Honda 599 (CB600F) reviews

I first owned a 2006 Kymco 250cc Venox. I had it for two years and I would still have it if I had a garage. I really did not need "more of a bike" as many say they do...believe me you can get in enough trouble with a 250cc...on to the 599. I found my 2006 Honda 599 at a local shop in 2010 with 1800 miles on it and for $4500. This is by far the best decision I have ever made and has everything you could want. I have had it up to 144 mph. If this is not fast enough for you and you call this "not enough", you might want to think about actually getting onto two wheels. I will agree compared to a CBR600RR it lacks in the adjust-ability of the front and rear shocks and the true top end speed, but I just don't have the need for playing around with all that stuff. The bike is simple, a real looker and loads of fun to ride both in the city and on the highway. I rode her up to Vermont for a cup of coffee last week and averaged about 132 mph. on the highway and even the riders on cruisers gave me the thumbs up. Show less

I've owned a bunch of bikes, but I stopped looking since I've had this one. Never a problem. In the years that I've owned it I've replaced the tires a few times, plugs, oil, filter and one dead blinker bulb. Biggest issue is the battery. Leave your light on by error for 10 minutes and you are looking at a push start. It's real fussy about starting with a cold engine on a hot day until you figure out how to caress the choke. The exhaust is pretty much pure death. You don't want to stand behind one while it idles. The tank is a small. You'll stop many times for gas on a highway run, but you'll want to anyway as the legs get a bit cramped from the rear-sets. It's brilliant in the city. Decent low end off the lights without the need to rev to the moon. It runs nice and quiet in 'stealth' mode at about 5 to 6k rmp, but if you wick it up a bit it wakes up and screams a nice song. It'll lift the wheel from a start for the first couple gears if you get in the power. The wind from this 'naked' is not an issue until you hit about 140kmph. You can ride around all day at 'normal' highway speed without much trouble. The buffeting is less on this bike then many bikes with screens. (DO NOT BUY A MINI SCREEN, you'll rip that junk off to reduce the buffeting if you do). It could use about 10 more HP, but couldn't they all once you get used to them? If you are a larger person (I'm only 135lbs) you'll maybe want to consider the 919 for the extra juice. All in all, I have zero regrets with this buy and I'm too afraid to sell it to buy a new one which will probably not be as fine as my 599. :) In yellow of course :) Show less

2004-599, my second bike. Purchased new in 2005. Now with 45,000km. Used for everyday commuting, never a problem, just the usual wear items changed (brakes, tires, chain) and regular oil changes, otherwise all original. You cannot beat Honda reliabilty. I've been riding for 0ver 20 years (first bike was an '83 Honda CM450E, retired in 2005, still ran, but I wanted an upgrade, tired of front drum brakes!) I prefer standard naked street bikes! Hate cruisers and not a big fan of super-sport bikes. The 599 is a great bike, period. Show less

From a stable of 6 bikes from various classes, and the father of a motorcycle mechanic, I've sampled quite a fare of bikes in the last 30+ years. I purchased this new in 4/06. It has been reliable, comfortable and exhilarating ever since. My son raced it at a local drag strip and was able to get consistent 11.9 second passes at @ 118 mph, so it's no slouch either. And in the hands of an experienced rider this ride should give sport bikes fits - especially in the corners. Yeah, there is some old technology in there, but it works fine for me, and I can find it in the parking lot amongst the sea of Harleys and sport bikes. It is a true motorcycle by my measure. Show less

I have ridden this bike for approx a year and 3 months. I have ridden it on 2 rides that were over 400 miles in one day. First, I'll comment on the reliability of the bike. that's perfect. Enough said. Second I'll comment on the performance. I am 46 years old and I enjoy speed, in fact I enjoy very spirited riding. I have ridden motorcycles since I was young and consider myself to be a very experienced rider. This bike will allow 99% of all riders to maximize their ability. Those that ride beyond the limits of this bike truly need an RR style bike. Third, I'll comment on comfort. Coming from a cruiser this bike is not extremely comfortable. Coming from an RR style bike, this thing is a cream puff. The nice thing about the bike is that even though you are canted slightly forward, once you get moving (30 mph or better) the wind coming over the bike really supports your chest. The Honda mini-shield (I have a 2004 model) does wonders for smoothing the air flow. The bike is extremely comfortable riding long distances on the highway. The wind supports your body weight and you can seemingly ride forever. Your butt will suffer with the 2004 model however after about 2 hours solid in the seat, but I understand that the 2006 model is a little better. I'd like to get an aftermarket seat for the bike. Fourth, I'll comment on the quality of the bike. It's perfect. Enough said. Show less

My 599 is my very first bike. I have never ridden anything before, I got on it in the parking lot of Hayden and killed it about 3 times and then I just took off. Very easy to learn how to ride. I think I made a very good choice on the 599 for my first bike, I LOVE IT. I've put just over 400 miles on it in my first 4 days of riding. It has a lot of power and yet very clean to ride. I plan on keeping this bike for 2 years and swithcing up to the Honda ST1300, the bike that I really wanted but decided it wouldn't be a good idea to spend so much on my first bike. I love Honda. Show less

My 2004 Honda 599 was my first bike. I hadn't ridden anything until I rode my baby in the parking lot. I picked it up looking for fast and comfortable. I picked very well. I would recommend this bike to anybody looking for an all around bike. The only reason I got rid of it was to get a cruiser so my fiance would be more comfortable. Great bike. I literally cried when I traded it in. Show less

For being my first bike, I sure do have a lot of confidence to step up to bigger and better rides. I got my 04 CB600 about a year and a half ago. Back then I was still pretty green and eager to rev this thing to the limit. Now, thanks to the bikes ergonomics, performance and simplicity, I can keep up with bigger bikes. I rode some other sport bikes before but never really liked them. This bike feels more adaptable. I used it as a commuter for some time and it was very fun to ride. Recently it only sees the twisty turnies on the weekends and that's where this bike shines. The power is always there for when you need it but it won't bite unless you provoke it. Overall, this bike is a great learners bike. Show less

This is my 3rd bike in 6 months...I think I found what stirs my soul. Everyone keeps commenting on how it's just a 600cc engine and that it can't keep up with other bikes...but with a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds for a rider of my size (read that on a pro review for an '05) and a top speed of 125+mph, if you're not on a track, how could you possibly ask for more? This bike is tossable, flexible in the rev range, and is a sweet joy to ride. Love that it's smaller as I'm a smaller guy. Plus, it's a Honda...'nuff said! Show less

I'm 45 years old and this is my m-teenth bike. Prior to this one, I had a Honda Shadow Spirit 1100. I loved that bike, but decided to go with the 599 because of the (former) cruiser's inability to do wheelies. The 599 screams! It inspires confidence from the minute you get on it. The tires/brakes/engine power, all are TOP NOTCH! This bike is the perfect sleeper! It's quiet, and yet it will rawk! I'd like to do something for the comfort factor however, sometimes the seat is a little much on the body after 300-400 miles in a day. A corbin seat would be nice but they don't make one for the 599 yet. Also, I wouldn't mind if the seating position were a little more upright (maybe bringing the bars back and up just a bit), but that would probably screw up your ability to lean into the wind and let the wind support your body on the highway. AWESOME! This is a total Honda folks. Dead-nuts perfect bike. 100% on the quality, and capabilities for a casual ride to work or a 400 mile trip. Show less