Honda CBR600RR

Infobox Motorcycle
name= Honda CBR600RR


aka=
manufacturer= Honda
parent_company=
production= 2003-present
predecessor= Honda CBR600F4i
successor=
class= super sport
engine=
transmission=
suspension=
brakes=
tires=
rake_trail=
wheelbase=
seat_height=
weight=
fuel_capacity=
related= Honda CBR1000RR
Honda RC211V
Honda RC212V
similar= Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
Suzuki GSX-R600
Triumph Daytona 675
Yamaha YZF-R6The Honda CBR600RR is a convert|599|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on 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.

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 convert|22|lb|kg|1|abbr=on lighter than the 2004 model. [http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=1933&Page=2] MSRP for the 2005 model was USD|8,799. Except for new color schemes, the 2006 model was unchanged from the 2005 model and had an MSRP of USD|8,999.

2007 total redesign

On 6 September, 2006, Honda revealed an all new CBR600RR for the 2007 model year. [http://powersports.honda.com/preview 2007 Model Preview] from official Honda Motorcycles site]

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 convert|20|lb|kg|1|abbr=on reduction in dry weight over the 2006 model, from convert|361|lb|kg|1|abbr=on to convert|341|lb|kg|1|abbr=on.

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 convert|2|kg|lb|1|abbr=on 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 convert|118|hp|kW|0|abbr=on 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 convert|22|mm|in|2|abbr=on 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 convert|5|mm|in|2|abbr=on 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 convert|41|mm|in|2|abbr=on 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 convert|310|mm|in|2|abbr=on discs up front, and a single-piston caliper squeezing a convert|220|mm|in|2|abbr=on disc at the rear. Hidden below the steering head is an updated version of the Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) system, which 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 USD|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.cite web |url=http://world.honda.com/news/2008/2080609Combined-ABS/ |title=Honda Announces World's First Electronically-Controlled “Combined ABS” for Super Sport Bikes |accessdate=2008-06-12 |date=2008-06-09 |format=HTML |work=Honda |publisher=Honda World News |language=English] "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.cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=6587&Page=1 |title=Honda Intros Combo ABS for Supersports |accessdate=2008-06-12 |date=2008-06-10 |format=HTML |work=MotorcycleUSA.com |language=English|quote=] cite web |url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/June/9-15/june1008honda-cbr600rr-abs-prototype/?R=EPI-100991 |title=First look at Honda's ABS CBR600RR |accessdate=2008-06-12 |last=Purvis |first=Ben |date=2008-06-10 |format=HTML |work=motorcyclenews.com |language=English]

2009 redesign

On 5 September, 2008, Honda introduced a revised CBR600RR for the 2009 model year.cite web |url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/september/1-7/sep0508-honda-2009-cbr600rr/?R=EPI-102724 |title=2009 Honda CBR600RR ABS - First official pictures |accessdate=2008-09-05 |last=Farrell |first=Steve |date=2008-09-05 |format=HTML |work=motorcyclenews.com |publisher=Motor Cycle News |language=English] 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.

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.cite journal |year=2007 |month=May |title=Best 600s Test |journal=SuperBike Magazine |pages=56 |url=http://www.superbike.co.uk |accessdate=2007-04-02] Major print and online publishers praise the bike for its powerful engine and class-leading lightweight.cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4514 |title=2007 Supersport Shootout |accessdate=2007-04-02 |last=Duke |first=Kevin |date=2007-03-24 |format=HTML |publisher=Motorcycle U.S.A. |pages=6 |language=English]

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 equivalent test.fact|date=June 2008

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed.

Awards

* 2007 Sport Bike of the Year, "Motorcyclist"fact|date=August 2007
* Machine of The Year 2007, "Bike Magazine"cite web|url=http://www.cmsnl.com/news/honda-cbr600rr--bike-magazine’s-machine-of-the-year-2007_news452.html|title=Honda CBR600RR – Bike Magazine’s Machine of The Year 2007|accessdate=2007-08-28|last=Gas|first=Gary|date=2007-07-14|format=HTML|work=London Bikers|language=English]
* 2007 Supersport Shootout Winner, "MotorcycleUSA.com"cite web|url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4514|title=2007 Supersport Shootout V|accessdate=2007-08-28|last=Duke|first=Kevin|date=2007-03-24|format=HTML|work=MotorcycleUSA.com|pages=6|language=English]
* 2007 Best Middleweight Sportbike, "MotorcycleUSA.com"cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5743&Page=2 |title=MotorcycleUSA's Best of 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-09 |date=2008-01-07 |format=HTML |work=MotorcycleUSA.com |pages=6 |language=English]
* 2008 Middleweight Smackdown Winner, "Sport Rider Magazine"fact|date=June 2008
* 2008 Supersport Shootout Winner, "MotorcycleUSA.com" [ [http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=6413&Page=7 2008 Supersport Shootout VI - MotorcycleUSA.com ] ]

References

External links

* [http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/sport/model.asp?ModelName=CBR600RR&ModelYear=2008&ModelId=CBR600RR8 2008 Honda CBR600RR] official Honda page for the 2008 model
* [http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/sport/model.asp?ModelName=CBR600RR&ModelYear=2007&ModelId=CBR600RR7 2007 Honda CBR600RR] official Honda page for the 2007 model
* [http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/?&N=189+146+4294043405&Ns=P_Publication_Date|1&id=1899 Honda CBR600RR reviews] Road tests of the Honda CBR600RR