Hidden gem: Honda’s CBR600F
One day, when we look back at petrol bikes with nostalgia, the CBR600F will be up there as one of the greats. It was capable of winning World Championships, yet it could commute, tour and even cosset new(ish) riders.
Arriving in 1987 the CRB600F underwent numerous revisions and upgrades – 1998 was the year it moved to an ally frame – in 2003 the more race-focused CBR600RR appeared alongside. The CBR600F ceased production in 2006, by which time over 50,000 of them had been sold in the UK alone!
Give me some spec
A 599cc inline four cylinder engine puts out 108bhp with maximum torque of 48ft-lb, maximum speed of 155mph and ¼ mile acceleration of 11.5 seconds (to 125mph!). It lives in an aluminium twin-spar frame. Weighing in at 193kg wet, hauling up the bike are two 296mm, four-piston calliper brakes up front, with a single 220mm, one-piston rear.
So what’s it like to ride?
The CBR600F amazes. This was a world championship bike yet is comfortable (in sportsbike terms), gives room to move about and is downright friendly until you’re used to it. If – like me – you haven’t been on a pure-bred sportsbike for a while, the forward-canted riding position, clip-ons that put all the weight on your wrists and tucked in stance are alien (the back grumbled on the way to the photo-shoot, the wrists were very unhappy riding back to the dealer in traffic).
But get moving and all is forgiven. Get out of town and onto more open roads as soon as possible. The engine – famed for it’s bullet-proof nature – is silky smooth once warmed up, but crack open the throttle, soak in the induction note and watch the digits spin as it drives forward with real purpose, but always under control.
But the joy of the CBR600F is corners. Is it as sharp as the CBR600RR? No, but it has all the precision you’ll ever need. On my test route there is a lovely increasing radius left hander, spoiled only by the series of inspection hatch covers on the best line. On the CBR600F I entertained myself by leaning over, adjusting the line slightly to squidge between the cover and the white line, slipping into ever smaller lines of tarmac with ease.
The suspension is just right. Firm enough to give great feedback and handle as I described, but compliant enough to cope with average road ordure. The brakes are spot-on, with loads of power, but lots of feel and can be loaded gently.
What nick is it in?
CBR600Fs last well with care, this one is a good example. The front tyre will need changing and the chain could do with a little TLC (taken care of in the pre-sale service), otherwise it is in lovely condition.
What’s it worth?
The dealer is looking for £2950 for a 2003 model with just 17,980 miles clocked, taking account of that front tyre. Being such a sales star there are a fair few around, my dealer search sourcing a 1999 model with 30,000 miles recorded for £1300 to a 2006 model with just 7700 miles on the clock for £4995.