Honda Cbr600f2

"A rewarding classic if you buy the right one carefully."

The F2 is genuinely one of Honda's finest moments from the early nineties, and used examples still make a compelling case today. The 599cc inline-four pulls smoothly from low revs and absolutely sings past 8,000rpm — it's not the most savage thing you'll ride, but it's rewarding and trustworthy in a way that modern bikes rarely are. Ergonomics sit between sport and sport-touring, so you can actually survive a two-hour motorway blast without filing for disability. Here's the honest talk though: these bikes are thirty-plus years old now. Carburetors need attention, fuel lines crack, and fork seals on poorly-maintained examples will be weeping. Check the frame around the headstock carefully — track day heroes loved these things. Bodywork is expensive and increasingly scarce, so factor in any cracks or missing fairing pieces immediately. A solid, honest F2 with documented history is worth chasing hard. A tatty one with mystery miles is a parts bike wearing optimistic price tags.