Honda CBR600RR: 10 Fast Facts About The Middleweight Sports Bike 

Think of a supersport and the Honda CBR600RR is everything you’d expect it to be: quick, agile, sophisticated, rev-happy, and stunning. Honda claims this bike is the purest of all road-legal sports bikes, and there’s very little reason to make you disagree (the Ninja ZX-6R might like to have a word, though). It’s born to carve corners on a track and scream past speeds you’d normally not expect from a 600.

This mad supersport is the last of a dying breed. Soon, it too will face the brunt of emission norms (and the bottom line), replaced with a relatively boring supertwin (did someone say CBR750R?) or something similar. Before it faces that, it’s time to celebrate this stunning motorcycle right now, and here are some reasons why it’s worth your attention.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Honda and other authoritative sources, including Motorcycle News.

10 Radical Racing Pedigree In Supersport Championships

The Honda CBR600RR stands on a podium where few supersports have ever stood, thanks to its impressive racing pedigree. Since its debut in 2003, this bike has ruled the racetracks, whether you are talking about the FIM World Super Sports Championships, All Japan Race Championship ST600, or regular track days. All of that might is still channeled in the newest version.

Honda CBR600RR Racing Accolades

• FIM World Super Sports Championship victory from 2003 to 3008 and in 2010, 2012, and 2014
• All Japan Road Race Championship ST600 class from 2003 to 2011 and in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2019
• Asia Road Racing Championship from 2012 to 2016
• The engine provided power for Moto2 between 2010 and 2018

9 Confidence-Inspiring Race-Derived Electronic Goodies

You might argue, what’s the point of electronics like cornering ABS and wheelie control on a 600 supersport. After all, they’re known for their raw nature. But hear us out. The CBR600RR won’t scare most intermediate-experienced bikers, but these niceties are much-needed in today’s modern times. They inspire confidence, allowing you to push the bike harder and harder without ending up in the scenery.

The CBR600RR derives various electronics from the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, originally developed for the legendary RC213V-S. They’ve been refined to work on this 600 supersport without being too intrusive. Adding a cherry to the cake is an intuitive TFT display with shift light, lap timer, lap counter, and fastest lap features.

Electronics On The CBR600RR

• Bosch 6-axis IMU calculates data 100 times per second
• A 5.51 pounds lighter Nissin cornering ABS (compared to the predecessor)
• Acceleration Position Sensor (APS) that ensures a natural throttle feel and control
• 9-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
• Three riding modes with two user options
• 5-level power and 3-level engine braking adjustment
• 3-level wheelie control
• 3-level standard quickshifter
• Rear lift control
• Honda Emergency Stop Signal and Honda Ignition Security System (HISS)

8 A Race-Inspired Design (That’s Still Functional)

One look at the Honda CBR600RR, and you’ll know it means business. This Honda supersport is known to have an understated design, which it still carries today, but in a sharper-than-ever avatar. Some elements are a throwback to older CBR supersports, and others are a step forward in supersport design.

But this gorgeous 600 supersport isn’t just about being gorgeous; the form goes hand in hand with function here. For example, the fairings are designed to slice through the air and add more cornering stability, the front wheel housing optimizes flow to the radiator, and the fuel tank cover shape allows a better tuck-in position.

Design Highlights

• The under-seat exhaust is a rarity today
• Honda’s signature wing on the fuel tank cover — it’s the same one used on the RC213V-S
• Compact LED lights give the bike a menacing face
• A gorgeous amalgamation of smooth lines and sharp edges
• Designed to look compact while being roomy even for taller riders
• Mass centralized design with principles learned from the Fireblade and RC213

7 Functional Aerodynamics Integrated Into The Design

Coefficient Of Drag: 0.555 (With The Rider In Tucked In)

When it comes to design, we can’t ignore aerodynamics. Honda claims the motorcycle has the lowest coefficient of drag in the 600 supersport segment, thanks to its fairings and aerodynamic add-ons. The biggest highlight here is set of winglets. Although well-blended and puny, the wings add stability while coming off the brakes during cornering and maintain front tire load without hampering agility.

The bike also has a couple of other aerodynamic tricks up its sleeve. For instance, the fuel tank cover is lowered by 10 mm to allow for a better tuck, and the lower fairing is shaped to move airflow downward, reducing air pressure on the tires. Most riders may never notice the difference, but if you’re pushing the bike to its limits to shave off milliseconds, these aerodynamic features are a great add-on!

Guiding Phrase Used By Honda’s Development Team

Embrace the functional design in pursuit of high-speed on-track performance.

6 A Supersport For The Giants Among Us

Seat Height: 32.28 in

The CBR600RR is a thoroughbred supersport, so don’t expect comfort. Still, it’s a pretty roomy motorcycle with ergonomics in mind. The riding triangle is roomy even for six-foot riders, as we’re told by trusted automotive reviewers who’ve ridden this outside of the U.S. The fuel tank cover sits low, and it is designed to let your arms have a natural place at speed. The seat is spacious (as much as it can be anyway), and the ergonomics are not as aggressive as the new Ninja ZX-6R. You’d still need to add a double bubble windscreen, though, as tall riders might not fit behind the stock windscreen.

5 A Lightweight, Sharp Foundation Of Chassis

Twin-Spar Aluminum Frame With An Aluminum Swingarm

Supersports are less about speed and more about agility. This is where the CBR600RR shines brightly. The chassis has been tweaked to have a shorter wheelbase, a 0.33 pounds lighter swingarm, and a lazier steering geometry. The bike turns in and holds the line like few other motorcycles can without feeling too twitchy.

The CBR600RR has always been one of the best handling supersports, and so is this one. Yes, the steering is slightly slower than before, but it’s still fast enough for most of us. So to maintain stability, you get a Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD), controlled by the ECU.

Chassis And Dimension Specification

(Specs sourced from Honda)

4 Fully Adjustable Showa Suspension And Tokico Calipers

Along with the chassis, what makes this bike a magnificent corner carver is the suspension setup. You get a fully adjustable Showa suspension at the front and back. The forks are now 15 mm longer than those on the predecessor and protrude above the top yoke, allowing you to raise the front a little.

As a cherry on top, you get dual radial-mount Tokico calipers on the front paired with a radial master cylinder and a rear single-piston caliper. So braking should be powerful, allowing you to enter the corners hard on the brakes. The only downside is that the brakes feel slightly spongy, but nothing a few upgrades can’t fix. We’re also slightly bummed Honda didn’t go for Brembos.

Suspension And Braking Specifications

(Specs sourced from Honda)

3 A Screamer Inline-Four Engine

Power Output: 119.35 HP @ 14,250 RPM

There’s nothing like slicing through the gears and letting an inline-four screamer rev to the moon as the scenery fades around you. It’s the same experience on the CBR600RR. The high-compression engine produces power way up in the rev range, and the shrill exhaust note (listen above) and the airbox roar are enough for a hair-raising experience.

Unlike the Fireblade, it’s never too hard to manage or scary, and unlike supertwins, you don’t miss out on a searing power delivery. So the CBR600RR sits nicely in the center of the sports bike spectrum. It’s still plenty fast and can put your license (and life) at risk, but without being too intimidating.

If this isn’t enough, you can also opt for the HRC Race Kit, which ups engine performance, improves cornering ability, and saves weight. This kit removes road safety items and adds upgraded HRC parts. The list includes a wiring harness, ECU, cylinder head gasket, big radiator, racing exhaust, new suspension, and high-performance discs.

2024 Honda CBR600RR Engine Highlights

• Upgraded camshafts, valve springs, and crankshaft to manage high RPM inertia
• Reshaped intake valve ports to allow the cross-section of the entire port to run smoothly, reading intake pressure drop
• Inlet ports reshaped to increase flow capacity by 2.2 percent
• Throttle By Wire delivers smooth throttle control
• Closing of the inlet valve pulled back by 5 degrees and the exhaust valves open 5 degrees later, improving intake and exhaust efficiency
• Long-reach spark plugs allow the water jacket to sit closer to the plug hole and exhaust valve seat
• 4-2-1 exhaust uses large bore diameters to enhance high RPM gas flow
• The slipper clutch reduces the physical force needed to operate the lever by 32 percent

Engine And Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Honda)

2 It’s The Last Of The Pure Supersport (That You Can Live With)

The Only Real Competitor: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Supersports are dying, and the CBR600R is the last true supersport along with the Kawasaki ZX-6R. Here, a point must be made that the CBR is the supersport you can actually live with. It has never strayed from the magic formula of the original CBR600 — it’s well-balanced, agile, and plush.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, as genuine and dramatic as it is, is too committed, ultra-cramped, and somewhat short-geared. The CBR600RR, on the other hand, manages to be dramatic without being over the top. You can read our in-depth comparison below for more details, but let’s just say thank you, Honda, for keeping this breed of bikes alive!

1 2024 Honda CBR600RR Pricing, Color, And Availability

Starting MSRP: $13,361 (Converted From Pound)

As excellent as the 2024 Honda CBR600RR sounds, the latest generation is not coming to the US. At least in 2024. The American market continues to get the old-generation RR currently, priced at $12,199. It’s the same version that came out a decade ago and has received barely any updates since. Honda hasn’t even bothered with any new color options on this motorcycle.

We can see why Honda chose not to introduce the latest generation of the CBR600RR to the US. The biggest reason is that the US-spec CBR600RR is already more expensive than its rivals. The latest-gen would be even more so. However, there’s no denying we’d love to see the new version come here. America deserves the better-than-ever 600RR, doesn’t it?