View Full Version : CBR600RR
Right, my SV is now completely dead! Gearbox is shagged and it is not going anywhere.
Ive looked at my 1000c v-twin options and there is'nt anything really for me (i.e high insurance, running cost, etc) unless i get another SV650 which i think is a brilliant bike. So therefore it looks like i'm taking a trip to the dark side. Ive seen a red/black cbr6rr-4 '53 plate with datatool sys3 alarm going for £5400 at my local dealer. Anyone know if this is anygood? :-k
I have Got a test ride tomorrow because this is when my 2yr restriction is up (Weehay, at last)! :D
Ive pretty much decided to go for the honda because most people rave that they are bullet proof and it looks the tits. And with my bike recking record i think its a safe bet. LOL! :lol:
I'm Just asking you lot what experiences youve had and what i should expect from the bike. This is becuase my dad has riden it (because he's allowed! :hackedoff: ), said that it feels like a slug pulling off and he's not too sure if i'll like it compared to my sv. :?
Thanks in advance, $i
Only riding it yourself will give you the answer. A very capable machine, but you'll have to give it plenty of revs to get it going, unlike the instant thrust forward of the SV. It's well built with Honda quality and the engine by all accounts is bullet-proof.
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wheelnut
07-08-05, 12:38 PM
I would be very surprised if the insurance is lower than an SV1000 though.
I looked at one but the seat is too high for my lickle legs :P
What I thought when I test rode one.
First impression sitting on the bike. It's small. Fine for me, as I am about 5'7". You also feel like you are sat on the bike rather than in it. Try one and you will see what I mean when you compare it to the SV. It is also taller in the saddle than the SV. The pegs are also really high. The seating position really curls you up into a ball. Saying that, I never felt really cramped whilst on the move and I didn't have any wrist pain even after the ride.
Pulling away was no drama. Few thousand RPM's and we're off. Get around the corner and give it some welly. Where's the grunt??? There ain't none. Bottom and mid-range seem quite weak. However, persist with the throttle and when you get higher in the RPM range it all takes off. 10k's and the thing is starting to fly. Gear change light comes on and I snick it into 2nd (no clutch), carry on giving it the berries and by the time you snick 3rd you are well over the ton mark.
Coming to the end of the dual carriage way and a grab a handful of brake. Whhhoooaaaa! One word! Awesome. This is how brakes should be. The bike feels like it is on it's nose, but it is so composed. Stops in a dead straight line. Absolutely phenomenal front brakes. This is top of the list of things I will take away with me from this test ride. The rear brake on the other hand might just as well not be there. It has no feel and no stopping power at all. Only use is for keeping the brake light lit while you are waiting at a junction.
If you want to hustle the bike you have to ride it like a two stroke. 8 - 9k plus ALL THE TIME, otherwise when you open it up there is not the instant acceleration that you want. With 15,000 rpm to play with this isn't too much of a problem, but it does make the bike feel very buzzy. Engine braking is minimal although with brakes as good as this it doesn't matter. It really is a pleasure to squeeze the lever.
The suspension is really firm, but doesn't seem to jar much. The springs must be quite stiff, but the compression damping seems perfect, certainly for the B roads that I was riding. The forks never felt like they were packing down either and the bottom out (if there was any) was unnoticeable. For me the compression and rebound were perfect and I didn't feel the need to tweak it at all to make the ride better. Maybe a click or two for track use.
The suspension makes the bike feel very "flickable" through quick changes in direction, going from laying down on the right to laying down on the left with absolutely no hesitation. Minimum muscle is needed to get it turned in. Very confidence inspiring as the tyres and suspension work well together to make the bike feel absolutely planted. When you are on the gas there seems to be very little weight transfer, but the CBR just takes off.
It is really easy to go fast on this bike and the top end is addictive. I had 160mph showing on the digital clocks (private land officer). Once you are in the power band IT PULLS, but you have to keep it there.
I struggled to get the CBR to power wheelie because it makes it's power so high up the rev range, but give it a bit of clutch are you can get the front up. I can't wheelie for toffee, but on this bike with no experience you don't feel scared to try.
Time to go back to the dealer. Was I sorry to see it go? Well yes of course I was. Would I buy it? Dunno! I would like to try the ZX6R first and then make a decision.
Jumped back on the SV for the ride home. God it felt slow! At the start of this little write up I said "where is the bottom and mid range on the CBR"? I think it is there, but in comparison with the top end it feels weak. In a straight comparison with the SV it is fine.
The SV also felt long and cumbersome where the CBR felt compact and lithe. The SV is "fluffy" where the CBR is sharp!
Bottom line is, do not test ride this bike (or similar 600 class bike) unless you are part exchanging your SV for it. The SV is a great bike, but now I really want a sports 600.
One day!
Tigerrrr.......
07-08-05, 01:59 PM
The red/black CBR600RR has got to be one of the sexiest bikes on the road.....in my opinion.
Test rode one and loved it. Not sure I'd want to trade in my SV for one, though, as I love my SV.
A fantastic choice of bike, but only in the red/black!
Grrr...
kwak zzr
07-08-05, 03:40 PM
ive had a cbr for a few years and yes its right what ppl say "built well,reliable,looks great,goes like stink" but i got a little bored of it being too perfect if you know what i mean? i could afford a bigger bike than the sv so its not cost why i got one,my sv is a charming bike to ride with loads of carecter and after owning many 600 il4s i think "v" twin is the way to go for me. my next bike will be a BIG "v" twin :twisted:
I originally bought my SV with the intention of using it as a stepping stone to build up my NCB and get a sports IL4.
That seemed all well and good at the time but I am starting to wonder now.
On a twisty B road the SV and my old Bandit are quick to the point that you can never really use their full acceleration without taking a unacceptable risk. Sure on an empty dual carriagway you can get quite bored of them (if you don't mind losing your driving licence) but I am starting to question whether if I got something ridiculous like a GSXR1000 I would actually be able to ride it any quicker than I do now? I mean if I can't use 100% of the SV or Bandits straight line speed 95% of the time is there any point in getting a "faster" bike?
On a twisty B road the SV and my old Bandit are quick to the point that you can never really use their full acceleration without taking a unacceptable risk.
I certainly wouldn't agree with that. The SV is definitely quick (up to a point) but another 30 BHP would be very nice, hence my desire for the SV1000.
Sure on an empty dual carriagway you can get quite bored of them (if you don't mind losing your driving licence) but I am starting to question whether if I got something ridiculous like a GSXR1000 I would actually be able to ride it any quicker than I do now? I mean if I can't use 100% of the SV or Bandits straight line speed 95% of the time is there any point in getting a "faster" bike?
If you're not using everything the SV has now and you can't find much wrong with it, then why buy something else?
All it really needs, in the real world, is better brakes, better suspension and another 20 BHP. And it's simply cheaper and easier to achieve that by swapping for an SV1000 than by going the modifying route.
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Lost_identity
07-08-05, 08:13 PM
sorry to put a downer on this guys but a cbr6 rr ridden by a rider of equal skill to a guy on an sv650 the sv will be left for dead everytime. My advice to you buy the cbr6 rr and welcome yourself to the world of real "sports" bikes rather than budget street sports.
Erm, who was that posting then?
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kwak zzr
07-08-05, 08:52 PM
guy on ere said the thou aint all its cracked up to be the 650 shud be plenty on b roads, i cant see the thou going quicker. and mr lost identity ive had a cbr and yes it is quicker but you are indeed reving the nutts off it the sv's low down grunt would pull you out of the tight twistys as quick as the cbr,infact while the cbr rider is playing with his gear box going down the cog's to 2nd the sv rider could leave it in 4th and just go(while your clutch is in you've got no drive!) the cbr would leave the sv for dead on a straight tho.have you ridden both?
sorry to put a downer on this guys but a cbr6 rr ridden by a rider of equal skill to a guy on an sv650 the sv will be left for dead everytime. My advice to you buy the cbr6 rr and welcome yourself to the world of real "sports" bikes rather than budget street sports.
Not at the lights it wont :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol:
tbh, Hondas are not entirely bullet proof. I know 2 people who have managed to destroy their CBRs and not by having a crash but by mechanically damaging them. It takes an awful lot to do it but it can be done.
Personally, given the choice between the CBR and the SV Id take the SV any day. As kwak zzr has said, its perfect to the point I found the CBR and the CBF I had very bland. Typical Honda clinical handlng, running etc. The SV just oozes character that the CBR just didnt have.
The CBR just wasnt my thing. I dont want an out and out fast bike, I want something that handles, is fun and has character. 10/10 for the SV on that score but 3/10 for the CBR. It wasnt really fun to me. Sorry but I dont feel the need to go 100mph+ everywhere so the bikes performance which is why most love it is lost on me. And Ill freely admit that.
Oh and btw, an IL4 can sound good with a good can on but it will NEVER sound as good as a v twin with a good can on :twisted:
kwak zzr
07-08-05, 09:05 PM
i'll second that! ive ridden loads of bikes!
i've gone from a k1 sv to a cbr f-sport back to the sv k5 and in the real world i don't think there is much in it until it gets to silly speeds then the cbr will be the best, when i had my k1 it kept up with my mates on gixer6,750 kwak zx6, r6.
i could'nt get to grips with thrashing the nuts off it all the time to go anywere it constantly had to be above 7k for anything to happen were as the sv will pull from idle, and i have done quotes for 1000 twins and 600 sports bikes and they are both about the same unless you go for sp's, milles, ducati's. sv 1000, firestorm etc should be the same
i've gone from a k1 sv to a cbr f-sport back to the sv k5 and in the real world i don't think there is much in it until it gets to silly speeds then the cbr will be the best, when i had my k1 it kept up with my mates on gixer6,750 kwak zx6, r6.
i could'nt get to grips with thrashing the nuts off it all the time to go anywere it constantly had to be above 7k for anything to happen were as the sv will pull from idle, and i have done quotes for 1000 twins and 600 sports bikes and they are both about the same unless you go for sp's, milles, ducati's. sv 1000, firestorm etc should be the same
yep, you can still lose your licence on the SV... but a whole lot easier on the CBR. I tended to find Id be at a ton ahem and a gear to go on the CBR and it just wanted to keep going faster [on my private track of course :wink: :lol: :lol: ]. Another plus for the SV... its easier for me to control my right wrist on it :lol: :lol: :lol:
kwak zzr
07-08-05, 09:31 PM
if you cant scare yourself on an sv on twisty lanes there's something wrong :twisted: and think when was the last time you exceeded 140? cuz ive only done it twice in 9 years!
i recon you will love it.
but just remember, that cos its an inline 4 - its designed to be ridden between 5-9 thousand revs (thats the mid range, any lower and you will be labouring the engine a bit)
as you like your track days - the RR is a great choice i think :)
try it and see what you think :)
just out of interest . . .how did you get a test ride ?
i havent ever been offered a test ride on a bike im interested in. . .
(i am thinking of taking the SV1000 out for a test ride - as i am looking out for a new bike mabe :))
Peter Henry
07-08-05, 10:23 PM
The difficult thing about contemplating a new bike or test riding one that is different from the one you own already......is that you largely spend your time comparing what you already know and love as opposed to changing your mind set and just mentally starting with a clean sheet in order to give the new bike a chance.
The Honda IL4's are absolutely ace bikes let no-one be mistaken about that.But expect all the characteristics from it that you get from an SV and of course you will be dissapointed. They are extremely different pieces of machinery.
I do think it perhaps going a little too far for people to suggest a budget bike is far superior to a leading edge Mid sports bike,purely due to the ride being different than what they are used to. :? 8)
Nice write up Scoobs, thanks for that. gave me a good idea on what to expect from it.
i recon you will love it.
but just remember, that cos its an inline 4 - its designed to be ridden between 5-9 thousand revs (thats the mid range, any lower and you will be labouring the engine a bit)
as you like your track days - the RR is a great choice i think :)
try it and see what you think :)
just out of interest . . .how did you get a test ride ?
i havent ever been offered a test ride on a bike im interested in. . .
(i am thinking of taking the SV1000 out for a test ride - as i am looking out for a new bike mabe :))
Well, ive put a refundable deposit of £100 down on it. Depending on how well i enjoy the test ride, will depend on whether i buy it. Think ive got to pay the first £2000 though if i bin it. Eeeek! :shock: Also ive got to have the two blokes from the shop with me aswell
If i dont like it then it looks like another brand new svs for me! Ive Sat on the SV1000SZ and it felt too long, too upright and quite heavy. I know i didnt test ride it but i didnt feel comfortable sitting on it. Sat on the New Aprilia RSV factory, now thats the bike i would get if i had enough money. And this CBR6RR i felt at home on. Just going to see what the engine performance is like before i buy. I would prefer a twin but theres nothing really out there that fits into my criteria.
Anyways, thanks guys. will let you know how i get on and will keep you posted. well fingers crossed. 8-[
if you cant scare yourself on an sv on twisty lanes there's something wrong :twisted: and think when was the last time you exceeded 140? cuz ive only done it twice in 9 years!
I quite agree. I do not and cannot push my SV to 100% on B roads because unlike the DAS boys on their R1's I have something called "experience" - and the more I get the slower I go. Anyone that needs a full on sports bike so they can go faster down such roads will surely be heading for an early grave.
Naturally if you do buy a proper sports bike you can put on your rossi replica leathers and join the DAS boys hammering up and down the dual carriageway every Sunday morning but thats not what biking is about. Fair play to those that attend track days though, thats what those bikes are for.
There are a few home truths that are painful to face up to but it must be done. I think there is an ego issue, if you interview people doing DAS tests you can bet most of them plan on buying some IL4 sports bike with a fair few going straight for the one litre big boys. The truth is that most of the people that own such bikes can't ride them to save their lives, yet upon buying one they immediately proclaim themselves to be leading experts and godlike riders. The truth is that they probably have experienced riders on ER5's going around the outside of them on bends but naturally their bikes only leave the garage a few days a year and most of the time they are just giving it the big talk down the pub.
In fairness I will probably buy a "proper sports bike". It will be a litre model though as I don't feel the 600's would have enough grunt. I also admit that I will be buying it for prestige, image, bragging rights and because its just plain nice to own such a machine. If I said I was buying one to "go faster" then I'd be kidding myself. With bikes and cars I have found that as my vehicles get quicker I actually find myself riding/driving slower. I was far quicker on my CD175 at age 18 than I am now on my SV over a decade later but I'd like to think that my life expectency has been extended.
On public roads I have done 130 once in my car and never been over 110 on a bike. My heart would take the CBR600 over the SV everytime but common sense tells me that it is pointless and I might as well save up for the be all and end all.
SVeeedy Gonzales
08-08-05, 01:14 PM
i recon you will love it.
but just remember, that cos its an inline 4 - its designed to be ridden between 5-9 thousand revs
So's the SV650, if you feel like it :twisted:
The main reason i mite be getting this bike is because over 100 the sv starts die'ing so it was hard to keep up with my local IAM group on 1000cc fireblades, pans etc on a recent trip to france. apart from in the corners. plus i do a lot of trackdays, have 27,000 miles under my belt (in the last 3 yrs), and passing my IAM at 17 means I cant be that much of a bad rider can I?
If anyones refering to me as a bloke thats just passed his das and thinks just because i'm getting a supersports 600 i fit into the criteria of 'Mad Heads' i would appreciate it if you would not.
I have had my svsk3 for 2 years and truthfully i love the bike, but i am getting bored of it. ive taken it to its limits on the track and seen what it can do and its a very capable machine. Nothing on the road could really take it to these limits so as a road bike it is very hard to beat. trust me i'm looking. I just fancied a change, as i'm sure every one does once in a while. Thanks, Si
rant over :rant:
Balky001
08-08-05, 01:47 PM
As many have said before, don't try and compare the SV with a supersport as both have different strengths. Of course, the SV is built to a tighter budget which you can will feel when riding a supersport, but it's about the most fun you can have for £4000 new.
A lot of riders talk about outright speed and acceleration as being the deciding factor when purchasing a supersport (and hence they don't wont one if they are not getting 100% out of their current bike). Anyone that's had a good ride on a SS will tell you whilst that might be partially true, its the stability in the corner and on the brakes as well as the overall handling that blows most people away first time they ride one - cranked over at a reasonable speed and the bikes don't move and are much easier to lean and hold or change to a tighter line purely down to the set up of the bikes (it feels safer at the same speed). You don't need to be going 20 or 30mph faster all the time than a street bike to get the same enjoyment.
Lost_identity
08-08-05, 03:37 PM
sorry guys but bthe only reason i ride an sv650 is due to budget. If i had the cash i would ride one of the last of the carb'd R6's. Yes that would be grand. I prefer inline fours im afraid but the sv is indeed the fastest bike for the money paid, from new at least.
SVeeedy Gonzales
08-08-05, 03:45 PM
sorry guys but bthe only reason i ride an sv650 is due to budget. If i had the cash i would ride one of the last of the carb'd R6's. Yes that would be grand. I prefer inline fours im afraid but the sv is indeed the fastest bike for the money paid, from new at least.
Why not go for a second hand IL4? Some great deals out there.
New (parallel import) R6's are going for £4395 according to this months Ride magazine (though they neglect to say where - cheers guys!) making the R6 cheaper than a full price SVS :shock:
Loads of unsold B2H (is that k4? B1H was k3 wasn't it?) ZX6R's out there going for £4999 or thereabouts too.
OK so there's the insurance, etc. as well, but it's doable.
I went for an SV again because I like what it has and I don't feel I need an IL4 (yet! - maybe in a year or two, if and when the SV gets boring)
Peter Henry
08-08-05, 04:30 PM
Toy Pop....
There is some valid comment in your post but some generalisation which I feel is bound to p*ss many that have gone the DAS route off!
I love many other bikes,(after all there are some superb bikes out there of all makes and types)but just the thrill of speed is not all I seek after so many years on the road.
I decided on something a little,(in my mind)special,something with character,yes a certain amount of kudos and most importantly something that handles extremely well and has great push out of bends. I do believe that this bike is making me a better rider also in a strange way and this does not mean I ride like a Granny by any means! :lol: 8)
Personally my car is due for replacement in 2 years time at which point instead of buying another £16k car I will get an £8k car and spend the difference on a 750 or 1000cc sports bike.
If I get a 600 I know after a few months I will wish I had got the thousand as the same justifications thats warrant buying an IL4 600 over the SV apply to the 1000 v 600 IL4.
If you want an IL4 600 because you can go quicker than an SV then obviously you will prefer the 1000 more.
If you are buying the IL4 600 for pose value (that would be my case) then you will also prefer the 1000.
Thats just my personal view of course. Its cheaper to run an SV whilst I save for a thousand as opposed to the 600 IL4 sports bike - I'd be wasting £800 a year more on insurance for a start! Also until I get the thousand I will never be happy.
Jelster
08-08-05, 04:36 PM
Toypop, what planet are you on (or from) mate ? I'm trying to keep my "ego" under control but your post is utter crap....
Naturally if you do buy a proper sports bike you can put on your rossi replica leathers and join the DAS boys hammering up and down the dual carriageway every Sunday morning but thats not what biking is about. Fair play to those that attend track days though, thats what those bikes are for.
The truth is that most of the people that own such bikes can't ride them to save their lives, yet upon buying one they immediately proclaim themselves to be leading experts and godlike riders. The truth is that they probably have experienced riders on ER5's going around the outside of them on bends but naturally their bikes only leave the garage a few days a year and most of the time they are just giving it the big talk down the pub.
I had 13 months on an SV (curvey) after I passed my DAS. During which time I did 17k miles. I decided I would like something a bit bigger as I found I was hitting the limiter far too often on the SV. I decided a big twin was in order and got myself a Falco; 6 months later (and 7k miles) I decided that I'd had enough of it letting me down (electrics) and I needed to replace it.
I decided to try an IL4, a K4 GSXR60, which I loved, and rode almost every day, took to France on numerous occasions and again, clocked up 19k+ miles in 18 months.
I don't consider that to be a weekend sports bike, and I know of people who do far more miles than me on their Sportsbikes, and there are also a lot of SV owners who only ever get 3-5k a year....
Agreed some sports riders cannot "live up" to their machines (me included now I have a FireBlade) but for some it is a matter of preference. I have owned both, twins and fours, and at this time in my life I prefer the latter.
But, while on this topic.... on the way back from Brands yesterday I got held up a number of times by people that couldn't filter on the M25. The 2 which really stick in my mind is the blue pointy SV650 2 up and the silver SV1000N which was having a problem with 4ft gaps.
Sounds to me like you're the one with the ego problem, trying to justify why you have a small one (twin that is).
.
Anyways people, Ive gone and done it. Test rode the rr today and absolutely loved it. picking my red/black cbr6rr 53' plate tomorrow at 12:30. cant wait. :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/
Cheers for all the help and advice that you lot have given me.
Will post some pics soon, keep you posted.
R.I.P SVSk3.
Jelster
08-08-05, 06:58 PM
We have another on the Dark Side....
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Anyways people, Ive gone and done it. Test rode the rr today and absolutely loved it. picking my red/black cbr6rr 53' plate tomorrow at 12:30. cant wait. :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/
Cheers for all the help and advice that you lot have given me.
Will post some pics soon, keep you posted.
R.I.P SVSk3.
no worries - you owe me a ride on it tho ;)
i wish i had the height to ride one . .. the only thing that stopped me from getting one (cant touch down properly on it)
BTW - get yourself over to http://www.cbr-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php and say hello.
Anyways people, Ive gone and done it. Test rode the rr today and absolutely loved it. picking my red/black cbr6rr 53' plate tomorrow at 12:30. cant wait. :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/
Cheers for all the help and advice that you lot have given me.
Will post some pics soon, keep you posted.
R.I.P SVSk3.
no worries - you owe me a ride on it tho ;)
i wish i had the height to ride one . .. the only thing that stopped me from getting one (cant touch down properly on it)
Sure m8, i will! Thats if i ever meet you that is, but i'm sure i will at some point. :wink:
Anyways people, Ive gone and done it. Test rode the rr today and absolutely loved it. picking my red/black cbr6rr 53' plate tomorrow at 12:30. cant wait. :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/ :D :D \:D/
I am SOOOOOoooo ****ing jealous!
too right lee. i'm well up for a blat! :D .
i'll let u have a go if you want. As long as we dont go any where near that left hander. only joking :lol:
my mate got some laser pipes made up for his RR, they look amazing - similar to the sprint but much louder.
now im really getting jelous.
JonToms
09-08-05, 08:46 AM
i'll let u have a go if you want. As long as we dont go any where near that left hander. only joking :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Si you spawney git !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome bike !!!!
Looks like a que of people wanting a ride ! Let me know if your around 1 evening this week, could meet up for a ride, maybe even finish the ride to box hill this time !!!!!
Not tempting Fate !!!! eeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk :shock:
Jamesv650
09-08-05, 07:19 PM
nice one mate, had a test ride on one myself, liked it alot, wud b very good for track days, but i just didnt fancy it! i want some thing more, something that had the pull from low down as the sv but high end like the cbr 6rr, therefore gsxr600k6 ;) will find out wat shes like in oct!
Si you spawney git !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Looks like a que of people wanting a ride ! Let me know if your around 1 evening this week, could meet up for a ride, maybe even finish the ride to box hill this time !!!!!
Not tempting Fate !!!! eeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk :shock:
Just give me a bell. cant do thurs because ive got footy, and fri i'm probably out on the p*ss. but wheneva, even if you wanna go out for just an hr or 2. Defo. up for next week tho :D !
eeeeeek :shock: !
nice one mate, had a test ride on one myself, liked it alot, wud b very good for track days, but i just didnt fancy it! i want some thing more, something that had the pull from low down as the sv but high end like the cbr 6rr, therefore gsxr600k6 will find out wat shes like in oct!
Cheers :thumbsup:. I was thinking of a gixxer but ive ridden my friends k4 and just didnt trust the front end as much as the cbr. The CBR handles Awesome, no worries with it wot so ever.
Getting used to the power at the moment , its a lot different to my twin. but loving every second on it. :D .
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Peter Henry
11-08-05, 07:55 AM
its a lot different to my twin. but loving every second on it.
maybe more people should bare this comment in mind! :lol: 8)
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