「Owners Review」To Be Honest, What do you think of the Honda “CBR600RR”

Motorcycle & Industry

From the Webike Community's My Bike, the "Owner Review Summary" introduces various motorcycles based on the voices of owners who actually ride or have ridden them. This time, here's what the owners have to say about   Honda「CBR600RR」.

To be honest, Honda "CBR600RR" is this kind of bike!

Supersports models are sometimes used as the base machines for racing machines used in world-class road races, and the latest technology is poured into them. In particular, the 1000cc and 600cc classes are directly related to the displacement requirements for road racing and are also the focus of development efforts by manufacturers.

It was a long time ago that the 600cc class Supersports to which the CBR600RR belongs, due to displacement restrictions, were rather peaky and difficult to handle compared to the 1000cc class Supersports. Today's 600cc class Supersports are surprisingly easy to ride thanks to the evolution of injection and traction control systems.

In terms of the CBR600RR, it was the 2007 model change that dramatically improved the rideability of the CBR600RR. The sharp throttle control that squeezed the power out of the CBR600RR with its sharp startup has been eliminated, and the torque at low rpm is now strong, making it much easier to ride compared to the earlier model.

As for the position, the bike leans forward more than most naked bikes, but riders who know the extreme forward lean of the old racer replicas will feel that it is a good enough position for touring.

However, once the throttle is opened, the tachometer jumps up in response and strong acceleration begins. Moreover, thanks to recent injection technology, firm acceleration is possible at almost any rpm.

With its racy styling and high-spec mechanisms, this super sports motorcycle is admired by many people, but one drawback is its low versatility. In other words, the priority placed on speed on the race circuit makes it difficult to use for touring and city driving due to the tight forward lean position, or for carrying luggage or two people.

Although the CBR600RR has evolved to be much easier to ride, riders who mainly use the CBR600RR on public roads need to be passionate enough to kick these negative elements out of their minds and say, "It's cool, even if it's not so easy to use!"

How do Webike users feel about the CBR600RR?

CBR600RR
Average price of the new model: ──
Used model price: approx. 8444 USD 
Number of reviews: 221
Data as of June 20, 2023

Average owner satisfaction rating is  3.47  out of 5 (1196 people rated)

It should be noted that the motorcycle received a high rating of over 4.7 points for riding and looks. Equipped with the latest race-derived technology, it looks like a sports machine. However, many people said that the engine characteristics, which were designed for easy handling in the normal driving range, were just right for their first SS.

On the other hand, there were few complaints about load ability, which received the lowest rating. Since it is a supersport, many owners do not expect touring performance from the start.

CBR600RR, Quick Summary

Advantage

- Good response in everything.
- Acceleration is very enjoyable
- Center up an exhaust system
- Very compact for a large SS

Disadvantage

- Almost no load-carrying capacity
- Exhaust heat is hot during traffic jams. Exhaust heat is hot in traffic.
- Aftermarket parts are still scarce.
- Tired after riding for a long time

CBR600RR Owner's Voice

Here are some of the most impressive voices among the many reviews.

KEN

Motive for purchase, intended use, and comparative modelsOriginally, I was thinking of buying a CBR1000RR or this 600RR.
After obtaining a large-sized driver's license, I thought it would be a little difficult to buy a 1000RR, so I decided to go with the middle class, but at that time, the 600RR was already discontinued. But the 600RR was already sold out at that time.
I bought a 650R for the time being.
However, it was suddenly revived in September 2020! And I decided to buy it because it was the last model.
Advantages/Satisfactory pointsCool looking. The position is also racy, but not too tight.
The tank capacity is a generous 18 liters. Suspension can be set up to the front and rear damping. The center-up exhaust system is cool.
Disadvantages/Dissatisfactory pointsExhaust heat from the buttocks. It's the fate of the center-up exhaust system, but it's still hot.
If you get stuck in a traffic jam, you will have a hard time. But it more than makes up for it in looks and performance. I want to try to cool down with a lot of running wind that passes through.
Advice for prospective buyersIt is unfortunate that the price has gone up considerably due to the electronic control, but it is a good deal even considering that. The current model is the last one, so you should buy it while you can.

R-Shiki

Motive for purchase, intended use, and comparative modelsAfter riding Rebel 250 for 2 years, I wanted to ride a higher power vehicle! I bought it because I wanted to ride a higher-power vehicle. I basically use it for touring. Eventually, I would like to try circuit riding.
Advantages/Satisfactory pointsThe appearance is cool without question! The riding aspect is very fun to feel the acceleration from about 6000 rpm!
The engine sound is also great.
Disadvantages/Dissatisfactory pointsSince it is an SS, it has virtually no load-carrying capacity. Do not expect loading capacity even if you add a rear bag or tank bag. The riding position is tilted forward, so my wrists start to hurt after 100 to 300 km.
Advice for prospective buyersGood looks. Good riding. Good engine sound.
So I think it is a very good motorcycle that gives you an extraordinary feeling just by starting to ride it on a holiday. However, it is quite hard when you go long-distance touring. If you buy this motorcycle for touring, I recommend it to those who can enjoy this aspect.

Mappī

Motive for purchase, intended use, and comparative modelsAfter obtaining my large-scale license, the first motorcycle I rode was an early model CBR600RR of a senior colleague of mine. I heard that a new model had been released at that time, and it was love at first sight and I bought it.

I use it for touring on my days off!

Advantages/Satisfactory pointsThe middle SS has a wealth of electronic controls and a TFT LCD monitor, which is rare for a middle SS.

The center-up exhaust, which is rare nowadays, is eye-catching! The sound is very good even with the OEM exhaust system, so it is very difficult to customize the exhaust. There is only one color available, but the tricolor is very cool! What surprised me was that even though it is a high-revving engine, I hardly felt it stall at the start.
(It is even able to start in 2nd gear).
The seat height is low for a large SS (820mm), so it is not that hard to lean forward, and the knee grip is easy, so it is one of the easier SS.
The optional quick shifter and heated grips are available, and I think it is especially good that the heated grips are OEM (I do not have them). (I am not equipped with them).

I personally think that the SS is an easy motorcycle to ride in town and on winding roads due to the above-mentioned factors.

Disadvantages/Dissatisfactory pointsAs is typical with SS, your hands will become numb after riding for a long time, and the seats are not soft, so the ride is not comfortable. You have to take frequent breaks and gradually get used to it. Exhaust heat is bad in summer! (It is a middle-size motorcycle, so it is a little better than a liter motorcycle, but hot is hot.) The fuel gauge is not equipped.
(The LCD monitor displays the cruising range when the fuel level gets low.)
Personally, I find it difficult to put the side stand down when riding. Even when the side stand is down, it is hidden by the exterior, and cannot be seen at a glance. Also, the side stand is short, and the motorcycle tilts, which is quite scary.
(I mistakenly thought I had put the side stand down, and got off the motorcycle normally, completing the break-in of the exterior!) When the side stand is down, the LCD monitor shows the side stand, but because of the above, I check it with my eyes and feet before dismounting.
Advice for prospective buyersNowadays, the middle SS 4-cylinder is one of the rarest in Japan. The current CBR600RR is not compliant with the next emission regulation, Euro 5. In this world where production is tight due to the Corona, if anyone wants to drive a new motorcycle, now is the time to do so!

Check out the CBR600RR's competitors

The CBR600RR, which has a strong racing image, is probably the rival to super sports cars in the same displacement range. However, in recent years, Japanese manufacturers have been reluctant to introduce this 600cc class supersport in Japan. Yamaha's YZF-R6 and Suzuki's GSX-R600 are no longer available in Japan. The only domestic 600cc supersports officially distributed in Japan are the CBR600RR and Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-6R.

Replacing these 600cc Supersports is a growing number of full-cowl sports machines that are more focused on public roads. These machines are easy to use and versatile on public roads but also have a level of sportiness that allows them to be used on circuits as an "entry-level" machine. So, let's see what the rivals have to say about them.

If you are interested in the reviews of our rivals, please check here!

Average owner satisfaction and number of reviews are as of June 20, 2023.

KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-6R

Average Owner Satisfaction: 3.55 (1,149 people rated)
Average price of a new model: ──
Average used model price: (approx.) 7059 USD
Number of reviews: 138

Yamaha YZF-R7

Average Owner Satisfaction: 3.70 (148 people rated)
Average price of a new model: (approx.) 7493 USD
Average used model price: (approx.) 9318 USD
Number of reviews: 7

APRILIA RS660

Average Owner Satisfaction: 3.82 (50 people rated)
Average price of a new model: (approx.) 10800 USD
Average used model price: (approx.) 8709 USD
Number of reviews: 8