FIRST introduced to the British motorcycling public back in 1987, Honda’s CBR600 is a veritable stalwart of the middleweight sports category. For its time it was very advanced, but compared to the latest CBR model it is something of a museum piece.

Two decades on, the original CBR600F has become the CBR600RR-7. Where the former offered 84bhp and weighed a lardy 205kg, the latter boasts 118bhp and weighs a class-leading 155kg. And that’s a whole 9kg decrease over last year’s model too. If this was the modelling world, questions would be asked about its slimming technique.

For 2007, Honda have radically redesigned almost every aspect of the CBR, yet kept it looking pretty much the same as the 2003 incarnation. The brakes and suspension are unchanged from 2006, but the 07 model benefits from a compact, more powerful engine, new lightweight three-spoke wheels, a shorter wheelbase and an all-new frame. Its suffix, RR, stands for Race Replica, and the bike strongly echoes the lines of Honda’s RCV MotoGP machine.

What all this makes for is a supremely focused track bike that excels on the road. With sharper handling, a 500rpm higher rev limit and an engine that offers much more torque than you would expect on a flighty 600, Honda have undoubtedly regained control of the sports 600 sector. The new CBR is quickest out of the blocks in its class and will charge on to a top speed of 164mph. For 0 to 60mph, you’re looking at 3.2 seconds which, for reference, is exactly half the time it takes for a brand new Audi TT Coupe 2.0 S-tronic to reach the same speed.

The super-lightweight CBR600RR is also aesthetically pleasing. It’s not as angular as the R6, it’s not as aggressive as the new ZX-6R, nor is it as outright stunning as the Daytona 675. Yet its understated sweeping curves, underseat exhaust and handsome paintwork belie an extremely balanced motorcycle that helps you feel like a great rider. That annoying feeling of missing your apex virtually disappears with the CBR. It turns in with such precision that you can’t help but nail it every time.

Almost every turn I encountered I just got the feeling I could have gone in harder, faster, and the chassis and tyres would have held. Even on really bumpy roads, you can keep flying along in confidence, largely thanks to the CBR’s updated electronic steering damper that turns ripples and potholes into smooth tarmac. Neatly located out of sight under the top yoke, it works in conjunction with the engine management system to increase the damping effect as your speed climbs, without spoiling the steering at low speeds.

It’s not an effortless ride though by any means. The real power still goes on above the 7,000 mark, so gear changes abound. But lower down Honda’s smooth fuelling means this race rep will even pull from 1,500rpm in top, while the extra torque allows you to exit corners in third which would have previously required second. But it’s the revised geometry, the plush suspension and the brilliant Bridgestone tyres that mean you only have to think this bike into a corner. Just shift your weight, flick it over and keep the power on... Glorious.

The CBR’s bars have been raised 10mm over last year’s model and the effect here is noticeable too. A centimetre doesn’t sound like much, but it takes a lot of pressure off the wrists, making commuting through traffic much less painful. In fact, even with its skinny seat, the 2007 CBR is actually quite a comfy ride. Its only failing is its lack of a slipper clutch to stop the rear bobbling around as you stamp down through the gears. Before they existed you didn’t know you needed one, but having been invented they have become a real bonus when caning bikes like these around roads you don’t know. Aftermarket versions are available however.

So Honda have done what they set out to do with the CBR600RR. It’s not only top of its class in every aspect, it’s easy to ride, easy to live with, incredibly stable and - above all - so, so rewarding.

Article written: Feb 16, 2007

The Honda CBR600RR was kindly loaned by Fowlers Motorcycles of Bath Road, Bristol. For more information about test rides, call Fowlers on 0117 977 0466.

OUR STEER ON THE HONDA CBR600RR

Price: £7,499 (@ Feb 07)

Engine: 16-valve inline four

Power: 118 bhp at 13,500 rpm

Torque: 66 Nm at 11,250 rpm

Transmission: six-speed

Weight: 155 kg

Fuel capacity: 18 litres

Top speed: 164 mph

Seat height: 820 mm

by Jon Bennett