About the Honda 600 Tire
CRITICAL: 'Honda 600' is ambiguous and can refer to multiple Honda products. Two main possibilities: (1) Honda N600 passenger car 1969-1972 (Honda's first US car, predecessor to Civic, tiny 2-door with 598cc twin, used 12-inch wheels with vintage 5.20-12 bias-ply tires, extremely rare collector vehicle) plus Z600 sports coupe sister, or (2) Honda 600cc motorcycles (CBR600/CB600F/VFR600/XR600 etc, completely different product category from cars).
Additionally, 'tire' as a vehicle-specific product is unusual since tires are typically size-based not vehicle-specific. Customer typically purchases tires by size specification rather than vehicle application.
We help identify the correct tire product and source from appropriate suppliers. Vintage Honda N600 tires from specialty vintage tire suppliers (Coker, Lucas Classic). Motorcycle tires from standard motorcycle tire distributors. Call (240) 301-0095 to clarify needs.
Honda 600 Product Possibilities
Possibility 1: Honda N600 Passenger Car (1969-1972)
- Significance: Honda's FIRST US-market passenger car
- US sales: 1970-1972 (three model years)
- Predecessor to: Honda Civic (launched 1972/1973)
- Engine: 598cc air-cooled vertical-twin
- Configuration: Tiny 2-door FWD subcompact city car
- Wheels: 12-inch with vintage 5.20-12 bias-ply tires
- Rarity: Extremely rare classic collector in US today
- Sister vehicle: Honda Z600 sports coupe 1970-1972
Possibility 2: Honda 600cc Motorcycles
- CBR600F: 1987-2006 sport bike
- CBR600RR: 2003+ sport bike (replaced CBR600F)
- CB600F Hornet: Naked/standard configuration
- VFR600: Sport touring variant
- XR600: Off-road dirt bike
- Other 600cc variants: NC600 and others
- Tire category: Completely different from car tires
Why Tires are Typically Size-Based
- Standardization: Tires interchangeable by size across vehicles
- Size specification: Like 195/65R15 (modern) or 5.20-12 (vintage)
- Vehicle-specific listings unusual: Except vintage/specialty applications
- Customer purchases by size: Width/aspect ratio/diameter
Vehicle Compatibility
Product Type Determines Compatibility:
| Vehicle | Compatibility |
|---|
| Honda N600 1969-1972 (US 1970-1972) | 5.20-12 vintage bias-ply tire size |
| Honda Z600 1970-1972 (Sports Coupe) | Same as N600, cross-reference |
| Honda CBR600F 1987-2006 | Specific sport bike tire size by year |
| Honda CBR600RR 2003+ | Specific sport bike tire size by year |
| Honda CB600F Hornet | Naked bike tire specifications |
| Honda VFR600 | Sport touring tire specifications |
| Honda XR600 Off-Road | Knobby off-road tire specifications |
| Other Honda 600cc Motorcycles | Various sizes by specific model |
| Modern Honda Civic | DIFFERENT vehicle, not Honda 600 |
| Modern Honda Accord | DIFFERENT vehicle, not Honda 600 |
Condition and Inspection
- Tires are size-based, not vehicle-specific key concept
- 'Honda 600' has multiple interpretations customer clarification needed
- Honda N600 1969-1972 passenger car extremely rare collector
- Honda 600cc motorcycles completely different product category
- Vintage tire suppliers Coker, Lucas Classic for N600
- Motorcycle tire suppliers Michelin/Bridgestone/Dunlop/etc.
- Educational approach not selling wrong product
- Customer call for proper identification (240) 301-0095
- For Honda 600 tire identification (car or motorcycle clarification)
- Honest disclosure of product ambiguity
- Educational approach rather than wrong-product sales
- Vintage Honda N600/Z600 classic car specialist (extremely rare vehicles)
- Honda 600cc motorcycle support across various models
- Tire size-based purchasing education
- Vintage tire supplier relationships (Coker, Lucas Classic)
- Motorcycle tire distributor network
- Honda's first US car (N600) specialist knowledge
- Honda Civic predecessor history documented
- Customer identification priority
- Free product identification call
- Specialty sourcing capability
- 15 day replacement warranty on correctly-identified tires
- Free shipping all 50 states once correct product identified
What's the difference between the Honda N600 and modern Honda 600cc motorcycles?
Completely different products. Honda N600 (1969-1972) was a PASSENGER CAR - Honda's first US-market car, predecessor to Honda Civic. Tiny 2-door subcompact city car with 598cc engine and 12-inch wheels using car tires (5.20-12 bias-ply). Honda 600cc MOTORCYCLES (CBR600, CB600F, VFR600, XR600, etc.) are motorcycles from various decades using motorcycle tires (different size, construction, performance). Both happen to have '600' in name but completely different categories - cars vs motorcycles.
I have a Honda N600. What tire size do I need?
Original tire size 5.20-12 bias-ply. This is vintage sizing from the era. Modern options: (1) Reproduction 5.20-12 bias-ply tires from Coker Tire or Lucas Classic Tires (most accurate for show-quality restoration). (2) Modern radial equivalent in approximate 145R12 or 155R12 sizing (better performance but not period-correct). Decide based on restoration goals - concours-quality wants reproduction bias-ply, daily-driver use can accept modern radials. Specify your goal at order.
I have a 2010 Honda CBR600RR. What tire size do I need?
Standard CBR600RR tire sizes: 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear. These are sport bike sport touring/sport sizes. Specific tire choices depend on use: street commuting (Michelin Road, Bridgestone T31, Dunlop Q-Lite), aggressive street/canyon (Michelin Power 5, Bridgestone S22, Dunlop Q4), track use (Michelin Power Cup 2, Bridgestone V02, Dunlop Q5/D213). Specify your use case and we coordinate with motorcycle tire suppliers.
Why does this listing exist if tires are size-based?
For customer education and to help with vehicle-specific tire identification. Some customers search by 'Honda 600 tire' without knowing their specific tire size, and need help identifying what they actually need. This listing helps clarify (1) which Honda 600 product (car or motorcycle), (2) what tire size their specific vehicle uses, (3) where to source the correct tire. We then connect with appropriate supplier rather than ship a generic 'Honda 600 tire' that may not fit.
Is the Honda N600 the same as the original Honda Civic?
NO, predecessor not same. The Honda N600 was Honda's FIRST US-market passenger car (US 1970-1972), and the Honda Civic launched 1972/1973 as the successor. The N600 was a tiny 2-door subcompact with 598cc engine. The Civic was significantly larger and more capable, with 1.2L+ engine, more refined design, and broader market appeal. The Civic made Honda a major US automaker. The N600 was important step that proved Honda could compete in US car market, but it was a different/smaller vehicle than the Civic that followed.
How rare is the Honda N600 today?
EXTREMELY RARE. The Honda N600 was sold in US only 1970-1972 (three model years). Total US sales were small (Honda was new to US market). Many examples have been lost to attrition, neglect, scrappage. Probably fewer than a few thousand examples survive in US today, with much smaller number in restored/running condition. Honda N600 is a significant collector vehicle - Honda's first US car, predecessor to the Civic. Values for restored examples can be substantial.
Can I use modern Honda Civic tires on my Honda N600?
NO. The Honda N600 used 12-inch wheels with vintage tire size 5.20-12. Modern Honda Civics use 15-inch or larger wheels with completely different tire sizes (185/65R15 typical for base Civic). Wheel size and tire size completely different. The vintage 5.20-12 size requires specialty vintage tires from Coker Tire or Lucas Classic Tires. No modern tire interchange available.
How does this work - what happens after I call?
We help identify your specific Honda 600 product and tire need: (1) Discuss which Honda 600 you have (passenger car or motorcycle). (2) Identify specific tire size needed. (3) Discuss application requirements (street, restoration, track, etc.). (4) Source from appropriate supplier (vintage tire specialist for N600, motorcycle tire distributor for bike). (5) Provide accurate pricing for your specific product. (6) Coordinate shipping. Educational approach ensures you get correct product.
