It’s commonly understood that when starting your journey into bike riding to always start with a 250cc or smaller.
This allows new riders to get used to balancing two wheels as well as shifting motions without having to worry about putting too much power to the rear wheel. That’s good and well, until you happen to stumble upon the Honda CBR600RR. 2014 sees a brand new model hitting the showroom floor, but is it worth selling your current 600? We find out.
Honda’s CBR600RR strikes a perfect balance between performance and handling in a middleweight package. State-of-the-art technology is packed in the CBR600RR’s frame to ensure an awesome ride. The compact HESD helps maintain predictable high-speed handling and low-speed manoeuvrability. Way more sophisticated than a simple fixed-rate damper, it’s one of the keys to the CBR600RR’s extraordinary handling. By eliminating the frame-mounted top shock mount, Unit Pro-Link isolates the chassis from bumps, resulting in more precise handling and better traction. Developed on Honda’s championship-winning MotoGP bikes, it’s a perfect example of the CBR’s superior engineering. The CBR600RR’s 17 liter fuel tank is positioned in the centre of the chassis and low in the frame. This allows for a more compact design, but more importantly, it helps centralise the bike’s mass. Increased mass centralisation means the CBR is more responsive to rider input, especially when leaning the bike into a turn or standing it up at the exit. Finally, the HMAS cartridge fork features an exclusive internal piston construction. The innovative design employs smaller-diameter pistons to keep oil velocity high for improved damping characteristics and an expanded range of adjustability. The result: you get more precise suspension performance, especially over smaller surface irregularities. All the above is just a fancy way of saying the CBR600RR is a damn decent performer through corners. Honda’s racing heritage comes through strongly on the CBR and it’s a heap of fun to throw through corners.
Power comes from a 599 cc, liquid cooled, inline four cylinder, DOHC engine. The engine needs to deal with a wet weight of 410 pounds, power is kept in leash by a close ratio six speed transmission. Two sets of injectors per cylinder ensure both low- and high-rpm performance. You get near-instantaneous high-rpm response, along with great low-rpm metering and clean running. A nose-mounted, two-stage ram air system provides a high volume of cool air to the air box for linear power delivery, while, radial-mounted monoblock front-brake calipers ensure sufficient stopping power. This construction makes the caliper stiffer and that means you get better brake feel for more linear, powerful stopping. Each caliper also uses four chromium-plated aluminum pistons for smooth, friction-free operation.
On paper, it all sounds really great, but to be honest, it’s even better. The CBR600RR is many a boy’s childhood dream and there’s good reason for it. Improving on an already legendary supersport, the 2014 model just takes the Honda to new playing field. This bike is seriously awesome.
The CBR600RR is the best 600-class sportbike going, and one of the sharpest looking as well. The only question: Which colour will you be riding?
