Like all Hondas, the factory paint hasn't worn much at all over the years. If you do encounter a CBR600 with faded or sun-bleached paint, make sure to look the bike over closely as this means the machine has spent more time outdoors than a pit bull with a shoe-eating problem.
Rear tires for the 1999 model were 180x17 for the first time in the bike's lineage, which means the entire current crop of super-sticky sports rubber is available for this machine. The 43mm conventional forks are adjustable, as is the rear shock, but after close to a decade we'd strongly suggest replacing the old shock with something newer and stiffer for a much-improved ride. This bike's owner adopted a shock from a 2003 CBR600F4i (fuel-injected model) that bolted right on.
Because it's a Honda, don't expect much in the way of reliability problems, though the cam chain has been known to rattle on high-mileage models until the bike is fully warmed up.
On the plus side, this machine has one of the stoutest clutches in existence--capable of surviving burnouts, drag-strip launches and all sorts of mayhem with nary a cough. As an added bonus, an owner can insure an eight-year-old CBR600 for about half the cost of insuring a brand-new model, which should leave more money for the important things--strippers and booze.
Honda CBR600F4
Average Used Price: $4100-$5000
Weight: 372 pounds (dry)
Horsepower: 96
Torque: 45.6 pound-feet
Quarter-mile: 10.90@124.7mph
SSB Suggested Mods
This owner took plenty of steps to make his bike hot, or so he thought. Tacky stickers don't sit well and neither does a tank bra (it's probably hiding damage). The CBR600 is a good bike on its own, but a few dress-up parts go a long way.
Windscreen: A dark screen adds an aggressive look and better wind-blast protection.
Levers: Adjustable race-style levers look trick and add to the bike's sporty nature.
Tires: This was the first year the CBR600 had a 180 rear, and there are plenty of options that are much better than the original-spec tires. These Pirelli Diablos are just right.
Fender Eliminator: Already scrapped was the enormous license-plate hanger that older bikes are cursed with. This is a must-have.