2013 Honda CBR600RR

Honda might be focusing a big chunk of its attention on bringing new or returning riders back into the motorcycle fraternity these days, but it hasn’t completely forgotten about those who have never left it. But many moto veterans probably haven’t been feeling that way, though, and long-time fans of the 600cc Supersport class in particular haven’t had much to get excited about lately - not until they got a jolt when Kawasaki re-introduced the 636 recently and now with Honda releasing its revamped CBR600RR.

We can’t quite call it “all-new” yet, but the latest edition of the CBR600RR is changed enough for Honda to host a formal one-day riding introduction for the press on what is one of the company’s most prized productions.

It pretty much goes without saying that the CBR600RR, which made its debut in 2003 and was redesigned in ’07, was already a great bike but it was in need of some freshening up. After all, it’s been a while. Knowing it already had a fantastic package on its hands, Honda was careful about what they did to it when came time to make changes. Any alterations would have to be without question an improvement. No “ah, we think this will be better” with the CBR600RR.

One safe change they made was swapping out the old fork with the company’s new 41mm Showa Big Piston Fork, which made its debut on the CBR1000RR in 2012 and it was met with approval from the big-big sportbike crowd. So, naturally, it found its way on to the 600, as did other similar improvements that the 1000 got last year - such as split-spoke wheels, similar EFI and ABS programming updates, and a more efficient ram air-intake system with a revised Intake Air Control Valve .

But the most revealing update of all has to do with the CBR600RR’s appearance, which Honda also didn’t take lightly. In fact, it was one of their number-one priorities when it came to spiffing up the CBR. It got all-new plastic and with it a new shape that gives it a more modern, edgy look that resembles the company’s MotoGP bikes. From what we can tell already, some of you like the new design, some not so much.

It will compete with the Yamaha R6, MV Agusta's 600 cc supersports, Kwacker ZX6R and the Suzuki GSX600RR
The CBR600RR will come in three flavors: all red; red, white and blue; and Repsol team colors. Good luck choosing one because, in our opinion, all three look tasty.

Looks, however, aren’t everything. Honda says that the new bodywork is also functional. They say the new shape makes the CBR far more aerodynamically efficient than before, thanks to many hours spent testing in the wind tunnel. In fact, some of what they learned while testing the CBR600RR’s bodywork was passed on to the race team (usually it’s the other way around). The end result, Honda claims, is a 6.5 percent reduction in drag, which is a big number and a huge accomplishment.

So what does 6.5 percent really mean to you and me? For one, better fuel economy. Honda tells us that the CBR600RR’s estimated mpg has gone up from 40 to 44 miles. Let’s see, that’s roughly a $2 savings per tankful. Honda also claims there is less windblast on the rider, which reduces fatigue and improves comfort.

Unlike mpg, one good thing that hasn’t gone up, however, is price. Despite getting the upgraded fork, better wheels, and updated plastic and ram air, the MSRP for the base model has actually dropped $50 to $11,490! That’s not much, but it’s far better than what it could’ve happened. You can, however, add $1000 for ABS and another $500 for the Repsol edition. (The all-red CBR600R is only available with ABS.)

The new CBR600R is an improved machine. Not drastically, but noticeably. We had a 2012 model at our disposal and I was able to make back-to-back comparisons and a few things stood out in my mind - one of which was the fork.