So, as some of you may have read in the Falco section, I picked up another bike when my Falco was stolen. I had never owned or ridden an I4 before, so I figured I would give it a try. I was also looking for a true sports bike, and something that would be fairly reliable since it is my only means of transport. So I went with the CBR 600.
First, on the ride. The bike rides very well. Comfortable (different position, but about the same on comfort as the Falco), and pretty good controls. The brakes are ok, but not nearly as good as the Brembo's on the Falco. The clutch is nice, and fairly light, but I don't like the amount of travel in the lever. Even when adjusted, it still has too much range where nothing is happening. The gearbox is ok, but not as smooth as the Aprilia's. Neutral is very easy to find though, which is nice in traffic.
The main thing that stood out for me (and probably the thing I like best about the bike) is how well/easily it turns. Turn in is really smooth and easy to initiate. I know it is a sportier bike than the Falco, but the difference is fairly large. Cornering just comes easier and more confidently. The suspension is nice and the balance feels great, at regular road speeds.
On the track is a slightly different story. The front forks of the CBR felt a bit soft on the track, and so the confidence felt on the road wasn't quite there... whereas the Falco front didn't feel great to me on the road, but was very nice on the track. Going into a corner hard on the brakes seems to put the Falco front end right where it needs to be, whereas the CBR felt like it was out of travel (and this is on the same track for comparison's sake). Also, the CBR brakes were, once again, well below the standard of the Falco's.
On the engine, I actually like the inline 4 around town. I commute to work every day in a city, so I dont need a lot of torque. What is nice about the CBR is how smooth it is at low revs. You dont feel any vibes and it makes city riding nice and comfortable.
Out of the city though, I like both engines. The rush of the 4 at high revs is different to that of the Falco, but both are fun. Power actually feels fairly similar. And just my personal opinion (like everything else written here), but the sound and feel of revving the twin to red-line is way better than the scream of the 4. The CBR sounds cool the first few times, but then it seems like it is whining and screaming its head off.
Finally, with other ownership issues, I have to say (again, just my opinion) but the Honda reputation is somewhat exaggerated. First, on overall build quality, the Aprilia seems better to me. Higher quality components all around, put together well... it just feels more robust. Tougher. And as both have lived outside of garages and gone for small slides down the road, the Aprilia is holding up better.
Honda reliability? Give it a rest. Plenty of small issues just like every other bike. Electrical issues a plenty (so can we stop with the remarks about crappy Italian electrics? Maybe in the past, but lets leave it). The CBR also has a blatant design problem with it's cam chain tensioner, which needs to be replaced somewhat regularly. Yes, the Falco has the sprag cluth issue, and the regular clutch doesn't last long... but the point is that the Honda is no better.
What else? The Honda is lighter and easier to push around (which you to plenty when you live and park in a city), so that is nice. Fuel economy is about the same. Overall, if the Honda wasn't so light, easy in traffic and didn't turn as well as it does, it would have been gone by now. For the moment though, I am keeping them both.
2001 CBR 600 Fsport
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robertorolfo
- Despatch Rider
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Just realized that I should add (for clarity), that the police found the Falco a few months after it was stolen, and so that is why I have them both now.
Also, what I forgot to mention, is the ease of doing routine work and maintenance on the CBR. This issue is important to me, as I like to do stuff myself... and again, the CBR is lacking in this department. Every jobs seems to be something of a pain in the ass to perform. The Aprilia isn't great here either, but better than the CBR in my experience.
Also, what I forgot to mention, is the ease of doing routine work and maintenance on the CBR. This issue is important to me, as I like to do stuff myself... and again, the CBR is lacking in this department. Every jobs seems to be something of a pain in the ass to perform. The Aprilia isn't great here either, but better than the CBR in my experience.