F4i

[MX793]

It's not awful, but it's not as good as I'm used to.  I'd probably pick up another MPG if I ditched the panniers, but I like being able to carry some stuff (bottle of water, paper towels, jacket liner, hat, paper map) and don't like riding with a backpack on.

[Cookie Monster]

How many gallons did it take?  The F4i is supposed to have a 4.8 gallon tank.  Unless you're really ragging on it, or these get much worse mileage than I anticipate, you should be able to safely go 150-160 miles between fill-ups (that's about where I'd expect you to hit the "reserve").

I've been getting 46-47 mpg pretty consistently.  Worst tank was ~43 and I think my best was ~49.  On a 5-gallon tank, that gives me ~220 miles to fumes if I use the lower end of my observed economy.  Wish I could get a little better out of it (or had a little more capacity).  I usually fill up ~150-160 miles.  Fuel stations can be a bit sparse where I ride so I like to keep at least a gallon in the tank.

I averaged ~52-53 over the life of the Bandit.  Worst was 48 and change (only tank I ever dipped below 50) and I got 58 on one tank.  I wouldn't think twice of going 180 miles between fill-ups, even riding where fuel stations can be a bit sparse.  Worst part of that was learning to disregard the fuel gauge.  With the fuel economy I got on that bike, I could pretty safely push 190-200 miles and still have 50+ miles left in reserve but the fuel light started blinking at like 150, which tends to get the range anxiety going.

I've been toying with the idea of gearing the Kawi taller to more closely match the Bandit (Bandit turned 3500 RPM @65 vs 4500 for the Kawi) to see if I can get a few more MPGs out of it.

I'm so confused right now. The bike took 2.4 gallons yesterday. I could have put a bit more if the pump I was at didn't have a safety shutoff thing that wouldn't let me pump it to the very top, but even still I could see the fuel level was pretty high. Even if I could have put in 2.7 gallons or so, that doesn't make any sense why it started flashing when I had 2 gallons left in the tank.

http://f4i.modyourbike.com/general/fuel-gauge

That says it should only come on when I have .97 gallons remaining. The seller gave me a full tank of gas (or close to it anyways, since I could see the fuel at the top when I flashed my light into the tank), so that means I've gotten about 46 mpg, which seems a bit high. I'm still new to the bike and haven't ridden it hard at all (I did take it up to 100 yesterday but that's whatever on these bikes) and I do shift at 3k rpm () but I still don't think that's right.

[MX793]

I'm so confused right now. The bike took 2.4 gallons yesterday. I could have put a bit more if the pump I was at didn't have a safety shutoff thing that wouldn't let me pump it to the very top, but even still I could see the fuel level was pretty high. Even if I could have put in 2.7 gallons or so, that doesn't make any sense why it started flashing when I had 2 gallons left in the tank.

Do you stick the nozzle into the tank?  I always hold it just at the opening so I can get a full tank without tripping the auto-shutoff

http://f4i.modyourbike.com/general/fuel-gauge

That says it should only come on when I have .97 gallons remaining. The seller gave me a full tank of gas (or close to it anyways, since I could see the fuel at the top when I flashed my light into the tank), so that means I've gotten about 46 mpg, which seems a bit high. I'm still new to the bike and haven't ridden it hard at all (I did take it up to 100 yesterday but that's whatever on these bikes) and I do shift at 3k rpm () but I still don't think that's right.

Fuel gauges on both my current and previous are pretty pessimistic (though range to E readout on the Kawi is generally pretty optimistic).  The Bandit would start blinking when I still had over 1.5 gallons left.  One day I rode a good 25 miles with the low fuel light blinking and when I stopped to fill up, it only took 3.7 gallons (5 gallon tank).  No harm in filling up early.  I'd err on the side of caution for the first few tanks and when you get a feel for what your typical fuel mileage is, base your fill-ups as much on the trip meter as on the fuel gauge.  Just be sure to reset your trip meter at every fill up. 

I don't think 46 mpg sounds high at all if you generally shift it at 3K or so.  I get 46-47 on my bike shifting at 3000-3500 (and getting on it occasionally to overtake a slower car or whatever) and that's with a heavier bike, bigger motor, more power, and I'd wager worse aero with my panniers.  I wouldn't expect a 600, driven in a similar manner, to do much, if any, worse.

[Cookie Monster]

Do you stick the nozzle into the tank?  I always hold it just at the opening so I can get a full tank without tripping the auto-shutoff

Fuel gauges on both my current and previous are pretty pessimistic (though range to E readout on the Kawi is generally pretty optimistic).  The Bandit would start blinking when I still had over 1.5 gallons left.  One day I rode a good 25 miles with the low fuel light blinking and when I stopped to fill up, it only took 3.7 gallons (5 gallon tank).  No harm in filling up early.  I'd err on the side of caution for the first few tanks and when you get a feel for what your typical fuel mileage is, base your fill-ups as much on the trip meter as on the fuel gauge.  Just be sure to reset your trip meter at every fill up. 

I don't think 46 mpg sounds high at all if you generally shift it at 3K or so.  I get 46-47 on my bike shifting at 3000-3500 (and getting on it occasionally to overtake a slower car or whatever) and that's with a heavier bike, bigger motor, more power, and I'd wager worse aero with my panniers.  I wouldn't expect a 600, driven in a similar manner, to do much, if any, worse.

Yeah I stuck the nozzle in the tank. Maybe I was just being stupid or something but I couldn't get any fuel to come out without sticking the nozzle in the tank. It might be a safety thing in California or something because when I used to fill the nighthawk in Texas I would hold the nozzle just outside the tank and pour in the gas to the top.

Also, I'll ride this tank down and see when the reserve indicator comes on. I get being pessimistic but yelling at me to get gas when it has half a tank is ridiculous. Plus online it days it should only go on after it has .97 gallons are left, which should realistically give me a 160-180 mile range before getting the reserve indicator.

[12,000 RPM]

Gas lights on bikes are finicky. Sometimes mine comes on super early, like a gallon plus, and yesterday mine didnt come on when I had less than a third or so left. Def get a feel for what your mileage is and go from there.

[Cookie Monster]

Just bought an Abus Provogue 300 disc lock, a disc lock reminder cord (so I don't ride off with the lock on the rotor ) and a chin screen for my helmet. I'm hoping having the disc lock will make comprehensive insurance cheaper when I go through State Farm.

Speaking of helmets, how noisy are your guys' helmets? Mine is so loud that even crouched down under the windscreen, with music playing through my Westone 3's (which otherwise make me essentially deaf to the outside world because they seal so well when music is playing), I can still hear the wind rushing by. Without headphones or earplugs it's positively deafening. I'm hoping the chin curtain will help a bit as well as keep me warmer in the winter.

I want something like a Shoei RF-1200 but man it's expensive and I don't know if it's worth it if the wind noise doesn't die down.

[Speed_Racer]

Speaking of helmets, how noisy are your guys' helmets? Mine is so loud that even crouched down under the windscreen, with music playing through my Westone 3's (which otherwise make me essentially deaf to the outside world because they seal so well when music is playing), I can still hear the wind rushing by. Without headphones or earplugs it's positively deafening. I'm hoping the chin curtain will help a bit as well as keep me warmer in the winter.

I want something like a Shoei RF-1200 but man it's expensive and I don't know if it's worth it if the wind noise doesn't die down.

I never ride above 45 without earplugs or tight-fitting earbuds. Wind noise is crazy loud

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Just bought an Abus Provogue 300 disc lock, a disc lock reminder cord (so I don't ride off with the lock on the rotor ) and a chin screen for my helmet. I'm hoping having the disc lock will make comprehensive insurance cheaper when I go through State Farm.

Speaking of helmets, how noisy are your guys' helmets? Mine is so loud that even crouched down under the windscreen, with music playing through my Westone 3's (which otherwise make me essentially deaf to the outside world because they seal so well when music is playing), I can still hear the wind rushing by. Without headphones or earplugs it's positively deafening. I'm hoping the chin curtain will help a bit as well as keep me warmer in the winter.

I want something like a Shoei RF-1200 but man it's expensive and I don't know if it's worth it if the wind noise doesn't die down.

I can't hear my ear buds at highway speeds!

[MX793]

I always ride with ear plugs.  Seems like my old Icon helmet, which had a chin screen, was a lot quieter than my current HJC.  I didn't wear earplugs with my Icon and don't recall it making my ears ring after a ride.  Not sure if it was the chin screen or the helmet overall.  I plan to get a chin screen to help keep debris from blowing up into my helmet. Lately I've been getting a lot of bugs bouncing off my chest and up inside the helmet.  Or light debris like grass clippings.

[12,000 RPM]

+6 on earbuds. Quick run to the store, I won't wear them, but on the highway they are pretty much mandatory. Some helmets are quieter than others, and a good windscreen/fairing can help, but no helmet is quiet enough. I see all those helmet headphone products and I'm like "who the hell is riding around on the highway with no earplugs?" Insanity.

[giant_mtb]

All those Harley Hardasses cruisin down the highway with no helmet, no ear plugs...blows my mind. How is that even remotely enjoyable.  I love listening to "BRGRGRGRGRGRGFJFJCKXKZALALELVOOOOOENC S A BRBRBRBRBR" for extended periods of time!

I even wear ear plugs when I ride my moped for extended periods and it doesn't even go more than 43mph.

[shp4man]

Lol, I don't wear earplugs, and my half helmet doesn't cover my ears. No problem at all. The secret? A windshield! 

My bike has a nice exhaust note. Unlike those rice rocket bikes that sound like an industrial sewing machine motor .

[Cookie Monster]

Lol, I don't wear earplugs, and my half helmet doesn't cover my ears. No problem at all. The secret? A windshield! 

My bike has a nice exhaust note. Unlike those rice rocket bikes that sound like an industrial sewing machine motor .

Haters gonna hate.

Dat feel when you have a sweet motorcycle parked in the driveway but you take the train to work.

Getting the rest of the gear today. I'm praying it'll all fit so I dont have to send anything back. Once I get the bike registered, change the insurance to get comprehensive, and get my disc lock it's bye bye train!

[MX793]

All those Harley Hardasses cruisin down the highway with no helmet, no ear plugs...blows my mind. How is that even remotely enjoyable.  I love listening to "BRGRGRGRGRGRGFJFJCKXKZALALELVOOOOOENC S A BRBRBRBRBR" for extended periods of time!

I even wear ear plugs when I ride my moped for extended periods and it doesn't even go more than 43mph.

https://rideapart.com/articles/stop-cruiserface-now

[MX793]

+6 on earbuds. Quick run to the store, I won't wear them, but on the highway they are pretty much mandatory. Some helmets are quieter than others, and a good windscreen/fairing can help, but no helmet is quiet enough. I see all those helmet headphone products and I'm like "who the hell is riding around on the highway with no earplugs?" Insanity.

If you have a touring bike with a full-height windscreen, you really don't need earplugs.  It's like riding in a convertible.  The Goldwing I rode had so little air getting to the rider that, in my jacket and full-face helmet, I started to get uncomfortably warm after only 10 minutes or so due to lack of any cooling air flow on a hot summer day.  There's actually a little vent window in the middle of the windscreen you can open to get some air on you.

[shp4man]

https://rideapart.com/articles/stop-cruiserface-now

Po-ta-to, po-ta-to-pot-ta-to...

[Cookie Monster]

Well, I rode to work today... about 43 miles. Wasn't too bad except the temperature dropped like 10 degrees riding to the city and I started freezing my ass off. Otherwise, there wasn't much traffic and I only had to lane split in the city. Took me around 50 minutes to ride. It's about 30 minutes faster door to door than taking the train but I don't know if it's worth doing it every day...

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Sounds like a no brainer to me! 

[Cookie Monster]

Hehehehehe

Just got insurance. 25/50/25k liability, matching uninsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive with a $500 deductible for $217/6mo. Ballerific.

[SVT_Power]

You rode to work without insurance? wut

[Cookie Monster]

You rode to work without insurance? wut

Nah, I had liability only from Progressive for $370/year. Just cancelled it. It was awkward calling in to cancel it after 2 days but fuck it I wanted to ride.

[12,000 RPM]

Who gave u that deal

[Cookie Monster]

Who gave u that deal

State Farm.

What's weird is they quoted me $650/year before, and then yesterday another agent quoted me $900/year but didn't even take the VIN of the bike. Today I called a different office and they took the VIN of the bike and gave me a killer deal.

[MX793]

Nah, I had liability only from Progressive for $370/year. Just cancelled it. It was awkward calling in to cancel it after 2 days but fuck it I wanted to ride.

Wow, Progressive is pretty inexpensive for me.  I pay $125/year for liability through Progressive.  Just looked to see what comp would add and with a $500 deductible, it goes up to $331/year.  Granted, they were willing to count my dirtbike experience as a kid into my total years of riding experience, so I show up as having like 18 years of riding experience.  ~$435 a year with comp on a sportbike is a pretty decent rate, though.  I may have to give State Farm a call next time my rate is due for renewal.

[Cookie Monster]

Wow, Progressive is pretty inexpensive for me.  I pay $125/year for liability through Progressive.  Just looked to see what comp would add and with a $500 deductible, it goes up to $331/year.  Granted, they were willing to count my dirtbike experience as a kid into my total years of riding experience, so I show up as having like 18 years of riding experience.  ~$435 a year with comp on a sportbike is a pretty decent rate, though.  I may have to give State Farm a call next time my rate is due for renewal.

Wow, $331 a year is nice. Is the Ninja 1000 considered a sport bike or a tourer? My friend said that his FZ6 was labelled as a standard bike, even though it's essentially a detuned R6 with more upright ergos (similar to your N1k vs the ZX10R, right?). Do you not have comprehensive on the Ninja?

I skipped collision because I'm going to just hope I won't be a dumbass and wreck my bike, but I can't control it getting tipped over or stolen so I can rest easier knowing I have a comprehensive on it. $435 on a 600cc almost supersport bike given my level of experience is amazing.

[MX793]

Wow, $331 a year is nice. Is the Ninja 1000 considered a sport bike or a tourer? My friend said that his FZ6 was labelled as a standard bike, even though it's essentially a detuned R6 with more upright ergos (similar to your N1k vs the ZX10R, right?). Do you not have comprehensive on the Ninja?

I skipped collision because I'm going to just hope I won't be a dumbass and wreck my bike, but I can't control it getting tipped over or stolen so I can rest easier knowing I have a comprehensive on it. $435 on a 600cc almost supersport bike given my level of experience is amazing.

I think it gets classed as a sportbike.  Being 1000cc+ doesn't help much either.  My bike is actually unrelated to the ZX10.  Not even the same displacement (N1K/Z1K is 1043cc vs 998 for the Zixxer).

I don't bother with comp because the likelihood of it being stolen is pretty slim.  When it's home, it's in a locked garage.  If I ride it to work (which I seldom do), the parking lot there is secure enough to deter all but the most determined thieves (fenced and gated with cameras).  The only places I would park it where I'd be off and out of sight of it for more than 15-20 minutes are state parks, and I just don't see thieves spending much time looking for bikes to steal at places like that (most charge you an entry fee to drive onto the property).

[Cookie Monster]

I think it gets classed as a sportbike.  Being 1000cc+ doesn't help much either.  My bike is actually unrelated to the ZX10.  Not even the same displacement (N1K/Z1K is 1043cc vs 998 for the Zixxer).

I don't bother with comp because the likelihood of it being stolen is pretty slim.  When it's home, it's in a locked garage.  If I ride it to work (which I seldom do), the parking lot there is secure enough to deter all but the most determined thieves (fenced and gated with cameras).  The only places I would park it where I'd be off and out of sight of it for more than 15-20 minutes are state parks, and I just don't see thieves spending much time looking for bikes to steal at places like that (most charge you an entry fee to drive onto the property).

Ah OK, that makes sense. I'm trying to clear out the garage at home to park it in there next to my dad's car, but I'm mainly worried about it at work because it's sitting out in the open. Of course, I walked by it during lunch and saw it surrounded by some BMWs, including an S1000RR so maybe I'm being paranoid.

On a random note, I can't believe Honda didn't provide inserts for spools for this bike. I was going to buy a stand for it this weekend to easily change the oil and lube the chain. Now I have to push the bike down the street and lube it that way.

[MX793]

Ah OK, that makes sense. I'm trying to clear out the garage at home to park it in there next to my dad's car, but I'm mainly worried about it at work because it's sitting out in the open. Of course, I walked by it during lunch and saw it surrounded by some BMWs, including an S1000RR so maybe I'm being paranoid.

On a random note, I can't believe Honda didn't provide inserts for spools for this bike. I was going to buy a stand for it this weekend to easily change the oil and lube the chain. Now I have to push the bike down the street and lube it that way.

The F4 and F4i had mounting provisions for a center stand (and some models came with them from the factory in some markets).  Might want to look and see if you can just buy a factory center stand and install it.  Way easier and more convenient than a bike stand and spools.  Definitely one feature my Bandit had that I miss (and can't be installed on the Ninja).

[Cookie Monster]

The F4 and F4i had mounting provisions for a center stand (and some models came with them from the factory in some markets).  Might want to look and see if you can just buy a factory center stand and install it.  Way easier and more convenient than a bike stand and spools.  Definitely one feature my Bandit had that I miss (and can't be installed on the Ninja).

But center stands look weird on a sport bike.

Anyways, first day of commuting in the bag! Only had to do a bit of lane splitting on the highway. It wasn't too bad, except my headphones came out partially while riding back and the wind noise became ridiculous. The highway I take is empty enough that I never feel that I'm going to get in someone's way or get hit.

The gas issue came up again. About 80 miles into this tank, the reserve indicator popped up, and it started flashing all 4 bars (extremely low) at 100 miles. I kept riding and got home at about 115 miles and opened the tank lid and peeked inside. There's still a good amount of gas left in the tank. I'm not sure why it keeps on yelling at me so early. I'd expect to get at least 150 miles before getting the reserve indicator, considering most of my riding is on the freeway. I might have to do more research. Other than that, and a visor full of dead bugs, it was a blast. Saved time and got to leave when I wanted at work.

Anywho, I also stopped by Cycle Gear because my HJC's visor was about to snap off (it actually did in the store). The guy was nice enough to install two new screws into the visor holder thingy and I was good to go. I did try on a Shoei RF1200 though. God damn that thing is NICE. It's so light and I hear it's extremely quiet. Unfortunately, in the colorway I want, it's pretty expensive ($530 before tax). I mainly went there for an AGV K3 helmet because AGV makes some awesome colorways and it's priced reasonably, but when I put it on, it was pressing pretty hard against my forehead and temples even though the cheeks were pretty loose. Guess I can't wear an AGV then.

[MX793]

Honda designed the lower fairing to largely hide the center stand.  This bike has one and I doubt anyone who wasn't looking for it would notice.


VFR800 Interceptors have had center stands up through at least the last generation. I think they currently still have them.  Again, largely concealed when not in use.