Hi all 👋

Thought I’d introduce myself, before I start quizzing you all for advice please.
Ridden on and off for last 30 years, after the usual introduction at 16 on a Fizzie.
CBR600 (jellymould) in late 80s. FZR600 (yes I went over to the dark side), GSF1200 followed afterwards.
Dax Rush (4 wheels), then broken back (not bike related) and forced early retirement has meant I’ve been away from bikes for several years now.
After surgery and general ‘improvements’, am now looking to return to bikes soon.
We now live in rural Devon, so an R1 etc is pointless on these roads. A CBR600 (not sure on year, but not RR) is very much on my shortlist………

 

Welcome to the forum Brianjellymould,
Appreciate the back story and that you are on the mend enough to get back into biking and yes the CBR of whatever vintage would be a great bike for the delights that the Devon roads throw at you. Depending upon how your back is a Hornet / CB may be more comfortable to ride.
Plenty of help on offer here, do not be afraid to ask.
Cheers
Al

 

Hi Al

Thank you.

I’ve been researching online at this stage - as my last bike was a 1999 1200 naked Bandit, with a few mods, I went to two large dealerships down this way (anyone in the Devon area can probably figure out where), but the new or nearly new bikes, full of electronic aids, carrying extra weight, and being described as soooo smooth compared to my previous “dinosaurs” didn’t do much to raise my interest. 🙄
I’m after a ‘toy’ - not a daily commuter, just for fun, and the odd long trip (Le Mans etc). As much of my biking was done before Gatsos were commonplace (had the ban and fine to go with it), the motorcycle gendarme no longer just wag their fingers at you during Le Mans week, I’m now living in an area with mostly twisty A roads, don’t need to do 140mph every time I go out (anymore), but want something that’ll put a big grin on my face, I’m considering a CBR600F.
What I’d ask others on here please, is…..2006 model, or a later 2013 U.K. model? 🤔 I think the main difference will be the front forks/handling, plus of course the styling. I know that some newer bikes (CB1000R for example) are often described in reviews as ‘boring’. Having previously had an Dax Rush - kitcar with no doors, roof - drives like a go kart, and having more fun in that, than being driven at silly speeds in RS6s etc, I’m steering (no pun intended!) towards the CBR over an MT07 or something else more modern.
Don’t know much about the Hornet, other than it’s based on the same engine as the CBR.
Any tips/advice would be much appreciated please.
🏍️

 

For what you have described I would go for the 2006 version of the CBR (funny old thing I have one myself albeit a US import) It is much more suited to the occasional tour than the next generation. I also happen to think that they were built much better then as well.
The only minor downside is that from about 2004 they did remove the fully adjustable front forks, not that it is a big problem and did not stop me doing 20k plus on my 2005 bike including trips to the alps etc managing to give as good as I got with a KTM Duke 990.
The beauty with the CBR is its ability to poodle around comfortably when required and also be very rapid should you want to play.
You can also get a Power Commander and fuel map which removes the flat spot in the torque curve put there for emissions purposes which is the cherry on the cake.

 

My previous CBR600

 

Welcome and good luck

 

Just joined the forum, there are many things you don't know. Hope you can get help when you have problems.

 

Stick to what you love. That's the meaning of life. Good luck