Tracing its lineage through eight generations of CBR600s in 20 years of production, the 2007 CBR600RR stands at the pinnacle of the best-selling middleweight sportbikes in the world.
1987 Hurricane 600
Honda's first CBR600 was a breakthrough machine in a number of ways. To start, its unique full bodywork allowed designers to forego the usual engine and frame cosmetics and instead devote development dollars to pure performance. The result was 83 bhp from the CBR's liquid-cooled inline-four, superb handling and a dry weight of 396.8 pounds--making the Hurricane the lightest, most powerful 600 available. Such performance alone blew away the competition; with versatility no other 600 could match, the CBR was irresistible.
1990 CBR600F
Renamed the CBR600F, the Hurricane's successor featured revisions to the engine that yielded an additional 10 horsepower. Revised porting and cam timing, plus recontoured pistons and combustion chambers, slightly higher compression ratio, recalibrated carb and ignition settings, and a new stainless steel exhaust system made the CBR's inline-four even more muscular. Competitors had to try that much harder to keep up, whether on the street or on the racetrack.
1991 CBR600F2
A total redesign for Honda's best-selling middleweight produced the new CBR600F2. Horsepower leapt to an astonishing 100 bhp, thanks to more oversquare cylinder dimensions, larger carburetors, higher compression and a near-obsessive campaign to reduce internal friction. To provide handling to match its newfound horsepower, the more compact and lighter engine bolted to a new, stiffer frame with revalved suspension, more powerful brakes and RC30™-type wheels. The CBR600F2 was again the lightest, quickest and most powerful middleweight money could buy.
1995 CBR600F3
The fourth revision of Honda's middleweight champ sees engineers revisiting some popular themes: More compact combustion chambers and computer-controlled 3D-mapped ignition ensure more complete combustion and more power, to go along with a higher compression ratio, a new dual-stage ram-air intake system and a renewed assault on internal friction. The chassis also benefits from fresh thinking, with recalibrated suspension rates and stronger brakes sharpening the F3's handling edge.
1999 CBR600F4
Honda redesigns its middleweight star from the contact patches up using the latest in design and manufacturing techniques. An all-new engine features significant reductions in internal weight and friction, more oversquare bore and stroke dimensions and a redesigned dual-stage ram-air system to push horsepower to an incredible 110 bhp. An aluminum Pro Frame® complements the engine revisions, complete with Honda Multi-Action System™ (HMAS™) rear suspension components, race-spec brakes and radial tires for exceptional handling.
2001 CBR600F4i
High-pressure programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) puts the i suffix on the CBR's designation. Along with a new electronic digital ignition, a revised and larger dual-stage ram-air intake tract and airbox, and a redesigned exhaust, these changes account for a 5 percent increase in peak power from the CBR's inline-four. A stiffer aluminum Pro Frame chassis keeps the F4i's reflexes sharp and confidence inspiring. Bottom line: A 370-pound package that's the lightest, most powerful middleweight Honda's ever made.
2003 CBR600RR
The remarkable RR uses breakthrough MotoGP technology to completely rewrite the rules for the 600 class. Using technology from the 2002 MotoGP champion RC211V, the RR is the most advanced Honda production motorcycle ever. The compact inline-four engine uses the RC211V's center-up exhaust and Dual Stage Fuel Injection (PGM-DSFI) technology to produce record horsepower for a Honda 600. The chassis features a massive 45mm fork and Unit Pro-Link rear suspension-another RC211V breakthrough-that allows maximum mass centralization and unheard-of design freedom for the all-new aluminum frame. Result: the most tightly focused CBR in history.
2005 CBR600RR
Lessons learned at the racetrack translate into a sharper-edged CBR600RR for 2005. A new front end and more aerodynamically fashioned bodywork hint at the extensive chassis changes, including an entirely new aluminum frame, swingarm and rear shock. These changes, plus other refinements to the engine, exhaust system and more, pare weight down a full nine pounds. Overall, the RR feels, functions and performs like an all-new bike.