(http://powersports.honda.com/assets/images/model/model_hero_shot/motorcycles/2004/large/CBR600RR.jpg)
brought this bad boy home tonight.Came home from a long day at various dealerships with my BRAND NEW, 04 cbr600rr. Red/black...3 miles when I bought it, 60 when it got home. Of course I took the long way home (through the boo). Originally wanted black but the traditional Honda red called to me.
A few observations.
-This bike is fast, fooking fast.
-this bike fits me like a glove
-I think to turn and it does.
-having wind protection feels really good at 75; screw naked bikes.
-I kept thinking the tach wasnt working...I can't imagine what it feels like at 15,000 rpm
-this is a terrible first bike. I cant begin to fathom what goes through peoples mind buying this as their first ever bike. Ridiculous.
-there's considerable heat on my heels and feet in general from the backside of the fairing. Will be nice in winter. Summer, not so much.
-plastic tank makes my tankbag useless.
-got a batch that came with D208's instead of Michelin's...mmm
-there is no underseat storage. I couldnt fit my sale paperwork under the seat-something about an underseat exhaust.
-the bike is sexy, fooking sexy.
-and fast.
Time to relearn how to ride.
oh yeah,
WOO-fookin-HOO.
Lucky bastard! :)
Have fun, don't kill yourself. :thumb:
ill be damned, a "post whore moderator on a cbr" :roll: what will this world err site come to 8) :lol: :mrgreen: :nana: , sweet ride none the less :thumb: :cheers:
oh no you've sold out :o :( but what a way to sellout if I could I would excellent choice have fun and stay upright :cheers: :thumb:
:thumb: :cheers:
kewl.
Remember to save your pennys for your chiropractor visits.
:P
Pretty :cheers:
I hear ya on the toasty feet. the sad thing is, you won't even notice it in the winter cause the engine will be running cooler :roll:
Enjoy your new ride :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Sweet! :thumb: :cheers:
damn :o
big congrats man. sucks about the luggage tho.
:cheers:
First off I want to say congradulations. Second I want to just say that I agree with the comment you made about people and the bikes they choose for first bikes. A good friend of mine bought a brand new R6 for his first. He barely knew how to use the clutch! What was he thinking?
For everyone else that hasn't ridden a fast bike like Pablos or my friends look at it like this, If you started in second gear and kept the rpms below 3500 that would be your GS.
Congratulations, and have fun on that beauty!
Laura
ps- I hope you're not going to abandon us gsers.
I'd love to hear what mods you have planned.
Congrats :cheers:
Good choice. WHen I went 600 shopping, (definately not buying) I was between the Honda and the Suzuki. Both are nice. Koodos.
-Anti
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Very Niiiiiiiiiice...droool drooool drooooool!
Enjoy!
:mrgreen:
Man.. When you getting rid of that fender, its huge. ;)
I have been drooling on those RRs since they came out. Once I think I won't kill myself on it I'll be getting one. Definatly Red! Awsome ride man.
Very nice bike. Time to get a tank bag with straps. Or a backpack.
"Ha ha... "oh crap.... who said that...
Congrads... Just Dont come crying to us when you need to adjust the valves on that thing. But I love the F2's... so I can see how this is an F2 taken to the extreme.
Cool.
Srinath.
Very nice :) I suggest you swap the stock seat for a piece of plywood as it will be much more comfortable. The stock seat is so hard I can't believe it.
I'll race you for pink slips.
You've gone to the dark side.
Congradulations!
Nucking futts- Hombre.
Maybe now you can replace your avatar with a real picture of you doing a real wheelie :) .
SWEEEEEEEEEET! :thumb:
I hope to be getting a YZF600R soon ...... or SV650 ..... or .... Speed 4 ...... or ..... crap here I go again. :dunno:
Dang. Forsaken by Pantablo!!
Nice ride man.
What happened to the Super Chicken ?
The 600 looks like a very cool ride and probably perfect for your riding style and yea, that undertail exhaust is damn sexy.
So how big a back tire can you put on it ? :mrgreen:
Enjoy it man! :cheers:
Spend a little more and go to superbike school now that you've got one.....
Awesome ride man....be safe!
thanks guys. I feel really lucky to be able to have gotten this bike and to have everything else in my life come together as it has/is right now.
The seat...well I did 60 miles yesterday bringing it home in every condition from traffic to canyons. Its VERY comfortable for me. The seating position is perfect, probably due to my small stature. My hands and arms feel completely natural where the bars are. The seat is surprisingly comfortable. Not a single issue in those 60 miles. When I test rode the Triumph Daytona 600 I noticed IMMEDIATELY that seat felt like a peice of plywood. Not so with the 600rr. May have something to do with only weighing 120# though.
This is by far the best way to get a 180/55 rear tire. Gave up on the superchicken and just decided to get the best bike I could for how I ride and be done with it. I hope to keep this one for a very long time.
I think the fender is sexy. I'm not touching the bike AT ALL for some time yet. First change will probably be a fender eliminator though. May be the ONLY change. I can't second guess the Honda engineers, now can I? I will set the suspension sag soon-probably after the 600 mile service so its a bit broken in (dealers suggestion). Superbike school is on the radar, just dont know when...and I defiinitely want to use THEIR bike now. I would hate to toss this baby down the track.
Fender eliminator and frame sliders may be only thing I change/add.
Oh god its sexy. But I wont forget my roots. You guys are a riot to communicate with. I'll still be around.
I'm riding this bike just like when I first rode the gs (without any experience). Deserves lots of respect so I'm treating it like I have to learn to ride all over again (I do with this thing).
I cant wait to ride again.
you lucky sob :D
good luck with your new bike
I had tried posting before, but for some reason it didn't go...here's round #2
My riding partner has a 03 600RR and loves it. He just put a Jardine R1 slip on and it sounds sweet! (for a inline 4 that is :nana: ).
Check out www.600rr.net
It is a message board for the RRs. He is irishrr and his name is Chad...hit him up with questions if they arise. He is a good rider and runs the motorcycle safety foundation for the base cops out here.
Enjoy the ride!! And thanks for the help with my GS!
Nice rode Pablo. I am envious!
You are going to love that thing! I bet its an absolute blast once you get used to it. Enjoy, and good luck! I have a feeling you will still lurk around these parts.
congrats pablo...
Woot!
I cant wait to ride with you when i get back to LA this summer.
By the way I am going to send you an email. I know your starting up your own company.. i thought you would use some "links" or atleast get to know some ppl in the industry. My friends dad, though retired has been doing some small work for companies.. stuff like you do.
ANyway i will send you the stuff..
Congratulations!, thats a sweet bike. :thumb:
thanks for the link to 600rr.net but already going there (and cbrworld.net too). Strange bunch of guys there though, a bit gixxer.com in that lots have the 600rr as a first bike, ever. Crazy.
Manjul, What kind of industry links are we talking about here? IT Network links? I'll wait for the email.
Thanks again guys. I cant wait to ride the thing again.
don't forget to change your sig ;)
OBTW...
I never bookmarked the site where the two bozos started a site towards their tale of woe about their RR and to generate signatures for a petition to be sent to American Honda. Pablo, during your web travels in CBRland, has that item popped up, or was it BS (as I suspect)? :cheers:
Nope, never came across any sites like that about the RR. There are some grumblings about oil usage on the 2003's but havent heard anything about the 2004 models in that regard. They [Honda] think 1 qt in 1000 miles is normal...for a brand new bike?! WTF...we'll see, its not like I'm not used to it...
Gotta change my sig...I keep forgetting.
Well done mate,
Every test Ive read comparing the Honda against its rivals has gone the Hondas way. And it looks wicked! Good luck with it but dont forsake us peons on the GS!
(Can we have some more photos please? And how about a soundtrack???)
:cheers:
That is AWESOME Pablo! Have fun on it!
hey, thought this would be a good thread to ask.... I remeber a little while back someone posted a couple links to some good articles about "why not to get a 600 for your first bike". A guy on a unrelated forum (mountain bikes) posted something about wanting to get the Gixxer 600, and i just wanted to point him towards those articles, that go on about excuses newbies have to get a 600 as a first bike, and the rebutals etc.
thanks
here's a good link:
http://www.beginnerbikes.com/editorials/formequalsfunction.htm
Also, I copied this text from another site and saved it for such people. I dont have the link, only the actual text so here it is:
Why not a sportbike for a first bike?
After a rash of posts about what bike to get as a first bike, and a lot of posts defending the reasoning behind "only a 600" or "having respect", or "too big to ride a small bike"....
Why not a GSXR/R6/ZXR/CBR/996 etc?
Well, I am not sure that the fact that these are "only 600's" means a great deal, they are seen as "slow" by newer riders, and therefore easier to master than the 1000cc versions. Many people have said that they feel a 750 would be fine.
I guess that your idea of slow, is a fair bit different to mine. My idea of slow is something that accelerates like, say, a Geo Metro, not something that accelerates faster than a Dodge Viper.
Lets face it, the modern 600 is faster than a 750 of six or seven years ago, in a straight line, up to about 130mph.......
Six years ago the 750 class was in the middle of open warefare season, the (then new) SRAD 750 was the king of the beasts, trouncing the CBR900RR, and the FZR1000 or Chunderace) and destroying everything else in its path. Not just in a straight line either, but the 96 SRAD was a marvellous corner carver.
In its day, it was brutal - it still is, wild head shakes, inadvertant wheelies, and an utterly brutal rush beyond 10K RPM.
The latest 600's whilst just as fast, are only slightly more civilised, the power is not as brutal, but there is still a huge rush, and on the dyno they are only a couple of HP short of the benchmark.
So the power of the latest 600's is amazing, there is frankly more than 99% of people can use, and more than anyone can need on the street - on the track its a different matter, but we are talking street bikes here.....
Its not just the power either, its the power delivery.
These bikes are race-bikes with lights, or at least they are very, very similar to race bikes. In order to be competative in racing, where modifications are minimal, the engines are tuned to be very "racer friendly". The throttle response beyond a few thousand revs is instant, this is great if you are on a track, but merely OK on the road. If you are heavy-handed, it can be very dangerous. The MSF course teaches you to roll on the throttle in a curve, to a newr rider, rolling on is just that, add 1/4 turn maybe ? Well with a modern sports bike 1/4 turn is FULL throttle. Rolling on on these bikes means may 1/32nd of a turn - if that.
This is not a nice trait - you have just gone from 20hp to 80hp in the blink of an eye, and you lowsided - if you are lucky- into the scenery.
So, handling is the next problem.
These bikes are race bikes with lights, this means that they are super-fast handling. In fact they are astonishingly nervous, in order to make they turn fast, they are set-up to respond to minute inputs, and this is another major issue for a new rider. A new rider will not have the subltly of input that the bike needs, rather than push the bars, you apply a slight pressure, and the bike sails into the bends, push on the bars hard, and it becomes all nervous and unsettled, and again, the new rider may be lucky to get through the bend.
Obviously this will not be a good thing - to an experienced rider these bikes feel planted, and predictable, for a new rider, they feel horrible, and your confidence takes a hit.
Ok - Brakes
Again, these bikes are similar to race bikes. One of the few places that they differ is in the braking department. The brake pads have to last a little longer than race compound ones, so they are a little less brutal than those on a racer, also they have rubber hoses, which have a little "give" in them, making it harder to lock the fronts.
But, they are still eye-poppingly good, its possible to stand any of these bikes on its nose, at really, really high speeds, assumning you are hard enough on the brakes.
Then there is the rear brake, and again this is overly efficient, all too easy to lock it, all to easy to high-side as a result of the locked brake.
Repair costs.
As they are race replica's they comer covered in expensive plastic. Each side is $600 or more. A slow-speed drop could easily cost you over $1000 just in plastic bits. Add to that the normal "consumables" and you are in the $1300 range for a 10mph spill.
Combine all of these factors, and I hope that you see why a sportsbike is not a good first bike.
It has exactly the wrong set of characteristics for a new rider to learn to ride. Its too fast, too responsive, too twitchy, too nervous, the brakes are too sharp and they cost a lot to fix.
I'm not going to tell you that you should not get one (I'm not your mother), just that you need to bear in mind that these bikes belong in the "expert class", not the "new rider" one.
Beat me to it, Pablo! I was gonna say:
========================================
If I'm not mistaken, it was a 2-part article on the Beginner Bikes Magazine site (http://www.beginnerbikes.com):
Form Equals Function: Sportbikes are Not Beginner Bikes
(http://www.beginnerbikes.com/editorials/formequalsfunction.htm)and
Form Equals Function: Part Two (http://www.beginnerbikes.com/editorials/formequalsfunction2.htm)
Enjoy!
sweet thanks guys.
Only trouble is, your son will be too tall to sit on that rear pad by the time he's old enough to go pillion. :lol: :nana: :P I'm sure it is/will be a lot of fun but that's one helluv' an expensive toy. And "amen" on the chiropractor.
If I had bought a GSXR600 as a first bike I'd be dead today.
I have a 02 CBR 600 F4i. First bike, got it right after I did MSF course in Hollywood. Thus far I have 6000mi of incident free miles under my belt.
It can be done if you know your limitations and respect the machine. It also helps not to be completely uncoordinated and clumsy :roll:
ASLAM.
congrats! have fun with your new bike!
Quote from: MichaelOnly trouble is, your son will be too tall to sit on that rear pad by the time he's old enough to go pillion. :lol: :nana: :P I'm sure it is/will be a lot of fun but that's one helluv' an expensive toy. And "amen" on the chiropractor.
he's already too tall!
Expensive? Arent they all? I paid $7744 ($8500 out the door). And its pretty damn comfortable actually. Much more comfortable than the Daytona 600 I sat on. Seat on that was a plywood beam and the reach was pretty far to the bars.
Quote from: pantablohere's a good link:
http://www.beginnerbikes.com/editorials/formequalsfunction.htm
Well, I am not sure that the fact that these are "only 600's" means a great deal, they are seen as "slow" by newer riders, and therefore easier to master than the 1000cc versions. Many people have said that they feel a 750 would be fine..
Pablo, although you're still my Buddha Loves You, I side
100% with you on this one !!! I've seen so many new riders go into dealerships thinking that they shouldn't purchase 600's because it's the bottom of the line and the slowest. ...Well actually your Ninja 250, 500, GS500, SV650 are!!!
Two problems here:
1) These kids don't understand that these LITTLE 600's can blow the doors off a corvette and probably anything else on the road.
2) Dealerships and their salesmen would rather sell a $8-10k bike rather than a $4k GS500 (who can really blame them)
nice choice, out of all the 600 ss, that has the best over ergos, better than the gixxer 6, better than the ZX-6RR, and the Yam R6. The most track ready of all the 600ss's is the gixxer 6. but for everyday, real world usage, the CBR 600rr is the way to go. :cheers:
Quote from: South East Rocket
Pablo, although you're still my Buddha Loves You,
Always will be.
---
Funny thing about the race bikes...At Daytona the Supersport 600 (basically stock class) ran faster times than the formula Extreme (aka Superbike, allowing highly modified bikes). Stock bikes running 0.3 seconds faster, 1:50.998 stock against fastest superbike time of 1:52.800 (Ben Bostrom)...amazing.
You're so right. I actually remember watching a Aprillia RSV250 smoke a GIX750 around the track
Quote from: pantabloQuote from: South East Rocket
Pablo, although you're still my Buddha Loves You,
Always will be.
---
Funny thing about the race bikes...At Daytona the Supersport 600 (basically stock class) ran faster times than the formula Extreme (aka Superbike, allowing highly modified bikes). Stock bikes running 0.3 seconds faster, 1:50.998 stock against fastest superbike time of 1:52.800 (Ben Bostrom)...amazing.
Here's the actual bike...at Angeles Crest.
(http://pics.atofftopic.com/Images/PANTABLO/side.jpg)
I'm on the left...
(http://pics.atofftopic.com/Images/PANTABLO/cbr.shot.jpg)
very nice machine pablo
BTW is it fast? :lol:
Pablo, so let's talk about that magnetic tank bag you have no need for anymore... willing to part with it? If so, please drop me a line.
actually I was planning on posting it for sale once I got around to taking a few pics.
www.tourmaster.com tb-12 magnetic tank bag. retails for $80. I paid about that. I'd take $35 for it (+shipping).
Its a great bag and I wouldnt think of getting rid of it but the 600rr has a plastic tank and wont support the bag. I use the bag as a day/briefcase bag using the shoulder strap.
Only drawback I see in it is that it only has the one big pocket and a [too small to be useful] small outer pocket (fits glasses or keys only). I inserted a piece of cardboard decorated with photos to make the map pocket a second concealed pocket and that has worked out brilliantly as a place for cell phone, wallet and smaller stuff.
Magnetic is strong too. I never used the yoke strap (for added security-at this point I'm not sure I know where it is). I've had it loaded up and stay put at 125 mph and also stay put all 3 times I dropped the bike. Really sturdy and stable. Bag expands too-making it pretty roomy.
I love it. I'm going to replace it with one that straps on instead. Bag is in really good shape too. No damage or wear of any kind. maybe a little dirty from being used for a good majority of the 9k miles I did on the gs.
Size: 13" l x 9.5" w x 6-9.5" h (expandable).
Let me know if you want it.