Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128088
~ ~Oo( 0 x0 ~ 0 )~ 2001 Cycle News BOOee Sportbike Shootout HONDA CBR600F4i ~@[fJ@[R)DCIDD [?CIDW@)[fJD~@ terms of feel. Honda certainly got it right on this one. Our racetrack-novice staffer liked the Honda, because it's easy to ride - it gave him confidence in places that the other bikes didn't. Honda knows exactly what it needs to do to stay competitive - year after year the company manages to deliver just the right bike for the task. This year is no exception. No one thought that this year's CBR600F4i was going to be as transformed as it is. It looked from the outside like all the Honda engineers did was restyle it and add fuel-injection. Little did we know how different the bike would feel and perform. Honda has moved back to the top in the engine department this year. The engine boasts more than simply the added fuel-injection. Changes to the valvetrain, airbox, and exhaust system -all help to optimize the bike's ability to breathe, and thus rev higher. The power has been vastly improved in both the midrange, and the top-end. The thing that sets the Honda apart is the fact that the horsepower and torque curves are ultra-smooth. The Honda makes the third best horsepower numbers of the six bikes, but when we were riding them all back to back, we all swore it made the second most (to the Suzuki). The power delivery is so seamless that it feels like it's killing the more powerful Yamaha down the front straight at "The Streets." Delivery is everything - the best pizza in the world will still taste like crap if it's cold when it shows up at your door, right? Short shift it or rev it, the bike doesn't care, it has such incredible throttle response (except for a hiccup just off idle) that when the throttle is whacked-open in the middle of the rev-range the F4i just goes like stink. The aforementioned hiccup in the injection seems to be an issue that all of the Japanese companies are having. What we don't understand is how the Italians, namely Ducati, got it right 10 years ago. On our street ride there was a terrible stretch of road (thanks boss), that's only redeeming quality was the numerous crests on it. The Honda's mid-range punch is so clean that second-g~ar wheelies were a breeze off the backsides, what a blast - this used to be a game that only the open-class bikes could play well. The Honda's geometry isn't that different than last year, but the bike feels like it turns a lot easier. The answer seems to be that the new lighter hollow-spoke cast aluminum rims, and lighter brake rotors have reduced the reciprocating mass enough to be notice- 22 JANUARY 24, 2001 • cue •• n. _ All of this would be a waste if the F4i didn't look any different, wouldn't it? Well not really, but it was as but it retains a solid feel mid-corner as well. The Honda does what you want immediately, flawlessly and effortlessly - especially on the racetrack. Our biggest complaint has got to be the F4i's ground clearance, which isn't much better than it was in the past. We didn't deck the exhaust can, but we destroyed the foot-peg feelers, so the can wasn't far behind. What's so hard about getting this stuff outa' the way? The next big neY's for 2001 is that the F4i has crossed the line from streetbike to racebike, but not by much. It's still a quality streetbike, but it's also the most aggressive 600 Honda has ever built from an ergonomic point of view. The seat is a bit harder than we are used to from Honda - gone are the days of the perfectly balanced streetbike - the stakes have become too high for that. It just goes to show you that Honda wasn't too comfortable with its margin of victory the past two seasons in AMA 600cc Supersport racing. The brakes have a good feel. They may not be the most powerful of the lot, but they rival the best in Honda CBR600F4i ~P~COrFOCATOON~ UST PRICE $8199 DISPLACEMENT .599cc Uquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder ENGINE TYPE 67 x 42.5mm BORE X STROKE COMPRESSION RATIO 12.0:1 CARBUREnON PaM-Fuel Injection IGNITION Computer-controlleddigital 3-D map TRANSMISSION Six-speed STARTING SySTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY ......•..••••.••••....... .4.8 gal. WHEELBASE .54.9 in. RAKErrRAlL 24°/96rnm .31.7 in. SEAT HEIGHT FRONT TIRE 120/70-17 REAR TIRE 180/55-17 FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL .4.7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL .4.7 in. FRONT BRAKE Dual disc REAR BRAKE Disc FINAL DRIVE ...........•••••••. _" •.......Chain 370 100. CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT s good a time as any to change the styling. The new front end is beautiful looking, from the new twin headlights, to the sexy new ram-air intakes. How about the fact that the LED clock is always on, you don't need to toggle through a bunch of screens to find out if you're late for work, whether the ignition is on or not. Honda CBR600F4i rF~ATU~~~ Engine • Cylinder head features two springs per intake valve £, hardened seats for better high-rpm valve operation and durability • Programmed fuel injection £, electronic digital ignition for improved power output and better throttle response • High-pressure fuel delivery through four nozzles in each injector tip for maximum efficiency £, power • Precise throttle sensor & sophisticated fuel injection mapping for smooth, linear throttle response • Cold-starting auto-enriching system integrated into fuelinjection system (no manual choke) • Volume of the ram-air ducts and airbox increased 15 percent for better airflow • Redesigned exhaust header & intemal muffler baffling for better high- rpm output • Iranium-tipped spark plugs require less voltage • Eight-plate clutch for better performance when abused • Redesigned shift-lever assembly Chassis • Additional casting ribs added to steering head & swingarm pivot plates • Center and rear engine hangers and collars strengthened & supported by needle bearings • Strengthened lower-rear shock bracket for minimal shock flex • Twin front brake calipers w/ four pistons each • Lightweight aluminum-alloy hollow-spoke wheels w/ lighter, rigid rotors • All-new bodywork w/ dual-headlight design What's hot? • Power, handling and suspension are perfectly in sync • Strong, predictable brakes • Hey, nice nose job! What's not? • Less ground clearance than a pregnant dachshund • Honda's "perfect" fuei injection isn't so perfect Bottom Une The civil repli-racer: Honda creates revolution through refinement, with its updated styling, performance and ergos taking the CBR into the realm of the hard-edged sport racer without sacrificing gentlemanly demeanor.