Even easier ?!
As much to prevent immediately: the CBF600 wants to be obvious to drive, practical and docile. Whether thrill-seekers go their way, this new Honda is aimed primarily at beginners and bikers who ride quietly … Test !
Unveiled at the Mondial du Deux-Roues in Paris, the CBF600 has already revealed many of its secrets: engine of the latest Hornet (therefore of the CBR600RR 2007), mono-backbone frame now made of aluminum, combined ABS-braking system. CBS, added fuel gauge, etc. (read).
Added to these main information is a narrower saddle, a 20-liter tank (instead of 19 previously), a rear buckle "reinforced for mounting saddlebags and a top case"and new brake and clutch levers. In its" S "version, the CBF600 also receives a new half fairing and a screen adjustable in two positions.
For 2008, the evolutions of the small winged 600 are therefore notable and are even accompanied by a happy drop in price (see box). But what about on the road? This is what Honda offered us to discover under the Barcelona sun…
In terms of design, it is clear that the CBF600S does not contrast with the previous model. Owners of the latter will still note the "relifted" front fairing, the new plastic sidewalls imitating the spars of a peripheral frame and the redesigned saddle..
More remarkable, the installation of the engine block of the Hornet 2007 lightens the motorcycle by its size naturally, but also thanks to its gray color. The CBF600S therefore retains its all-purpose, wise and distinguished side. And in her red dress, she gains in dynamism compared to the "Dolphin Gray" made available for this first contact..
CBF Look
The look of this 600 is similar to that of its big sister, the CBF1000, which Site observed that it was ultimately "less wise than its image" (read) … So in the saddle, and check if the "ramage" of the 600 matches its plumage !
The CBF600S is intended to be accessible to all. Thus, the standard height of the saddle (785 mm) allows the vast majority of users to calmly put their two feet on the ground. For the smallest or the less confident, this height can be reduced by 15 mm but the reverse is also possible, allowing the older ones to unfold their stilts a little..
But this operation requires almost 10 minutes and will most often be performed once and for all by the dealer or the owner. Those who hoped to be able to share this bike despite significant differences in size (dad, mom and children?) Will be disappointed.
Same remark about the adjustment of the screen, which also requires a screwdriver and a few minutes to be raised by 50 mm. As for the mirrors attached to the fairing, they offer a good view that does not deteriorate with speed..
Behind the bubble hides a complete new dashboard – finally! – and no frills, which includes new warning lights, new for 2008 require: the Honda HISS immobilizer system warning light, the PGM-FI injection warning light – no more carbs! – and that of the ABS-CBS system, the S version no longer being delivered without this equipment in France. We especially note the addition of a fuel gauge, which was not a luxury on a small road !
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Less expensive than in 2004 ! |
| "Launched in March 2004, the CBF600 cost at the time € 6,500 and € 7,400 in faired ABS version", recalls Bruno Chemin, communications manager at Honda France."From December, 2008 models will be available at the following prices: 5,990 euros for the N, 6,590 for the NA (ABS and center stand) and 6,990 for the SA".
According to the French official, three reasons explain this decrease:
Sold 2800 units in 2004, the CBF600 – all versions combined – then sold 3600 and then 3200 units in 2005 and 2006. At the end of November 2007, its score was 3717 registrations and for next year, Honda expects 3800 units approx. Despite its "price reduction" and the increase in performance of its small CBF, the world number one is playing the card of caution … To be continued in the next reports Marche Site ! |
The driving position is most reassuring: firmly planted on his heels, the pilot is seated on a saddle even better designed than that of the first model of 2004 (read). The handlebars are at the right height, the arms are straight and do not suffer from any strain.
A slight push is enough to lower the bike from its central stand, which has also been modified to facilitate the stand. Apart from the fact that the passenger handle is relatively far back, it must be admitted that crutching the CBF600 is a breeze, the long lug of the crutch offering an excellent lever..
Then comes the long-awaited moment to wake up the 4-cylinder from the Supersport … The sound of the pot is undoubtedly less "sporty", but the revs remain lively and ardent: the new licenses which were running until then in 125 cc will appreciate !
The angled clutch lever is gripped with ease even by small hands, but polishers will regret not being able to adjust its spacing exactly as they would like, which the brake lever offers…
Easy rider
At first a little high (almost 2000 rpm), the idle speed stabilizes quickly at its 1300 "normal" revs and you can drive at walking pace without having to play with the clutch – moreover progressive and smooth. The gear changes go smoothly and the CBF600S quickly gives the impression of having driven it for ages. !
A feeling that we also owe to the ease of driving at low speed, even during maneuvers at a standstill. This ease of operation then directly echoes the speech made the day before the test by Honda officials, in which the key word was "easy"…
A short jaunt at the foot of a wind farm allows us to realize the agility of the CBF600S, even on hostile terrain which would have been better suited to the Transalp. The opportunity to check once again the effectiveness of the ABS-CBS system, which will be useful on Parisian cobblestones, slippery alleys and tricky country roads !
The motor is particularly linear and Teishiro Goto, leader of the CBF600 project, explains to Site: "we wanted the CBF600 to be easy to drive, no surprises. After all, there are other motorcycles in our range that are much better performing and with a stronger character for those who want it.".
The CBF600S accepts to resume without fuss or jerks from 2000 rpm, offering a steady rise in power that is easily controllable because it is predictable. A treat for bikers who wish to learn, little by little, to manage the acceleration of a motorcycle, much higher than that of a car or a scooter. Note that a 34 horsepower bridle kit will be available in June 2008.
Engine without surprise
From 4500 laps, the CBF600S offers interesting pick-ups that allow you to get out of a curve efficiently, overtake cars or confront maxiscooters or medium-displacement vehicles. For those who would like more, past 8000 rpm the engine continues to push and offers the cycle part but also the pilot something to have fun.
It is finally at 10,500 revs that the maximum 77 horsepower is reached. A relatively low absolute value – unchanged from 2004 – given the performance of the current 600s, but which most users will rarely reach before engaging the upper gear !
Without rushing the small 4-cylinder, we quickly reach the authorized speed limits and even faster the last report, on which the CBF600 garners around 22 km / h per 1000 revolutions. On small roads, the flexibility of the engine allows you to stroll quietly in 6th gear….
But if you quickly engage 6th gear, you get down just as quickly! When exiting small towns, it is necessary to drop two speeds in order to relaunch effectively when attacking bends.
These are also approached without apprehension on the handlebars of a motorcycle that has a homogeneous cycle part: 41 mm fork, monoshock rear shock absorber (therefore devoid of links and links) and Michelin tires. Pilot Road mounted on 120 mm rims at the front and 160 at the rear.
In the end, in the beautiful Spanish curves, we can go very well even if it is essential to keep in mind that this is not the primary vocation of this bike. Otherwise, it will remind you, when a bend is closing for example…
Thus, braking on the angle is not his strong point: the fork tends to lock and the rider must promptly counter this reaction to maintain his trajectory. Experienced bikers will adapt perfectly to this, but beginners will have to go more gradually and avoid riding over their boots. !
It’s not a Hornet !
The rear axle remains glued to the road and the Pilot Road handles without worry the thrusts of the engine. It should be noted that over the entire route taken during this test, the roads were of remarkable quality: flat, well maintained and not as slippery as they seem. The opportunity to check that the footrest lugs can scrape !
A few passages in shaded – and therefore wet – areas once again demonstrated the effectiveness of the ABS automatically fitted to the CBF600 faired in France. The intervention of the system is almost imperceptible and provided you keep the front wheel in the axis, it will prevent the fall.
The only restraint that can be expressed on this subject: the owner of CBF600S should be careful when borrowing or buying a vehicle without this braking assistance system. Because if with ABS-CBS we can afford to crush the brake pedal or grasp the lever with full hand without any ulterior motive – "drive without thinking", some will criticize – remember that this is not the case with a motorcycle without brake assist !
Another point that this test leaves open: the behavior of the motorcycle on degraded roads, which some do not hesitate to take to escape the gloomy asphalt of the city or the highways….
It is also on the motorway that the main fault of the CBF600S is detected: if we gladly excuse its approximate behavior in "attack" mode, we forgive it much less the "bad vibrations" that run through it around 130 km / h…
Bad vibrations…
It is at the level of the saddle and to a lesser extent on the footrests that the CBF600S unpleasantly tickles its rider. During acceleration, the vibrations are measured and we do not notice them too much, since we want the bike to "move". But at constant speed between 6000 and 7000 rpm, they become troublesome.
However on the 6th gear, the Honda hangs at these speeds the cruising speed on the highway of the wise motorcyclists, who constitute the vast majority of the customers of this motorcycle..
Added to this defect is a slight discomfort due to the saddle set in the high position. Going up more on its front part than the old model, the saddle moves away from the tank by a good centimeter and can inconvenience the rider below the groin (yes, Site likes to quibble). From a finish point of view, however, we appreciate that Honda has installed a seal to hide the daylight between the saddle and the tank..
Too bad it vibrates, because the CBF600S has good assets to seduce the big rollers … Starting with the protections of its fairing and its screen – especially in the high position -, which are very effective and do not let pass just a few air streams on the top of the helmet.
On the other hand, the small truck has lugs to secure packages and bags – or reluctant passenger! -, the latter can however be held firmly to the prominent rear handles. Be careful to step over these handles when getting on the bike, their original shape can quickly trap a too inattentive tibia. !
We also note the new possibility of adjusting the preload of the front fork and the rear monoshock (on 7 positions), depending on whether you are driving solo, duo or at full load (195 kg max).
Finally, the Honda catalog offers suitcases and a top case that transform the semi streamlined roadster into a real small roadster. The place under the saddle, described as "rikiki" in 2004, now passes for a relatively large space, allowing to accommodate a U of medium size, a real tool kit and possibly rain pants..
To conclude, it is clear that overall, the CBF 600 S will perfectly meet the requirements of its customers. Easy, light and a bit sportier, the little Honda will allow new licenses, those who wish to take over the handlebars or experienced bikers looking for a faithful companion to trace the road or the city without hindrance. Only long journeys on motorways can be tiring.
The behavior of the CBF600S therefore matches its look: no deception on the goods !
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