The Honda CBR600F is a CBR series 600 cc inline four-cylinder sport bike. The first model was sold from 1987 to 1990 and is known in the United States as the Hurricane; later generations were the CBR600F2, F3, F4 and F4i, and Honda released a more modern model with the same name in 2011.
Honda CBR600F at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| First model | 1987–1990 |
| US name | Hurricane |
| Smaller export version | CBR500F, in Austria and Mexico |
| Generations | F2, F3, F4 and F4i |
| F2 | 1991–1994 |
| F3 | 1995–1998 |
| Engine | 600 cc inline four |
| Design note | Honda’s first fully faired inline-four sport bikes |
| Revival | new CBR600F in 2011 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the CBR600F.
History of the Honda CBR600F
The original Hurricane
The original CBR600F, together with the CBR750F and CBR1000F, was one of Honda’s first inline four-cylinder, fully faired sport bikes. Its style was said to be influenced by a brief European trend toward smooth, completely enclosed fairings such as the Ducati Paso. In Austria and Mexico a smaller version called the CBR500F was offered.
F2 (1991–1994)
The CBR600F2 was produced from 1991 to 1994, replacing the original Hurricane. Development began in early 1989 under Hurricane LPL Ishikawa; the bike was known internally as MV9. Painted black, the prototype looked faster and sleeker than the more blocky first generation, and few motorcycles of the 1990s could match its performance.
F3 (1995–1998)
The CBR600F3 replaced the F2 in 1995 with a modified engine, ram-air intake and cartridge front forks. The 1997 and 1998 models gained a deeper oil pan, sleeker tail fairings, seat and tail-light, a revised cylinder head worth about 5 hp over the 1995–1996 cars, and revised CDI and ram-air systems for a smoother power curve.
F4, F4i and the 2011 revival
The line continued through the F4 and F4i, the F4i becoming the practical street bike behind the more focused CBR600RR. In 2011 Honda released a more modern model with the same CBR600F name.
Design and features
- Fully faired inline four: part of Honda’s first generation of such sport bikes.
- Ram-air intake: introduced with the F3 in 1995.
- Cartridge forks: F3 chassis equipment.
- Practical focus: the F4i was the street-oriented alternative to the RR.
Honda CBR600F versions
- CBR600F Hurricane (1987–1990): the original.
- CBR600F2 (1991–1994): the second generation.
- CBR600F3 (1995–1998): ram-air and cartridge forks.
- CBR600F4 and F4i: the later generations.
- CBR600F (2011): the revived modern model.
The CBR600F led to the more focused CBR600RR and sits in the CBR family with the CBR900RR. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda CBR600F, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, equipment
