The Honda CBR600 is the first bike we've decided to test, because despite costing around three grand, it does at least appeal in a vaguely practical sense. Now, I neither know nor care how well it goes around a race track, what I am happy to report is that's its paper specification (400lbs & 140mph), its sensuous shape and its reasonably modern chassis, all work extremely well on twisty A roads. It is also comfortable to ride long distances. Knees, legs and a fair bit of the upper body are kept out of the wind by the sculptured bodywork; only the tiny screen and insufficient protection for the hands spoil long distance rides. Honda claim great things for the aerodynamics but they are negated as soon as the rider sits on the machine.
A higher screen and more hand protection could easily have been incorporated into the design to the benefit of smooth air flow. People seem split between hating and loving the shape, but I think it looks impressive - it makes the BMWs look very dumpy, and something like the GPz600 look instantly out of date.
The engine is a water-cooled straight four with the cylinders canted forward. 85hp at 11000rpm is claimed, but it's probably around 75hp at the back wheel. More power than the original Honda four in a chassis no heavier than the 400/4. The remarkable thing about the CBR is that despite the high state of tune the bike is perfectly civilised. This feel extends to both the quality of the suspension and the riding position. My only grouse with the latter was that the bars were far too wide - cut 3 to 4 inches off each end, please, and then the fairing would also give better hand protection.
Cruising long distance at the ton on motorways was no problem - the bike felt more comfortable than a K100RS and was a damn sight more predictable. The large expanse of GRP should have caused problems when crossing the Severn Bridge which was under siege from dangerous side winds at the beginning of June, but the Honda was not perturbed at all. Turn off the motorway and play racers down country lanes to find the Honda equally at home. You can do pretty much what you like to the throttle or brakes in curves. The suspension soaked up the bumps and didn't bottom out. On one or two occasions the rear shock did not have enough damping to keep control, but the twitch was very small.
The engine was designed to reduce friction and has very thin piston rings. It obviously works, for as well as a wide spread of power fuel economy was amazing - 70mpg quite possible and 60mpg easy to average. The only question really is one of durability, and only time will tell (but the signs are so far encouraging). This is one of the few new bikes that is worth the money.
Johnny Malone