Honda CBR600RR

Honda CBR600RR

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2003-present
Predecessor	Honda CBR600F4i
Class	super sport
Related	Honda CBR1000RR Honda RC211V Honda RC212V

The Honda CBR600RR is a 599 cc (36.6 cu in) Honda super sport motorcycle that was introduced in 2003 as a race replica version of Honda's CBRFx series motorcycles. It has won every world supersport title since its introduction in 2003 up until the 2008 season.

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 is intentional. Underneath the looks lie 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. While it's not uncommon for street bikes to utilize racing technology, this was the first time totally new technologies found their way to the production line the same year they made their way to the professional racing grid. The bike receives the "RR" designation for "race replica" because of its emphasis on 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, but with new color schemes.

2005 revision

In 2005, the CBR600RR received a major revision with new body work, fully adjustable inverted front forks, a set of track-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 weight down nine pounds, although Motorcycle USA.com measured the 2005 model as being 22 lb (10.0 kg) lighter than the 2004 model.[1] MSRP for the 2005 model was US$8,799. Except for new color schemes, the 2006 model was unchanged from the 2005 model and had an MSRP of US$8,999.

2007 total redesign

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

The CBR600's most radical redesign since the introduction of the RR in 2003 is highlighted by a whole new engine, frame, and bodywork that results in a smaller, lighter, more-powerful CBR600RR with a class-leading power-to-weight ratio and unparalleled performance.

Honda's middleweight sport bike underwent a complete and total redesign for 2007 with reducing the CBR600RR's weight as their primary focus. The result was a 20 lb (9.1 kg) reduction in dry weight over the 2006 model, from 361 lb (163.7 kg) to 341 lb (154.7 kg).

In redesigning the CBR600RR for lighter weight and increased performance, Honda's R&D engineers started with the engine. The completely new engine is the smallest and lightest powerplant in the super sport class by a significant margin - its 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. While the new engine is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, it also offers increased performance, to the tune of a manufacture claimed 118 hp (88 kW) at 13,500 rpm. At speed, that figure is increased significantly by the highly efficient centrally-located ram-air duct in the bike's nose.

Wrapped around this tiny but powerful engine is an all-new frame, significantly lighter, slimmer, and more compact than that of the 2006 600RR. The frame is produced using what Honda calls Fine Die-Cast (FDC) technology, which allows them to build a lighter frame without compromising strength or rigidity. The reflexes of the new bike are 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 is actually 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 is carried over almost unchanged from the 2006 bike, with the same 41 mm (1.61 in) inverted fork in front, and Honda's unique Unit Pro-Link rear suspension configuration damping the rear wheel. The 2007 machine's lighter weight and better chassis configuration allows the carry-over suspension to perform much better than it did on the old model. The new three-spoke cast aluminum wheels are also lighter than those on the 2006 bike, which further contributes to the enhanced performance of the suspension. The brakes feature dual radial-mount 4-piston calipers clamping twin 310 mm (12.20 in) discs up front, and a single-piston caliper squeezing a 220 mm (8.66 in) disc at the rear. Hidden below the steering head is an updated version of the Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) system, which is also available on the CBR1000RR. This latest iteration of the HESD offers faster response and more seamless operation than ever before.

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

The 2007 Honda CBR600RR was made available in U.S. dealerships in Spring of 2007 at an MSRP of US$9,499. The motorcycle carried over with only color scheme changes for the 2008 model year.

"Combined ABS" prototype

On 9 June, 2008, Honda revealed a CBR600RR prototype that featured an all new braking system branded as Combined ABS which integrates combined braking, anti-lock braking, and brake-by-wire systems. Combined ABS uses a computer control unit to ensure the correct balance of front and rear brake use and also controls when the ABS should engage. The system is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible by delaying the engagement of the ABS until the last possible moment.

The prototype was the first ever super sport motorcycle to feature ABS. Although Combined ABS is not available on the 2008 CBR600RR or any other Honda motorcycle, Honda plans on rolling out the new braking system across its production machines over the next two years.

2009 redesign

On 5 September, 2008, Honda introduced a revised CBR600RR for the 2009 model year. Following the "Combined ABS" prototype, the new CBR600RR will have an available option of "Combined ABS". Other changes include updates to the engine which improved torque from 8000 rpm to 12000 rpm, improved fairings that enhance 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 remains the same as the 2008 model. This was achieved through weight savings in the engine, exhaust, and chassis and continues to remain the lightest bike in the super sport class.

2010 redesign

Honda has now begun to preview its latest styles for the 2010 model of the CBR600RR. It includes a new theme, dubbed "Leyla," in which a shadow of a woman is seen on a black and white finish. This non solid-color design is not the first for Honda, in previous years it has included such designs as "Phoenix," and "Graffiti."

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. 2007 shootout comparisons from major motorcycle media organizations consistently claimed the CBR600RR to place first in the super sport bike class. Major print and online publishers praise the bike for its powerful engine and class-leading lightweight.

2008

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

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed.

	2003/2004	2005/2006	2007/2008	2009/2010
Engine
Engine Type	599 cc (36.6 cu in) liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore/Stroke	67.0 mm (2.6 in) x 42.5 mm (1.7 in)
Compression Ratio	12.0:1		12.2:1
Valve Train	DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Carburetion	Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI)		Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI) with 40 mm (1.6 in) throttle bodies, Denso 12-hole injectors
Ignition	Computer-controlled digital transistorized with three-dimensional mapping
Drivetrain
Transmission	Close-ratio six-speed
Final Drive	#525 O-ring-sealed chain
Chassis/Suspension/Brakes
Front Suspension	45.0 mm (1.8 in) HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.7 in (119 mm) travel	41.0 mm (1.6 in) inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7 in (119 mm) travel
Rear Suspension	Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.7 in (119 mm) travel	Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 5.1 in (130 mm) travel
Front Brakes	Dual four-piston calipers with 310.0 mm (12.2 in) discs	Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with 310.0 mm (12.2 in) discs		Dual radial-mounted Mono-block four-piston calipers with 310.0 mm (12.2 in) discs, Honda electronic Combined ABS on CBR600RR ABS only
Rear Brakes	Single 220.0 mm (8.7 in) disc			Single 220.0 mm (8.7 in) disc, Honda electronic Combined ABS on CBR600RR ABS only
Front Tire	120/70ZR-17 radial
Rear Tire	180/55ZR-17 radial
Dimensions
Rake	24.0 degrees		23.7 degrees	23.5 degrees
Trail	95.0 mm (3.7 in)		96.3 mm (3.8 in)	97.7 mm (3.8 in)
Wheelbase	54.7 in (1,389 mm)		54.1 in (1,374 mm)	53.9 in (1,369 mm)
Seat Height	32.3 in (820 mm)
Dry Weight	370 lb (167.8 kg)	361 lb (163.7 kg)	381 lb (172.8 kg)
Other
Colors	2003: Red/Black, Black, Pearl Yellow 2004: Red/Black, Black/Silver, Blue	2005: Black, Black/Tribal, Metallic Silver/Black, Red/Black 2006: Black, Pearl Orange/Black Tribal, Light Silver Metallic, Red/Black	2007: Pearl White/Silver, Ultra Blue Metallic/Silver, Red/Black, Black 2008: Red/Black, Pearl Orange/Black, Metallic Silver, Graffiti	2009: Red/Black, Black/Bright Green Metallic, Metallic Black, Phoenix, Pearl White/Pearl Blue/Red 2009 ABS: Red/Black, Metallic Black
Model ID	CBR600RR
Warranty	1 year: Transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

Awards

• 2007 Sport Bike of the Year, Motorcyclist
• Machine of The Year 2007, Bike Magazine
• 2007 Supersport Shootout Winner, MotorcycleUSA.com
• 2007 Best Middleweight Sportbike, MotorcycleUSA.com
• 2008 Middleweight Smackdown Winner, Sport Rider Magazine
• 2008 Supersport Shootout Winner, MotorcycleUSA.com
• 2008 Supersport Shootout Winner, Motorcycle.com

External links

• 2008 Honda CBR600RR official Honda page for the 2008 model
• 2007 Honda CBR600RR official Honda page for the 2007 model
• Honda CBR600RR reviews Road tests of the Honda CBR600RR
• Honda CBR600RR Exhaust Guide Honda CBR600RR Exhaust Guide