Any reviews/comparisons of the new 2013 CBR600RR vs 2012 CBR600RR?

conundrum

conundrum

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Just a quick post to see if anyone has seen or knows of any comparative reviews of the new 2013 CBR600RR/A vs the outgoing 2012 models. I was pretty much sold on getting a 2013 CBR600RRA this year to replace my 250, however as I can't stand tricolour at all (and red is not an option on the RRA) I am mulling over the thoughts of a black 2012, especially given the price break atm (3,000 off MSRP).

If the 2013 is actually much improved, I'll likely wait until 2014 to see what colour option(s) Honda comes up with for Canada. Part of me hopes for TCS to be added in 2014 as well, but I figure that's somewhat of a pipe dream until the next new/redesigned model.

Thanks in advance
 
Is the RRA the one with ABS? I saw a red 2013 with ABS at a dealer just the other day!! I asked him about it, and he said you can only get the ABS in red, the tri colour and repsol were non-abs??

-Jamie M.
 
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koma said:
Website seems to say for 2013 the red one doesn't have ABS and the tricolour one does have it. A bit confusing though.
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I just called the dealer, he said it's a US bike. Maybe it's different for colours/options down there?

EDIT: Yep, looks like it :( http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cbr600rr/build.aspx

2013_cbr_600rr_02.png


ABS only comes in RED:

2013_cbr_600rr_01.png


-Jamie M.
 
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Save your money and buy the '12 if that's the bike you want.
I just got in from Honda Demo Day.
My last ride of the day was the CBR600RR - tri colour.
I wouldn't buy that bike with your money.
I took the CBR1000RR Repsol out 3 times - no one signed it out.
They both were equipped with ABS.
 
Gary said:
Save your money and buy the '12 if that's the bike you want.
I just got in from Honda Demo Day.
My last ride of the day was the CBR600RR - tri colour.
I wouldn't buy that bike with your money.
I took the CBR1000RR Repsol out 3 times - no one signed it out.
They both were equipped with ABS.
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Rats! Drove by there and saw the Honda demo there this aft. Had I known, would have planned to attend!
 
SunnY S said:
Rats! Drove by there and saw the Honda demo there this aft. Had I known, would have planned to attend!
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You have to love weekday demo rides. Until the 3pm ride, there were no less than 4 demo bikes parked, each time we went out - no one there to ride them, and I'm the only old bugger that'll get on a SS, so I had the 1000 to myself most of the day ;).

Catch them tomorrow in Milton.
 
Get the 2012 its just looks so much better...when you sit on the 2013 unless you're in full tuck you can't even see half the tach/gauges...
 
Go to demo day, ride both if possible.

Asking for advice will lead you nowhere, one guy will prefer a 12 another the 13.
 
Slow1 said:
I second this. Why not throw an 848 in there too. That and the 13 cbr is fugly.
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guess im in the minority...i like the looks of the 13 cbr....maybe i will be able to score one cheap next winter when none of them sell :0)
 
zx6r has the traction control ...


I have heard the new honda 600 has one of the best out-of-the-box suspension setups for aggressive riding.
 
Paul1000RR said:
Go to demo day, ride both if possible.

Asking for advice will lead you nowhere, one guy will prefer a 12 another the 13.
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My issue with that is that I still have a M2 (can't go for full M until October), so lots of dealer demo days won't let me on the RR (even at 31, in full gear, and over 5,000km on my CBR250RA). Kinda sucks having the cash to actually buy the bike but not being able to try it first...as that's a definite requirement of getting my sale.

As for 2012 vs 2013, I wasn't asking so much on looks...more on has anyone seen any real reviews stating there is or isn't much difference between riding a 2012 or a 2013 (in other words, yeah Honda put on BPF and updated ram air, etc -- but did that actually translate to anything noticeable on the street). I like the look of both, so I don't mind spending 3K more if it is worth it...but if not, then I might as well go with a 2012 vs waiting to see what colour I can get a RRA in for 2014 (part of me thinks maybe we'll see traction control next year but that's likely a pipe dream).

Also regarding the 636, I sat on it a few times at the Supershow, and honestly I'm not impressed. Maybe it is because I'm only 5'8 with a short inseam, but I found it a lot larger than the CBR600RRA or GSX-R (almost like sitting on a 1K), plus the lean angle bugged my back even after 5 minutes as I pretty much had to lay on the tank to get in a riding position. Even if it is the better bike, I'm already sure it isn't the better bike for me.
 
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same engine... i say get a good condition 07-08 and save your money... or is abs a must for you?
 
daisoman said:
same engine... i say get a good condition 07-08 and save your money... or is abs a must for you?
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Personal opinion, but I definitely want one with ABS (even though I know to threshold brake to the point just before lockup). Also I'd likely be keeping the bike long term (more than a couple of years), so would prefer to buy new if at all possible.
 
$3000+ for slightly better suspension. Buy a '12 and spend a small part of that $3K at Sherrards to get the suspsnsion working as good if not better as a '13 and get it set up perfectly for you wile you're there.
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