CBR600 F History?

[Pickledswede]

Ok guys, as a few of you may know I've currently got a '94 CB500 which I love to pieces, however this caused me a problem - you can't ride a bike that's in pieces. It's been of the road for a fair amount of time now and just as I got back from uni ready to fix it up and get riding again I've been offered a very good deal by a friend..

For a while I looked at trading in my CB for a CBR600 F because it seemed a logical progression and I've just been offered a 1999 model for ~£1000. I was looking on Parkers and it seems there are two different type of 600 Fs, I'm pretty sure this one is just the standard F as the F-T seemed only to run between '92 and '98, but I'm intrigued as to what the differences are? Also is there anything I should know about the '99 F in terms of differences from other models, things to look out for etc. apart from the reg/rec which I know is a common problem on these bikes!

Cheers guys

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

If it's a genuine '99 model (FX)it'll look like this:

https://www.lm-spares.co.uk/acatalog/CBR600FX.jpg

If it's a late registered FW it'll look like this:

https://fixya.net/Products/H/Honda/177x150/1998_cbr_600_fw_983169.jpg

The two bikes are very different, however faults common to both are reg/rec and CCT rattle.

The FX is the better bike to be honest, complete redesign with an alloy frame (from steel) new motor, etc. etc.
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[Frost]

Though the above is true, the older one is still a great bike. It was the class leader for a long while. It might be lacking in a few bhp, a few mph and the handling might not be so sharp, but it'll still be miles ahead of a CB500. Condition also plays a big part. A well looked after older model will be so much better than an unloved newer one.

[Bendy]

[Benson_JV]

Can definitely recommend the FW if it is indeed a late registered FW.
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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

[Pickledswede]

Ah ok thanks guys, on Parkers it said there was a CBR600 FT which ran from 92-98 which confused me a little bit. Now I see they're all CBR600 Fs but the 92-98 ones were the older model?

I have seen the bike, as I said a friend owns it, and I'm 90% sure it's the FX having looked at those pictures! So the faster, lighter one!

Bit of a worry for me stepping up when I had only just de-restricted my Sea Bee before it was off the road for 7 months, but I can't go without a bike any longer, this is a good deal and my mum is suggesting I do it - an opportunity not to be wasted!

Just gonna have to go very careful til I get used to riding again! Especially as it's gonna be a shit lot faster and a very different riding position!

Thanks again guys!

[Benson_JV]

[DrDonnyBrago]

[supZ]

for the later ones FV/FW (97/98) were slightly different to the FS/FT models and it kinda goes back like that. there were normally 2 year runs then a change. the 95/96 ones are very similar to the 97/98s but slight differences (different rear fairing, rear wheel width, etc..)

all were steel framed bikes.

the FX/Y (99/00) were alloy framed bikes but still ran on carbs

wasnt until 2001 that the F got injection, denoted by the Fi and change in model run id (so no more was it FS/FT/FV etc.. it became F1i (00) F2 etc..

not to be confused with the americanised denomination (FS-FW/95-98 bikes are known as F3s over there, 91-94 were F2s and the originals 88-90 were F1s also known as jellymolds due to the fairing shape)

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if its a 99 model it'll be a carbbed alloy framed model. still with analogue clocks iirc.

easiest way to tell is on the steel framed models the frame is hidden by the side fairing whereas on the alloy framed ones you can see it. (see above pics)

the steelie is still a great bike, had 2 (1 is now my dads and i converted the other to my trackbike) love em. cheap parts, still plenty quick and very good manners.

was my 1st bike

hope that helps
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I've ridden both a fair old bit, and prefer the Alloy framed bike. The steelie is still a fantastic bike, but the alloy framed bike is just a better all rounder IMHO.
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[Pickledswede]

Cheers guys, this is all really helpful! Went to see the bike and have decided not to buy it for a variety of reasons.

Wasn't that clean, lots of rusty bolts etc. Had been crashed a couple of times (not a problem really as there was all new body work). The suspension was a bit wobbly due to age and there was a clunk when pumping it so possibly a bearing gone. No rear pads left, right down to the metal. Also it took a long while to start and struggled idling for a while.

I've decided it's probably better for me to fix up my current bike which is still plenty of bike for me at the moment, especially as I haven't ridden in so long. I had a ride of my brother's hornet yesterday and although I slipped very easily back into the muscle movements, my observations and mental processing speed were well off, just wouldn't be comfortable getting used to all that again on a faster bike with a more focused position!

Also, although it would be cheaper I decided not to buy from friends because it can just cause problems later down the line. They actually bought it as a company vehicle for one of their employees as well so I wouldn't want to be going back to them later on down the line with problems which weren't their fault when they're good friends!

Advice is still golden though as I will probably look to buy an F later on down the line, possibly in august when my restriction is up!