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“After two hours in the saddle, we were ready
for a cappuccino in Franschhoek”
Electronics: Conclusion: It's a track weapon benchmark for track-ready feel.
The cornering ABS and traction that's road-friendly—not the other The CBR600RR is more user-
control never feel intrusive. In fact, way around. friendly and better for the street.
unless you're ham-fisting the Kawasaki ZX-6R:
throttle or trail braking over sand Living with It: Ownership More torque down low and a bit
patches, you'll forget the systems Insights more comfortable on long rides.
are working at all. That's the The Honda feels lighter and more
hallmark of a well-calibrated suite. Fuel Economy: precise.
We averaged about 5.5L/100km,
Soundtrack: even with spirited riding. In urban Suzuki GSX-R600:
Hit 8,000 RPM and the CBR wails environments, expect closer to A competent rival, but its
like a banshee. By 12,000 RPM, 6.0L/100km. electronics package lags far
you're in MotoGP territory. It's behind. The Honda feels more
pure mechanical joy—high- Service Intervals:
pitched, angry, and utterly Honda's reliability reputation premium in every respect.
addictive. holds. Oil changes every 6,000 Final Verdict: Who Is This Bike
km, valve checks at 24,000 km. For?
Conclusion: If you want to Straightforward and dealer-
understand what “race-derived friendly. If you're a rider looking for:
DNA” feels like, ride this bike · A razor-sharp trackday
through Chapman's Peak. You'll Insurance: machine that's road legal
In South Africa, insurance for a
come out changed. A high-revving, visceral
600cc sportbike is not ·
Franschhoek Pass: Pushing the cheap—expect premiums to riding experience
Pace
reflect the performance potential. · A reliable, race-inspired
To really stretch the bike's legs, Riders under 25 will feel the middleweight with modern
we ventured out along the N1 and pinch. electronics
into the wine country. The Customization: Then the 2024 Honda CBR600RR
Franschhoek Pass offered a Aftermarket support is strong, is your bike.
chance to test top-end though many parts are shipping
acceleration, high-speed stability, from overseas. Think tail tidies, However, if you're:
and long-duration comfort.
slip-on exhausts, quick-action · A daily commuter logging
Acceleration: throttles, and ECU flashes. lots of city kilometers
The 600cc inline-four may not Track-Day Suitability: · Prioritizing comfort or long-
have the brute torque of a This is where the CBR600RR distance touring
literbike, but it makes up for it with shines brightest. Out of the crate,
a rev-hungry personality. You're it's nearly track-ready. Just add · On a budget or a new rider
rewarded for staying high in the race tires, safety wire, and maybe ...you may want to consider
RPMs. From 8,000 to redline, it's swap out the mirrors. alternatives.
warp speed.
Cape Town + CBR600RR: A
Stability: Love Story
At triple-digit speeds (on closed There's no better place to test a
roads, of course), the bike felt motorcycle's full spectrum of
composed. The aerodynamic capabilities than Cape Town.
winglets aren't just Coastal sweepers, mountain
cosmetic—they genuinely add passes, bustling city streets—it's a
downforce at speed, improving test lab and playground rolled into
front-end stability.
one.
Comfort: The 2024 Honda CBR600RR
The wind protection is decent for How It Compares: Rivals in the passed every trial with flying
a supersport, but the seat is firm. Segment colours. It reminded us why the
After two hours in the saddle, we 600cc class—though dwindling in
were ready for a cappuccino in Yamaha YZF-R6 (legacy models numbers—is still magic when
Franschhoek. But that's par for only): done right. And Honda has done it
the course in this class. The R6 may be discontinued in right. LHR
many markets, but it still sets the
LHR MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE 21 JUNE 2025
