+ Click to Enlarge FACELIFT: The fairing has been redesigned to look more like that of the flagship Fireblade.

January 9, 2005

The new 2005 CBR600RR can be summed up in one succinct phrase: more of everything except weight.

The 599cc transverse four motor has been retuned for better midrange while retaining the same 86kW peak power output and new front suspension offers even more accurate steering.

The fairing has been redesigned to look more like that of the flagship Fireblade and excess metal has been shaved wherever possible to reduce dry weight by 6kg, down to a svelte 163kg.

The result looks like a near-clone of the Fireblade but with phenomenally quick steering, superb front suspension response and enough low-down grunt to pull you through Kyalami's uphill, off-camber corners anywhere above 5 000rpm.

Over 8000 revs the power delivery becomes distinctly more urgent as the rev counter needle heads for the red zone in a hurry but the motor will tolerate cruising around between five and seven thou if necessary with more than sufficient stomp available to make mincemeat of commuter cages.

As I said after my first session, "I could happily ride this thing to work!"

Out on the track, however, that translates to strong pull, linear and predictable with no steps or humps in the power delivery, out of the corners and screaming acceleration down the straights.

The throttle becomes a steering tool, as on a well set-up race bike – even quick down-changes going into corners can be accomplished without upsetting the bike's equanimity.

The new front suspension is a precise as the throttle, delivering razor-sharp, very quick steering with no loss of stability – the 600 doesn't have the 'Blade's fancy damper because it doesn't need it.

The front end always feels solidly planted – I got the rear wheel of the CBR to misbehave by going into a slow corner one gear to low and giving it an injudicious handful but the front wheel just tracked through on the chosen line and we came out with my heart in my mouth and the bike on course for Clubhouse corner.

The steering is surprisingly quick, however; I found myself turning into the corners a little later on every lap, doing my braking early because I'm a street rider, not a racer, diving down past my normal brake markers and then chucking the bike on its ear with the throttle already slightly open.

The '05 CBR600 boasts the same radial-mount four-pot Tokico brakes as its bigger brother; complete with radial master cylinder, they're two-finger powerful, even on the race track, delivering accurately modulated and precisely linear retardation.

The harder you squeeze, the harder you stop – even after the point where the steering starts to feel rubbery because the back wheel's off the ground!

The CBR600RR is incredibly user-friendly for a narrowly focused sports machine, adapting easily to different riding styles, mopping up amateur errors and never feeling unsettled as did its bigger brother when provoked.

In my last session on the 600 - also my last ride for the day - I stopped trying to explore the bike's (and my) capabilities, left it mostly in fourth and fifth and rode round like I was on a favourite country road, using the brakes only on the two slowest corners.

That was when I finally got into "the zone", with one corner flowing smoothly into the next in an intricate ballet on wheels, the bike and I working together in a perfectly balanced partnership – until six times World champion Jim Redman came powering past like I was looking for parking!

But that's really what this bike is all about – balance; it'll take you to work all week – although it will enjoy that about as much as you will – and it will take you as close to heaven as you'll ever get on two wheels come Sunday morning.

The 2005 CBR600RR is available in plain black and metallic blue as well as the red, silver and blue of HRC, the Honda Racing Corporation. It comes with a two-year unlimited distance warranty.

Honda SA has also succeeded in its stated intention of bringing the bike to market at exactly the same price as last year's model: R87 950.

Specifications:

Motor: Liquid-cooled four-stroke transverse four.
Capacity: 599cc.
Bore x stroke: 67 x 42.5mm.
Compression ratio: 12.0:1.
Valvegear: DOHC with four overhead valves per cylinder.
Power: 86Kw @ 13 000rpm.
Torque: 66Nm @ 11 000rpm.
Induction: PGM-DSFi fuel injection with four 40mm throttle bodies.
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorised with
electronic advance and independent 4-cylinder 3D-mapped computer control.
Starting: Electric.
Clutch: Cable-operated multi-plate wet clutch.
Transmission: Six-speed constant-mesh gearbox with final drive by chain.
Suspension: 41mm inverted cartridge forks adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping at front, monoshock adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping at rear.
Brakes: twin 310mm disks with radial mount four-pot opposed piston Tokico callipers at front, 220mm disk with single-piston Nissin floating calliper at rear.
Tyres: Front: 120/70 -ZR17 tubeless. Rear: 180/55 - ZR17 tubeless.
Wheelbase: 1395mm.
Seat height: 820mm.
Fuel capacity: 18 litres
Dry weight: 163kg.
Price: R87 950.

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+ Click to Enlarge

ANYTHING BUT BORING: The CBR600RR is also available in this black and silver colour scheme.