HONDA CBR600RR (2007 - 2008) Review

Version: 2008-2009 Model

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £225

There is nothing to not like, it is fast (as far as the road goes anyhow), the handling is sharp and it is comfortable as far as a sports bike goes. It has so much more in every way in my view than the more up to date versions of the similar bikes Honda now make and it will hold its own with bigger bikes on the road although you have to work it a bit harder to keep up. Would recommend it to anyone in a heart beat.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer local to me who deals in second hand sports bikes. Great service. Find it almost impossible to buy from a main dealer unless you've done a PCP deal, want to do a PCP deal or have an almost new bike to trade. Anything more than 3 years old and it seems dealers aren't interested, regardless of the state of your bike. Suits me, I'd rather own my bike than get fleeced on a PCP deal.

Year: 2008

Previous owner had the bike lowered, granted it has lots of pros to the overall look of the bike as well as an upper advantage to easily flat foot the ground with no problem but definitely sketchy for overall performance at high rates of speed.

Buying experience: Bought privately by a friend who had recently purchased the bike at 14,000 miles for $5,500 I ended up only purchasing it from him for $1,000 and put in over $1,700 in new parts. Totally worth every penny.

Year: 2007

Great overall package, lack of rider aids not an issue as it’s so well balanced. Get to 11,000 rpm and smile.

Year: 2008

This is still the best 600rr out there, I own the 2008, it has the best power even still years later because they reduced the power 09+, it's fast, it's built well, I ride every single day all year round commute/fun/everything, I've ridden newer GSXR750's/modified GSXR600's etc honda wins everytime, Mine is running a power commander, heated grips, good tyres, got a honda optimate charger, double bubble screen, braided brake lines, R&G crash bungs, original toolkit, full history dyno'd by a dynojet centre, and have a list of £4000 more of modifying to do including leo vince exhaust, it'll sound like a ferrari and go even faster than them than it already is when i'm done with it! I WANT A CBR800RR THOUGH, MAKE IT HONDA!!!!!

I purchased this bike new in September 2008, after test riding both my more favoured choice, the GSXR600 and the CBR600RR. The trouble was the CBR was so much better, it felt so planted on the road, a roomier riding position, mid range felt cleaner and what appeared to be better build quality. Head won, heart lost. A year later, I still love the CBR and during that time I have added a few minor tasteful extras like a puig double bubble screen and some carbon effect pieces but to stop me from selling the bike I needed more comfort. I changed the clip ons for Helibars as I suffered from achy wrists and a strange neck problem which felt like I was craning my neck to see the road head. The heli bars have made a huge difference, whilst you are slightly more upright, it makes the usual traffic queues and two up riding bearable and not painful. This hasn’t turned the CBR into a tourer, it still loves the twisties but now it can also do the dull bit of riding easier. It has been said that this is an easy bike to ride and it can flatter your abilities through corners and I can’t disagree with that comment, it really is a doddle to ride and I’ve never felt the need to change any of the suspension settings. Like all 600’s sports, the CBR isn’t lightening quick off the mark unless you’re that way inclined, but this just makes it easier for novices not to feel scared. For me the mid range is ample, even two up, to over take without having to go berserk through the rev range. Not something most people care about but the mirrors are brilliant and Honda really do know how to make a quality machine, the finish is still superb. Economy, another thing people don’t usually mention, I get around 45mpg on my varied rides and insurance costs can be reasonable with the right circumstances. I guess my only minor gripes are the exhaust note circa 3k, it feels like your ears are about to burst, it’s that bad, the vibes through the bars at low revs and the low standard screen which impedes the view of the speedo.( Puig screen looks good! )

I brought my CBR600rr new in January 2008. I ride it every day come rain or shine. I have taken it on 3 track days, 2 trips into Europe, including France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and the awesome Nuburgring. To date I have covered almost 15,000 miles in a year so this isn’t your standard review of a bike that’s done a couple hundred dry miles. The handling is sharp and the steering damper is first class, suspension firm but it gives you great confidence in the bends and the riding position is good for a sports bike and much better than any other sports bike I have ridden. The power is strong way down in the taco so you don’t have to rev it hard to get it going. If you’re looking for a bike that can live in the real day to day world but also a bike that you can take to the track and ride like Rossi then this is your bike. Believe me nothing comes close, the bike is awesome. However there are a couple things if only Honda had listened to their customers they would have made this bike perfect. 1. A slipper clutch. 2. Gear indicator. Without these two things the bike scores 9/10. H

I purcha....sed this bicycle back in sept and love it, I missed riding for a couple of weeks but when I got back on, it felt smaller then I remember almost like I now swamped it. Any way great bike man, I'm always smiling an thats all that count right...

ok i begain on cb500 for 2 years i thought i better start with a bike that will not break down easy to work & ride on. the cb was all that then after 2 years i thought time to get bigger bike but nothing silly as i`ve still not got my knee down.i looked at a cbr600f was thinking about £2,000.then the wife (love u loads hun) got me a cbr600rr 2007 from stratstone clay cross (thankyou for all your help)well where to start.over all its 5/5 its great when you get on it start up you are 1.ride & handling is great it goes along at 30mph in town but you know it doesn`t want to it says let me go!you open it up in the blink of an eye you doing 70+ but it doesn`t seem like it!it wants to go 70 and a lot faster but the faster you go the easyer the bike handles.i still haven`t got my knee down but im takening bends 50+ where on cb500 i wouldnt dream of it but this bike makes you feel so alive.equipment4/5 theres no under seat storage!!the own thing u can put under it is you cash cards!!!the 1 thing that is a pain in the bum are the mirrors!! my god you see half your arms in them .so if say you would think of going faster than may be you should you can`t really tell whot car is behind you if say you would like to open it up!!quality & reliabilty well ive just got it so all i can say its well nice.value the wife got it for £5511 2007 4500 on clock with alarm datatool s4-c1.i would say it`s the best thing she ever got me. engine well i don`t rev it as i wouldn`t like to pull a wheelies.but you can ride it in high gear round town easy then open it up there`s no down power its just there waitting for you

Absolutely cracking bike. Cant fault it at all. Power and handling are amazing. Takes the micky out of the other 600's in its class.

Fantastic bike. Riding position is spot on. Not cramped like my old Yamaha R6, or to "wristy". I could ride it all day. The mid range is so good that you don't feel the need to wring it's neck at all. The steering damper is brilliant, I can't believe they don't fit them to all sports bikes, it holds the front so well that laying it over is much easier, it allows for really quick cornering. the quality is also brilliant. I love it. I may even keep it in my front room, next to the fire ha ha.

Light and agile. Great handling. Quick (for a 600). Could sound better though, too quiet and no induction noise. Also tried a 2007 Fireblade and bought the 600.

Got knocked off my RR6 in Feb by some dozy female driver, but it was the best thing that could have happened. I cannot believe the difference between the RR6 (already a good bike) and the new RR7. The mid range on the new bike is so strong that if you did not know better you would think Honda had finally produced a competitive 750. The handling is also improved and inspires Rossi like cornering, (or at least it feels like it!). The only down side after 1500 miles of ownership is the luggage hooks which are positioned forwards of the rear seat so effectively pull and luggage forward and off the seat. Overall a five star. I tested it back to back against a 07 Fireblade and still chose the 600!

Got one of these to replace my 2006 CBR600F - instantly I'm carrying 10-20mph extra into very corner such is the confidence in the machine. Very light and chuckable and the exhaust sounds great - best of all you don't have to keep really high revs to get anywhere. Would have liked a gear indicator and the Honda tool kit won't fit on the bike...but I don't think it will break down ;-)

Saving already.

After two test rides I just had to have one, so I upgraded from my 1998 CBR600F. Awesome handling and 'flickability' a great bike.