Calling all supersport riders...

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

try hunts honda in manchester. They need phoning up the day before to arrange insurance though.

Hunts is where i'm going.

Could probably scrape the cash together for a newer model but the insurance goes up. Oddly, the insurance goes up between an '03 and '04 despite no model changes and the same given value. Hmmmm...

Very tempted by the ZX636R's but they're only going for a few hundred quid lower and the insurance is more.

Beat me to it - I was going to say try Hunt's. I bought an SV from them a few years ago and they were spot on, and more than happy for me to test ride it Good luck!

Originally Posted by andyaikido

Hiya, Scoobs.

Just want to check if there are any known faults with the 03 CBR-RR. Saw something about a rear brake recall on the CBR forum but the link to the affected frame numbers didn't work.

Also, what to do on the test ride. Does it pop out of a particular gear if the engine's been abused?

Or am I right to believe the hype that all Hondas are perfect?

There is a spherical rod end bearing on the rear brake lever. It was made of monkey metal that disintigrated in the wet If it is grey in colour, it is the old one and will be replaced free of charge by any Honda dealer. If it is gold you have got a goodun.

My bike gets ragged on a regular basis, but it still feels tight and no real niggles. There are no clonks or rattles when you go over bumps or owt like that. There are plenty around so hold out for a good one. If it looks like it hasn't been looked after, then walk away.

Edit:

One little niggle. Check the reset button on the clocks. There is a little plastic rod underneath the rubber button which presses a button on the PCB. This has a habit of dropping out if you press the button too hard. That really is my only niggle and I had to think hard to remember that. It is a lovely bike and it handles superbly.

Edit (again):

It does 78 in first so if you get knicked you are going to be going fast. You can't help it though. With a decent can at full revs the thing is addictive.

Test rode it today.

Loved the brakes and engine and it's not nearly as uncomfortable as I thought it would (but the screen is a bit of a joke for a 6 footer).

Handling was a bit odd though. I was a bit wobbly at low speeds but I guess that's just me getting used to the lower bars. It felt really stable but seemed reluctant to turn, taking more effort than my SV.

I noticed there was a lot of rings showing on the front preload (4 or 5 rings) so maybe the previous owner had set it up badly. Or is this how these bikes feel? Did get it turning better after a while using more countersteering but I was expecting the steering to be much quicker than the SV.

I enjoyed it but definately not getting the one I rode. The engine and brakes felt good but it was pretty tatty, little chips and scratches all over, chain and sprockets shagged and mini indicators on the front (but not the back???).

Hunt's said it would be valeted but I'm not willing to stick a deposit down untill i've seen exactly what i'm getting.

The search carries on...

[fizzwheel]

It should on my experience turn much faster than the SV does and with less effort. So somethings not quite right there from the sounds of it.

Can you get a test ride on another and compare the two ?

[Biker Biggles]

Good decision.At that sort of price nothing less than perfect nick is good enough.Time to shop around.

Originally Posted by andyaikido

Test rode it today.

1. but the screen is a bit of a joke for a 6 footer

2. I was a bit wobbly at low speeds but I guess that's just me getting used to the lower bars.

3. It felt really stable but seemed reluctant to turn, taking more effort than my SV.

4. I noticed there was a lot of rings showing on the front preload (4 or 5 rings) so maybe the previous owner had set it up badly. Or is this how these bikes feel?

5. Did get it turning better after a while using more countersteering but I was expecting the steering to be much quicker than the SV.

1. Agree totally
2. Could be the sports tyre profiles or the front was low on pressure?
3. Can't understand this - I was shocked how quick itbturned comapred to the sv
4. Standard setup for road is 4 or 5 rings visible. Remember these bikes also have rebound, compression and preload.
5. Again - I'm very skeptical - they turn much quicker tha the sv. Poss tyre pressures with it sitting in the showroom?

If it helps I have 2 cbrs - a m reg cbr600f and a new purchased 2003 cbr600f3i If you're tall (6'1)then from my experience you'll be far better of with the 600f. Comfy, good looking and as much power you'll ever need. Only complaint is the flat spot at 5k but apparently a new can will help (mine's is stock). It flicks and turns superbly round the twisties. I just gelled with mine.

I had the rr out for an extended test but I found it too small and cramped personally. (The gsxr600 was pretty much the same for me). For everyday use it is very uncomfortable - try a couple of hours in the saddle and you'll have the numbest ar5e on the planet. Compared to the 600f you have to cane it all the time. Tankslappers common apparently so damper is advised The 07's have electronic dampers fitted as standard.

[northwind]

Yeah, I don't get the slow steering either... Just a bad suspension setup shouldn't really do that either, unless the geometry's waaaay off. It didn't have an aftermarket damper on it? Or lowered rear end or somesuch? I've not ridden the older CBR6s, just an F from, oh, 2004 or thereabouts... Didn't turn quite as fast as my SV, but much faster than a standard one, even though it was on roundy tyres (Sportecs) The transitions, like exiting a roundabout hard, were quicker too- again, not as fast as my SV but definately more stable.

Going from the SV to the CBR I found that the CBR won't let you get away with not properly countersteering. Perhaps that's why you found the turning slow? (assuming none of the previous suggestions hold true and the tyres weren't squared). It's push/pull all the way.

Originally Posted by northwind

Yeah, I don't get the slow steering either... Just a bad suspension setup shouldn't really do that either, unless the geometry's waaaay off. It didn't have an aftermarket damper on it? Or lowered rear end or somesuch? I've not ridden the older CBR6s, just an F from, oh, 2004 or thereabouts... Didn't turn quite as fast as my SV, but much faster than a standard one, even though it was on roundy tyres (Sportecs) The transitions, like exiting a roundabout hard, were quicker too- again, not as fast as my SV but definately more stable.

I gotta have me a go on yours northy.

Been thinking about this and it could be a steering damper (was one fitted?) or possibly race tyres like pilot race. These "feel" like they turn slower at low speeds and tend to track all the imperfections in the road surface.