blazing_nitro
Member
I had a chance to test the new 2013 CBR600RR for about hour.
-Foot pegs are really high. It took a few turns to get used to this.
-Low speed handling is seems more difficult due to forward lean angle and high pegs.
-Engine is super smooth. Not FZ6R smooth and quiet but kinda feels like you can feel and hear all the valve train in the engine.
-Tank feels really comfortable in the tuck position. Feels like a glove or like it was made for me.
-Weird had a hard time putting down the side stand.
-Exhaust is sweet. I loved keeping the engine in the upper range of 7k. I didn't feel any problems with under tail exhaust or needing ear plugs I had full helmet.
-Throttle is very responsive and bit too much at the low rpm range. I found it more difficult than FZ6R to drive slowly. Couple of slow tight speed turns I had a difficult time to power out of because of throttle almost felt twitchy because 1mm of movement in throttle and thing would like to accelerate or engine brake just couldn't find sweet spot I guess. Maybe it was the specific RPM I was in but didn't have a lot of time to test this out. Higher speed turns were no problem. From stop to a left turn was better than FZ6R because I didn't have to switch to 2nd like in the FZ6R.
-Engine braking is very strong. Almost didn't have to use any brakes. Tried to get the rear ABS to activate but with the strong engine braking couldn't get it to pulse. Bike had about 900km on tires I think. Thinking about it I could have held the clutch but I don't brake holding in the clutch so didn't come to me then.
-Front brakes are super strong. Felt like 3 times stronger than FZ6R almost unreal how strong they are in comparison. Very surprised.
-Acceleration felt strong as well. I thought the effortless feeling was a combination of the forward lean angle and maybe higher rev's of the motor. Definitely above 10 or 11K you can feel the difference and the surge of power to the red line. Around town below 6K it is hard to tell if it is really that much faster than the FZ6R. In 2nd gear it was very easy and quick to get to 135 near red line. I checked my FZ6R after and I need to be in 3rd to get in the same speed but it didn't feel that it took that much longer maybe if bikes were side by side it would be different but doesn't feel that much quicker riding my bike the day after. So for motor I think it's only feels around 10% to maybe 15% stronger than FZ6R but when you get up there past 10K it is pure sweet for the two seconds your there and then you need to switch or back off. I didn't do any first gear red line as I never felt the need. 2nd gear red line is sweet and then to 3rd was also sweet but by then it's license suspended where I live. If I was doing mainly illegal speeds I would definitely see the advantage but for normal or spirited riding on the street I don't see enough benefit. Maybe the sound and cool looks though.
I'll end it here. I'm a little sad because I really wanted to upgrade to Honda this year and I can't see the extra coin being worth it for me. I'm not saying people shouldn't upgrade as the CBR600RR is an awesome bike and yes it is better than the FZ6R so if I didn't have the FZ6R and more money it might be different story. I also think the Honda seems to be built better and higher quality. For me right now I can't justify it yet. I'm glad I had the test ride.
I've made arrangements to test the new 2013 Kawasaki 636 next week. I'm hoping this test will make me want to upgrade. If not I will try to find a test ride with the legendary 750.
-Foot pegs are really high. It took a few turns to get used to this.
-Low speed handling is seems more difficult due to forward lean angle and high pegs.
-Engine is super smooth. Not FZ6R smooth and quiet but kinda feels like you can feel and hear all the valve train in the engine.
-Tank feels really comfortable in the tuck position. Feels like a glove or like it was made for me.
-Weird had a hard time putting down the side stand.
-Exhaust is sweet. I loved keeping the engine in the upper range of 7k. I didn't feel any problems with under tail exhaust or needing ear plugs I had full helmet.
-Throttle is very responsive and bit too much at the low rpm range. I found it more difficult than FZ6R to drive slowly. Couple of slow tight speed turns I had a difficult time to power out of because of throttle almost felt twitchy because 1mm of movement in throttle and thing would like to accelerate or engine brake just couldn't find sweet spot I guess. Maybe it was the specific RPM I was in but didn't have a lot of time to test this out. Higher speed turns were no problem. From stop to a left turn was better than FZ6R because I didn't have to switch to 2nd like in the FZ6R.
-Engine braking is very strong. Almost didn't have to use any brakes. Tried to get the rear ABS to activate but with the strong engine braking couldn't get it to pulse. Bike had about 900km on tires I think. Thinking about it I could have held the clutch but I don't brake holding in the clutch so didn't come to me then.
-Front brakes are super strong. Felt like 3 times stronger than FZ6R almost unreal how strong they are in comparison. Very surprised.
-Acceleration felt strong as well. I thought the effortless feeling was a combination of the forward lean angle and maybe higher rev's of the motor. Definitely above 10 or 11K you can feel the difference and the surge of power to the red line. Around town below 6K it is hard to tell if it is really that much faster than the FZ6R. In 2nd gear it was very easy and quick to get to 135 near red line. I checked my FZ6R after and I need to be in 3rd to get in the same speed but it didn't feel that it took that much longer maybe if bikes were side by side it would be different but doesn't feel that much quicker riding my bike the day after. So for motor I think it's only feels around 10% to maybe 15% stronger than FZ6R but when you get up there past 10K it is pure sweet for the two seconds your there and then you need to switch or back off. I didn't do any first gear red line as I never felt the need. 2nd gear red line is sweet and then to 3rd was also sweet but by then it's license suspended where I live. If I was doing mainly illegal speeds I would definitely see the advantage but for normal or spirited riding on the street I don't see enough benefit. Maybe the sound and cool looks though.
I'll end it here. I'm a little sad because I really wanted to upgrade to Honda this year and I can't see the extra coin being worth it for me. I'm not saying people shouldn't upgrade as the CBR600RR is an awesome bike and yes it is better than the FZ6R so if I didn't have the FZ6R and more money it might be different story. I also think the Honda seems to be built better and higher quality. For me right now I can't justify it yet. I'm glad I had the test ride.
I've made arrangements to test the new 2013 Kawasaki 636 next week. I'm hoping this test will make me want to upgrade. If not I will try to find a test ride with the legendary 750.