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Anonymous

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Phil West  says:

Is the new Honda CBR600 worthy of the name?

Honda's new-for-2011 CBR600F brings an iconic name back to the middleweight class – but does it live up to its illustrious forbears? Where the original CBRs were market-leading supersports in their own right, the new version has already come in for some stick for being essentially a mildly tweaked and facelifted existing old model – the Hornet CB600F. And while the originals...

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  • Posted 2 years ago (16 June 2011 10:11)

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thatrick

Joined:

Nov 10

Posts: 6

thatrick says:

Nope!

I went for a test ride with a view to replacing my '05 CBR600F - a quite serious view - but elected instead to keep the old girl a little longer.

There was nothing wrong with the new version; it was extremely smooth and nimble, and with the addition of ABS et al combined with Honda build and reputation, a good buy.

But, it's just not as much fun as my old one!  I can't put my finger on it, but it just seems too lightweight (if that makes sense).  If the older CBRs were hunks of meat, the new one would be minute steak - sure, same great flavour, just not as fulfilling or satisfying.

Shame!

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pearsonsnose

Joined:

Apr 09

Posts: 31

pearsonsnose says:

Seems pretty good

Not ridden the latest version but have ridden lots of previous versions of the CBR and they all seem great in their place. The latest bike seems ready to fill that place in the Honda range. A bike you could ride all day or just for fun.

Can barely believe what Philehidiot has said about a supermoto based on the CRF450 though! That sounds like a bike that precisely one person in the entire world wants...you. I can't think of a bike I would rather have LESS than some crappy, vibey, slow, expensive to run, supermoto based on a dirtbike. Are you serious or have you had too much/too little of the tablets tonight? No one buys or wants supermotos in Britain for a very good reason. They are complete shit and worthless outside of a supermoto racing track.

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philehidiot

Joined:

Feb 09

Posts: 3049

philehidiot says:

Tablets

My leg is killing me so I've had a large quantity of about 3 different opiates.


I used a supermoto all year round for nearly 2 years doing 70 miles a day, every day even in winter through snow. It's an expanding market in the UK according to Suzuki UK who admit they don't have a bike to meet the increasing demand. They are not slow - they don't have high top speeds but they're all about low end torque which makes them brilliant for commuting and they offer excellent handling and acceleration within legal speeds and for commuting.

They are a bit vibey, but the suspension soaks up all the potholes Yes there are racing set up ones which are uncomfy and designed for tracks but that's a very specific market. Some people find the seats too small, but that's mostly because this country has got fat. Expensive to run? My DRZ was the cheapest bike to run I've ever had.

Supermotos are small, light, handle ridiculously well and are damn cheap to run and cheaper to crash. You pay maybe £20 for a fairing. The lightness means fuel economy is good also, making up for the small tank.

Yes they can be a bit vibey, but I never had a problem with it. This, along with the lack of weather protection are the only two downsides.

If you personally don't like them that's fine, but there's no point in trying to outright rubbish someone else's opinion / insult them just because you don't agree.

In my opinion, there's little less pointless than a 190bhp supersports on the road - they're designed for the track but if people like to ride them on the road that's up to them. I can see the appeal.

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mercymercyred

Joined:

Jan 10

Posts: 109

Weather protection?

I ride the CBR for a 20 mile commute everyday and courier in the evening racking up lots of miles and the fairing and screen is perfect on the new cbr you can tuck in nicely and enjoy the ride. I am only 5'8 though so someone a bit taller may want a higher screen. It has recesses at the  back for pillions to hold onto and also can be used for bungee hooks . The reason no grab rails were put on according to the bloke who designed it was purely to give the bike a nice uncluttered look at the back which I agree with. Take the bike for a ride with an open mind its good un...

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jonnyconcrete

Joined:

Oct 05

Posts: 103

a hornet with a fairing might still be a great bike

But the problem is people who have invested in the old CBR's expect a little more
than a fairing placing on a existing bike when looking to upgrade their older CBR.

If the new CBR feels like a parts bin special before you have even sat on it why do
Honda even need to ask why the bikes got lower sales figures than previous versions .. .?

a little more bespoke next time for the win Honda

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mercymercyred

Joined:

Jan 10

Posts: 109

different name

perhaps they should have given it a completely different name ....

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rlf3

Joined:

Jan 10

Posts: 361

rlf3 says:

Value?

I took one for a testride.

Far too much NVH.

In this day and age there can be no excuse for the amount of vibration this bike has.

Unpleasant resonance from plumber's nightmare of an exhaust system.

Completely useless mirrors.

Cheap plasticky feel.

Value for money?

Absolutely no way.

 

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SatNavSteve

Joined:

Sep 10

Posts: 707

SatNavSteve says:

Mercymercyred!

I think you will find the real reason the bloke who designed it didn't put grab rails or a centre stand on it was to keep the price down, not to make it look pretty. Why leave off 2 essential items all bikes should have to make them user friendly? Look how the price of other Hondas is rocketing and they want this bike to succeed so they make it as cheap as they can, such as leaving the aforementioned bits off and using another bike in the range as a basis. God knows what they will develop from the DN-01 or this new half-baked cruiser thing! As I've said before on this site, I think Honda have lost the plot and need new designers.

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mercymercyred

Joined:

Jan 10

Posts: 109

some good points...!

Some good points there but some of the test riders for MCN really rate the bike and I think they know a bit about them (its thier job), I know I am only a bit of a novice but but you aint gonna convince me that this is a poor bike (not perfect no bike is). You cant argue with the looks most people like it that I have come into contact with. The mirrors are fine, what are you talking about..? Like I said before you cant please all the folk all the time which is good. Its great value for money ,whats your fav bike rif3?Of course its got a plasic feel thats cos its got plastic on it...! Not some heavy old beast of a bike.

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TrumpetTriple

Joined:

Aug 02

Posts: 472

CBR

You have to remember that when the CBR originally came out it was a sports bike, but that place was taken by the CBR600RR so demoting the CBR600F to something less of a sportster and more of an allrounder.

I rode it and thought it fitted in fine as part of the CBR600F range, it did nothing spectacular but did everything well, was comfortable, handled well, was easy to ride, which is important for a bike in this market position.

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