The battle for supremacy in the middleweight supersport segment revitalizes with the launch of the brand-new Honda CBR600RR.
An updated 599cc engine
The CBR600RR retains the 599cc four-cylinder engine configuration from the previous generation. However, Honda bumped the power from 113 HP to 119 HP this year. Even sweeter is the fact that the peak output comes in at about 14,000 RPM while the 64 Nm peak torque arrives at 11,500 RPM.
Honda upgraded the internals with a lighter camshaft and crankshaft and the throttle bodies have gone up in diameter from 40mm to 44mm. The engineers also reshaped the cylinder head and made minor adjustments to the valve timings.
The engine is paired to a 6-speed transmission with a slip and assist clutch. The buyer can opt for a quick-shifter with auto-blipper as well.
Design — a comparison between the 2021 and 2020 CBR600RR
The new CBR600RR took a page from its older and more powerful brother, the CBR 1000RR-R Fireblade. Honda utilizing its MotoGP racing pedigree in the upgraded version, the 2021 edition also takes hints from the HRC RC213V and gains a track-focused design.
The front of the bike is much sharper with a larger air intake and sleeker full LED headlamps. The aggressive design is practical as well. The CBR600RR has MotoGP-inspired winglets, which increase the downforce and improve performance during cornering.
Simultaneously, Honda lowered the fuel tank by 10 mm. As a result, the sportbike has a lower center of gravity, which improves agility and cornering maneuvrability. The swingarm also got weight-reducing optimization thanks to adjustments in the internal structure.
Moreover, Honda overhauled the exhaust system by rerouting the exhaust pipes and making the catalytic converter larger. Hence, the exhaust is more efficient and lets the engine breathe better.
Electronic Aids
The mechanical throttle has given way to a ride-by-wire system unlocking five different power modes and three engine braking modes.
The sportbike also comes with wheelie control, which sounds exciting. Moreover, the CBR600RR has Honda’s selectable torque control and rear-wheel slip control for easier power management.
Honda also employed a 5-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with lean-sensitive cornering ABS for more manageable cornering. The bike even gets an electronic steering damper for secure, predictable handling while on the road.
All of these can be adjusted via the mode selector switches on the left side of the handlebar. The driver can also monitor the current state on a full-color TFT display.
For suspension duties, Honda utilized the Showa 41mm fully-adjustable inverted telescopic front forks and a rear mono-shock with preload. Braking is carried about by a dual-disc 310mm set up at the front and a single 220mm disc at the rear.
In Japan, Honda priced the CBR600RR at 1,460,000 Yen or the equivalent of $13,828. Sales there start from September 25, with announcements of other regions coming up later on.
With the launch of the new CBR600RR, the playing field for other supersport machines, such as the Kawasaki ZX-6R and Yamaha R6, has taken a quick turn. A track showdown might be looming in the distance!
