HONDA CBR600RR (2003 - 2006) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £200 |
Power: | 115 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.3 in / 820 mm) |
Weight: | Low (359 lbs / 163 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesBarely related to the long-running all-round Honda CBR600F – the Honda CBR600RR is a track biased missile – and an excellent one.
- Latest model: 2024 Honda CBR600RR review
On the road, the ‘F’ version is a better bet for most with a more roomy riding position, stable handling and a less revvy engine but get the Honda CBR600RR on the track and it’s in its element.
Read the most recent 2009-2013 Honda CBR600RR review.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineClever rear system mounts the Honda CBR600RR shock in the swingarm like a MotoGP bike. While not the lightest in its class, the Honda CBR600RR’s a superb handling motorcycle. Quick steering yet pretty stable on a smooth track with huge angles of lean achievable. Brakes are hard to fault too. But Honda CBR600RR can be slappy on the road.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityA 599cc in-line four is the staple lay out for a sports 600, with good reason – it works brilliantly. The Honda CBR600RR needs revving to extract all its 115 claimed bhp and with the red line at 15,000 rpm you’ll feel like a MotoGP rider as you do it. Like so many fuel injected Hondas, the Honda CBR600RR doesn’t manage many MPG.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe Honda CBR600RR's no match for the Hondas of 15 years ago (when less environmentally friendly but more durable paints were in use) but still a well finished motorcycle. ’05 onwards Honda CBR600RRs have stainless downpipes. Honda recalled some 2003 and 2004 motorcycles to correct a fault which might have caused the rear brakes to seize. Official UK Honda CBR600RR should have been done but check parallel imports.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentCompetition’s hot in this class. Two year updates and four year major overhauls are common on the sportys 600s. When you buy your Honda CBR600RR dictates exactly what you pay. If you’re buying a Honda CBR600RR new, don’t pay full list price unless it’s spring and you’re getting an all-new Honda CBR600RR. Find a Honda CBR600RR for sale.
Equipment
The Honda CBR600RR's clocks are incredibly comprehensive for a track biased machine. Under seat storage space on the Honda CBR600RR is almost nil thanks to the exhaust system. Comfort’s ok in short bursts and better at speed when wind pressure takes the weight off your wrists. Honda CBR600RR Pillions had better be brave.
Specs |
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Engine size | 599cc |
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Engine type | 16v, in-line four, 6 gears |
Frame type | Aluminium twin spar |
Fuel capacity | 18 litres |
Seat height | 820mm |
Bike weight | 163kg |
Front suspension | Preload, rebound, compression |
Rear suspension | Preload, rebound, compression |
Front brake | Twin 320mm discs |
Rear brake | 220mm disc |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 35 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £84 |
Annual service cost | £200 |
New price | - |
Used price | £4,000 |
Insurance group |
15 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 115 bhp |
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Max torque | 49 ft-lb |
Top speed | 160 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | 11.4 secs |
Tank range | 135 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
- Related: Honda CBR600 model history
Other versions
None.
MCN Long term test reports

Long-term Honda CBR600RR test update one | A fanTTastic start as Dan nips across to the Isle of Man
“That’s a proper motorbike…” a mantra I keep repeating to myself as I take in every angle of the 2024 Honda CBR600RR, cup of tea in hand. Standing in the doorway to my garage after our first cheeky 20-miler, I can’t help but grin as I take in its outrageous underseat pipe, subtle winglets, racy red …
Owners' reviews for the HONDA CBR600RR (2003 - 2006)
19 owners have reviewed their HONDA CBR600RR (2003 - 2006) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HONDA CBR600RR (2003 - 2006)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £200 |
Version: robertdumont632@gmail.com
Year: 2006
Awesome bike
Just tires really so far...
Buying experience: Traded for my bike
Version: Pre USD forks
Year: 2003
Annual servicing cost: £300
I enjoyed owning this bike. Did everything I asked and never complained. Very forgiving for a Race Rep, easy to work on and reliable. If you haven’t tried one, you should. Great fun
Expect a firm ride on the OEM suspension settingsMore hard work for pilot and pillion around town, wrists for both feel it under braking. If you have a natural pillion then fun can be had 2s up. Stock brakes very good
Plenty of power for a 600Placid and smooth below 6k, different animal over that.
Never let me downI bought with 5k miles and sold with 26kOnly replaced the Reg/Rectifier Which in my experience is a Honda trait but that’s it
I carried out all work myself so I based my servicing cost on 1 year of the following Chain & Sprocket kit full service with an additional oil and filter change 6 months or 3k miles later, whichever came sooner.I don’t account for brake pads, fuel or tyres as I deem these as expected consumables.
The bike looked very nice and was completely standardI changed the screen as the OEM one noticeably pushed air in to upper chest and neck, a bubble screen helped massively in reducing thisPillion seat cowl, carbon tail tidy, titanium exhaust (huge weight save) and smaller LED indicators with relay to fix flash rate.Came with the OEM Pirelli tyres which worked well all year round, just had to know your limits when wet riding.
Buying experience: Purchased in 2006 Very EasyLocal dealer had one priced at £5000 with 5k miles so £1 a mile. I knew exactly what I was looking for and had months to do my research
Version: MX
Year: 2006
Keep in mind that it is a track focused missle
It have fantasticly easy handling and flickability, low weight, smooth and predictable power delivery. Stable around corners. Brakes are good. Suspension is stiff, but adjustable Ergos is purposefully terrible - you got high mounted pegs, low clip-ons, hi and rough seat. Overall seating position is cramped for my 5'7. While it is a lot of fun for short trips, anything more than 50-100 miles of highway will exaust you, because you sitting "on a bike" and getting hi frequency vibrations on pegs. It is incredibly hot place to sit - bike gets hot very fast (frame too), when fan is turned on it blows hot air right on your legs.
Great linear power delivery, too loud and "motogp-ish" for my taste.
Mine is quite old and beaten up. Except typical Honda rectifier and tensioner failures you'll can encounter leaking fork seals, rattling clutch basket and jingling camchain. First to second gear throw is pretty long, so you could easily go to neutral. Dunno, maybe it is some mechanical fault in my bike. Look for one that was properly maintained.
Parts aint cheap
Dash is great for track bike - fuel capacity and temp readout. Adjustable levers, shifter and brake pedal No cargo capacity at all
Buying experience: I had bought it as a first bike from private seller who doesnt give a damn about maintenance. For really good clean and well maintaned example you shoold look around 4k US dollars
Version: RR5
Year: 2005
Annual servicing cost: £100
I THINK IT A FANTASTIC LITTLE SUPERSPORTS,THAT STILL GET GOOD REVIEWS FROM EVERYONE I MEET.I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT
HANDLES SUPERB AND EASILY KEEPS UP WITH BIG BOYS, AND CAN ACTUALLY GO FASTER TOP END THAN SOME.
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME SCREAM TO 15000 RED LINE LIKE A JET FIGHTER.
ONLY USE IN DRY WEATHER
GREAT CLOCKS NOT MUCH SPACE UNDER SEAT DUE TO EXHAUST,BUT ENOUGH TO KEEP A PUNCTURE OUTFIT OR OTHER
Buying experience: BOUGHT PRIVATE
Year: 2003
Mint low miles
Year: 2005
Bought the bike new.good fun bike would recommend Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres for fast riders standard tyres are borin power ok really need to work it keep the revs high fun bike It really puts a smile on your face.
Bought the bike new.good fun bike would recommend Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres for fast riders standard tyres are borin power ok really need to work it keep the revs high fun bike It really puts a smile on your face.
rr5 bought from new, engine pulls in all gears and revs, brakes good and forgiving if you get out of shape. surprisingly good mpg 50+ if you don't go mad. Front page of The Sun speeds are seriously easy to achieve. Would have liked to see a self cancelling indicator like my 20 year old YPVS as well as a gear indicator if only for top. Wrists can ache after only short distances but better technique helps. Great bike overall, can't see anything out there i'd rather be on at the mo.
Cracking bike - my first big bike after years on a 125. The bike is nimble and light and easy to ride at low revs. Twist the throttle and she comes alive - needs high revs for top end power. If ridden well the bike can easily compete with 1ltr bikes. Looks good, simple dash, easy to maintain, reliable and very very quick.
and a sore arse are the main faults to this bike but apart from that put on some decent tyres such as the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa, find a nice twisty smooth road and eat those miles up with a big grin on our face!
Spent a year with a 06 600RR and loved it! It really puts a smile on your face. It looks great and the unit pro suspension really gives confidence to get on the gas early… really it does! The engine is a peach, smooth as silk but with a naughty side which makes you want to play with the rev counter flicking around 10k! It is also comfy (for a supersport) and is put together better than the 1000RR I now have. Any weaknesses? Er, there is not much wind protection unless you duck down but this was not bad enough for me to do anything about it!. For me the 05/06 600rr looks better than the 07 and there are elements of the 600RR that are better than the 1000RR. Highly recommended!
Bought this bike last summer for a scratch under £4k and as my first 'big' bike, its incredibly easy to ride with enough power to do some serious damage. Fantastic handling, acceleration and most of all, looks.. Inspires bags of confidence and as you would expect from a honda, virtually bullet proof. On the down side, anything over an hour on it requires a massage, zero storage, and i mean zero - if you want to take anything bigger than a credit card take your backpack. All in all though, an awesome bike.
Bought from new in april 2004. No probs as yet whatsoever! Covered 12000 miles in the first year alone, lovely & a joy to ride. Strengths: Easy to ride. Awesome brakes. Looks. Weaknesses: lack of Underseat storage. Slight lack of midrange
I had a CBR400rr before this and that was a great bike!! Roadtested the 600RR on it's release and thought WOW!! Unfortunately I couldn't stretch to one, as I was buying another house at the time. Decided I had to get a 600 this year, tried the GSXR, and the 636 Kwaka, but the bike for me on looks and handling was RR all day long!! I love it!! Strengths: The handling is fantastic, you think it, the bike does it. Smooth and responsive on the throttle and great brakes. It's a fantastic all rounder!! Weaknesses: I can't really find any faults, apart from its a nightmare to clean, without removing the fairings. But hey, I don't take it out in the wet!!
A great all round bike. After getting used to riding here on a 400, this is the best thing I have done. Had the option of going for a Fireblade. No regrets. Strengths: A very user friendly bike that has no trouble keeping up with the big guys. All round just perfect. Weaknesses: No gripes. But the one thing I have a problem is storage space. But then on sport bike, is storage a problem?
Great handling good brakes build quality as you would expect from a Honda plus the reliability this bike actually fills me with so much confidence its unreal,also find riding position better than the blade. Strengths: To be honest the whole bike the midrange on up through the rev range to the red AWESOME. I really love this machine no need for bigger bikes. Weaknesses: Servicing and cleaning is a nightmare no room to work at all. Just a little notchy at low revs
I bought this for £5000, after dropping back to an Aprillia RS125 2 stroke for the last year. Obviously it is vastly quicker, but for a heavier bike, the handling and turn in is actually better on the CBR. I haven't had any problems with low torque at low revs, but then maybe this is coming back up from a small 2 stroke! Opened up in 6th at 60mph, and in the blink of an eye she was doing 120 - what lack of torque ? Typical quality honda build, surprisingly easy to ride in traffic and round town, but livens up considerably when on the open road. Even pretty good with pillion, although my wife is less than 8 stone, probably harder with a heavier passenger. Bought this in (narrow) preference to a Ducati 748R, no regrets though. Strengths: Handling, brakeing and 'rider friendlyness', Covetous looks from other riders (plus my 17 year old brother and his mates!) Weaknesses: A driving ban is just a twist of the throttle away !
I bought this bike a couple of months ago and its been great fun. I had an old CBR600f which was great and could do anything, but this bike is a big step on. The acceleration, braking and handling are superb. It is a little bit stodgy in the lower revs, but this bike is designed to be revved and once you do its like being strapped to a rocket. Cleaning is a pleasure - pain thing. Its nice when its done but getting into all the nooks and cranny's is a pain. Strengths: Superb through the bends..good build quality. Weaknesses: The seat. Its like sitting on a park bench..and is only good for about 40 miles. Thinking of changing it for a Corbin..