Too Much Bike? - CBR600 Sport

[Springbok_Rider]

Hi Guys,

I have my full test lined up and as you do, have been dreaming away on ebay and searching the forums trying to find the ideal bike.

The CBR400 has been my dream bike for years (27 now and finally getting round to getting my full license - not too much experience apart from a little off road), but I do fancy long road trips and have been advised that a 600 is better. Obviously the Fireblade is as close to looks as I can get for a bigger bike, but a bad idea.

Some here do advise the CBR600 as a first big bike, but I really don't like the look of the older models. How do the slightly newer CBR600 sport models fare for inexperienced riders (albeit older)? Below is an example in my price range that I like the look of (minus the can).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CBR-600-SPORT-MOTORCYCLE-/310447117436?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item484817147c#ht_520wt_1037

Not sure which F# model this is.

I'm also 5'7 with a 30/31 inch inseam so guess I would need to lower it, make it more saggier, or shave the seat to flat foot it (would prefer this while I build my experience).

All advice appreciated.

Antony.

P.S. As advised by others on here and after reading countless threads, an SV650 is the leading contender for the sensible alternative.

[CaNsA]

Thats a cracking bike.

MTFU and get on it.

/thread

[Walloper]

[UnknownStuntm...]

[Knightsy]

[Springbok_Rider]

Lol, looks like I've found a keeper!

And thanks for the additional info on height etc.

[Bendy]

You shouldn't need to lower that with your leg length.

[hellbound]

I just bought a 2000 model of this, much more refined than the Ninja was and good for round town as well has hooning it!
____________________
May you always see the road rising up to meet you and your enemies defeated in the mirror behind.

[c_dug]

Im 29/30 inch leg and have no problem on any standard bikes getting my feet down on both sides. Only thing I ever struggled on was a WR250 off-road.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[janner_10]

The cbr is tame below 7k or so - don't ride like a dick and you wont have any problems at all.

Good bikes too
____________________
Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[Walloper]

[Musketeer]

GET IT
____________________
Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

[ijmok]

I got my CBR 600FY 2 weeks ago, having passed beginning of Sept, first bike too,

It’s tame as long as your gentle, but Fook it moves when you poke it

The right/wrong side of 7K is one hell of a ride,

That said I took it 1.5h down to Newport on Saturday, and it was a dream

Get on it man, you'll love it!!

[RichieZX6R]

I've owned a CBR F4 injection 05 plate model for a few years. Fantastic bike with lots of power available if needed but capable of poodling around if needed.

Never felt like it wanted to kick me off or kill me. Very user friendly with no fuel tap or reserve tank to worry about. Reserve warned me when i had about 20-30 miles left and had a little fuel bar that went from 4 down to 0.

Seat height wasn't a problem for me at 6ft but i changed the screen to a double bubble as i couldn't see the top of the clocks if i sat a little more upright.

I got around 120 miles from a tank with mostly town work. Seen upto 160 miles on longer runs though.

Only sold it to get some family saloon for the kids. Very sad to watch it ride away with some one else!

HTH
____________________
Current: Kawazaki ZX6R 51
Past: Kawazaki ZX6R 96 - Honda CBR 600F4 05 - Dragstar 125 02 - Honda CB 400 SF 94 - Honda NSR 125 51 - Gilera Runner XV125 04

[miles]

Im picking up my first bike this week and its a cbr600 Havent even done my test yet!

[miles]

Im picking up my first bike this week and its a cbr600 Havent even done my test yet!

[Springbok_Rider]

Thanks for all the responses, I don't think many bikes get such a one sided vote. Feel like a kid waiting for Christmas now, roll on Mod 2!

[sidewinder]

Good bike test rode a slightly older one today very easy to ride and feels very stable and safe Don't forget that the suspension will compress a little when you sit on it.At your height about the same as me it'll be perfect you.


Good luck with mod 2
____________________
"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[_Iain_]

Having ridden a CBR600RR recently, unrestricted thats FAR too much bike for a new rider.

Handling wise nice and safe sure, but the way the thing takes off & the overall sharpness of well, everything. Plus the fact that it takes off like scalded cat around 7-8k.

OP's not ridden anything above about 14bhp, to go from that straight to 110+bhp, right when the roads are starting to get realy slippery etc is an accident waiting to happen!! Honestly, SV650, 500 twin, 600 diversion, something cack and around 60-70 bhp max, even if you flog it on after a few months (SV650 & CB500 would be easiest to sell on i belive - more so the SV) Get used to the power, enjoy the good MPG, cheapness of repairs etc & not having to worry about it getting ruined over winter.

Plus, ask paddy about insuring one
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[J.M.]

[stonesie]

The F-sport and RR are different animals, the main thing the OP needs is self control and he will be fine on the F sport he linked to.

I started at this time of year on a SV as in my sig and that thing was snatchy on/off the throttle and a typical raw beginner botched down shift had the rear tyre skipping and slithering (and my arse doing rabbits nose impressions) I soon learned the art of the throttle blip.


As a comparison I changed bike to the daytona after almost exactly one year and the IL4 engine is much less prone to skipping the rear tyre and smoother going on and off the power.
That CBR F sport will be the same, keep the revs down and it's perfectly rideable and smooth, even grunty compared to any 125. Open it up and it takes off at a fair rate... Trust your self preservation instincts.

[Springbok_Rider]

[Springbok_Rider]

[stonesie]

For me the SV was a pain in the arse on a long ride... Literally. The seat padding is too soft and with the engine vibration you sink through it and your hands go numb.


By self preservation I ment reading the road conditions, if it looks greasy/damp/oily (it's getting to diesel season) don't grab a fist full of brake or throttle. Common sense really

[Noxious89123]

I had a 2000 CBR600F, so carbed not FI. Lovely bike, and I'd say it is great for a first sportsbike. I went from a 14bhp CBR125 to a fullpower CBR600F. Rode it for 2 weeks then went legal and restricted it. Got bored 2 months later and took them back out.

Easy to ride gently, you just keep the revs low. The more aggresive you want the bike to be, the faster you keep the motor spinning. I'm 5' 7" and it was pretty much the perfect size for me.

Once you're used to it and you're riding it fast, try winding the rear preload up from 3 to 4. Raises the rear a tad and lightens the steering nicely. It can shake it's head some if you give it the beans!

Put 18k on mine, and was sad to see it go. Would have kept it if I could, especially with the amount of money I threw at keeping it immaculate. Got to the point where I couldn't (affordably+easily) reverse the damage done by riding it through winter. And the gearbox was on it's way out. Really liked that bike though!
____________________
'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi