CBR600F

[Turkish]

To cut a long story short, I am looking to buy one of these around May time. It's a while away yet, I know, but I'm kind of itching to get something new...

It will be restricted (initially ), and my budget is less than 2 grand. Insurance will be TPF&T so I won't be comfortable spending more than that.

I'd like the aluminium model, so 99 onwards.

So I have a few questions
What is this bike like to live with? - I will be commuting on it
Is it worth spending more for the FI version, '01+, bearing in mind the restriction
How much should I be looking to pay for a good example?
Any gremlins I should look out for?


By all accounts these were immensely popular bikes so I presume they aren't completely terrible. Please share your experiences.

Thanks chaps
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ZX-6R G2
CBR125R RW6

[CaNsA]

[arry]

I had a very late 97 FW for 2 years. It never let me down. It always ran brilliantly, and rode as well as much newer machinery I've tried TBH.

£1500 should get you a decent bike.

As said - no real gremlins. The only failure my bike had was the rev counter died every now and then, which was just a slightly iffy solder joint.

This is mine alongside my mate's 02 plate I think it was. TBH I don't think you'd be disappointed with either.
https://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk301/arryR32/IMG_1427-1_zps674a0160.jpg

[supZ]

superb bikes.

great to live with day to day.. comfortable and quick enough to have some fun on. only downside to the steelies is no storage as the seat bolts down over the tray. (you can get quick release kits though)

the carbed models will be better on fuel than f1. a nice FX/Y will be perfect (carbed but alloy frame if you really do want one)

prices can vary a lot and i bought my last one 4 years ago so no idea what they are now (i had a 97 and 98 steelie - which my dad now owns)

look for the usual.. service history, be wary of non-standard fairing (means its been down the road) check for cracks in the weld at the head-stock area of the frame.

ask about CCT as they can rattle.. tis an easy fix but a good bargaining chip. and the reg/rec's are weak on a lot of these hondas so ask about that too. again a pretty cheap fix if it lets go.

other than that they're pretty bomb-proof
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[Jefr0]

I agree with Cansa, steel frame ftw!

You'll be able to get one no problem with that money. I got mine 6 years ago for £900 (1991)

Reliable bikes, reg/rec can sometimes be an issue, I've only had to replace mine once in 30k miles.

Cam chain tensioner is another thing to listen for if too loud, will need replacing.

I've done long mile trips, track days and now is my daily commute bike, can't go wrong with these
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Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[Timmeh]

+1 for teh steelies

mine cost me 600 quid and was the most fun evAr.
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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[kramdra]

If you can get a cheap stealie go for it, seems there are plenty with low miles. I test rode a few, did not like carbs but ebay spares are cheaper. I think they look better, but at the same time the F4i is slightly lighter by 5kg.

Check the exhaust. Its very common for the downpipe collector to rust through, but I imagine many older/high mile bikes will have had stainless pipes fitted by now which is always a bonus. Since they are high revving bikes, budget for valve clearance check if they are near the service interval (16k). It'll cost £500 for a shop to do it.
Reg/rec is a minor issue, it may cost £20-50 for a used upgrade from ebay.

[mcgoogle]

got a '97 myself and its never let me down once. the reg/rec and cam chain tensioner are two of the common problems but arent expensive to fix.

Kramdra dont know what garage your using but £500 for a valve check is an insane price
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current bike - CBR600fv

[Joncrete Cungle]

I have a tidy 98 model as my commuter bike. Quick, comfy, cheap to insure, good handling and never let me down. Can strap quite a lot of gear on the pillion seat.

[crm250]

WIN

I have had both steelies and alloy framed, and i would say the later.

The early bikes are ok, quick, handle on, brakes can we rather weak, all are knocking on a bit now.
the later are much lighter to ride, faster, brake so much better and actually comfier too. the later bikes fuel so nicely too all through the rev range so long as you leave it standard. fit a can and expect a bit of a hole low down.
Never ridden the later Fi version, but if its anything like the RR5 i did 14k on - carbed version as a road bike every time.

buy the best you can find, not the best you can afford.

[Snorty]

Got a '95 model, hasn't been started for a while, but I bet if I hooked the battery up, it would fire straight up. Engine is smooth, quick. Just a good bike really no complaints (I owned a '91 before as well).
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[Notj7]

In case you're interested, I have the five(?) washers and the accelerator 'stopper' somewhere that you need for a valid restriction - I paid Honda £250 for them to put it in mine before my two year restriction was up.

I'd be willing to sell to you for cheap - then all you need is to pay to get it dyno'd for the certificate, save you a bit of cash

As for commuting, it's great! At first though it really took its toll on my wrists and they were painful for quite a few months, got pretty bad. I couldn't even lift weights. After doing wrist exercises, using a powerball and riding the bike for a few months, it got much better: but be aware that jumping from a 125 to the 600F, unless you've got meaty wrists it may be a little painful ;> GRIP the tank as much as possible with your knees all the time.

It's rapid, and I'm sure there are many, many a faster bike out there, but I haven't seen one yet on my commute. Top end I get 165 on the motorway, so not too shabby, and 101mph in second. Enjoy
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Left the forum.

[kramdra]

If you ever get problems with wrists on a bike you are doing it wrong.


£500 was the best quote I got for valve shims, that is ofcourse changing them. Garages were not interested in just checking( £100 or so), which I guess is easy enought to DIY. However I had it done as part of 7 exhaust studs, £800, head off, some welding, and back together. Labour aint cheap

I'd go for a tatty fairing one, then it doesnt matter if you drop it, and most have scratches anyway. You can always get a chinese set for £250.

[DrDonnyBrago]

I have a 2001 CBR600f and commute on it.


Good day to day bike, mostly pretty reliable but a few common and relatively easy to sort things go wrong. I don't find it to be particularly comfortable, the mirrors are shit and it is a bit wet low down in the rev range. It is quick when worked, and the brakes are half decent.

Downpipes rust, radiators corrode, speed sensors die, reg/recs go, cam chain tensioners go noisy and the clutch baskets notch and go noisy. Noobs like them too, so look out for crashed ones.


33bhp is 33bhp, changes between the carb'd and FI ally frame bikes are minimal and most wouldn't even notice, I think the carb'd models were slightly better on fuel. If you go for a newer FI bike, you lose the adjustable front suspension, somewhere around 03/04.

There is also the F sport FI bike, this is very similar to the normal FI bike but has a better looking seat, no center stand, black frame and a few very mild gearing, valve and suspension changes.

[Benson_JV]

I've got an FW steel framed CBR600F. Great bike IMO, I use it to commute and hoon and it does both extremely well. As previously said it is a bit lacking lower down and you do have to keep it on the boil but I enjoy that anyway.
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Willson - "If you go out on that CBR600 in the winter, you're going to do more miles on your side than on your wheels."
Riding: CBR600FW Driving: Audi A6
Previous Bikes: '96 Bandit 600, '96 GPz305

[L-Jam]

Great all round bike and perfect for being introduced to the 'big' bikes, I learned a lot on mine that helps me ride the Gixxer properly now. Would have one again (as long as it's a looked after example) in an instant.

Here's my old one!

https://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu53/BikerJones/maceeeeeeeeeeeeb.jpg
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Journalist, student, egotist.
Click here if you're a young biker, wondering what to do after a moped/125!
Skp 50 --> GS 500 --> CBR600F with custom HRC paint jobby --> GSX-R 750 K7, beautiful!

[ijmok]

Ive got a CBR600FY,

Don't commute but its been a hoot thus far,

Only had it since Sept so cant comment on long term reliability, but they are well known to go on and on,

I found one in nice condition with FSH, and purchase receipt for £1900

Ive seen private sales cheaper, for bikes in equally good condition,

Should find what you are looking for
good luck and PHOTOS when you do!

quick piccy:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/102319297/CBR%20600/IMAG0002.jpg

[bigdrew]

I picked my 600fW up for £1250 with a Remus can in October, in the black and silver color as posted previously. Its done 25k miles and was immaculate. Plenty of them about so you can choose to be picky when buying. This was the third I looked at.

Worth noting that insurance was loads cheaper on a steely over a later one for me at 22, first bike.

[hornetmike]

I had a 96 CBR600F, was the best bike I've ever owned did 20k trouble free miles toured rode like a idiot only ever having to change the oil.
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87 Honda CG 125 - 97 ER5 - SR 50 -81 Z250- 96 CBR 600 F- 94 GPX600R 88- GPX 400R- 87 GS 125 - 2006 Honda CB600F- 2003 ER5 - Honda CBF 1000 2009 - Honda CBR 600 RR 2011
Current BMW R1200GS 2010

[baggylastard]

[Benson_JV]

I just don't bother bolting down the seat, never had any problems. It has a clip that holds it in place anyway.
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Willson - "If you go out on that CBR600 in the winter, you're going to do more miles on your side than on your wheels."
Riding: CBR600FW Driving: Audi A6
Previous Bikes: '96 Bandit 600, '96 GPz305

[Lyam]

£500 for valve clearences is that right?

[arry]

[Jefr0]

Well I saved myself £500 then

Not as hard as I first thought when I did it.

Fairings off, tank off, airbox off, niggly covers off, coils off, rocker cover off.

Feel gauge in the gaps (turning crank when necessary)

If gaps are in tollerance, put bike back together.

If changes are needed, cams off, replace shim, put bike back together.

I'd expect the majority of the labour is taking the bike apart and then putting it back together because once you're at the checking gaps stage, it's quite quick.
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Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[Bigmal]

At Liam £500 for valve clearance sounds well excessive. My local garage wants £400 for a 7 hours full service that includes valve clearence the lot. I bought my "L" reg back just under a year ago and it's my second CBR 600 f and I love em. Old steel frame built like a tank and does what it say's on the tin. Not as powerful as modern bikes of course but not that far off either.
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Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do about it.