2024 Honda CBR600RR – First Look

Earlier this year, Kawasaki updated the Ninja ZX-6R, and while we weren’t sure about its place in the industry today, we lauded Kawasaki for helping keep the Inline-Four supersport class alive. It’s only fair then that we do the same for Honda, after it announced the return of the CBR600RR to Europe.

And no, it’s not the old CBR600RR that has remained part of American Honda’s lineup long after it was discontinued in Europe, but the new generation CBR600RR that was first introduced in in 2021 for Japan, Thailand and Australia. Yes, for the last few years, there have been two different versions of the CBR produced worldwide, but with Honda bringing the Japanese version to Europe, we expect American Honda to do the same, making for a single CBR600RR model.

The 2024 CBR600RR adopts a new fairing with aerodynamic winglets designed to improve corner stability. The LED headlights are much more compact than the lights on the 2023 U.S. market CBR600RR, and the LED front indicators are now in front of the handlebars instead of poking out from the fairing. According to Honda, the CBR600RR’s 0.555 coefficient of drag is the lowest in its class.

Unlike the 636cc Ninja, the CBR600RR maintains a 599cc displacement. With a new intake system, throttle-by-wire control, and updated valve timing, the engine has undergone several changes to make it compliant with Euro 5 standards. Honda claims a peak output of 119 hp at 14,250 rpm and 46.5 lb-ft. at 11,500 rpm, compared to the 113 hp at 13,500 rpm and 48.7 lb-ft. at 11,250 rpm on the U.S.-spec model.

An assist/slipper clutch helps manage rear wheel hop during hard downshifts while requiring less effort on the hand lever. A quick shifter comes standard.

The CBR600RR is equipped with a 6-axis IMU-based electronics package inherited from the CBR1000RR. It offers three preset ride modes plus two custom user modes, five power levels, a nine-level traction control system with slip rate control, cornering ABS, engine braking management, and wheelie control. Also standard is an ECU-controlled electronic steering damper that operates relative to velocity.

Showa provides a fully adjustable 41mm Big Piston inverted fork, with 4.7 inches of travel, as well as the fully adjustable rear shock connected with Honda’s Pro-Link system and offering 5.0 inches of travel. Dual radial-mount four-piston calipers are paired with 310mm discs on the front wheel, while the rear wheel uses a single-piston caliper with 220mm disc. A radial-piston master cylinder for the front brakes comes standard.