The CBR650F made its Indian debut back in 2015, and now, India has finally got the updated version. The price of Rs 7.3 lakh (ex-showroom) still remains unchanged, which means you get a lot more for the price you pay. However, the bike still has a stiff asking price but we find out if it is better value for money or not.
On the outside
The sportbike’s styling remains true to the original; however it now has a large amount of changes. To begin with, the motorcycle now has a full LED headlight and the fairing is redesigned and more compact. The smaller fairing also puts more of the engine on display, which this time around is bronze - a neat touch borrowed from the latest Fireblade. At the rear, the swingarm now has a different finish and the taillight now has a clear lens instead of the older red one.
Another nice styling touch is how part of the exhaust system can be seen through the fairing. The quality throughout the motorcycle is top notch however; the switchgear on the bike isn’t ergonomically placed. The new LED headlight is decent and lights up the road pretty well. The instrumentation on the CBR is carried over from the older model, which we feel looks dated and basic.
On the whole, the CBR continues to use the similar proportions; however the new headlight design has made the design a little more aggressive. Prior to this model, the bike was only available in red; it can now also be had in black, a total of two colour schemes.
Mechanical changes
The new CBR has mechanical changes as well; the engine is now paired to shorter gear ratios. From second gear to fifth, all have been made shorter. Interestingly, the bike also gets a louder exhaust; the older one was considerably more silent. The new system suits the character of the motorcycle and produces that nice four-cylinder note buyers would be looking for.
This update also meant the CBR650F got additional horsepower, taking the total to 90hp. However, the Indian model is detuned to suit our fuel quality. This means, in India, power remains unchanged at 86hp and 60.5Nm. However, the 650 continues to deliver this power in a smooth and linear manner. The reworked gear ratios result in a stronger acceleration, but power delivery is so smooth that riders are never surprised with sudden bursts of power. The bike felt a bit docile and lacked drama when throttle was fully opened.
However, don’t let that fool you, the bike is really quick and can achieve a top speed of over 230kph. The bike is very refined, but not as refined as one would expect. The bike suffers from a few vibrations in the seat and footpegs at around 5,000rpm. If you are looking for a creamy smooth four-cylinder motor, then you should consider the Z900.
How does it handle?
On this updated version, Honda has lowered the clip-ons to make the motorcycle a bit sportier. This makes the motorcycle more committed in terms of body position than its rival, the Ninja 650. However, it isn’t as hardcore as a full on supersport bike. The motorcycle has a low seat height of 810mm, which should mean shorter riders should be able to get their feet on the ground.
The biggest change on this CBR is the new Showa dual bending valve fork; it isn’t adjustable but does a far better job than the older fork. This new unit undeniably improves the overall ride quality. What’s also nice is that this fork is setup to be able to handle sporty as well comfortable riding. This balanced handling characteristic suits the engine nature. The bike feels stable and has impressive dynamics. This product from Honda is intended to be a quick road bike, but will be able to handle a track day as well.
The motorcycle weighs a heavy 216kg, close to 30kg more than the Street Triple S. However, this weight doesn’t affect performance and can handle low speeds easily. Another big change comes in form of more capable brakes; it does a good job at slowing the motorcycle down without ABS kicking in. In terms of tech, the 650F continues to be a basic motorcycle. It isn’t equipped with tech like traction control and rider modes, but you won’t find the need for them in an engine with such linear power delivery. What the motorcycle does need is better tyres that warm up quicker.
Should I buy one?
Yes, especially with this update. The older model was an expensive bike, but this new version gives you a lot more for the same price. However, this is not the motorcycle to buy if you are looking for the most value for money. The Z900 gives you a lot more for a little bit more money.
Where the Honda does shine is in after sales support, spares are considerably more affordable than competition. Overall, this bike is targeted at bikers looking for an exciting but not intimidating motorcycle.
