Make motorcycle better

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Make motorcycle better
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motorcycles

Make motorcycle better

Make motorcycle better
Upgrade Honda CBR 600 F

The injection model of the Honda CBR 600 F, type code PC 35, was sold over 10,000 times in Germany alone between 2001 and 2007. How you can keep the sports all-rounder, which is still excellent today, fit with little effort and even spice it up is outlined on the following pages.

Ralf Schneider

April 8, 2009

When our test Honda (built in 2002) was new, it was both an all-round motorcycle and a basic machine for supersport races. In 2003, the CBR 600 RR came onto the market for sporting purposes. In order to be able to offer the F, which is now clearly positioned as an all-rounder, more cheaply, Honda equipped it with non-adjustable spring elements from 2005 onwards.

The recommendations made with the 2002 CBR also apply to this model variant; for the predecessor built in 1999 and 2000 – also called PC 35, but still equipped with carburettors and a different fork – the results of the tire and brake pad tests. This upgrade cannot offer the usual evaluation of the optimized machine in comparison to the production status. Due to changes in the evaluation scheme, the old 1000-point evaluation is no longer up-to-date, and the series tires required for a re-evaluation are unfortunately no longer available.

Tires


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Jahn

From top to bottom: Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart, Bridgestone BT 021 F / R, Metzeler Sportec M3, Michelin Pilot Power C / Pilot Power.

The CBR 600 F pretty much everything that happens on semi-paved roads. So it made sense to try out two sets of the best sports and touring tires, depending on the versatility of the motorcycle. The Metzeler Sportec M3 and the Michelin Pilot Power, for the front wheel in C specification, are among the sporty road tires, while the Bridge-stone BT 021 F / R and the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart belong to the category of touring tires. A direct comparison has shown that a tightened pace is required in order to bring the touring tires so far that they indicate their entry into the extended limit area by noticeably crumpling.

All four pairings are released on the CBR and are completely convincing. One of them was even able to really inspire: Michelin Pilot Power, front in C specification. They are the carving tires for the CBR, tilt the motorcycle lightly and precisely on the desired line. In the further course of the bend, the CBR exemplarily maintains the tight line on pilot power, even when accelerating vigorously in an inclined position. In addition, the Michelin tires offer the most comfort in undulating passages and are completely convincing even in wet conditions.

Both in terms of handiness and neutrality, the Metzeler Sportec M3 does not achieve the gloss of Michelin tires. The latter is particularly noticeable in tight corners, where the CBR requires significantly more effort to stay on course. First among the touring tires at the CBR will be the Dunlop Roadsmart combination. In terms of handiness and precision, it is almost at Michelin level and therefore offers a similarly carefree driving experience. The Roadsmart is also popular in the wet, only in terms of driving comfort does it fall short of the Michelin.

The hind quarters in particular appear a bit rumpled and unruly over bumps. The Bridgestone BT 021 is even more bumpy on the CBR. Its strong point is the exemplary neutrality over the entire usable lean angle range; Its big hour strikes on extremely agile motorcycles, balanced machines like the CBR lose a little of their maneuverability. Freshly assembled, the BT 021 need a relatively long start-up and run-in time before they develop proper grip? MOTORRAD recommends kneading them for 30 kilometers on a winding route with a slow increase in speed.

Top handling and wet grip as well as comfort for around 246.50 euros

Brake pads


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On the left the originals, then Brembo, Lucas and Braking.

Accessory brake pads have a hard time compared to the Honda originals. Even with the CBR 600 F, in direct comparison, none of them achieved the braking performance, constancy and controllability of the series pads. The good thing about it: The disadvantages in terms of performance are not too great. The range extends from 9.65 m / s² with the original surfaces (06455-MBW-E11) and 9.5 m / s² with the braking surfaces (827CM55); Expressed in braking distance from 100 km / h, that makes a difference of 65 centimeters (39.96 to 40.61 meters). The closest to the originals are the Brembo pads (07HO45SA) with 9.55 m / s² or 40.38 meters. However, they required a long braking time and high temperatures, so they are most suitable for the racetrack or other higher loads. Braking and Lucas (MCB703SV) are not only visually the same, but also very similar in terms of their measured values ​​and behavior. Both of them bite spontaneously in the cold state, but then slacken off a little. Ultimately, there is only one price advantage in favor of the accessory pads: the Lucas pads cost 71.90 euros, the Braking and Brembo pads € 75.00 and 76.90, and the originals € 90.66.

Standard pads are recommended for 90.66 euros

Ohlins springs 8670-95


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Above the original, below the accessory spring.

The rear of the CBR 600 F has a rather hard suspension, but the fork looks very soft. That doesn’t harmonize optimally. With linearly wound 95 springs from Ohlins For 125 euros (the standard parts reach around 85 N / mm in the hard area), the fore and hindquarters can be wonderfully synchronized, the reserves become significantly greater when braking sharply and with a committed driving style. Sporty and / or heavier drivers will fully approve of this. Because the fork no longer responds as sensitively to small bumps, lightweights and those in need of comfort are better off not retrofitting or choosing the 90s springs from Ohlins.

The exchange springs are mounted with 130 millimeter air cushions; Ohlins 1313 (SAE 5) or 1309, with a viscosity between SAE 2.5 and 5, are available as fork oil. The fork springs have recently been given an ABE

Balance and more reserves for 125 euros

Ohlins shock absorber HO 151


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On the left the standard strut, on the right the Ohlins part.

The set-up of the Ohlins shock absorber was extended when the CBR 600 F was in the prime of its racing career. The hard spring and the very tight damping setup only partially match its role as an all-rounder. The hydraulic adjustment of the spring base doesn’t help either. Who does not expose this shock absorber to the stresses of increased racetrack operations? or rather treat yourself? and just want to drive quickly across the country, the hindquarters will find stubborn and uncomfortable. Not exactly what you spend 1285 euros on. But the great thing about Ohlins is, on the one hand, the high quality of the parts and, on the other hand, the fact that buying such a shock absorber gives you a set-up kit with almost infinite possibilities. Specialists such as Ohlins DTC, Zupin Motorsport or Hubert Hofmann Race Tech conjure up tailor-made settings with special springs and shim packages.

Race-like hardness for 1285 euros

Honda windshield 08R80 MBW 800


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Two inches higher: Honda accessory disk.

Few of them succeed in making themselves so small behind the original CBR windshield that it offers perfect wind protection. Even racing drivers with a jockey figure liked to equip the CBR 600 F with higher windows when they were supersport racers. The accessory windshield that Honda sells in Germany for 140.40 euros through authorized dealers is well suited for light aerodynamic tuning. It arches five centimeters higher than the standard part and offers protection without extreme crouching, so it makes driving fast on motorways or home straight a lot more comfortable. Almost more important: the view ahead is better. In rare cases, the higher disc causes slight turbulence noises when sitting upright at normal country road speeds; this phenomenon depends on the helmet used.

Better wind protection for 140.40 euros

Addresses

tire
Bridgestone Deutschland GmbH, 61352 Bad Homburg, phone 06172/408255, www.bridgestone-mc.de

Dunlop Reifen GmbH, 63450 Hanau, phone 06181/6801, www.dunlop.de

Metzeler Pirelli Deutschland GmbH, 80992 Munich, phone 089/149080, www.metzelermoto.de

Michelin Reifenwerke AG & Co KGaA, 76159 Karlsruhe, phone 0721/5303349, www.michelin.de

Fork spring and strut
Ohlins DTC, 53520 Meuspath, phone 02691/937780, www.ohlins.de

Windshield and original brake pads
Honda Motor Europe North, 63069 Offenbach, phone 069/83090, www.honda.de

Brake pads
Braking Uwe Keszler GmbH, 24796 Bredenbeck, Phone 04334/18760, www.braking.de

Brembo Brune GmbH, 48291 Telgte, phone 02504/73440, www.brunegmbh.de

Lucas TRW Kfz-Ausbestungs GmbH, 56513 Neuwied, phone 02631/9120, www.lucas-bikersworld.com

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