600s are generally good bikes, and most should fit you well. They still have the power to stomp 99% of everything on the road (asides from other similar bikes I mean) yet it wont be SO much power that its overwhelming. What you should do is go down to blackfoot and take a good look at what kind of bikes interest you, and fit you from a size standpoint. Then I'd scour Kijiji and see what you can find thats within your budget.
Tuono's are awesome bikes but I have a hard time believing your friend will let it go for anything thats within your budget.
Too bad you sold that F4I, seems like it would have been a good match for you. Perhaps a bit small size wise though.
Also another thing you have to consider is what kind of riding you plan on doing. I myself have a sportbike; but now that Ratcity raceway is closed Im really starting to regret buying it. For ripping around in the city I wouldn't have anything else but for long rides out into the mountains or any sort of highway riding; the riding position can be brutal, meaning every couple hours you'll want to stop and stretch your legs.
I'd almost suggest a something along the lines of a touring bike. It'll handle decently, yet it has a lot more forgiving of a riding position; and will thus be the best of both worlds. Also, it'll have plenty of power/torque for when you need/want it, but wont be scary either. With sportbikes; you're almost limited to just city riding or short trips unless you dont mind having your ass, knees & wrists being more sore then Richard Simmons' would be on a sunday morning.
I think you have the right idea with a Tuono, or a speed 4, or the more recent speed triple. However the newer ones will be out of your budget unfortunately. So I hope you dont mind buying a bike that is almost 10 years old, or thereabouts.
EDIT: I just noticed you're from Medicine Hat, so I definitely wouldn't get a sportbike if I were you. Forget that Blackfoot cycle comment; thats a Calgary based dealership, and so coming ALL the way over here just to sit on some bikes is a tough pill to swallow. I'd go check out some dealerships over there and see what interests you. I'd consider getting a sporty cruiser or something along those lines. Medicine Hat is a fairly small city, so with a sportbike you'd be limiting yourself in quite a few ways.
Last edited by Graham_A_M; 03-13-2012 at 04:59 PM.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side"
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You may want to look at those Yamaha MT-01's too. They're damn powerful, but not scary unless you ride it as such. I wouldn't mind getting one myself. The V-max's are big heavy bikes, with shitty brakes and even worse handling. Their engines are marvels, but thats where it begins & ends. 