It's an icon that's given admirable service and pleasure to riders the world over, with the sporting middleweight’s numerous virtues appreciated by almost 700,000 buyers.It’s taken hordes to work, transported an even greater number to more distant destinations, and even given world championship race and title success to a few. A vast array of riders of all ages and levels of experience have benefited from its versatility, reliability, usability and ‘just-right’ Goldilocks appeal since it first appeared in 1987 at a cost of £3,299. A former national supersport champion claims the CBR is, ‘all things considered, the greatest motorcycle ever made’.He’s probably right.
Nevertheless, on its 30th birthday, Honda's venerable CBR600 is finally being put out to pasture. As you read this, the final few are coming off the Japanese production line.In October, the UK's very last batch of 100 bikes will be craned off a ship in Bristol. From there they'll be trucked to a selection of UK dealers to be readied for sale and when they've gone, that's it. Game over. The end. No more.Interesting to note, from an official point of view at least, Honda is not confirming the 600s imminent removal from its model line up. Politics, we think it’s called.