Bike Review – Honda CBR 600 RR (2024-2025) IT’S BACK!

Bike Review – Honda CBR 600 RR (2024-2025) IT’S BACK!

2024 Honda CBR600RR Review – The Supersport Revival

The Honda CBR600RR is back — and I couldn’t be happier to see this legendary model return to the market.
The brand new 2024 edition marks a major comeback for one of the most iconic names in the 600cc sports bike class.

The CBR600 first appeared back in 1987, and in 2003 it earned its ‘RR’ — or Race Replica — designation. For 14 years, the 600RR battled it out at the top of a competitive supersport market and proved itself both on the road and on the track. Honda discontinued the model in 2017, not because it lacked performance, but due to a shrinking market and tightening emissions regulations. Soon after, Yamaha’s R6 and Suzuki’s GSX-R600 followed the same path — and then the pandemic hit, putting the supersport segment on ice.

In 2021, there were whispers of revival when Honda quietly released a 600RR for the Asian market and it began making appearances in World Superbike paddocks. Now, several years later, we finally have a Euro 5 compliant CBR600RR on UK roads.

Styling & Aesthetics

The first thing you’ll notice is the design. The 2024 model is every bit the “Baby Blade” it’s been nicknamed — heavily inspired by the Fireblade but with its own distinct appeal. It retains the signature under-tail exhaust, gains new LED lighting all around, and features aerodynamic winglets designed to aid high-speed stability. It’s an aggressive-looking bike, and in my opinion, the best-looking 600RR to date. Available colour options include the classic Grand Prix Red tricolour and a matte Ballistic Black.

Chassis & Suspension

Underneath the new fairings, the bike shares much with its 2017 predecessor. The diecast aluminium twin-spar frame and swingarm are carried over,
though the swingarm has been revised to shed 150 grams. Suspension remains familiar too: fully adjustable Showa forks up front and a matching
fully adjustable Showa rear shock. Braking is handled by radial-mounted 4-piston calipers on 310mm floating discs at the front and a single-piston caliper with a 220mm disc at the rear.

Engine & Performance

The heart of the bike is still the legendary 599cc inline four — a proven, reliable, and high-revving engine. For 2024, it’s undergone significant internal tweaks to meet Euro 5 standards: lighter cams, thinner valve springs, revised valve timing, a new crankshaft, and more. It now puts out 119 bhp, a slight bump over the older model.

Electronics & Rider Aids

This is where the 600RR really earns its price tag. Earlier generations were light on rider aids — but now,
Honda has delivered a full modern electronics suite. Highlights include:

  • Adjustable quickshifter with auto-blip
  • 5 preset riding modes, plus user-programmable options
  • 3 levels of engine braking
  • 9-level traction control
  • Wheelie control
  • Cornering ABS
  • Rear lift control
  • Throttle-by-wire

All of this is controlled via a slick new TFT dash and left-side touchpad — intuitive and easy to use on the move.

On the Road

  • It feels exactly like a CBR600 — and that’s a good thing
  • High pegs and low bars give it a focused, supersport stance
  • Still surprisingly roomy for a compact bike
  • There’s a flat spot around 7,000 RPM, but it picks up hard after that
  • It delivers that classic race bike feeling when you wind it up
  • Honda has retained the excitement, even under emissions constraints

Final Thoughts

I was genuinely excited to see the CBR600RR return — and it hasn’t disappointed. Honda’s managed to modernise the platform without losing its identity. It’s light, flickable, and confidence-inspiring, even on the road. But make no mistake — this bike lives for the track.

Like many inline-fours, the CBR600RR makes its power high in the rev range. That’s both thrilling and challenging on the road.There’s a noticeable lull at around 7,000 RPM, but once past that, the bike screams to redline — attracting attention and making every ride feel intense.
On a track where you can keep it in that sweet spot, it would absolutely shine.

Right now, the 600RR has few direct rivals. Kawasaki’s ZX-6R and MV Agusta’s F3 are among the few inline-four alternatives still standing. Other 600-class bikes — like the Aprilia RS660, Triumph Daytona 660, and even Honda’s own CBR650R — lean more toward daily usability and
parallel twin character. If you want a true supersport experience in 2024, this is the one to get.

Special thanks to North West Honda Super Centre in Blackpool for supplying the bike. They are well worth a visit if you’re looking at anything from the 2024 Honda range.