Wilit: The Man, The Myth, His Hurricane

	Wilit: The Man, The Myth, His Hurricane Back to Vehicles
1987 Honda Hurricane · 599cc DOHC Inline 4 · Dual 4-piston Calipers (Front) · 4.5 Gallon Tank w/.8 Gallon Reserve Factory Options · None Available Modifications · Air Injection System Removed · Rear Hugger Removed · K&N Drop in Filter · Air Restrictors Removed · Yoshimura Slip-on Race Pipe · Custom Rear Fender Eliminator · Low Profile Front & Rear Turn Signals · Red Tinted Windscreen · LP Low Profile Mirrors · LP Red Anodized Foot Pegs · Bimota Tesi 1D Inspired Paint Scheme · Dunlop GT501 Tires		The Honda Hurricane (CBR 600 F1) was Honda's first middle-weight full fairing sport bike. It was powered by a 599cc DOHC in-line 4 cylinder engine. This engine produced 85hp at 12,000 RPM's, and was Honda's first sportbike to break into the 11 second quarter mile range. With it's 430 pound dry weight, and somewhat upright riding position, the Hurricane was more a glorified sport-tourer than a full blown supersport bike in todays standards. The CBR line continues to evolve. The first incarnation, the F1 spanned the years of 1987-1990. The F2, 1991-1994, brought more aerodynamic bodywork with a slightly more powerful engine, but more importantly, much improved suspension. The F3, 1995-1998, is very similar to the F2 years. In fact, many parts are interchangable. The F4, 1999-2004, brought many improvements to the suspension, frame, bodywork, and of course, more horsepower. In 2001, the F4 became the F4i with the introduction of electronic fuel injection.
	My old roommate Eric used to always talk about getting a motorcycle. So one day, he quit talking and actually bought one. A brand spanking new 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250. Not very manly, but cool nonetheless. Eric was a pretty cool friend and let all of us ride it around. I was hooked on riding instantly. One day he asked me, "Hey, why don't you buy a bike?" I replied, "Dude, my Mom won't let me." No sooner did those words leave my mouth, when a light when on inside my head. I haven't lived with my parents in over 3 years, I've got the money, I CAN BUY A MOTORCYCLE! Luckily one of my co-workers was looking to upgrade to a Yamaha R1, and he sold me the Hurricane for only $1000. I even dropped it on my first day riding it. On the way home, it was extremely windy, I was nervous, and dead tired when I got home to Tracy. Pulling into the driveway, and onto the front porch to park, I had forgotten about the lip between the concrete and grass, the bike stopped, and tipped over on top of me. I'm sure the neighbors got a good laugh out of it. Luckily the bike emerged unscathed.
		The trusty Hurricane pulled commuting duty for the next 2 1/2 years. The first year I had it, I put almost 10,000 miles on it commuting 60 miles a day to work and back. The bike got extremely good gas mileage, and saved me 1/2 an hour on my commute. In all the time I owned it, it only left me stranded once, and that was my fault because I had forgotten I had hit the kill switch, and never set it back to run when I was ready to leave. As trustworthy and comfortable as the bike was, I wanted something a little newer, more nimble, and something with more power. So, after I purchased my new bike, I sold this one to my buddy Bryan. He had a 1973 CB500 with 13,000 original miles. He bought that bike shortly after I bought mine, but he never rode it. I think he only put 40 miles on the poor thing, 20 of which he racked up riding it from the house in Tracy to his new apartment in Dublin. Since taking ownership of the Hurricane, he has ridden a lot more now.
		Page created with Notepad