07+ CBR600RR, own or ..UPDATE NOW I OWN ONE!

[napper]

2006 Honda VFR800 (aka unsuccessful sport-tourer)

I'm waiting for the breakdown of "unsuccessful sport-tourer."

BTW, nice catch on the CBR

[swimmer]

I'm waiting for the breakdown of "unsuccessful sport-tourer."

What do you mean by breakdown?

[napper]

What do you mean by breakdown?

Why is it unsuccessful?  What did you expect that it doesn't deliver?

[swimmer]

Why is it unsuccessful?  What did you expect that it doesn't deliver?

Oh it totally delivers.  Some numb nuts was on this forum a while back and he was just going on and on about how the 6th gen VFR was a total flop "an unsuccessful sport-tourer".  Some people may have a problem with the VFR but to call it an unsuccessful sport tourer was about a ridiculous a thing that's ever been typed on this forum.  

[Mastros2]

Congrats!  The worst thing about buying a mint bike is that it won't look that good for long.  

Oh well, ride it like it was made to be ridden.  

[swimmer]

After a couple of tanks run through the CBR I figured I’d update this with my impressions so far.  MPG is close to 50 for the first two tanks.  I suspect that as I get a little more comfortable with the power that might go down a little but it’s nice to know that I can get that mpg if I want.  That’s better than I thought it would be.  The engine is damn smooth for being so small.  There are some rough spots between 4500 and 5500 rpm but not too bad.  This makes cruising at 65-70mph a little buzzy but once above that its smooth and if I would be on the highway most likely I’d be hanging out the 80mph range and it feels smooth.  I’ve found the low end power to be quite good considering.  It can pull smoothly from 30mph in 6th gear no problem.  It’s taking me awhile to get used to the higher revs that the engine runs at.  Above 11k rpm it pulls like hell.  

The brakes are awesome esp with the braided lines up front.

I find the motorcycle to be quite comfortable.  I haven’t gone on any rides longer than an hour but I don’t see  the CBR as being any less comfortable than my VFR.  I suspect my knees would be the first to start suffering though.

The best part of the CBR though is the way it goes through the corners.  The lightness and the way it’s balanced make it obvious when you start hitting the twisties that this is where it shines.  Very easy to make corner adjustments and it just dive into the corners.  

I rode two-up with my GF yesterday.  She actually said it wasn’t bad but it was pretty bad for me.  With no grab handles there was just too much pressure against my body even during steady cruising.  Sure, she probably was not using good technique but I can’t see going far with two people on the CBR.

I’ve always been critical of people who have used a sportbike for their around the town transportation and I know the 07+ CBR600RR is considered to have pretty tame ergos and a very flexible engine but my mind has been changed on the practicality of owning a sportbike.  I’ve got a luggage locker tail bag on which can accommodate my helmet and carry the crap I need to take with me to work.  The only reason I am hanging onto my VFR for now is because it can handle two-up decently and it will probably be much better on the cold mornings this winter. I’d actually like to trade it for something better for two-up.

[JoBu]

I find the motorcycle to be quite comfortable.  I haven’t gone on any rides longer than an hour but I don’t see  the CBR as being any less comfortable than my VFR.  I suspect my knees would be the first to start suffering though.

That is one of the traits I really admired on the old '99-'00 F4.  I'd love to pick up one of these again.  It was SO comfortable.  And, it was fast, decent for 2-up (with the old banana seat), nimble, and very forgiving.  I remember getting a tad above my head a couple of times on the bike and the recovery was completely devoid of drama.  That is why I bought one for my g/f at the time.  I haven't had the opportunity to try out the latest RR, but would like to.  I didn't care for the F4i at all.  Owners, please don't take offense...this is purely subjective.  But in comparison to the older F4, it was MUCH more uncomfortable and didn't feel as powerful.  

Congrats on the new bike, BTW...    Sounds like you found a bike that really suits you and I wish you many safe miles out of it...

Cheers,

Joe

[TuffguyF4i]

Beauty of a bike!!

I was very seriously considering a 600rr when a friend wrecked my current gsxr750.  It was too good of a deal to pass up.  

[Mastros2]

Swimmer, what made you decide on a ‘07+?  Anything you’ll like to add after owning the bike for a while?  I’m looking for a cbr (f4i or rr) for the track and light road use to compliment the vfr.

[swimmer]

Swimmer, what made you decide on a ‘07+?  Anything you’ll like to add after owning the bike for a while?  I’m looking for a cbr (f4i or rr) for the track and light road use to compliment the vfr.

I choose an 07+ CBR because compared to other recent 600's and earlier CBR600rrs it was supposed to have the most comfortable ergos.  I am not sure if that would hold true vs. an f41 since I think those were relaxed more than the RR.

Additionally the 07 was completely new that year and was lighter, improved suspension, better mid-range power delivery in addition to the aforementioned ergo improvement.

After owning the motorcycle for a few months including one track day I can say that I am very pleased with my choice.  If it was not for needing something for two-up (and probably also something better for cold weather - heated grips, power socket) I don't think I would keep my VFR.  I am as comfortable on my CBR as I am on my VFR (5'8.5" 150lbs) and lightness of the CBR just makes is much more fun to ride around.  I haven't taken the CBR on any longer trips yet so at that point I may be more appreciative of the VFR more stretched out leg position.

Comfort is pretty subjective.

The flexibility of the engine (6th gear is good from 25mph for me), smoothness of the engine, power of the brakes and, lightness are other positive attributes that stick out for me.  I get pretty good mpg as well.

My only complaint is that  for the track it requires to much wrist rotation to go though the throttle range.  I am putting on a quick turn throttle this  weekend to fix that.  That's pretty minor but I thought I should come up with something negative as well.

[Mastros2]

Thanks Swimmer, I'll keep that in mind when shopping around.  

[Rogue]

Congrats on the new CBR600.  The '07+ has always been high on my list of bikes to replace the Firebolt.  I'm just worried it won't have enough low end torque to satisfy me.  But I like top end power too so it's not like the CBR600 is not fast!  

Have you installed heated gear on your VFR?  Having a heated outlet for full jacket liner really transforms your idea of comfort on cold days.

[swimmer]

Congrats on the new CBR600.  The '07+ has always been high on my list of bikes to replace the Firebolt.  I'm just worried it won't have enough low end torque to satisfy me.  But I like top end power too so it's not like the CBR600 is not fast!  

Have you installed heated gear on your VFR?  Having a heated outlet for full jacket liner really transforms your idea of comfort on cold days.

Yes, I can use a heated vest on my VFR and it has heated grips.  I just don't want to add that stuff to my CBR.  Test ride a CBR, you might be surprised by the low pull.  Granted it's not much compared to some motorcycles but for a 600cc sport bike I think its pretty good.

[Rogue]

After using heated gear, I will never go back to having none.  All my future bikes will have this hook up.  

Yes, I need to test ride one to find out for myself.  The VFR is in the same boat anyway.  When I ride my Firebolt and VFR back to back, the difference in low end torque is really noticeable.  Neither bike is slow but the Firebolts jumps off the line and catapults itself down the road with that, instant torque feeling that makes it so much fun to ride.  The VFR800 will get up and go too but it needs those revs to maintain that momentum.  I suspect the CBR600 will be similar.  Not a game changer for me as long as the bike is fast.  

[swimmer]

After using heated gear, I will never go back to having none.  All my future bikes will have this hook up.  

Yes, I need to test ride one to find out for myself.  The VFR is in the same boat anyway.  When I ride my Firebolt and VFR back to back, the difference in low end torque is really noticeable.  Neither bike is slow but the Firebolts jumps off the line and catapults itself down the road with that, instant torque feeling that makes it so much fun to ride.  The VFR800 will get up and go too but it needs those revs to maintain that momentum.  I suspect the CBR600 will be similar.  Not a game changer for me as long as the bike is fast.  

The CBR feels like it has more torque than my VFR.  Just going by feel.

[Rogue]

Really?  Interesting.

[Skidmark]

Gents, I had numb hands on my '05 CBR F4i, if you are having the same problems, I would suggest a set of weighted bar ends over the plastic ones that come with the bike.  I put a set on and it made a large difference. You could also add the foam grips if you still have the need.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Weighted-Honda-Bar-Ends-CBR-600-F4i-F4-F3-F2-Chrome-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27add7436bQQitemZ170420290411QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories