CBR600F - Nearest Comfy Alternative Or I'm Fitting Bars

[KTMsm]

I bought a CBR600F as I wanted to try some track days and thought it would make sense to get used to it on the road

I love the engine, the power, the revs, the noise but WTF is the position about ?

I'm aware that I'm supposed to be holding on with my legs and keeping my arms bent but the position just takes all the fun out of it for me, not keen on the clip ons either

Hornet is the obvious option but I didn't really want a detuned engine or crap suspension, is there a better alternative circa £2k or should I just fit some bars to the CBR ?

I'm sure it makes sense on track and I could do 20 minutes sessions but I'd like to get some hours on it

[HughiusMaximus]

What sort of shape are you in?

Sports bike work your core muscles harder as you use your back / abs to keep your weight off your wrists.

I thought my cbr600f was very comfy as sports bikes go!

[Jazoli]

CBR's are very comfortable although if you've only ridden upright naked bikes you may struggle to adjust, if you want an upright sports bike get an early Street Triple R.

[KTMsm]

I'm the same weight as I was 25 years ago but not quite as fit.

It wasn't that I couldn't hold myself, it's more more why would you want to ?

I have no doubt on a track being upright might cost a few seconds but on the road I can see so much more and simply prefer it (I come from a dirt bikes)

I have been meaning to try a Street triple albeit they at least £1,000 more

Anything else come to mind ?

[Iminquarantine]

There's a reason why you see sports bikes on tracks, less so on tours.

[croyde]

600F is pretty mild as a sports bike position. I had two back in the 88 and 93.

What were you riding before the CBR?

I had a R1200GS for a weekend and going back to my Street Triple made me feel that I was riding a tiny RGV or NSR

[rodericb]

If it's your first sportsbike it'll feel a bit extreme. The different position is calling upon muscles you don't use as much. You need to adjust to it and that won't take long. Go for half an hours ride and you won't notice it. If you went for a long ride (multiple hours) you might get a bit of muscle soreness due to the amount of "exercise".

[ssray]

I went zx7r to cbr600fx because of the riding position, cbr sooo much better
How's your core strength? Mines crap so on my push bike it wobbles at speed because of too much weight on the bars
The same year and fork size vfr750 or 800 bars usually fit, they are more touring and slightly higher

[KTMsm]

Iminquarantine said:

There's a reason why you see sports bikes on tracks, less so on tours.

I know but loads of people say they tour on a CBR - utter loonies !

[KTMsm]

As I said it's my first sports bike, I've enjoyed everything from various KTM supermotos, ER6N etc so all pretty upright bikes

I only rode for 30 mins or so and didn't have any muscle problems but I assume I kept relaxing and putting weight on the bars as my hands ached / went numb (I have a hand / nerve issue that's not been a problem on other bikes)

[Iminquarantine]

If you are using muscle power in your back/abdomen to keep weight off the hopeless joke of handlebars which are fitted to sports bikes, you are never going to be long distance comfortable. Long (or even hour long) comfort comes from being in a relaxed position, so you are not working your muscles. Even if you get stronger muscles, you are still working them in that position. Fit different handlebars or buy a new bike. I'd say new bike, as being a sports bike your leg position won't be relaxed either.... you probably haven't noticed this yet as the discomfort in your upper body is hiding the slightly less discomfort in your legs.

[TimmyMallett]

My F3 was super comfy relatively speaking. You need to work on your lower back muscles. And core. As everyone here has already said and I like to turn threads into echo chambers. Grip with your knees more to help take the weight off.

[BugLebowski]

KTMsm said:

As I said it's my first sports bike, I've enjoyed everything from various KTM supermotos, ER6N etc so all pretty upright bikes

I only rode for 30 mins or so and didn't have any muscle problems but I assume I kept relaxing and putting weight on the bars as my hands ached / went numb (I have a hand / nerve issue that's not been a problem on other bikes)

Was it 30 mins around the town or was it 30 mins on the open road? The leaned forward position really gets comfortable when you get a bit of wind to take the weight off your wrists.

[croyde]

I did buy a NC30 back in the 90s and took it back later in the day for a refund.

Hadn't had a test ride and although a beauty, it would have been my only bike and was too extreme and small for me.

Fine for blasting around the countryside but not for commuting into London.

But a CBR is a far more relaxed riding preposition.

You'll get used to it OP but then if it's a case of get rid now for a full refund, that's understandable if you are not happy.

[Fitz666]

Check the cycle ergo website...https://cycle-ergo.com/

You can input your bike and own size and it will show you all the angles of your joints, might help to find something less cramped .

[rodericb]

KTMsm said:

As I said it's my first sports bike, I've enjoyed everything from various KTM supermotos, ER6N etc so all pretty upright bikes

I only rode for 30 mins or so and didn't have any muscle problems but I assume I kept relaxing and putting weight on the bars as my hands ached / went numb (I have a hand / nerve issue that's not been a problem on other bikes)

If you grip the tank a bit more with your thighs you'll take a bit of weight off your wrists. Keep your arms a bit bent and less grip on the handlebars will help too.

[jonindorset]

I swapped my CBR600F4i for an MT07 some years ago, not because of my core or my wrists, but largely because my neck and to some extent shoulders couldn't cope. I took the MT07 on a track day (I seem to remember after having sorted the suspension) and it was a riot to ride, being able to wring out the throttle everywhere, keeping up with much more powerful bikes (and equally inexperienced track riders). In general, I found the MT07 to be much more fun to ride and I didn't find myself almost accidentally doing silly speeds like I did on the CBR. Very comfy too.

[Prof Prolapse]

I've toured the highlands many times on my CBR600F, GSXR750, and my Africa Twin.

Whist the GSXR demanded a strong core to keep the weight off the wrists (although it did have three-way adjustable pegs), the CBR I will always remember as the worst for comfort. By day three I'd usually resort to lying down on fields on the way home.

I honestly couldn't tell you why though, ergonomically it really doesn't look bad, and it wasn't uncomfortable. Perhaps I just had bad riding habits.

If you're inexperienced however it is most likely this rather than anything else. You do get used to it.

[PTF]

Try a street triple

[Iminquarantine]

I think as you write in OP, if you want more comfortable, you will need to accept a detuned engine. Nobody fits high revving sports engines to tourers (I’m calling any bike with upright riding position and a fairing a tourer here). You can get worked on sportsbike engines, eg the Honda CBF1000 has a detuned Fireblade engine, but they won’t produce the same peak power as they do in the original sportsbike.

As they say, there is no replacement for displacement, so you can fix your lower revs with a 1000cc donk. Your CBR600 should do 90-106hp depending on variant. A detuned 1000cc should be a bit more powerful and more torque, even if less revvy.

Personally I want to be able to look forward to riding my bike all day long, so bks to sportsbikes.

Edited by Iminquarantine on Monday 19th April 13:36