The best 600 cc motorcycles for a beginner, Japanese and Chinese

A bike with a soul and a playful character - perhaps every first visitor to a car dealership dreams of this. But when it comes to buying, you should put the lyrics aside and understand whether you are ready to manage a unit with a power of about 100 horsepower. And if 125 cc and 250 cc units are quite obedient and obey the owner, then 600 cc motorcycles can already provoke feats. Therefore, the main requirement for the owner is good experience and confident driving technique.

The best 600cc sports motorcycles

Master a sports bike without harming yourself and others, without being left behind liter beauties, or just confidently move around the city - there are some 600 cc models that will allow you to do this.

They are well-known to many, have excellent characteristics and an impeccable reputation:

Honda CBR 600 RR is a seven-time champion in the Supersport category, the owner of a 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed transmission. Give it 3 seconds and it will accelerate to hundreds. The CBR 600 RR was produced from 1987 to 2008, gradually increasing power. So the latest releases demonstrate what 118 hp is capable of.

Suzuki GSX-R600 is an “athlete”, accelerating up to 259 km/h. Externally, it is practically no different from its “big brother” GSX-R1000. The 600th “Jixer” has the same broken shapes and daring design. Equipped with a 4-cylinder engine that will require 6 liters of gasoline for every 100 km.

Yamaha YZF-R6 is the legendary “Japanese” that continues to improve. The latest version rolled off the production line in 2021 and pleased fans with improved aerodynamics, new ABS and traction control. Acceleration to 100 km takes 3 seconds, and the top speed is 260 km/h. The YZF-R6 excels in tight corners and is a three-time world champion in the Supersport category for good reason.

These “athletes” have repeatedly proven that they are the best, both on the race track and on the road. They are ideal for both professionals and those who continue to improve their driving technique.

Kawasaki ZX6R

In 2000, the new Kawasaki ZX6R debuted - finally, one might say, because the old model was already outdated. The new version was stylistically reminiscent of the ZX9R and 12-tke, more than the current Golf Passat. It offered the same power as the Triumph, but the character of the machine was decidedly more aggressive, with the Kawasaki being more assertive when accelerating, having longer gears, better brakes and a decidedly sportier stance.

In 2003, the first version of the 636 debuted, still in the old barn but with a completely new engine, increasing power to around 120 hp. At the moment this is a really cool motorcycle at a reasonable price. Of course, you should be careful to buy a model that has been properly treated and has not been used in tricks.

Which 600cc motorcycle is good for a beginner?

With comfort and no surprises - these are the requirements that novice motorcyclists make when purchasing. Typically, this behavior is expected from small-capacity equipment. As for 600 cc motorcycles, according to experienced bikers and instructors, they are the limit for a beginner, and then only some not the most aggressive models:

Honda Hornet CB 600 is a comfortable and stylish bike with a sports CBR 600 engine, a 6-speed gearbox and 102 horsepower. It is somewhat inferior in characteristics to its sports brother, but it listens perfectly to a rider, even one who is not very experienced.

Yamaha FZ6 - like the previous model, at its heart lies the derated engine of its sports brother, in this case the YZF-R6. Suitable for both sports and tourism. It has laconic, streamlined shapes.

Yamaha R6

The king of motorcycles from the golden period of the sport, the 600 series. The Yamaha R6 debuted in 1999 and immediately created a frenzy in the womb, even among the male group. A beautiful, light, compact and very sharp sports car. The halls were buzzing - Yamaha had done a great job and this period was undoubtedly theirs.

The R6, although slightly heavier than the Gixx, offered 5 hp more. more, he loved to take turns and roared at the same time as in rage. To achieve this, it has an excellent braking system and good suspension.

Road Chinese 600 cc motorcycles - a rational choice

If you want to save money and buy a bike purely for the city, you can choose a motorcycle from Chinese road builders. Pay attention to these models:

Stels 600 Benelli is “Chinese” with Italian roots. At one time, the European brand was bought by a company from the Middle Kingdom. The result is a series of bikes with a modern design. The owners of this model have at their disposal 80 hp, a 6-speed gearbox, a 4-cylinder engine, which in practice turns into an obedient city bike.

The CFMoto 650 NK is an easy-to-ride, powerful road bike that accelerates to 180 km/h. It is based on a 2-cylinder engine. The model is quite comfortable, suitable for both boys and girls who want to quickly and noticeably move between rows of cars.

Whatever option you choose - sports, road, from a titled brand or a little-known factory - always calculate your capabilities and management skills!

HONDA

Honda CBF600 - excellent equipment and comfort © Photo: Honda

Among the mass of motorcycles that Honda offers today, we get from the “classic six hundred” models CBF600SA and CB600FA Hornet. Unlike the well-known “CB” of the 90s, the new generation can be called “highly advanced”, although the legendary handling of the previous CBs still remains unsurpassed; it’s not for nothing that in many motorcycle schools abroad you can often still find CBs in the role of the educational apparatus. What is attractive about motorcycles in this series today? Handling, which even a neophyte will seem “primitive” and safe, but at the same time, even the elder will find a lot of tasty things in these motorcycles, mainly thanks to the engine and suspension.

CB600 Hornet

Honda CBF600 Hornet - you can misbehave, or you can just ride © Photo: Honda

The motor is approximately the same, but the power and torque are increased. Refers to nikes, that is, “naked.” But, in principle, it is suitable for both the city and the highway. The “push and push” of the engine, as well as a rigid frame and good brakes make this motorcycle desirable for those who like to ride fast in different conditions.

Enduro

Here again we have to mention Baltmotors with their very successful model BM 250 Dakar. It costs more than most of its competitors, but its characteristics are very impressive, and reviews from owners of a Chinese motorcycle assembled in Russia are generally positive.

Also enjoying popular love is the Lifan LF200 GY, which has been selling well in a number of countries for several years now. It’s difficult to call it a full-fledged enduro - the level of equipment is not the same, but this bike is well suited for bad roads. Its main advantages are its low price, versatility, cheap spare parts and overall simplicity of design, which makes repairs possible in a garage environment.

Fans of more powerful equipment should look at another “Chinese” – Forsage 450 Enduro. Quite light and compact, it is highly powerful. In addition, the manufacturer offers tuning to improve performance - a Japanese carburetor, direct-flow exhaust and other little things that ultimately allow you to get a power output of 44 hp. on the rear wheel (not on the crankshaft!). This is an excellent indicator for Chinese motorcycles. At the same time, the bike is quite inexpensive - at least much cheaper than the 450 cc Japanese ones.

Engine disadvantages and problems

The flimsiest system in this engine is the cylinder head of the 2L engine. It cracks when overheated. Therefore, to ensure that the cylinder head does not overheat, judging by the reviews of experienced car owners, the radiator and coolant must be checked every 10 thousand kilometers.

In case of overheating, the transfer plane or the 2L cylinder head gasket suffers. If these problems can be cured by a major overhaul, then cracks on the cylinder head cannot be cured by anything other than replacing the component.

Due to overheating, the engine turbine again fails. Since the supercharger does not like oil starvation, which occurs when driving a vehicle with elevated engine temperatures. If lubricant gets into the intake device, then the engine will require not just a major overhaul, but a contract or new one.

Related article Gas internal combustion engines

Also, many users complain about excessive fuel consumption. This is a common occurrence with turbocharged engines of those years. The unfinished electronics could not regulate the fuel supply with milliliter precision. By the way, due to problems with electronics, many car owners abandoned the 2L engine.

You need to watch the timing belt. If it breaks, the valves bend.

Cylinder scuffing also occurred. Simple sedans still coped with this problem and did not cause trouble to car owners. But on Land Cruisers, Highs and other SUVs, overheating and scuffing became critical for 2L units.

If anyone is thinking about tuning these devices, then they should not do it. Since increasing the power will not bear fruit, but will only increase the already severe overheating of the 2L engine. If someone wants to tune the engine, this can be done by milling the cylinder head. But it will be possible to increase the power by only three horses.

Cruisers, choppers

Any bike is classified. A motorcycle for the road with a slightly modified fork angle - chopper. Although this definition is conditional. At the beginning, they were made almost independently, removing everything unnecessary from heavyweights like Harley. A special feature of the chopper was the elongated fork. This type of design made it possible to move freely along straight highways without even using your hands. It was more difficult to control the equipment when turning or maneuvering.

Fact: Some states have imposed restrictions on fork length, rake angle, and handlebar height.

Choppers are converted from another class of motorcycles - cruisers. Slow acceleration dynamics, low seating position and clumsiness do not allow racing not only between motorcycles, but also with cars. The risk of road accidents is reduced. The advantages include:

Volumetric fuel tank;
Wide wings that can protect you from dirt;
Additional light;
Some models have a whole space reserved for luggage.

Types of bikes

Modern motor vehicles are conventionally divided into the following types:

Road. A classic bike designed for riding on roads with varied surfaces.
Tourist. These models have an increased level of comfort and are used on long trips and travel.
Chopper, cruiser is a type of powerful and heavy equipment, not designed for competitions and racing. Experienced bikers love them.
Sportbikes (volume from 600 cc) are lightweight, expensive motorcycles with an endless number of innovations. It is used in racing, since the models accelerate to almost 300 km and are characterized by an increased level of controllability and maneuverability.

How many cubes in 1 horsepower

How many cubes are in 1 horsepower?

acreage
August 11, 2013
15:10

horsepower is not measured in cubes

seventeenth
August 11, 2013
15:10

acreage, but it’s clear

acreage
August 11, 2013
15:11

seventeenth, it happens that 50cc - 25 hp And sometimes 350cc - 22 hp

nibble
August 11, 2013
15:11

indistinct199705
August 11, 2013
15:16

The amount of horsepower depends on the engine, that is, the compression ratio, namely, the higher it is, the more horsepower the volume produces.

For example, a good example is the Japanese Yamaha engine ybr - 10:01 and this 125cc engine produces as much as 11 l/s.

Now let’s look at the Chinese engine of the irbis ATV150 ATV - compression ratio 9.2:1. Out of 150cc, the engine produces only 9.5 l/s.

indistinct199705
August 11, 2013
15:16

acreage, what?! 50cc - 25 horses? Show me this miracle!

peaceable199810
August 11, 2013
15:17

ammoniac3943
August 11, 2013
15:20

peaceable199810
August 11, 2013
15:23

ammoniac3943, but not 25 horses

acreage
August 11, 2013
15:27

indistinct199705, well, I got carried away with 25. Here is 16.5 https://mopedmuseum.ru/sz-riga17s.html

acreage
August 11, 2013
15:27

indistinct199705, I think there are more. You just need to search

317plank2
August 11, 2013
15:34

indistinct199705, Engine power depends on the type and amount of the mixture being burned. The compression ratio is adjusted to the fuel type.

Turbocharging alone allows you to almost double the power =)

And look for records for removing horses from blocks from aircraft modellers.

Chassis

Die-cast aluminum Mono-Backbone frame and suspension parts have been specially designed to increase ease of handling.

Die-Cast Aluminum Mono-Backbone Frame

The CBF600 is built around a cast aluminum Mono-Backbone frame that was first created for the CB600F Hornet in 2007. Assembled from three large cast sections, this simple structure holds the engine. The lightweight cast aluminum frame also provides a significant increase in rigidity for more precise handling and quick response to changes in direction.

The steel under-seat rail is robustly constructed for easy installation of the top and side panniers. To improve operating comfort, new shock-absorbing counterweights have been installed that effectively absorb vibration. Additionally, the lower center frame support has been moved and the footrests have been lengthened.

Suspension parts

The CBF600's suspension components have been specifically designed to increase ease of handling for less experienced riders. Up front, 41mm forks provide confident control. At the rear, the new CBF600 suspension system supports a 46mm steel swingarm.

Version with integral ABS

The CBF600's ABS component operates much the same as all other ABS-equipped Honda models. When braking on uneven and slippery road surfaces, this highly precise system instantly reacts to the latest changes in the relative speed of both wheels, predicting and counteracting wheel slip before it happens. Thanks to precise control, the system maintains the correct brake pressure for smooth and even braking, which significantly increases the ability to stop quickly and confidently.

The Braking System links the rear brake pedal to the center piston of the right front brake caliper to provide adjustable front brake control balance when the rear brake is firmly applied.

Firm pressure applied to the rear brake pedal causes just enough front brake application to provide an excellent balance of front and rear braking forces for precise control. The remaining five pistons on the front brake calipers are conveniently operated by the handbrake lever, providing reliable braking control that matches the sporty credentials of the CBF600.

Confident riding also requires trouble-free brake performance, and the CBF600's advanced Combined ABS system provides an exceptional level of smooth, confident braking control for both expert and less experienced riders in situations where optimal braking is critical.

Suzuki

If we talk about Suzuki, then you can’t do without the “Bandit”, although the displacement here exceeds 600 cubic meters, almost the volume of a scooter’s engine, which can be driven without a license. The engines of this motorcycle, which can be bought from us in the GSF650SA and GSF650A versions, have a glorious pedigree and no less decent external characteristics. Good torque and maximum power, coupled with a good frame and suspension, also allow it to be used both as a city motorcycle (Street) and as a space eater on the highway.

Yamaha

In the class of road motorcycles, Yamaha positions us with three models at once. This, oddly enough, is VMax (a separate song in terms of the classification of this motorcycle, which dates back to the previous model of the 1980s), as well as FZ1, FZ8 and XJ6. Today we are only interested in the 600 cc XJ6 model, also known as “Diversion”. We sell it in two versions, like many “classics” from other manufacturers - with and without a body kit. The body kit is quite conventional compared to sports models, but it is quite enough to feel good at high speeds.

The controllability of the XJ6 allows it to be successfully used by both beginners and motorcycle elders, because for a neophyte it is simple, but for an experienced driver it allows them to unlock their full potential and race well if desired. Good torque, a comfortable fit and a good seat allow you to use the XJ6 not only for short distances, but also for long distances. The bike handles well and has enough comfort to keep you feeling fresh after a long ride. In short, the XJ6 is a good choice both as a first motorcycle and as a daily vehicle for those who are already tired of the nervousness of “sports”.