Thoroughly disappointed with a CBR600RR

Hi all,

Since the SV is getting on a bit I took an 07 CBR6RR for a test ride and was thoroughly disappointed. In my opinion a real disappointment as I had always liked the bike and had high expectations of it. Since I had a few hours spare this afternoon and the weather was good I took the SV to the local Honda garage to test ride a reasonably priced CBR600RR. 07 plate, 4000 miles, £4900 asking from Honda dealership.

THE GOOD:

The gearbox - smooth and slick
The clutch - did it job well and was really light.
The handling - It was pretty smooth but felt a bit out of touch with the road and what was going on.
Brakes - much better than the SV

THE BAD:

The engine - Crap - On the SV, you open the throttle and you go and you are pushed to the back of the seat rest. On the CBR600RR you have nothing, nothing and then suddenly you see 130mph on the clock.
Braking - no engine braking!
Steering - This electronic steering damper does all the steering work for you and felt artificial.

Overall, I felt the bike was definitively faster and handled better (just) than the SV. However, the lack of instant throttle response and the crisp acceleration was absent. It felt as you were less engaged in the ride and the bike did most of the riding for you. It was certainly less fun than the SV. I came off a few junctions and corners and the bike felt as if it was restricted. It also lulls you into a false sense of security i.e. It feels more controlled at higher speeds when the dangers at that speed are equal on the SV or a CBR.

NOW WHAT? Well since I don't like the CBR6RR what can the SV be replaced with? I think I may just modify the suspension on the SV instead as previously mentioned.

[fizzwheel]

Power and engine braking are there, you just didnt find them. You can't ride an SS600 like the SV you have to use the gearbox and keep the revs up.

Sounds like you want to try a Litre Twin or maybe an Bigger capacity IL4 like a 750 GSXR or a Litre IL4...

Or learn to re-adjust your riding style, it took me a little while to get used to my GSXR, but once you do, IMHO it much more rewarding to ride than the SV is.

you need to rev it more think two stroke.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Power and engine braking are there, you just didnt find them. You can't ride an SS600 like the SV you have to use the gearbox and keep the revs up.

Sounds like you want to try a Litre Twin or maybe an Bigger capacity IL4 like a 750 GSXR or a Litre IL4...

Or learn to re-adjust your riding style, it took me a little while to get used to my GSXR, but once you do, IMHO it much more rewarding to ride than the SV is.

How are you meant to ride it then? Do you ride around in 1st and 2nd year everywhere? I mean most of the time I will be on the road and would like instant response.

Do you feel your GSXR is less involving or more than the SV. I mean in the feedback you get through the controls?

gsxr different beast rather have one of those than a cbrrr.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by ricky_t

How are you meant to ride it then? Do you ride around in 1st and 2nd year everywhere? I mean most of the time I will be on the road and would like instant response.

Depends around town, 1st, 2nd, maybe 3rd. Twisty A / B roads, 3rd, 4th, 5th. Let the revs do the work. Keep it up above 7000rpm and it'll be very different to ride. Remember where the power begins to tail away on the SV is just where the power begins to come in on an SS600.

Originally Posted by ricky_t

Do you feel your GSXR is less involving or more than the SV. I mean in the feedback you get through the controls?

Its much more involving and rewarding to ride. I went back to my SV after I got my GSXR. My SV felt slow, dull and boring, whereas the GSXR feels alive.

But... that might be more to do with the different characteristics between the CBR and GSXR. Honda have a reputation for making bikes that are almost to good that have the edges rounded off and feel well a bit bland.

Maybe you want to try a GSXR, R6 or a Ninja and see how that makes you feel.

[Mr Speirs]

Ducati 1098. Thats what you want

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Depends around town, 1st, 2nd, maybe 3rd. Twisty A / B roads, 3rd, 4th, 5th. Let the revs do the work. Keep it up above 7000rpm and it'll be very different to ride. Remember where the power begins to tail away on the SV is just where the power begins to come in on an SS600.



Its much more involving and rewarding to ride. I went back to my SV after I got my GSXR. My SV felt slow, dull and boring, whereas the GSXR feels alive.

But... that might be more to do with the different characteristics between the CBR and GSXR. Honda have a reputation for making bikes that are almost to good that have the edges rounded off and feel well a bit bland.

Maybe you want to try a GSXR, R6 or a Ninja and see how that makes you feel.

Point taken.

I guess when the weather is good again, another trip to the dealers for a GSXR. It maybe myself taking it a bit easy/relaxed riding since it was not my bike. However it was much more comfortable than the SV.

A ducati is out of the question, I want a reliable fun bike that is less than £5k. Also, I can afford the insurance on a 600 but I couldn't on a thou.

could be the sv has spoiled you a bit too you dont really have to work at getting the power out of it have a go on a triple.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by ricky_t

A ducati is out of the question, I want a reliable fun bike that is less than £5k. Also, I can afford the insurance on a 600 but I couldn't on a thou.

I bet you could pick up a tidy Ducati 749S for that kind of budget. My other half has one ( e.d. on here ) I've ridden it alot and I like it. Its a faster, better suspended, better braked SV. 116bhp so its about the equivalent of an SS600. But it revs and revs like an IL4 does, but it will pull from much lower down the RPM range than a IL4 600 will.

Dont rule it out, maitenance isnt as expensive as you think. Servicing costs are about the same as my GSXR is only the servicing interval is longer.

But... I dont know if I would want to use it all year round. It'd be better as a 2nd bike. But wait for Pete and Lissa to tell you otherwise