2004–2007 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Honda's Workhorse Inline Four
The CBF 600 is Honda doing what Honda does best: solving a problem without making a fuss about it. The 599 cc inline-four comes from the CB600F Hornet, retuned here for 78 hp at 10,500 rpm and 43 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm, with the emphasis on a broad, usable spread instead of a wild top end. It sits in a steel tube frame with an upright riding position, a seat that adjusts for height and a rear shock you can set for preload. Electronics? ABS was an option, and that's the whole list. In the naked middleweight class, this is the rational one.
On the road it's forgiving and stable, and it'll take a newer rider a long way without ever frightening them. It also ages the way you want a used Honda to age: running costs stay low and the engine just keeps going, though high-mileage bikes can need a regulator/rectifier or a cam chain tensioner, and the paint on early ones doesn't hold up as well as it should. The honest caveat is excitement. At 474 lb (215 kg) wet with soft suspension and a muted engine, it won't keep an experienced rider entertained for long. Commuters and light tourers will love it. Thrill seekers won't.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 78 hp (57 kW) @ 10,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 43 lb-ft (58 Nm) @ 8,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 599 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Front brake | 296 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 |
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 474 lb (215 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (19 L) |
| Top speed | 134 mph (216 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 39 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've heard plenty about the CBF 600: in the paddock, over coffee with owners, on club nights, and in the messages riders send me after they've lived with one. The pattern is consistent. Owners praise how easy and dependable it is, and many of the same people wish it offered more go for the money.
Comfort and reliability share the praise. Riders of all sizes say they settle in fast and feel like they sit in the bike rather than on it. Owners of the half-faired S model add that it keeps highway wind at bay. Owners call the engine close to indestructible and report trouble-free miles on basic maintenance. Newer riders say the chassis lets them carry corner speed without surprises.
The engine draws the most criticism. Riders call acceleration sluggish and passing a chore, and they say the four runs out of breath above 7,500 rpm. Some point to the price: especially with the optional ABS, it cost more than lighter, livelier 600s from other makers. Others mention the weight at walking pace and suspension that wallows on bumpy roads.
Cam chain tensioner wear
Reports from high-mileage early models indicate the cam chain tensioner may wear prematurely, leading to rattling noises and eventual chain slack if not addressed. Usually appears after 37,000 mi (60,000 km).
Regulator/rectifier failure
The voltage regulator/rectifier is a known Honda weakness; failure can cause charging system problems, typically requiring replacement. Often occurs at higher mileages.
Paint finish deterioration
Some owners report that the paint on early CBF600 models fades, peels, or chips more readily than expected, particularly on tank and fairings.
Where this Honda CBF 600 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the CBF 600 is actually built for.
Honest answer: you'll outgrow it fast. It's stable and has decent lean clearance, but 78 hp, soft suspension and 474 lb (215 kg) won't feed a rider who lives for precision.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If skill matters more to you than speed, this works better than you'd think: forgiving, predictable, good feedback. On tight repeats, though, the weight and the soft fork wear on you.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
Upright, smooth, stable and cheap to run: your 200 to 400 mi days suit it well. It's a naked bike with no luggage from the factory, though, so budget for the accessories.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2008–2011
Bulletproof Reliability, Zero Drama
Successor · 2008–2013
The Commuter You Never Question
Competitor · 2006–2008
City-Smart Twin That Bites
Competitor · 2004–2006
R6 Engine, Street Manners
Competitor · 2009–2017
R6 Genes, Commuter Soul
Similar Character · 2006–2012
Middleweight Touring Without Drama