Honda CBR600 F4i - an affordable sports bike for the people

Honda sports motorcycles have been loved in Russia since the early 90s. The CBR series is especially popular. Of course, not every beginner will submit to the line of these bikes - they better stay away from the most powerful modifications.


But if the rights are recent, or the Honda CBR will be the first motorcycle after a long break, then you can look at the 600 cc version. Of course, there are simpler models in the range, for example, the CBR125R. That's just a rare Russian will agree to a small cubic capacity.

Our people need a "liter", at least "six hundred". In the latter case, this is for the first time, and then the “normal” cubic capacity. Because of this, by the way, some until the next season lose all desire to continue riding motorcycles. At the same time, health, because it is difficult to cope with a “rocket” even at 600 cm3 without experience.


Those who do not suffer from excessive self-confidence choose the Honda CBR600. Therefore, there are a lot of these motorcycles in Russia on the used market. And the most common generation has the F4i index - about 50% of the total.


Let's talk about the cost right away - the motorcycle can be called conditionally affordable. The price for a Japanese sports bike is low - from 200 thousand rubles. For the most expensive ones they want 450-480 thousand rubles.

History of the model

The CBR series debuted in 1983. Then the first model with a volume of 400 cm3 was introduced to the domestic Japanese market.
"Six hundred" appeared in 1987, simultaneously with the "liter". This is a full-fledged sports tourist, who later became a role model. It had a number of features:

✅ Relatively calm character and dynamics
✅ Conditionally comfortable fit
✅ Suspension adapted for city and highway

As for the Honda CBR600 F4i, it appeared in 2001 and was produced until 2006. The main difference from the previous model is the rejection of the carburetor and the appearance of fuel injection. Outwardly, there is one serious feature that can be seen from afar - this is a double headlight. If you get closer to the motorcycle, you can see a different dashboard.


Otherwise, the changes are minimal. For example, the frame was reinforced, increasing rigidity. The engine was modified, although this did not affect the power.

Who is the model for?

Honda CBR600 F4i at the start of sales was positioned as a sportbike. For its age, it was the best motorcycle in the class.
Simultaneously with the regular version, the Sport modification was also produced. Outwardly, it can be distinguished by separate thin seats for the driver and passenger. Technically, it had stiffer suspensions.

Now the Honda CBR600 F4i is considered a model of the sport tourism class. The motorcycle has a fairly comfortable fit. Accordingly, it is suitable for those who need a bike for every day, but with a sports bias.


When choosing a motorcycle, you should carefully evaluate its external condition. It's no secret that they are often bought by fans of racing on the track or stunt riders. The latter are those who perform risky stunts on public roads. Kind of like riding a wheelie.


Of course, if you need a motorcycle for standard riding, it makes sense to look for an already prepared copy. But you can take it only from a well-known person, knowing the history of operation. Otherwise, the probability of finding a “killed” motorcycle is too high.

Of course, the reliability of the Honda CBR600 F4i is high. Any bike can be restored, as long as it hasn't been in a serious accident, but how much will it cost?

Where to buy?

Honda CBR600 F4i can be purchased on the used market. This is the most common way. Such bikes are sold both in salons and by individuals.


In the first case, motorcycles are "freshly brought", as a rule, from EU countries. Taking them or not is a matter of personal preference. On the one hand, it seems that if there is no run in the Russian Federation, this is a plus. On the other hand, pre-sale preparations, as a rule, consist in bringing an external gloss.


Buying a motorcycle from the hands in some cases is preferable. But you need to look at the appearance of the instance and its owner. Young riders don't tend to take care of the bikes more often - they are taken for a season or two. There are cases when the equipment is not serviced after purchase. It's no surprise that even a motorcycle as reliable as the Honda CBR600 F4i breaks down quickly.

There are times when the bike is sold by the owner who took care of it. This instance is immediately visible. It is advisable to look for just such a motorcycle, although it is unlikely to be given away cheaply. Exceptions - when the owner has found something new for himself. Then he urgently sells the old bike at the bottom of the market.

Nuances when buying

The Honda CBR600 of the F4i generation has “proprietary” flaws. More precisely, this is a tribute to age and improper maintenance by previous owners.


The timing chain can rattle unpleasantly. It manifests itself in the range of 3-5 thousand revolutions. Many owners specifically make sure that the chain does not give itself away - they let you listen to the engine at idle, defiantly ride, but at high speeds.

In principle, the problem is not critical - it is enough to replace the timing chain tensioner. Of course, for a person who is afraid to get into the engine himself, this is a headache. At the service station, too, they will take a decent amount for this. But if you do it yourself, you can save money.

The question is, do you want to do repairs by buying a new motorcycle? So the season can be skipped, given the nuances of the supply of spare parts to Russia.


Some do not pay attention to the rattling timing chain and continue to ride like that. The motorcycle is in such a state of disrepair. But in the end, it will “please” with an extended timing chain.

If everything is in order with the engine, we proceed to the diagnosis of other nodes. Need to see:

✅ Wheel bearings
✅ Steering fork
✅ Condition of brake discs - they are expensive
✅ Rear sprocket

Of course, all this applies to consumables, but a replacement can easily cost 35-70 thousand rubles. Better to look for a motorcycle that was followed. After all, if the previous owner did not change consumables, it is unlikely that he was puzzled by something serious. This is a typical "rider", and it is undesirable to buy motorcycles from such motorcycles.


The noise from the clutch basket, which can often be heard in neutral gear, is a feature of the Honda CBR600 F4i. If the sound disappears when switching or squeezing the lever, everything is fine.

By the way, the motorcycle has a self-diagnosis of the engine. It reads errors after the ignition is turned on. If they are, the light on the dashboard will react with characteristic flashes. Codes are read by their number. The decryption can be found in the manual, the network or on the profile forum.

The Honda CBR600 F4i is the all-rounder for those who want a sport bike but can't stand the heck of a bike. Of course, it cannot be said that the model is ideal as a road builder, but it also has a different purpose. This is more a bike for trips up to 100 km, for example, if you live outside the city and need to get to work in the metropolis every day.