Motorcycle specifications HondaCBR 600 F 1987 A new kind of sports car

it's not the one that heralded the wind, but it's certainly the one that made the nascent 600 sport category the most famous. These new machines are slowly appearing, bridging the gap between the 400s (very popular in Japan) and the sporty 750s. Today, only the Yamaha FZ 600, Kawasaki GPZ 600 R and this Honda CBR 600 compete on the roads - a limited range that's just waiting to be expanded. These bikes are derived from the 400 models so widespread in the land of the rising sun; and there are quite a few models in gestation which should soon be arriving in France with 200 cm3 more.

but for enthusiasts of fine motorcycles, there's only the specification sheet to wash their eyes with. This CBR, like its big 1000 sibling, inaugurates a new kind of design, very enveloping, almost too modest, with a fairing that covers all the machine's organs. Fluid, soft, light lines characterize this machine. Its elegance doesn't let you imagine how convincing its technical arguments are. In the 600 featherweight challenge, the CBR beats the FZ 600 by just 1 kg, but pulverizes it in terms of power. For the same displacement, Honda's 4-cylinder spits out 10 hp more, or 85 horsepower - a truly impressive figure. Yet this unit, which boasts an output of 142 hp/L, doesn't call on any extraordinary technologies. It's just an optimization and excellent use of proven techniques, resulting in a compact, powerful engine with 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooling, huge 32 mm carburetors, large valves and a highly refined intake. Extensive work on the shape of the ducts, the inclination of the mill (at 35°), and the position of the carburettors allow the gases to reach the combustion chambers via a very direct path. But the CBR's generous bodywork doesn't reveal any of this.
Nor does it reveal the Diamond steel frame. Strange; for a machine of this type, you'd expect aluminum, especially as the 400 uses this material... With its improved Pro-link rear suspension system, TRAC anti-dive fork, 17" cast aluminum wheels, slimmer brake discs and even weight distribution (50/50), the CBR 600 offers no spectacular innovations. But the right mix of all these ingredients results in a machine that's destined for greatness.

expected to be a little ball of nerves, it's surprisingly easy to ride. Just a few kilometers are enough to tame it... no, to get to know it as if you'd been riding it all your life. Impeccably set up, with the controls just right and the chassis responsive to rider commands, the machine welcomes you with open arms. It's a pity that the engine is so discreet in its evolutions. We like a boiler when it's alive, when it reacts with character, when it has a temper. The Honda block, although very flexible and well-suited to everyday use, doesn't inspire passion. It's hollow at low revs and releases its power very progressively. In this respect, the Kawa GPZ-R's less powerful mill is far more demonstrative. But the CBR's 4 legs hide their game well. The bike clocked a superb 11"8 to cover the 400 m DA. For a 600, this is more than impressive. With a top speed of almost 220 km/h and class-leading acceleration, this bike doesn't make much of an impression, but it's devilishly efficient. To get the most out of these nippers, the 6-speed gearbox offers excellent handling and precision. Climbing up the revs, fiddling with the selector, twirling around as you swing this featherweight from one angle to another, the pleasure of riding quickly sets in, and the CBR rider quickly adopts a smile. Confidence quickly sets in, and the bike's qualities are expressed without restraint. While not as lively as an FZ or GPZ-R, but extremely precise and particularly stable, the CBR boasts very rigorous handling. Suspension is efficient and sound, and calls for no reproach, or only 2 minor disappointments: the rear shock absorber lacks adjustment, and the fork requires some monitoring of its air pressure, failing which it will steer in certain conditions. The only really irritating point comes from the misunderstanding between the front brake and the anti-dive. The discs are powerful, biting and resistant, but the "TRAC" doesn't cope well with this work, and the front can start to wobble under heavy braking. A real shame!

braking that can't be exploited enough and an engine character that's too smooth - these are the only faults of the new Honda 600 CBR. For all the rest, this little sports bike deserves a lot of praise: pleasant in town, easy, maneuverable, efficient (it rivals the 750s), discreet but elegant, preserving comfort and protection (for a sports bike), the CBR will certainly make a name for itself. When the time comes to choose, you'll be seduced more by its efficiency than by its temperament.

M.B - (Internet photos)