Honda CBR600RR

Honda CBR600RR

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	Since 2003
Predecessor	Honda CBR600F4i
Class	Sport bike
Related	Honda CBR1000RR Honda RC211V Honda RC212V

The Honda CBR600RR is a 599 cc (36.6 cu in) sport motorcycle that was introduced by Honda in 2003 as a race replica version of Honda's CBRFx series motorcycles. It won every Supersport World Championship title from 2002 to 2008.

History

Racing roots

The CBR600RR was developed from and inspired by the Honda RC211V MotoGP bike. The similar physical appearance of the CBR600RR and RC211V was intentional. Underneath the bike were MotoGP technologies that were made available for the first time on a production motorcycle, such as the Unit Pro-Link rear suspension and Dual Stage Fuel Injection (PGM-DSFI). Both were taken directly from Honda's MotoGP bike. The RR, or race replica, suffix was added to emphasize racing characteristics such as an advanced braced swingarm, center-up exhaust system, and more aggressive riding position. The 2003 model carried over to 2004 technically unchanged, with only the addition of an oxygen sensor and new color schemes.

2005 revision

2006 CBR600RR

Unit Pro-Link swingarm

In 2005, the CBR600RR received a major revision with new bodywork, fully adjustable inverted front forks, race-inspired disc brakes with radial-mounted four-piston calipers, and an entirely new aluminum frame, swingarm and rear shock. The midrange power was also increased. These changes along with additional refinements to the engine and exhaust system all came together to bring CBR600RR's wet weight down by 22 lb (10.0 kg), and dry weight by 9 lb (4.1 kg)^[1][2][3] Except for new color schemes, the 2006 model was unchanged from the 2005 model.

2007 redesign

2007 CBR600RR at the International Motorcycle Show

On September 6, 2006, Honda revealed an all new CBR600RR for the 2007 model year.^[4]

Weight was the primary focus of the redesign. The result was a 20 lb (9.1 kg) reduction in dry weight over the 2006 model, from 361 lb (163.7 kg)^[3] to 341 lb (154.7 kg).^[3][6]

In redesigning the CBR600RR for lighter weight and increased performance, Honda's engineers started with the engine. The completely new engine was smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the designers having used careful positioning of all internal components to achieve significant reductions in the motor's length, width, and height, as well as reducing weight by 2 kg (4.4 lb) compared to the 2006 model's powerplant. Horsepower increased to about 105 hp (78 kW) measured in independent tests.^[7][8]

2007 CBR600RR at the International Motorcycle Show

The frame was lighter, slimmer, and more compact than that of the 2006 CBR600RR. The frame was produced using what Honda calls Fine Die-Cast (FDC) technology, which allowed them to build a lighter frame without compromising strength or rigidity. The handling of the new bike was sharpened by its 22 mm (0.87 in) shorter wheelbase, as well as by the designer's focus on strict mass centralization. Despite the shorter wheelbase, the 2007 model's swingarm was 5 mm (0.20 in) longer than that of the 2006, made possible by the more compact dimensions of the new bike's engine.

The suspension of the 2007 model was carried over almost unchanged from the 2006 bike, with the same 41 mm (1.61 in) inverted fork in front, and Honda's Unit Pro-Link rear suspension configuration damping the rear wheel. The new three-spoke cast aluminum wheels were also lighter than those on the 2006 bike, which further contributed to the enhanced performance of the suspension. The brakes featured dual radial-mount four-piston calipers and twin 310 mm (12.20 in) discs at the front, and a single-piston caliper and a 220 mm (8.66 in) disc at the rear. Hidden below the steering head was an updated version of the Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) system, which was also available on the CBR1000RR.

The smaller, sharper-edged new front upper fairing was dominated by the large central ram-air duct which fed the airbox through an opening in the steering head section of the frame and was separated from the sides of the fairing by a large gap which Honda said was for air management purposes. The tail-section was similarly smaller and sharper-edged, riding atop a heavily restyled under-seat muffler.

The motorcycle carried over with only color scheme changes for the 2008 model year.

Combined ABS prototype

On June 9, 2008, Honda revealed a CBR600RR prototype that featured an all new braking system branded as Combined ABS which integrated combined braking, anti-lock braking, and brake-by-wire systems.^[9] Combined ABS used a computer control unit to ensure the correct balance of front and rear brake use and also controlled when the ABS should engage. The system was designed to be as unobtrusive as possible by delaying the engagement of the ABS until the last possible moment. Combined ABS was not made available on the production 2008 CBR600RR.^[10][11]

2009 redesign

2010 Honda CBR600RR

On September 5, 2008, Honda introduced a revised CBR600RR for the 2009 model year.^[12] Combined ABS became available as an option. Other changes included updates to the engine such as changes to its pistons, cylinder head and exhaust that Honda claims will increase torque delivery between 8,000-12,000 rpm with a 3.5% increase in torque at 10,000 rpm. The CBR600RR’s engine also received a new high resistance valve lifter and a popup valve system inherited from the CBR1000RR. Included also are improved fairings that enhanced stability and reduce noise emission levels, and new color schemes which were designed to attract a wider range of riders. Although all of these changes involved the addition of some materials, the overall weight of the 2009 CBR600RR remained the same as the 2008 model. This was achieved through weight savings in the engine, exhaust, and chassis.

The 2009 CBR600RR carried over with only color scheme changes for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 model years.

The 2013 CBR600RR includes new 12-spoke wheels, revised ECU settings, and a fine-tuned ram-air system to increase torque. It also gets a new “Big Piston” fork and retuned rear shock in a new bodywork.^[13] Three color schemes are available, including one in the MotoGP’s Repsol livery. The other two are red and tricolor. Another significant change is the newly designed front end, which makes it stand out from the earlier models.

Competition

2007

For the 2007 model year, the CBR600RR competed with the Ducati 749, a completely redesigned Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, the Suzuki GSX-R600, the Triumph Daytona 675, and the Yamaha YZF-R6. Shootout comparisons by motorcycle magazines consistently awarded the CBR600RR first place in the super sport class.^[14] Major print and online publishers praise the bike for its powerful engine and class-leading light weight.^[15]

2008

For the 2008 model year, the CBR600RR continued to compete with the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, a revised Suzuki GSX-R600, the Triumph Daytona 675, and a Yamaha R6. Even with no technical changes from the 2007 model, the CBR600RR continued to win middleweight shootouts including Sport Rider's middle weight shootout,^[16] Motorcycle-USA's middleweight comparison,^[17] and Motorcycle.com's middleweight comparison.^[18]

Racing

As of 2010, in the Supersport World Championship, the CBR600 has claimed seven out of eight titles since its introduction in 2003, whilst also helping Honda to eight manufacturers crowns since 2003.

Specifications

Awards

• 2003 Best Sportbike, Motorcyclist^[37]
• 2003 Machine of the Year, Motor Cycle News^[38]
• Machine of The Year 2007, Bike^[39]
• 2007 Supersport Shootout Winner, Motorcycle-USA.com^[40]
• 2007 Best Middleweight Sportbike, Motorcycle-USA.com^[41]
• 2008 Middleweight Smackdown Winner, Sport Rider^[16]
• 2008 Supersport Shootout Winner, Motorcycle-USA.com^[42]
• 2008 Supersport Shootout Winner, Motorcycle.com^[18]
• 2009 Best Sportsbike under 600cc: Honda CBR600RR C-ABS, Motor Cycle News^[43]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Honda CBR600RR.

• 2011 Honda CBR600RR official Honda page
• Honda CBR600RR reviews by Motor Cycle News
• Official CBR600RR press releases