Honda CBR600rr VS. Yamaha YZF R-6

[EJT]

1. Yamaha R-6:

Drop down into first, give it some reves, ease the clutch out. Stall. This is the first real chink in the R-6's armor. Compared to other 600's the R-6 takes a few more revs and a little more care to get off the line smoothly. Its not a problem ounce you get used to it and really all it takes is a little more care....but if you've been riding CBR600's prior to the R-6 you ARE going to stall it a few times at first. The CBR, by comparison, is able to get off the line pretty much no matter what.

I think the Honda has some fancy gizmo that raises the revs slightly when you let out the clutch to prevent stalling (or so I read in a magazine).

My kwaka is pretty similar to the R6. I stalled it a few times over the first week on ownership (starting from when I left the shop), but now used to the old riding the clutch deal.

[pritch]

I'm sure all the magazine tests I read rated the CBR600RR the best 'weapon' for the race track -

BIKE voted the CBR600 their bike of the year for 2007 so somebody liked it.

So whichever, enjoy

[325rocket]

1. Yamaha R-6:






Next up is the engine. While the lack of midrange is annoying .......

Yeah its a little annoying seeing my friends CBR gain yards on me out of a corner sometimes when I dont get it just right and Im being lazy....

The lack of midrange is annoying for sure.....

.

have you considered going up a tooth or two in the back? would this help?

good write up by the way.

[Deano]

yup.....I know the CBR is the faster bike.......but thats my entire point: The R-6 still gets me going more then the CBR which is why I, ultimately, prefer it.

It's all about the ride and what spins your wheels.

[Paranoid Android]

i have ridden both. my brother is an R guy but i love my cbr. with all the modern bike i think the major difference is going to be what you think about it and no one is wrong


cant all the R riders and cbr riders just get along

[discotex]

Interesting.... Having ridden both myself (and the 07 ZX-6R and GSX-R600 as well) when deciding on my new bike it's interesting you largely agree with my evaluation.

The R6 clutch sucks arse around town (hillstarts) eh? It's a *very* short engagement so it's either in or out. They even commented on it in World Supersport saying it's much harder to launch. Wonder why the big Y doesn't change it?

Build quality.. Well I think they're equal personally... My red CBR has plenty of lustre but maybe the CBR black is more matte or something. My screen doesn't buzz except dead on 9k rpm. Certainly no worse than the R6 which had it's share of IL4 vibes. Both far less than the GSX-R600 which left me with tingling hands.

Instruments.. The R6 ones look cooler but honestly I found them harder to read. You're right about the fuel gauge and gear selector. Who needs it.

Handling... Exactly what you describe. The CBR flicks around like nothing else. The R6 is very sharp but unforgiving of bad body english (no issue if you can ride properly). Both 10/10 but slightly different characteristics that will suit one person better than another.

Power.. That R6 top end rush when you finally hit the power is nice but you get it at 100km/h in first. The CBR is more progressive with more mid but I think soooo much more usable for NZ roads. Either way they have identical 1/4 mile times so it comes down to rider style more than anything. If you ride balls-to-the-wall at the redline you'll prefer the R6 engine. They're both insane for 100km/h areas anyway

The 07 R6 and 07 CBR are soooooo close but the CBR gives me more fun for my money - certainly not lacking character or excitement as some who haven't ridden the new model have commented.

In the end it was a *very* close call. If I hadn't got such a good deal on the CBR I'd have gone R6 without hesitation.