Middling Leftovers – Honda CBF600
The track ‘Crumbs From Your Table’ pops into my head in the first couple of miles on the CBF600. That and the impression that this is the donor CBR600RR engine and how much different it feels.
Re-vamped for 2008. the new-biker-friendly CBF has been subjected to a major re-vamp, whilst still retaining much of its forerunner’s identity. A new gravity die-cast aluminium ‘Mono-Backbone’ frame, and a CBR600RR-derrved engine are the mainstays of the new design, but there are a host of detail changes too. including a new exhaust and ABS system, a larger 20-litre tank and a slimmer seat
In its original guise the supersport engine was our class winner last year, so it’s easy to expect more and be uncomplimentary about the strangulation which the RR has endured.
But, I remind myself, this incarnation of the engine land, come to that, the rest of the bike), has not been designed for me or my sporty aspirations With throttle bodies reduced in size from 40mm to 32mm and less compression inside the cylinders, the sights are firmly pointed at the new rider.
Easy riding
Heading inlo the hilts towards our eventual lunch stop (which included the smelliest, nastiest soup known to manl, I think back to the presentation the night before. The key word which was being pressed home to us was ‘Easy’.
Sure enough, so far the bike is about as easy as any bike I’ve ridden to get along with. The easy feeling actually starts as you swing a leg over the adjustable seat. Its low height, coupled with high-ish handlebars give an upright, relaxed riding position making low speed manoeuvres a doddle.
The route becomes ever twistier. and is now lined with low Armco barriers which, the event of a medium sized mistake, would quite probably not be enough to stop us from plummeting hundreds of feet into a tree and rock strewn abyss. Crashing here would do you no favours. The CBF though, inspires a decent level of confidence and having been on an 8kg diet, can be flicked from side to side with ease.
We’re riding at a far more spirited pace than the new riders which the bike has been designed for would be: even so. the budget suspension rarely gets overwhelmed, supporting the chassis without the pitching and wallowing usually expected on a bike of this ilk.
The composed nature is helped in no small part by the chassis being comparatively firmly-sprung II suspect at least partly due to the direct shock linkage having no rising ratel. with well-matched damping controlling all but the most extreme of demands.
The springs also play their part in keeping the pegs off the deck and along with the perfectly-suited Michelins, keep the steering predictable and neutral.
ABS workout
I’m not a great fan of either linked, or ABS brakes, but in this guise, the big H has got it about right. The new three-piston front calipers are independent of the rear when used in Isolation, with the rear brake lever operating both ends. Whichever lever is used, the ABS is unobtrusive enough even when ham-fistedly provoked into action, and the brakes feel like they’ll have enough power to scrub off speed with a loaded set of optional (colour-coded) panniers and fop box.
The last part of our journey takes us along a section of ‘autopista’ which confirms the fairing and adjustable screen should give decent protection against the UK elements up to an eventual 130mph on the Isomewhat dull looking) clocks.
Rave review
After a few steadier motorway miles of steady speeds back to the hotel and after a long day in the CBF saddle, my thoughts are confirmed If it were human, ifd be a librarian called Nigel from Milton Keynes, rather than an atomic bomb disposal expert from Dublin. Nigel’s a reliable, loyal, smartly-dressed friend who irons his Asda jeans and has a model railway in the spare room.
He’ll hike effortlessly across two counties in a day: just don’t expect him to come to a rave, do a load of E’s and dance like a mentalist. If bikes were all about being easy to get along with this Honda is a winner Just don’t expect too much excitement every time you ride it.
Source: SuperBike Magazine