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Thursday, 18 September 2003 |
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Page 4 of 4
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Getting going is good, controlled stopping is good too, the conventional brakes were pretty decent on my bike, and two stubby pinkies were all I needed to haul this bike down from an indicated 160mph out on the speedway banking. The rotors are each a dinner plate sized 310mm and the Honda tech's had said that they had investigated radial calipers, but for the Joe Public and even for factory rider Ben Boz, the stockers worked just as good, but more importantly felt better.
So, two fingers to radials it is then. |
| Anymore trick stuff? How about the headlamps? A first for production motorcycles, natch'. Line beam headlights, the bulbs radiate light which reflects back from a reflector that then reflects forwards to the road. Zig-zagging beams to help you to zig-zag at night… cool beans. What about that exhaust? Luvverly. Looked pukka and sounded good too. Slightly higher pitched than the F4i but not annoyingly so. No additional crash bills with this zorst', expect some clever aftermarket cans to compliment this feature too. The gas tank has a unique touch as well, only one third is visible above the frame line, the rest is nestled behind the newly configured engine. This narrow within-frame design eliminates side-to-side fuel slop, is the same capacity as the F4i, and is, of course, lighter. Finally, let's not forget the led rear light. Brighter, lighter and de rigueur. |
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Is there any downside to this bike? There may be. The forks were a little soft. Mine had max preload and I added a few clicks of compression, but to no avail. The squished flies on the fork leg were being squished almost all the way to the top, not very technical I know, but even when I had the audacity to put a zip tie on the leg it still confirmed that I was using all the travel. My main concern was bottoming out the fork under track conditions, be it at a race or track day and losing the front. Obviously it didn't happen, but I think I may lose that reserve once I had the title in my back pocket, especially as I'm the wrong side of 200lbs with my Kushitani's on. |
So, what do we have here? Well, quite simply it's a bike that was first conceived within six months of the RC211V's (immaculate) conception. It's a race bike masquerading as a street bike not 'tother way round. It's weight distribution is mirrored from the RC211V and is as perfect as you're going to get (Just ask Valentino and Nicky)
As far as the rear suspension is concerned, it's such a groundbreaking development that I feel pretty confident a similar version will be seen on the next generation of sportbikes (after the patents have run out, of course). |
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Honda has won 50% of the titles since this 600 class began and every rendition has won Daytona. This bike comes from very good stock so they're not expecting that trend to end any time soon.
The RC211V was built with one purpose in mind and was an unqualified success.
This 2003 CBR600RR shares the exact same philosophy, 'nuff said.
Mike Emery
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| 2003 Honda CBR600RR |
| Engine Type |
599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder, DOHC; four valves per cylinder |
| Bore and Stroke |
67.0mm x 42.5mm |
| Compression Ratio |
12.0:1 |
| Carburetion / Ignition |
Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI), Computer-controlled Ignition digital transistorized with 3D mapping |
| Transmission |
Close-ratio six-speed, Final Drive #525 O-ring-sealed chain |
| Front Suspension |
45mm HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel |
| Rear Suspension |
Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel |
| Front Brakes |
Dual 310mm discs with four-piston calipers |
| Rear Brake |
Single 220mm disc |
| Rear / Front Tire |
180/55ZR-17 radial / 120/70ZR-17 radial |
| Rake / Trail |
24.0 degrees / 95.0mm (3.7 inches) |
| Wheelbase |
54.7 inches |
| Seat Height |
32.3 inches |
| Dry Weight |
370.0 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity |
4.8 gallons, including 0.9-gallon reserve |
| Available Colors |
Black, Pearl Yellow, Red/Black |
| Price / Availabity |
$8,599 / Early March 2003 |
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