TicTac50 wrote:Thank you all for your very helpful responses. I did not talk my son out of a bike and wound up purchasing a very slightly used 2004 F650 CSA as a graduation present. He is very excited and so am I, because I now have a great riding buddy. He will start MSF classes next week. For those of you who wondered why I am so involved with my son's life, it is my belief that a child's future and safety is always a parent's responsibility no matter what his age. Besides, he is still living under my roof.
Congratulations Now, for an early X-mas present, buy him some really good riding gear with lots of body armour, a good helmet and some decent boots. It's saved my scrawny neck on 2 occassions. Can't stress enough what body armour can do to save bones.
Have fun riding with the young guns
Red 02, R1150R
Member # 506
I am an empty hospital!
When I bought my R1150R I decided to keep my old (1998) F650, not only because I liked it but especially because it seemed a waste to give it away almost for free while it was working perfectly.
So a good second hand F650 could probably be the right choice, even if brakes are not at the same level of the R.
Have fun with your bike(s).
Ciao
Leoquattro
Now, for an early X-mas present, buy him some really good riding gear with lots of body armour, a good helmet and some decent boots. It's saved my scrawny neck on 2 occassions. Can't stress enough what body armour can do to save bones. 
