F4
F4
Review
1999 and 2000 Honda CBR600F4
For those of you who care only about raw numbers, dig in: 410 pounds
wet, 98.9 hp at the rear wheel (ram air not factored in), 45.6 ft-lbs
of torque, 24° rake, four-piston brakes, 48 miles per gallon on the
highway. Everyone else should read on. This bike is about much more than
numbers.
To showcase the outright performance of the F4, Honda sprung for a day
on the AMA course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a high-speed track with
long sweepers, a second and third gear infield and a flat-out run on the
banks that reaches speeds of up to 150 mph. Honda also brought along
a few 1998 CBR600F3s for comparison. Head-to-head, the F4 retains the
same character of the venerable F3, but it does just about everything
better. It has more power, it weighs less, it comes equipped with better
brakes and suspension, it's quicker steering, less buzzy, has wider
wheels and provides more feedback. This is not to say that the F3 was
not a great motorcycle, it is just that the F4 surpasses the F3 in all
measurable categories.
Our reactions to riding the stock rubber on the track were
mixed. Initially, we couldn't get enough heat in the tires to go fast
enough to evaluate them. Eventually, we grew tired of riding slowly and
when we began to throw the bike around enough to heat the Dunlop D207
street-compound tires (which are distinctly different from the D207GP
race tires), we then found the chassis to be more than adequate. But
even with ill-equipped tires it handled great at the track, although one
staffer, after spending the initial portion of the intro riding the F3,
needed time to get used to the quicker-steering F4.
The F4's new four-piston brakes are a big improvement over the two-piston
units of the CBR600F3. Power and feel is exemplary, without a hint of
fade. The brakes work well with the new aluminum Pro-Frame chassis,
which is very stable while braking mid-corner. On the gas or off, if
you need to change direction, the F4 responds without complaint.
Editor-in-chief Brent Plummer on one of the '98 CBR300F3s brought along for comparison purposes.
The transmission is extremely smooth, but it tends to seek neutral when
shifting between first and second. That's great if you're waiting at
a stoplight, but it is not particularly desirable when you're entering
a corner. Overall, at the track we came to two conclusions: The F4 is
a big improvement over the F3 and if you're riding on a track, bring
along a pair of real tires.
American Honda gave us an F4 to ride home and, predictably, we ran into
trouble. Five miles north of the California border, we were pulled over
for allegedly speeding while doing an impromptu top-gear roll-on that
reached speeds legal counsel said we should refrain from mentioning
in this story. Even so, the Nevada State Trooper was impressed with
the bike and accepted our lame defense that it wasn't our fault, the
motorcycle made us do it. He let us off with only a warning. Still,
kids, don't try this at home. We're trained professionals.
For the trip back to LA, Honda equipped the F4 with a fresh set of tires
and reset the suspension to stock. If you do buy this bike, we recommend
you tighten up the setup before hitting your favorite back roads. Compared
to the track settings the stock suspension settings felt like a Cadillac
El Dorado. The point? Honda's stock suspension offers excellent adjustment
range, easily adaptable to be at home on the track or the boulevard.
While not exactly luxury car plushness, Honda kept intact the comfortable
ergonomics that made the F3 such a popular street bike. Weather
protection and wind management have been improved and we covered the
entire distance back to LA comfortably. With the soft suspension setup,
even LA's notorious expansion joints couldn't cause the F4 to buck. It
is in these conditions that the ultra-soft carcass of the street D207s
really shines.
Honda decreased reciprocating mass (pistons, rods, pins -- parts that move
in a straight line) and increased rotating mass (crankshaft and flywheels
-- things that spin) for better mid-range torque. (In a perfect engine,
all the mass rotates, thus manufacturers try to keep the reciprocating
weight as close to zero as possible.) There is also another benefit to
this: An average fuel economy of 48 mpg on the highway, which gives the
F4 an approximate touring range of 220 miles. Even riding full-on in
the twisties the F4 averaged 33 mpg. Not bad.
Back home in the mountains and canyons, we discovered something that
wasn't so obvious on the track: At spirited street speeds the F4 is
ridiculously easy to ride. Whether you ride with a lot of body lean or
prefer aggressive counter-steering, the CBR600F4 will adapt to your
style. It takes very little work to ride and it is very forgiving in
case you encounter loose road surfaces or whenever you might need to
make mid-corner adjustments. The F4 is a great street bike.
All the suspension settings -- rebound, preload, compression -- are
easily accessible and everything can be adjusted with the tool kit Honda
provides beneath the key-removable seat, first ever for a Honda CBR600
sport bike. We made adjustments in under five minutes on the side of
the road. Everything was stiffened up one-half turn from stock and we
set rear preload to three. The bike handled great on the back roads but
was too stiff for the freeway. When we get the F4 for a longer test,
we'll try to figure out how to dial it in for both the freeway and in
the tight stuff.
The Honda CBR600F4 is a motorcycle you can race at a national and cruise
comfortably on the freeway with little more than a change in suspension
and good set of tires. It certainly lived up to everyone's expectations
of being a great street bike that can haul ass around a racetrack as
well.
Unique Features
Completely redesigned engine features oversquare bore and stroke of 67mm
x 42.5mm with a straight, 40 degree intake tract angle contributing to
a 5 percent power increase.
All-new ProFrame features diamond-type aluminum twin-tube frame and
extruded aluminum swingarm, with a combined swingarm pivot incorporating
both engine crankcase and frame-mounted pivot points.
Class-leading design and improved manufacturing process reduce dry weight
to an incredible 372.6 pounds.
Engine
Liquid-cooled DOHC 16-valve four-stroke engine utilizes latest Honda
design and manufacturing technologies for incredible mid range and
top-end performance.
Inclined cylinder-head mating surface permits 40 degree intake tract
for improved engine efficiency and power.
RC45 inspired aluminum composite cylinder sleeves are high-pressure-formed
from sintered aluminum powder impregnated with ceramic and graphite. The
lightweight composite sleeves provide better wear resistance and superior
heat dissipation to conventional sleeves.
Aluminum alloy pistons feature LUB-Coat solid lubricant to minimize
friction between the piston and cylinder wall.
Ram-air system provides a high volume of cool air to the airbox,
utilizing a two-stage system that precisely balances air pressure within
the carburetor float and vacuum chambers with the air flowing through
their bores, providing sharp throttle response, linear power delivery,
and improved performance at all speeds.
Airbox capacity increased 18 percent to 6.5 liters.
36.5mm bore carburetors feature tunable design and are 6 ounces lighter
than CBR600F3 design.
Four-into-two-into-one exhaust system feeds single high-output polished
stainless steel muffler for maximum power and efficiency.
Four transistorized direct-ignition coils integrate spark plug cap and
high tension lead to reduce weight 13.5 ounces and produce high-voltage,
long-duration spark, providing maximum performance at high engine output
levels.
Electronic ignition CPU provides digital 3-D mapping for cylinder pairs,
creating ideal spark advance settings for all riding conditions.
Direct, shim-under-bucket valve actuation ensures high-rpm performance
and durability and offers 16,000-mile miantenance intervals.
Mechanical automatic cam-chain adjuster provides quiet, reliable service.
New seven-plate clutch replaces nine-plate unit and utilizes improved
lining material to maintain overall capacity while reducing weight to
17,5 ounces.
Engine cooling system features a series-flow pattern that doubles previous
flow rate, reducing piston crown and spark plug seat temperatures,
resulting in increased power.
Radiator cooling capacity increased 17 percent to maintain optimum
operating temperature in demanding riding conditions.
New bearingless water pump is lightweight and features high-efficiency design.
New, round-type high-capacity liquid-cooled oil cooler is 17.5 ounces lighter than previous design.
Redesigned AC generator and starter motor are 21 ounces lighter than CBR600F3 components.
Newly designed clutch cover integrates pulser cover and is lighter than previous design.
Smooth-shifting close-ratio six-speed transmission features ratios
carefully matched to engine's powerband.
Chassis
Diamond-type aluminum twin-tube frame utilizes new-technology casting
process, reducing weight 15.4 pounds while increasing lateral rigidity
3 percent and torsional rigidity 15 percent.
ProFrame design locates the lightweight extruded aluminum box-section
swingarm with a combined pivot of both the frame and the rear of the
engine, producing superb handling and high-speed stability with excellent
control feeling.
Lightweight aluminum rear subframe section.
HMAS front fork legs increased to 43 mm diameter for added rigidity,
with stepless rebound and compression damping and adjustable spring
preload.
Front fork span increased 12mm to 204mm for added fork rigidity.
40mm HMAS rear shock assembly utilizes Pro-Link design with external
reservoir for plush feel and excellent, well-controlled high-speed
damping.
Twin front calipers feature four pistons each with special nickel-plate
surface treatment to enhance brake lever feel under repeated hard
braking.
Sintered brake pads and 296mm floating front discs provide ultimate stopping power.
Hydraulic rear disc brake features single-piston caliper and 220mm disc.
New 3-spoke hollow design wheels.
Wide, 3.5-inch front wheel with 120.70ZR-17 Z-rated front tire and wide
5.5 inch rear wheel with 180/55ZR-17 Z-rated rear tire.
Durable, lightweight #525 O-ring sealed drive chain.
Additional Features
Industry-leading ergonomic design features maximum rider comfort and
minimum fatigue in all riding conditions.
ABS fairing and bodywork provide superb aerodynamic design and function
together with excellent weather protection.
Folding aerodynamic mirrors.
Front fairing and rear seat cowl utilize fewer parts for simpler
servicing.
4.5-gallon fuel capacity.
High-tech instrument display features thin, lightweight design with
analog readouts for engine rpm, speedometer, and water temperature and
LCD display for odometer and tripmeter.
Headlight assembly features a computer designed multi-curvature reflector
behind a clear plastic lens.
Rear cowl storage box for U-type and cable locking devices (not included)
under the passenger seat.
Integrated ignition switch/fork lock for added security.
Convenient push-to-cancel turn-signal switch.
Transferable one-year unlimited-mileage limited warranty.
Available Options
Magnetic tank bag.
Tank pad.
Cycle cover.
Specifications
Model CBR600F4
Engine Type 599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore and Stroke 67mm x 42.5mm
Compression Ratio 12.0:1
Valve Train DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Carburetion Four 36mm slanted flat-slide CV
Ignition Computer-controlled digital transistorized. with three-dimensional mapping
Transmission Close-ratio six-speed
Final Drive #525 O-ring-sealed chain
Suspension Front: 43mm HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload with rebound and compression damping adjustability;
4.7 inches travel.
Rear: Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability;
4.7 inches travel
Brakes Front: Dual disc with twin-piston calipers.
Rear: Single disc
Tires Front: 120/70ZR-17 radial
Rear: 180/55ZR-17 radial
Wheelbase 54.7 inches
Rake (Caster Angle) 24 degrees
Trail 96mm (3.78 inches)
Seat Height 31.9 inches
Dry Weight 372.6 pounds
Fuel Capacity 4.5 gallons, including 0.8-gallon reserve
Colors Red/Black
Yellow/Black
Price $7,899