By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Honda CBR600RR (PC 40) vs CBR1000RR (SC59)
Honda CBR600RR vs CBR1000RR: one garage spot. Here's what should decide it.
Halfway up the rev range, the Honda CBR600RR pulls with enough muscle that you don't keep kicking down a gear. On the Honda CBR1000RR, a wide-open throttle piles on speed in a hurry.
So which one do you buy?
The CBR600RR has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Inches ahead: CBR600RR
On a closed course, the CBR600RR edges ahead. Thank more suspension adjustment for that. Not by enough to settle it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: CBR600RR
On a winding road, the CBR600RR comes out a touch ahead. Most of that is better suspension. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The CBR600RR costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
CBR600RR
At Barber Motorsports Park, the CBR600RR snaps into each bend, and it's still holding its line through the next one. On the brake lever, it stops with its weight tucked in close around the engine. Taller riders won't sit comfortably in the tight cockpit for long stints. Serviced on schedule, the engine just keeps running.
Nils rode the CBR600RR in Hungary in 2007, in Qatar in 2008, in Croatia/Dalmatia in 2013, and in Germany in 2017 (NastyNils Testride).
CBR1000RR
Up near redline, the CBR1000RR's rush keeps building in one smooth line, with no step anywhere. At corner entry, the bars bite quickly and the front tracks exactly where it's pointed. Hard downshifts don't unhook the rear. The fork keeps telling you what the tire's doing.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CBR600RR has the lower wet weight: 410 lb (186 kg) vs 439 lb (199 kg).
- The CBR1000RR makes more peak power: 178 hp (131 kW) vs 121 hp (89 kW).
- The CBR1000RR makes more peak torque: 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) vs 49 lb-ft (66 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
Nothing splits them on commuting and running costs. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CBR600RR
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent build quality and reliability
- Strong midrange for a supersport
Trade-offs
- Cramped riding position
CBR1000RR
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptionally balanced and stable chassis
- Renowned Honda build quality and reliability
- Smooth, top-end-focused engine
Known problems to check before you buy
CBR600RR
- Fuel pump impeller may deform and cause failure Recall 24V864000 A recall covers certain 2007 and 2009-2017 CBR600RR models: improperly molded fuel pump impellers can deform, leading to sudden fuel pump failure and stalling.
CBR1000RR
- Fuel pump impeller stalling (safety recall) Recall 24V864000 A manufacturing defect in the fuel pump can cause the rubber impeller to swell and lock, cutting off fuel flow and causing the engine to stall without warning. Honda issued a safety recall for affected 2008–2016 CBR1000RR models to inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 15-year-old CBR600RR with a 15-year-old CBR1000RR.
- CBR600RR
- about $6,500
- CBR1000RR
- about $7,600
At 15 years old, the Honda CBR600RR sits around $6,500 while the Honda CBR1000RR runs about $7,600. That's a $1,100 gap in the smaller bike's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 32.3 in (820 mm)
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CBR600RR | CBR1000RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 410 lb (186 kg) | 439 lb (199 kg) |
| CBR600RR | CBR1000RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 599 cc | 999 cc |
| Power | 121 hp (89 kW) | 178 hp (131 kW) |
| Peak power at | 13,500 rpm | 12,000 rpm |
| Torque | 49 lb-ft (66 Nm) | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 11,250 rpm | 8,500 rpm |
| CBR600RR | CBR1000RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 US gal (18.2 L) | 4.7 US gal (17.7 L) |
| CBR600RR | CBR1000RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 190/50-17 |
| Wheelbase | 54.1 in (1375 mm) | 55.4 in (1407 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CBR600RR | CBR1000RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Quickshifter | Option | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
