Test Ride CBR600RR

[500rider]

What a machine!!

I took out the CBR600RR on the "come ride with us" Honda demo ride in my city (London, Ontario).  I caught the last demo ride a few weeks ago and rode the F4i and the Interceptor.  There's another one in two weeks and hopefully I will take out the 919 and the RC51.

The RR was an amazing ride.  Seems to have plenty of power in any rpm range unlike the F4i.  Riding position was a bit cramped but I was not uncompfortable at all during the 30 minute ride.  Talk about performance.  There seemed to be no limit to the available power.  Cornering was effortless and brake power will tear out your fillings.  

I have to say that the old GS seemed like a moped in comparison after riding the RR.  That's what 20 years of motorcycle evolution will do.  Don't get me wrong ... I would not trade the GS for the RR but it sure was fun to ride.  The RR is just not practical.  By the time you get into the real power band of the bike you are doing like 100 kph in 1st gear.  That's not to say that there's not plenty of power lower in the rpm range though.  

Also, I think riding the GS has made me a better rider than some of those with other types of bikes.  With the GS you have to work a little harder to get it to bend into corners and get some performance out of it.  On both the demo rides I went on this year, I had to let off the throttle or brake on curves because I was going to over take riders on more powerful machines.  It's not because I was too aggressive either because they were falling behind the lead rider.  One guy who edged past me while we were stopped seemed to think he was fast but I had to keep slowing down for him as we went around some of the bends in the road.  He was on the 1000RR.  

Anyway, I thought I'd share my experience on the RR.

[TOMIMOTO]

I heard the RR is a good bike. hehe








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Maybe that's why I bought one.



I'll never go back to the GS but that's just me. The riding position was uncomfortable and akward for the first week and my wrists hurt but I'm used to it now. I love being able to cruise on the highway at 70mph and only running it at 6k RPM. I love the 15k redline too. You only really need gears 1-3 on this thing.

[Michael]

I love being able to cruise on the highway at 70mph and only running it at 6k RPM.

Um, isn't that the same as the GS?  At least it is on mine.  Of course, on the crotch rocket, at 6k it's only just getting it's shoes on whereas the GS has a lot less left before it runs out of puff.

[pantablo]

yeah, similar to the gs except the RR gets to 15,500rpm before the shift light, er, rev limiter kicks in.

The RR is just not practical.

It is if all you do is canyon and trackday riding...

Also, I think riding the GS has made me a better rider than some of those with other types of bikes. ...seemed to think he was fast but I had to keep slowing down for him as we went around some of the bends in the road. He was on the 1000RR.

Couldnt agree more. Thats why the GS makes such a great first bike. I rode mine for 16 months and then jumped on the RR and was immediately fast. Faster than lots of other guys on sportbikes. When people hear I've only been riding for 2 1/2 years they're shocked...

[500rider]

The RR is just not practical.

It is if all you do is canyon and trackday riding...

True enough!

[etam]

Yes.. I did the "come ride with us" yesterday in Markham with VFR800 and 600RR... so far I like 600RR the best.. (even compared with GSXR600 and SV1000S I test rode earlier this month).

RR is more comfortable compared to GSXR.. my knee was hitting GSXR fairings but not with RR... you don't lean much forward with RR either.

VFR is nice too.. quite stable or require more input to flick it left and right.

[500rider]

I found that the SV1000 was downright painful to ride.  The combination of handlebar angle and clutch stiffness was too much.  What a dream machine otherwise though!

I would take the F4i or the RR over the Intercepter.  I do appreciate comfort but the VFR was not much better than the F4i if at all.  I've never ridden an Gixxer.

[etam]

I would take the F4i or the RR over the Intercepter.  I do appreciate comfort but the VFR was not much better than the F4i if at all.  I've never ridden an Gixxer.

I consider VFR because it keeps good re-sale value (supposed ridden by mature people only and not being abused) and insurance is much cheaper than any 600cc supersport bike in Ontario... but in fact.. it is a very capable sport touring bike.

[Anonymous]

I've noticed that these "test ride days" seem to be happening in Canada.  Do dealers in the states ever do this?

[pantablo]

some do, but its usually for exotics and/or less popular brands (Triumph regularly does them). I got to ride an Aprilia when I was shopping, guy at the shop just took it outside and said, "here ya go".

[500rider]

This is part of Honda Canada's "come ride with us" program.  The same bikes tour around to different dealerships all summer.  

http://www.honda.ca/MotorcycleEng/Events/ComeRideWithUs/Schedule.htm?Year=2005

The Suzuki ride I did before was sponsored by the dealer and he was selling the bikes after.

Buell also has a touring demo ride in Canada.