly moving/turning them can get pretty scary. But other than that, I'm fine and I really enjoy them.

I'd really like to get myself an F4i.. But I understand that I could just be getting carried away with myself. So I'm also looking into the Ninja 250. I like both of them, but I gotta be honest and say that I'd like the F4i for the power and speed. I'm wondering if I'd be able to shave the seat down or buy a different seat that could help.



Can I get some opinions on this?
Click to expand...


You could get the seat shaven and if it really is that extreme you could always lower the bike. I wouldn't suggest it though.
 
V4 said:
one good benefit of the F2 is that you can raise the forks about 5mm-7mm through the triple clamps that lowers the bike a bit and give it better turn in without sacrificing stability.....
Click to expand...


oh okay, can you do the same with the F4i though? (I really don't know much about bikes..)
 
Honda changed the rake/trail on the F4 and F4i for quicker handling where as the F2 and early F3's were slower steering...
 
imurdaddy415 said:
You could get the seat shaven and if it really is that extreme you could always lower the bike. I wouldn't suggest it though.
Click to expand...


yeah I really hope I won't need to lower the bike. So do you know if the F4i's seat could definitely be shaven down? My cousin was saying/thinking that his F2's seat is "already really thin" and it hasn't been shaven.
 
laviedami said:
haha sorry but what does that mean exactly?
Click to expand...

He means it has more of the fork used and won't be as easy to lower the triples.

I know you're mostly concered with seat height, and the 250 i believe is a bit lower to the ground, but the f4i makes roughly 55 more horsepower than the 250. It's also relatively fat compared to most sportbikes these days and was a bit of a porker for its hay day. While i loved my f4i to death and would pick one up again in a heart beat, the 250 is probably the better bike for a shorter/slighter built person. Also the new ones don't look half bad and everyone should learn how to work on carbs before moving on to a EFI'ed bike as a right of passage.


you're also not the one with a greyish/white vespa i see riding around are you?
 
IMO, if you don't ride for very long, ride very far, ride very fast, or ride with much luggage, get the 250. Otherwise, get the F4i.
 
kuromaku said:
IMO, if you don't ride for very long, ride very far, ride very fast, or ride with much luggage, get the 250. Otherwise, get the F4i.
Click to expand...

My g/f took her 250 to Portland with a bunch of soft luggage. She managed fine going 80 on the interstate.
 
You can't shave much foam off of the '01-02 F4i seats. I'm sure you could shave a bit more off of the later generation's "banana" seat.
 
Ookie007 said:
He means it has more of the fork used and won't be as easy to lower the triples.

I know you're mostly concered with seat height, and the 250 i believe is a bit lower to the ground, but the f4i makes roughly 55 more horsepower than the 250. It's also relatively fat compared to most sportbikes these days and was a bit of a porker for its hay day. While i loved my f4i to death and would pick one up again in a heart beat, the 250 is probably the better bike for a shorter/slighter built person. Also the new ones don't look half bad and everyone should learn how to work on carbs before moving on to a EFI'ed bike as a right of passage.


you're also not the one with a greyish/white vespa i see riding around are you?
Click to expand...


oh okay thanks for the explanation! yeah, I'm trying to not be so cocky and just stick with the 250 :/

hahah I have no white on my scooter, but it's a greyish Vino like so: http://www.albertacycle.com/images/models/-YAMAHA/2009VINO125/2009VINO125-1.jpg

I work in Danville so I pass through San Ramon! Have you seen me?!
 
Have you considered the Ninja 650? It has a narrow seat which makes it feel like it's lower. My friend can't flat foot his F4i and he's 5'8", so the height would definitely be an issue as a first sport bike.
 
TheRiddler said:
Have you considered the Ninja 650? It has a narrow seat which makes it feel like it's lower. My friend can't flat foot his F4i and he's 5'8", so the height would definitely be an issue as a first sport bike.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've looked into other ones but I can't find a good one below $5-6k... So I like that the some F4i/250Rs go as low as $3-3.5k
 
It depends a bit on your own geometry as well. I'm just about 5'7, but I can easily flat-foot my F4i. The inseam length is more important than overall height I guess. However, the O/P's 5'1 is probably pushing it. Its nice to be able to flat-foot a bike as a beginner as we all know.

The good thing about the Ninja 250 is that it is an easy bike to re-sell. IIRC, the Ninja 500 is also pretty low and has more grunt.

I learned on a Katana 600. This was very solid and predictable with a low seat as well. It was a bit porky w.r.t. weight, but it felt great at freeway speeds and generally punting around.

O/P: Have you tried to sit on an F4i? I think you'll know pretty quickly whether its going to work or not.
 
Lorry said:
O/P: Have you tried to sit on an F4i? I think you'll know pretty quickly whether its going to work or not.
Click to expand...

Also, have you tried sitting on, and riding around, on a 250? I have one you could try out briefly, I'm sure there's others as well.
 
Lorry said:
It depends a bit on your own geometry as well. I'm just about 5'7, but I can easily flat-foot my F4i. The inseam length is more important than overall height I guess. However, the O/P's 5'1 is probably pushing it. Its nice to be able to flat-foot a bike as a beginner as we all know.

The good thing about the Ninja 250 is that it is an easy bike to re-sell. IIRC, the Ninja 500 is also pretty low and has more grunt.

I learned on a Katana 600. This was very solid and predictable with a low seat as well. It was a bit porky w.r.t. weight, but it felt great at freeway speeds and generally punting around.

O/P: Have you tried to sit on an F4i? I think you'll know pretty quickly whether its going to work or not.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I understand. I realize I'm probably being naive in thinking I could handle an F4i... because nope, I've never even sat on one!
 
cycle61 said:
Also, have you tried sitting on, and riding around, on a 250? I have one you could try out briefly, I'm sure there's others as well.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks! but yeah, I took a '93 ex250 for a quick spin once... I handled it really well and I was wearing sandals! So I guess I really ought to stick with a 250 at least as a first bike
 
I am about 5'3" and my 1st bike was ninja 250...I am now riding F4i...I barely tiptoe on the F4i...so for me most of the times when I come to a stop...I just shift my whole body to one side with only 1 foot on the ground...and when I park or backing up into a space...I usually just get off and walk the bike...and get frame sliders for the bike...just incase if you do tip the bike over.
 
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