noobcake from TN

If those are your two choices. I would go with the 03 it is a fuel injected bike so you don't have to worry about leaving the choke on in cold mornings to warm it up. Also, that newer bike has a much lower center of gravity so it feels a lot lighter.

The older bike has been reprinted so it is likely that it has been crashed. The 03 looks like it still has the stock paint.

Common problems for first gens 2nd gear problem, and burnt rectifier. For the 03 you're going to want to check if the coilovers has been replaced due to recall.

Good lick and

perfect! exactly what i needed!

I've been in the car scene so long this is like a foreign language. i can't wait to learn more as i go

here's a couple other bikes i was looking at...in case you have thoughts/opinions/knowledge on them as well...

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/2415470401.html
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/2417974352.html

really wish this wasn't a joke... http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/2398468402.html

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Out of those options, I would definitely go with the 03R6. Honda is a good bike, but I would get a RR not a F4, IMO. Yeah, that gixxer has to be a joke. There's no way a 09 would go for $4000.

Welcome to the forum! Can't go wrong with the 03 R6 - that was the bike that got me into sport bikes.

What part of Nashville are you from? Hermitage here.

FWIW, I'm wary of bikes that are parked in the mud. Give a good look over for corrosion and such if you have a look at it.

Steer clear of that ZZR as well. Heavy pig of a bike.

And welcome to the site!

Welcome! I love my 2003, but I loved my 02 R6 just as much. Although it wasn't fuel injected, I loved the symmetry of the lights better, and it was still a great first bike for me. The carburetor wasnt a hassle for me either, being in FL. It took a minute for the bike to warm up. You'd probably have the same ease with starting up since you're in Tennessee, except in the dead middle of winter.

The 03 has a few known problems, the most common being the whole denso coil issue. If you do a search, you'll find the threads here addressing the 03's common problems. And going into the summertime, bikes are higher in demand now. You might be better waiting it out through the late fall, when everyone gets sick of riding/temps get colder, to pick up the better deal, and you might even find a newer one for a great price. (Also check the for sale section on here!)

I also started in the car scene (LS1s, LS2s). What kinda cars were you into?

Spec V? What year? We have a 2002 (maintenance queen though she is).