Honda CBR 600rr. Reliable?

The Dude · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

ok. All i want to know here is, will a CBR600rr get me to work and back everyday, rain or shine, summer or winter, and still give me lots of fun at weekends? In other words, is it as reliable bike as well as being fun to ride?
I'm not really looking for other bike suggestions, just the CBR. Cheers fellas.

P.S. Would be nice to hear from people who actually have a CBR600rr and use it as an everyday bike. Smile

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Karma :

I guy I work with rides a CBR600RR, he commutes 15 miles everyday on it, and he still goes for rideouts on the weekend. He rides it in all weathers and I don't think it's let him down once to date (bar loosing his keys, and the immobiliser stopping playtime).

The only thing he's said about it so far, is the saddle's a little hard, but still usable, and the handling is somewhat too predictable (I don't see that as a bad thing though).

ciaronr6 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Karma :

In a word, yes.

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

its a honda Very Happy

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RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

What wave said, it's unlikely to go kaput. Smile

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dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

I have the 1000RR which is very similar to the 600RR and I've got to say it's the most composed chassis/front end of any bike I've ridden, no matter what the conditions.

Build quality is spot on like my previous 954's, they always come up like a new penny after a decent wash unlike some brands I've owned previously.

Mechanically none of the three Hondas I've owned over the years have ever had any problems at all riding year round.

The riding position is a bit more radical that the last Blade with more weight on the wrists and higher pegs, but nothing that you can't live with day in day out.

All in all, trying to be subjective, I would say that the 1000RR is the most accomplished bike I've owned to date.

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

I used to commute 50+ miles a day on my RR...and in the winter too. Unfortunately, it wasn't reliable enough to sustain a T-boning from a Fiesta...although it is fixed now. </bitterness>

Have you sat on one or ridden one yet? Check that you agree with the seating position first. I personally didn't find it too radical, but it's the kind of bike that you are perched on, rather than sat in.
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Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Karma :

The Dude · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

I'm use to being on an RS125 Tin. Would the riding position be something the same? I'm only 5'5 so i don't really need a lot of room on a bike. Thanks for your imput everyone. My work is only 15 minutes away from my home. I was just worried that using a bike like the RR for such short runs through the week wouldn't do it any good. But there are guys who turn up to work on R1's and other big sports bikes and i don't think they live very far away. I only started this job 3 weeks ago so i haven't found out who the owners are to chat with them.

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hmm, 5' 5...so have you sat on/ridden the RR yet? 'Cos you might need to look into lowering it for more comfort. I'm 5'9 and can put both feet flat on the floor when sitting on the bike, but I'll be on tippy-toes when backing it up etc...Just one thing to bear in mind.

In terms of whether your commute is good or bad for the bike - what kind of roads/conditions do you encounter in your 15 mile trip?
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The Dude · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

I haven't sat on or riden one yet. My trip is 15 minutes, not miles. Mainly through town. I thought they were supposed to be quite small? From what i can tell, the seat height on the rr is only 15mm higher than my rs125.

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Reevo8 · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Karma :

I have just gone from a 125 to a restricted 600rr, It is very easy to ride, and I use it every day into and out of work on a 36mile-round-trip. It is soo much easier to ride than the 125 was, and has really inspired confidence.

Seat is a little hard, and I am 5ft 11 and can easily stand up with the bike beneath me. Dunno about 5ft 5 though, but dont let that be the decider, you could always get it lowered.

Or just remove the seat, you wouldnt tell the difference!
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Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

I have a 600f, i commute thirteen miles to work everyday in all weathers. I ride it hard at weekends. Apart from the cam chain tensioner its as 'ard as nails!

Commuting through the week and blasting at weekends - Im pretty sure that was high on the specification list when the CBR was conceived!

GO FOR IT!!
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The Dude · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

Thanks again fellas. Very helpful as expected Thumbs Up

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Should be reliable (as should most bikes for that use). Height wise you may not find it great.

Doing short journies will wear the bike out more quickly. More time spent with a rich mixture (no choke, but the injection will still richen the mixture) and the exhaust will rot more quickly.

All the best

Keith
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Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

Just take the long way home eh? Wink

I trust my 13yr old Honda, you should be ok with a near enough brand new one.

The Dude · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

I do intend to take it out and weekends and week nights for a good run also. I've just had bad experience on my RS with the battery going flat all the time and letting me down when i need it most. Although i still believe it had a lot to do with the alarm that was on it. I've been told by lots of people that short runs like that will always wear the battery down. But i have also been told by lots of other people that as long as the bike is revving, the battery is charging. I've been told so many different things that i really don't know whats what.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

The RS charging system is fairly good (better than the NSR, and far better than the Mito), but the battery is not that large and on short 15 minute runs it is probably not putting enough in to compensate for 12 hours of battery drain from the alarm.

All the best

Keith
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The Dude · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

Would one experience the same problem with the Honda and an alarm Keith?

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Depends on the Honda. CBR would probably be better than the RS (more powerful charging system, bigger battery, etc), but will still suffer eventually. NSR would probably be worse than the RS.

It is also possible that the alarm you have is faulty or not installed correctly. Many modern alarms go into a very low power sleep mode when the battery voltage drops too low.

All the best

Keith
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The Dude · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

The alarm i had on my RS was a CAT. 1 Spyball. Cost me £300. I went out a few weeks ago and bought one of this Optimate 3 chargers, hooked it up to the battery and left it overnight. When i got up the next morning the charger was still red. Which apparently means that the battery is a dud (it was a new battery only installed a few weeks before hand) or that there is a problem with the wiring of the bike. What can i tall ya, the alarm was fitted in Jeremy McWilliams bike shop. I think that says it all. I no longer have the RS now. I got rid of it and i now have a Honda Cityfly. Gets me to work and back and thats all i'm concerned about at the moment. It's like getting out of a Ferrari and getting into a Lada, but the Lada does the job.lol

kingsknight · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Karma :

Iv been riding my NSR to work every day (60mile round trip) and its never let me down and iv been doing that for the last 6 months.
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