2004–2007 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Honda's Honest Six-Hundred Workhorse
The CBF 600 S is Honda doing what Honda does best when nobody is watching: taking a proven 599 cc inline-four, the same basic engine family as the Hornet, and retuning it for the midrange instead of the redline. On paper it makes 78 hp at 10,500 rpm and 43 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm. In practice it's a broad, forgiving spread of pull wrapped in a steel-tube frame and a half fairing. There's no traction control and there are no ride modes. It gets a height-adjustable seat, an adjustable windscreen and a preload-adjustable shock, and that's the whole list. It's a middleweight standard built for being used, not admired.
It ages the way you hope a Honda will. Reliability is about as strong as this class gets, running costs stay low, and it's easy on its owner. At 434 lb (197 kg) wet with a 30.9 in (785 mm) seat, it's approachable enough to be a first big bike and still a workhorse ten years later. The honest caveat is character. If you want a rising torque curve that makes your pulse jump, this isn't it. The fork has no adjustment at all, the paint on metallic colors can fade early, and the charging system deserves an eye. Buy it for calm competence, not excitement.
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 |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 296 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 |
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 434 lb (197 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (19 L) |
| Top speed | 134 mph (216 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 39 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
This bike has come up again and again over the years: in paddock conversations, at club nights, over coffee with owners, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture is consistent. People trust the CBF 600 S and settle into it easily, and their most common frustration is an engine that leaves them wanting more.
The praise riders repeat most is about durability and finish. Owners of high-mileage examples report few issues, and many say the quality of the build still shows years later. Comfort comes up nearly as often. Owners describe wide bars and neutral ergonomics that carry them through a week of commuting and a light tour on the weekend. Some add that the half fairing and adjustable screen deflect the wind well.
The loudest complaint is about the engine. Riders call it flat and wheezy and say it runs out of breath above 7,500 rpm, which makes passing and spirited riding hard work. A smaller group finds the bike heavy and ponderous at low speed and says filtering through traffic feels cumbersome. Others describe a soft, underdamped ride that loses composure on bumpy roads.
Cam chain tensioner wear at high mileage
Early models can develop cam chain noise and tensioner failure above 40,000–50,000 miles, requiring replacement.
Regulator/rectifier failure
Like many Honda models of the era, the charging system regulator/rectifier can overheat and fail, causing battery drain or overcharging.
Paint quality concerns
Some owners reported that the paint finish, particularly on metallic colours, was not as durable as previous Honda models, leading to premature fading or peeling.
Where this Honda CBF 600 S 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 S is actually built for.
For drilling lines and body position on tight East Coast twisties, its light, predictable manners are a patient teacher. Just know the basic fork caps how hard you can push once your skills sharpen.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
It will carry you from LA traffic up into the canyons without drama, but 78 hp and a plain chassis won't match the precision you're after. Treat it as a stepping stone, not the destination.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
The half fairing, adjustable screen and 5.0 gal (19 L) tank make long scenic days easy and cheap. Just don't expect built-in luggage or cruise control. You'll be adding luggage yourself.
Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2008–2013
The Commuter You Never Question
Successor · 2008–2011
Bulletproof Reliability, Zero Drama
Competitor · 2006–2017
Reliable Middleweight That Simply Works
Competitor · 2003–2008
Reliable Middleweight That Disappears
Same Platform · 2002–2006
Rev It Hard, Ride Easy