The Honda CBR600RR is one of the most iconic and successful motorcycles in the history of the supersport category. Since its debut in 2003, it has won countless races and championships on the track and the street. It has also earned a loyal fan base that appreciates its high-revving engine, agile handling, and MotoGP-inspired technology.
However, in recent years, the CBR600RR has faced some challenges. The Euro 5 emission standards forced Honda to discontinue the European model in 2017, leaving only the US market with the outdated version. The declining demand for 600cc sportbikes also made Honda reluctant to invest in a new generation of the CBR600RR, as it focused more on its flagship CBR1000RR and its adventure and naked models.
But in 2021, Honda surprised everyone by announcing a new CBR600RR for Japan, Thailand, and Australia. The new model featured a redesigned fairing with winglets, a full-color TFT display, a 6-axis IMU-based electronics package, and a revised engine that met the Euro 5 standards. The new CBR600RR looked like a mini CBR1000RR, and it promised to deliver the same exhilarating performance and fun that made the CBR600RR legendary.
And now, the good news is that the new CBR600RR is coming back to Europe in 2024 and most likely to the US as well. Honda has confirmed that the CBR600RR will be available in two colors: HRC Grand Prix Red and Matt Ballistic Black Metallic. Honda will also offer a comfort pack with an expandable tail bag, heated grips, USB-C charging, and a track-only HRC Race Kit.
So, what makes the new CBR600RR so special? Let’s take a closer look at its features and specifications.
Engine and Transmission
The heart of the CBR600RR is its 599cc inline-four engine, which has been tuned to meet the Euro 5 standards without sacrificing power or performance. The engine has a new intake system, throttle-by-wire control, and updated valve timing. The engine produces a claimed 119 hp at 14,250 rpm and 46.5 lb-ft of torque at 11,500 rpm, slightly more than the previous US-spec model.
The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with an assist/slipper clutch that reduces rear-wheel hop during hard downshifts and lightens the clutch lever pull. A quick shifter is standard, allowing for clutchless upshifts and downshifts.
The engine also features a dual-stage ram air intake that increases the air pressure and volume in the intake chamber, boosting the power output at high speeds. The exhaust system is made of titanium and has a single muffler with a variable exhaust valve that optimizes the back pressure and sound quality.
Chassis and Suspension
The 2024 Honda CBR600RR has a lightweight, rigid aluminum frame that provides a balanced and responsive handling. The frame geometry is optimized for stability and maneuverability, with a 23.5-degree rake, a 97.7 mm trail, and a 1,375 mm wheelbase.
The suspension system consists of a Showa 41 mm Big Piston inverted fork at the front and a Showa rear shock connected to Honda’s Pro-Link system at the rear. Both are fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound damping. The front fork has 4.7 inches of travel, while the rear shock has 5.0 inches of travel.
The CBR600RR has 17-inch cast aluminum wheels and Dunlop Roadsports2 tires, which offer a good balance of grip, durability, and feedback. The tire sizes are 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 180/55 ZR17 at the rear.
Brakes and Electronics
The CBR600RR has a powerful and sophisticated braking system that includes dual 310 mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers at the front and a single 220 mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. A radial-piston master cylinder for the front brakes is standard, providing a firm and progressive feel. The brakes are also equipped with cornering ABS, which modulates the brake pressure according to the lean angle and prevents wheel lock-up in any situation.
The CBR600RR also has a state-of-the-art electronics package derived from the CBR1000RR and controlled by a 6-axis IMU. The electronics package includes:
- Three preset ride modes (Standard, Sport, and Rain) and two custom user modes (User 1 and User 2) that adjust the power delivery, traction control, wheelie control, engine braking, and ABS settings according to the rider’s preference and riding conditions.
- Five power levels (P1 to P5) that control the throttle response and the maximum power output. P1 is the most aggressive and P5 is the most gentle.
- A nine-level traction control system (HSTC) with slip rate control that monitors the rear wheel speed and adjusts the engine torque to prevent excessive wheelspin. HSTC can be turned off completely if desired.
- Wheelie control that detects the front wheel lift and reduces the engine power to keep the front wheel on the ground. Wheelie control can also be turned off completely if desired.
- Engine braking management (EBM) that controls the amount of engine braking effect when the throttle is closed. EBM has three levels: High, Medium, and Low. High provides the most engine braking, and Low provides the least.
- An ECU-controlled electronic steering damper (HESD) that varies the damping force according to the speed and the steering angle providing optimal stability and feedback.