CBR600 appreciation thread

CBR600 appreciation thread

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Original Poster:

6,780 posts

196 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
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Maybe there's an element of confirmation bias going on in my head, but there seems to be so many threads in appreciation of the CBR600 recently. I am completely in love with mine that I've had for just over 4 years and 40kkms.

I've also got a 2021 highly modified Z900, which on paper is a better bike in every way, but it just doesn't please me the way the CBR does. So much so that I'm looking at selling the Z and getting another CBR. Mine's a 2000 model F4 (FY) approaching 80kkms, the last of the carby models. It's a bit banged up from having been knocked over and a bit corroded living in a beachy suburb, so cosmetically it's imperfect, mechanically it is perfect.

The smoothness of the I4, the fuelling, the comfort (I'm 185cm), the reliability, the narrowness for filtering, the aggressive induction noise, the lumpy tickover, the flickability, everything. There's never been a more relevant time on today's roads for these bikes. A pussycat below about 8krpm, which is good for today's speed-enforced roads, while still sounding and feeling like you're going a bit quick, and a totally mental thing above it right up to and beyond 13krpm. All in comfort and smoothness. Hard (yet not hard) to believe such a comfortable bike in its day was the 600 supersport champion.

I've never ridder an injected CBR, but I do know the smoothness and power delivery of the carby 600 is perfect. I can't imagine the Fi is any better. 110bhp or so and less than 200kg is plenty enough for today's roads, especially the way it is delivered. While the Z is undoubtedly faster, the CBR is scarier, or not scary, depending on what you want from it in the moment.

I'm sure folk could post similar threads about other bikes, notably VFRs, but for me the 22 year old CBR6 is all the bike anyone could ever want or need. I reckon anyone who has/had one will agree. Here's my baby in better years:


A500leroy

6,744 posts

133 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
quotequote all
Im all over this thread, this bike is the reason im biking again.
Like the op,mines not perfect, the fairings are showing age but can be fixed, the engines a little lumpy, but I can get it dyno'd, its just the perfect road bike and I have no idea why anyone needs anything quicker, ive even felt my body postion changing and getting lower on roundabouts, I have nothing but praise for this bike, except a few parts now seem to be made of unobtainium.



Edited by A500leroy on Sunday 2nd October 11:39

CypSIdders

1,148 posts

169 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
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I bought a secondhand CBR600F-N back in 2007, can't remember what I paid for it but it wasn't a lot.
It was a bit battered and bruised and had clocked up 30K+ miles. It was a grey import so had the speed warning light on the speedo.
It was my first proper, IL4 four stroke after a succession of RDs, KR1s NSRs etc. It felt quite fast, really easy to ride.
I had a problem with the choke so I whipped the carbs off, lo and behold there were restrictor washers on each carb inlet, needless to say they went in the the bin, once I got a new set of inlet rubbers. It felt really quick after that.
I thrashed that bike mercilessly for 5 years, it never missed a beat.
The only problems I had were, water in the oil, I replaced the seals in the oil cooler which fixed that.
As a matter of course I replaced the CCT.
Very sad to see it go, I wouldn't have sold it but circumstances meant It had to go, along with four other bikes!
It had over 60K on the clock and still ran like the proverbial sewing machine.

AnotherGuy

832 posts

263 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
quotequote all
I can add to this .

Back in Aug, there was a thread here Cheap(ish) middleweight options for a returning biker , in which Podman said he had a CBR600F for sale.

Long story, very short, he sent me some pictures, did a little video tour and I bought it, sight unseen. I got a bike delivery firm to pick up up and it arrived on the 18th Aug.

I'm a returning biker, been riding since I was 18 but last rode a bike 8 years ago when I threw my 2000 R1 down the road. I wanted something cheap but fun and the CBR600F has delivered in spades.

It's 108bhp - so better than many of the current 600/650's that are produced for the A2 market and then derestricted. It's obviously not as as extreme as the R1 / GSXR / CBR RR crowd but I'm surprised. Its more racy than I expected. The carbs are old school (mines a 2001, so just before they went to injection). And the suspension is a bit soft but its revvy the gearbox is a peach and the brakes work pretty well once they're warm. Matey across the road has an 18 plate BMW S1000RR - it really shifts, but it doesn't get as far away from the CBR as I thought.

Podman was a gent and he wasn't kidding when he said it was clean. It's in better condition than most 3 year bikes, let alone a 22 year old! All I've done is remove the tank bag cover (which is very useful) de-sticker it and polish.
Future plans are small, I have a couple of fairing bolts missing and I'm probably going to replace the front brake lines with braided lines. The rear tyre is getting a little worn. Its been perfect for getting me back on a bike for relatively little money.



Trevor555

4,740 posts

99 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
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My first bike around 1991/92

FL version


Rick448

1,697 posts

239 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
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Great thread, I will add more of a write up when I have time.

Here is my 1996 F3 model.

90 miles around Lincolnshire today smile by Rick Phillips, on Flickr

clive_candy

818 posts

180 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
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Number one bike of all time. No contest.

Great pic Trevor555 btw.

Rick448

1,697 posts

239 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
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This thread has the details of the stuff I have done so far to make mine a little better. Cracking bike now for sure. My ZZR1400 is stupidly quick, but this is more fun on the twistiest for sure.

https://pbmagforum.co.uk/topic/78115-cbr600f3/#com...

podman

8,972 posts

255 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
quotequote all
AnotherGuy said:
I can add to this .

Back in Aug, there was a thread here Cheap(ish) middleweight options for a returning biker , in which Podman said he had a CBR600F for sale.

Long story, very short, he sent me some pictures, did a little video tour and I bought it, sight unseen. I got a bike delivery firm to pick up up and it arrived on the 18th Aug.

I'm a returning biker, been riding since I was 18 but last rode a bike 8 years ago when I threw my 2000 R1 down the road. I wanted something cheap but fun and the CBR600F has delivered in spades.

It's 108bhp - so better than many of the current 600/650's that are produced for the A2 market and then derestricted. It's obviously not as as extreme as the R1 / GSXR / CBR RR crowd but I'm surprised. Its more racy than I expected. The carbs are old school (mines a 2001, so just before they went to injection). And the suspension is a bit soft but its revvy the gearbox is a peach and the brakes work pretty well once they're warm. Matey across the road has an 18 plate BMW S1000RR - it really shifts, but it doesn't get as far away from the CBR as I thought.

Podman was a gent and he wasn't kidding when he said it was clean. It's in better condition than most 3 year bikes, let alone a 22 year old! All I've done is remove the tank bag cover (which is very useful) de-sticker it and polish.
Future plans are small, I have a couple of fairing bolts missing and I'm probably going to replace the front brake lines with braided lines. The rear tyre is getting a little worn. Its been perfect for getting me back on a bike for relatively little money.


Well said…apart from the AWOL fasteners, didnt spot those ..grumpy

Glad your still enjoying it mate , the wife and me are still missing the bike and im really struggling with replacing it with something more upright for anything like the money in reasonable condition.

I still keep looking at them in the classifieds…




944 Man

1,829 posts

147 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
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John Robinson said, that if CBR600 isn't the answer, then you're asking the wrong question.

Wise words.

Pirks

60 posts

187 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
quotequote all
I’m on my fourth cbr600,
1st was a 1996 cbr600ft
2nd a 2002 f4i
3rd a 2003 f4i
Current is a 2006 f4i
All fuel injected ones had/have a powercommander to help with the fueling.
What can I say but i like my cbr600’s

Geffg

1,287 posts

120 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
quotequote all
A500leroy said:
Im all over this thread, this bike is the reason im biking again.
Like the op,mines not perfect, the fairings are showing age but can be fixed, the engines a little lumpy, but I can get it dyno'd, its just the perfect road bike and I have no idea why anyone needs anything quicker, ive even felt my body postion changing and getting lower on roundabouts, I have nothing but praise for this bike, except a few parts now seem to be made of unobtainium.



Edited by A500leroy on Sunday 2nd October 11:39
I’ve had 2 in the past and my last one exactly this same one. Loved the bike and still miss it.

Trevor555

4,740 posts

99 months

Sunday 2nd October 2022
quotequote all
clive_candy said:
Number one bike of all time. No contest.

Great pic Trevor555 btw.
Thank you

An emotional pic for me, I had to sell the bike a few weeks later as I got diagnosed with cancer, lived to tell the tale though.

A500leroy

6,744 posts

133 months

Monday 3rd October 2022
quotequote all
Geffg said:
A500leroy said:
Im all over this thread, this bike is the reason im biking again.
Like the op,mines not perfect, the fairings are showing age but can be fixed, the engines a little lumpy, but I can get it dyno'd, its just the perfect road bike and I have no idea why anyone needs anything quicker, ive even felt my body postion changing and getting lower on roundabouts, I have nothing but praise for this bike, except a few parts now seem to be made of unobtainium.



Edited by A500leroy on Sunday 2nd October 11:39
I’ve had 2 in the past and my last one exactly this same one. Loved the bike and still miss it.
How long since you let it go?

Noel

586 posts

268 months

Monday 3rd October 2022
quotequote all

[/quote]

I bought an identical one to this new in 2000, second bike after an ER5. I'll never forget riding down to the dealer on the ER5 then jumping on the CBR for the ride home. I felt like my nose was touching the front tyre.

I put plenty of miles on it and had a blast. I keep thinking about picking one up now to sit alongside my Multistrada.

Great bikes.

ssray

1,197 posts

240 months

Monday 3rd October 2022
quotequote all
I've had at least 4 cbr600's, I think I've had a fh,fl,FM and a fx
The fh and fl were just ridden and used on the track a bit
The FM ended up with FS rear wheel (0.5 of a inch wider) FS carbs ,ram air and airbox,that was quite quite quick and wheelie well ,not that I do that now I'm older
The fx had ktech front forks and a nitron shock and handled beautifully

Mr Squarekins

1,308 posts

77 months

Monday 3rd October 2022
quotequote all
Trevor555 said:
My first bike around 1991/92

FL version

My first bike was idenical. Loved it.

God, i'd forgotten how basic the swingarm was though!

Geffg

1,287 posts

120 months

Monday 3rd October 2022
quotequote all
A500leroy said:
Geffg said:
A500leroy said:
Im all over this thread, this bike is the reason im biking again.
Like the op,mines not perfect, the fairings are showing age but can be fixed, the engines a little lumpy, but I can get it dyno'd, its just the perfect road bike and I have no idea why anyone needs anything quicker, ive even felt my body postion changing and getting lower on roundabouts, I have nothing but praise for this bike, except a few parts now seem to be made of unobtainium.



Edited by A500leroy on Sunday 2nd October 11:39
I’ve had 2 in the past and my last one exactly this same one. Loved the bike and still miss it.
How long since you let it go?
A long time. Think it was about 20 yrs ago or so. Had it a few years and was relatively new when I bought it.

DeanAngell1234

93 posts

35 months

Monday 3rd October 2022
quotequote all


My mate bought this for his first bike a few years a go for £750. Was a bit of a wreck cosmetically but it did him well for a year and the only break down was a snapper clutch cable. It was am F3 but someone had badly fitted the F2 rear panels and light.



In 2016 I was looking at buying my first house with my now fiance. We both had a car each but as we were trying to save for a house deposit, we decided to go down to one car so I bought this 1988 'hurricane' for £500 with a years mot. I used it daily for a year and covered 6k miles in that time. It was reliable other than the fuel pump having to be changed 3 times.... in the end I just ran it without the pump and had to fill up every 100 miles. It also needed a new manifold as the old downpipes had gone rotten so I changed it with a delkevic set. I sold it 3 years a go as I have a couple of other bikes and I don't have the time to ride them all. I sold it for £650 which at the time wasn't bad.... looking at prices now I wish I kept it haha

ITP

2,220 posts

212 months

Monday 3rd October 2022
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My first bike was a new ‘95 cbr600.
Well, I say new, it was registered ‘new’ for the road after being raced for 6 months or so by Tim Poole. He just put the standard bodywork/lights back on.

Straight onto it from a CG125 learner bike, those were the days! Great bike.


Plus one with my beloved 164 3.0V6 manual