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Honda CBR650F Review (2017)

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Honda CBR650F

There's a surprising amount of power for only 650cc and in the six months I've owned it the CBR has spanked anything that isn't a litre-plus superbike.
- Rating: 8 / 10

What Is It?

The Honda CBR650F is a mid-range everyday sports bike and is powered by a Euro 4 compliant liquid cooled 649 cc inline four cylinder engine, producing 89.8 bhp at 11,000 rpm and maximum torque at 8,000 rpm.

Specs

  • Seat Height: Average (810 mm / 31.9 inches)
  • Weight: Heavy (211 kg / 465 lbs)
  • Economy: Average (50 mpg / 5.6 l/100km / 17.7 km/l)
  • Range: High (190 miles / 306 km)
  • Power to Weight: Average (0.427 bhp/kg / 0.318 kW/kg)
  • Top Speed: Very high (160 mph / 257 km/h)

Pros

  • Power to weight ratio
  • Goes and stops well
  • Looks great

Cons

  • No gear position indicator
  • Not very pothole friendly
  • Seat comfort

What Is It Like?

Honda CBR650F

Choosing The 650F

As a fairly new rider, I was looking for a mid-size sports bike for my first big bike. Having ridden a 125 for a year, I was ready for something with a bit more power and something brand new without inherited gremlins.

There's a surprising amount of power for only 650cc and in the 6 months I've owned it it's spanked anything that isn't a litre-plus superbike, and can even keep up with those fairly well.

Honda CBR650F

Comfort

I sat on a lot of midsize sports bikes, and the Honda was the most comfortable and had the best numbers. I was torn between the CBR650F and the VFR800F, but picked the CBR because of the better power-to-weight ratio.

The test drive confirmed it; as soon as I'd gotten away on my own, the exhaust note convinced me. Being 6'2", comfort is important to me, and the CBR650F isn't perfect for that, especially on longer rides.

Honda CBR650F

Pros

  • Lots of power, accelerates near instantly.
  • VERY responsive, handles wonderfully.
  • Stops on a sixpence thanks to the big dual front discs. Don't even need the ABS unless it's an emergency stop.
  • Great on twisty roads, right down to single-track country lanes.
  • Wonderful exhaust note without an aftermarket exhaust.
  • Looks lovely in red.
  • Light enough to shove into a parking space or garage on your own.
  • Feels fast with the clip-ons and the forward-leaning stance.
  • Lots of bang for your buck; feels like a superbike, but doesn't have the price of one or drink fuel like one.

Cons

  • Seat is uncomfortable after an hour or so.
  • Slightly cramped riding position causes knee cramps after an hour or so.
  • Hard to stay under the speed limit.
  • No gear indicator, so you need to count.
  • Stiff suspension makes it a poor choice for low speeds, bad roads and very tight cornering. Stick to the open road, not the town centre.
  • Official Honda accessories are expensive.

Mods

  • GIVI Monokey topbox rack.
  • Oxford heated grips, wired into the ignition.

- Robin D, 2018

Deals, specs and pics

Price Guide

Year
Dealer
Private
Part Ex
Mileage
2018
£5,950
£4,750
£4,200
4,900
2017
£5,050
£4,050
£3,550
6,700

Gear & Accessories

Related Bikes

Honda CB650F - Naked version with high bars and no fairing.

Honda CBR650F (2014-2016) - Previous generation.

Add Your Review

Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.