Winter is coming! Dan gets into the nitty gritty of CBR600RR commuting life as it gets colder
Part of my mission statement for living with Honda’s CBR600RR across 2024 was to see if it was practical enough to be used as an ‘only’ bike.
In order to meet this remit, it must be usable as an everyday commuter – capable of tackling a damp dual carriageway just as well as it can thread between apexes at Cadwell Park.
Read more
- Update one: Dan nips across to the Isle of Man for some TT fun
- Update two: The hits and misses of the Honda CBR600RR after 1675 miles
- Update three: Hitting a Cadwell Park trackday on the CBR
- Update four: Pros and cons of riding 1000 miles per month
- Update five: Pillion test on the CBR600RR
- Update seven: Oil check annoyance
To put that to the test, I’ve been using the CBR at least two days a week to complete my lengthy ride to and from MCN HQ – a round trip of just over 100 miles. It takes in large villages, back roads, the outskirts of a city centre, and a half-hour run along the A1.
After just shy of 6500 miles, this is what I’ve found so far.
Turn up the heat
Although we’ve not reached the bitterly cold weather yet, the UK has already seen some freezing conditions and a dusting of snow.
Fortunately, I’ve had Honda’s own £335 heated grips installed since October and have used them on pretty much every ride since then.
They are neatly integrated, with a subtle ‘on’ button on the left bar, and are great around town for keeping your digits warm.
However, they simply aren’t warm enough at motorway speeds when the temperature drops below five degrees – with sustained high speed seeing the backs of your hands and the tips of your fingers going numb very quickly – even wearing quality winter gloves.
I’ve now added Weise’s batterypowered Ion heated gloves to the mix for an extra layer of warmth.
Under pressure?
When the weather’s this cold, the aftermarket Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres I’ve fitted can also struggle a little – feeling immensely heavy at the front end when cold, to the point where I’ve stopped to check for a puncture.
Once they are up to speed though, I am pleased to say they continue to be impressive, with plenty of wet weather confidence, and grip at the rear end under hard acceleration without any traction control intervention.
On warmer days (where I imagine many CBRs will stay) they are sublime.
Can’t stand the rain
While we’re on the subject of the weather, another unavoidable trait of the sportsbike is the hunched forward riding position – something that makes me feel more involved with the ride. Unfortunately, though, it also encourages rainwater to run down your arms and into your gloves – so you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a good seal between your sleeve and cuff if you’re riding in the wet, otherwise you are in for a bit of a damp experience.
Traffic busting
On a more positive note, the CBR600RR is absolutely excellent at cutting through traffic – something that’s been especially important over the past few months thanks to continuous A1 maintenance between Stibbington and Peterborough, and a two-lane queue of frustrated motorists that stretches way back past Wansford every day.
The bright LED headlights, striking red paint, and constantly illuminated front indicator stalks are easily spotted by the rows of stationary cars and trucks I’m threading through.
The aforementioned aggressive riding position and low bars also encourage you to hunch in close – meaning you can fit through gaps that upright adventure bikes and nakeds could only dream of.
Out of juice
The CBR has been great on fuel during daily use, and I can get more than 200 miles from the 18-litre fuel tank without getting a panic on.
One thing I’ve never liked though is that the range indicator only comes on when you hit the fuel light, with 50 miles to go.
The range indicator has proved to be largely accurate, but on one occasion the bike did completely dry of fuel whilst still claiming that I had 30 miles in hand. Fortunately, I was just a mile from a petrol station. I’m relieved to say that hasn’t happened again.
