Hi - new to the forum and new to biking!! Passed CBT last weekend and have the final part of the Direct Access course next weekend with my test on Tuesday!!

All being well I want to buy a CBR600 - probably around a 2000 maybe 2001. Suddenly there seem to be loads of variants popping up on Autotrader: F-Y, F-W, F-X, FS-1!!

Help - what does it all mean?

Anyone out there have a potted history of the CBR 600 or know where one exists on the net? If it helps, I'm looking for a first bike that won't be too sporty for commuting but still raise a smile when the road's a little less busy.

Thanks, hope you can help.

Jon

Hi Jon, not sure about the CBR's but this is commonplace amongst Hondas. The changes can be cosmetic to major changes. Between the VFR750FG and VFR750FJ, the indicators changed and the front wheel went from 16" to 17".

Between the VFR750FJ and the VFR750FL the swingarm went from double sided to single sided and there was a rehash of the bodywork. Honda seem to do a lot of tweaking to encourage you to buy the new model.

There's loads of CBR600's up for grabs so take your time and fined one that you'll
be happy with such as colour, mileage etc

It took me ages to find a good ZZR1100 and in the end I had to settle for a wine
red one cos the blue ones wer'nt being offered and I wanted a 2002 but could
only get a V reg but thats how these things go.

Yuo're in the riht time as alot of bikers will be saying enough of this winter riding
and will be trying to dispose of their tressured bikes but watch for prices and if
they seem a bit high just hang in and keep looking and look everywhere, on the
net the outotraders, loot, local papers and so on.
You'll be surprised to see how many bikes come up for sale in local papers.
Hope you find what you're after.

Cheers

I'm after a CBR too.. I've looked into it quite a bit..

Basically though there's only ever been 2 (at the most) variants running alongside each other during any 1 year - the 'F' and sometimes a sportier version (sometimes "FS" but now it's the "RR").

If you go for 2001 (or later 2000 I think) you will get digital speedo/milometer. I think the HISS (ignition security) was introduced around 1998 and then updated to the HISS 2 some time around 2001 onwards.

Some also have 'smartwarter' security feature but I'm yet to find out what sort of device this is and if it affects insurance premiums at all..


Oh yeah - good luck in your test mate and let us know how you get on.

smartwater: http://www.smartwater.com/products/secsol_overview.html

i think this does lower insurance.
i have it on my bike (was there when i bought it) but you have to pay a subscription.
http://www.smartwater.com/shop/shop_bike.aspx

Ahhh.. thanks Sloth - always wondered what it was

Does the subscription equal the savings on insurance, if not then there's no point

If interested I have a recent big mag which did a 'from the start' of the CBR600's
till the latest, made for intersting reading and details what to look for in buying
a certain year of CBR600.

Cheers

I read that too, but couldn't remember which magazine it came from. That's exactly what Jon's looking for I think...

Thanks for the info. So basically it's an F (+something relevant to that year) or a FS (denoting it's sporty!). If that's like the RR then I guess it'll be more of a bike than I'm looking for!

Chrismk - do you have the name of the mag and the issue number, I'll try to get hold of a back issue.

Thanks for the advice re waiting for the right bike / right price. I'll try, but if all goes well on Tuesday you just know I'm not going to be patient!!

Thanks again.

Jon

Yeah Chris = I'd be interested in what mag that is too please

Sodom,

Datatag gets you much more of a discount. I have fitted it to every bike i have had. When i had my Fireblade, i had more of a discount form my insurers for that than if i had put a Cat 1 alarm on it. They quoted me a 25% saving.
My current bike has Alphadot and Datatag, but i get the discount for the Datatag, and it's a piece of cake to put on.

What does fitting it involve matey?

And do you have to suscribe to something and pay a yearly fee?

im not sure if the mag u guys are onaboot could be T.W.O September 2004 issue. The one iv gots titled "Blade Parade". Rather than going to the hassle of ordering a previous copy ill give u sum details here. These are the 900cc blades. I not sure if the 600s are based on the same bike.... Hope this helps.


1992-1993>>CBR900RR-N,P
CC - 893cc
Dry weight - 185Kg
Wheelbase - 1405mm
Power - 113.5bhp

Holds a 16 inch front wheel - the first generation so no comparison really

1994-1997>>CBR900RR -R,S,T,V
CC - 893/918cc
Dry Weight - 184Kg
Wheelbase - 1405mm
Power - 118.5bhp

Front end overhaued and twin spots replaced with a single spot unit: 20% lighter.
Less weight more power. Instrument panel shaven down, magnesium cylinder head removed another 300g and lighter bridgestone tyres. Adjustable front forks. U lock under pillion seat.
1996 More power added; capacity upto 918cc and 5bhp+. Riding position hired and lower pegs for a less aggressive position. More flexing frame for better feedback.

1998-1999>>CBR900RR-W,X
CC - 918.5cc
Dry Weight - 180Kg
Wheelbase - 1405mm
Power - 121Bhp

Most powerful and lightest blade upto date. Larger cosmetics and larger brake discs (296mm to 310mm) Bulkier tank and thinner clocks in 98-99.

2000-2001>>CBR900RR - Y, 1
CC - 929cc
Dry Weight - 170Kg
Wheelbase - 1400mm
Power - 123Bhp

New digital speedo. New makeover on cosmetics to keep up with trends. motor frame housing further forwards, titanium exhaust headers and a mid-range boosting exhaust valve. New brake system. Later fuel injection system.

2002-2003>>CBR900RR-2,3
CC - 954cc
Weight - 168Kg
Wheelbase - 1400mm
power - 141bhp

Larger engine size, lighter more powerfuller! Separate oil spray dedicated to the undersie of the pistons. Fuel injection system got a cleverer brain and 42mm throttle bodies (instead of old 40mm). New "work of art" swingarm lopped 300g of weight. Better demon brakes. Digital and clear new clocks.

2004>>CBR900RR-4
CC - 998cc
Weight - 179Kg
Wheelbase - 1410mm
Power - 152

New clocks: anologue rpm, digital everything else. Wider bars. underseat pipe. Made for superbike racing.... not much on this one!
......................................................

there ya go! nothing much to do with the 600s but similar prolly with features. No distinguishing from different types i.e FS, FX, 1 ,4 etc etc. But there ya go. A small history lesson.

Hope it helps

thx

No, but now you mention it, it was T.W.O., but earlier in the year. They did a history of the CBR600 from the original jelly mould right up to the latest RR. Some time during spring or summer it was...

Fitting really is easy. You have one pot that contains a clear glue and microdots. Use the supplied small brush and brush these onto parts that cannot be seen, ie inside the fairings, rear brake cylinder etc.
Two very small transponders (rice size) for putting into the seat foam (from underneath) and for putting into the wiring loom. Items provided to do this. A load of stencils and two lots of paste, one that etches glass, and one for plastic.

I have done all my bikes and they have all come out spot on. It ireally is easy.
All you then do is send off the registration cert and you are put on the database.
No yearly fee, and nothing else to pay once you have bought the kit. When you sell the bike the new owner only has to pay a small fee to have all the details put into his/her name.