Honda CB650F: 5 Things we like

First launched in 2014, the Honda CB650F is the naked version of Honda’s middleweight sports cruiser the CBR650F. But it is more than just the naked version of a fully faired bike. Its designers have tweaked with the suspension, engine, and ergonomics to aim it squarely at the urban middleweight commuter segment. The bike recently got a new upgrade for the year 2018 and is now even more well suited for the purpose. Here are five of the best things we like about this bike.

Gorgeous styling

Inspired by the famous Honda Hornet, the CB650F also carries a stripped-down aesthetic. It dispenses everything unnecessary from the bike while also putting its gorgeous mechanicals openly on display. The engine essentially takes centre stage framed by the four gorgeous exhaust pipes cradling it from beneath and ending in the sculpted end can. Above it, lies the muscular candy chromosphere red painted muscular fuel tank. The splashes of color like the silver tank extensions and the bronze colored engine just tie together the spectacular look of the bike very well. Then there is the design of the robotic LED headlights and the tail section that add a lot to the overall design.

Powerful engine

At the heart of the Honda CB650F is a 649-cc liquid cooled and fuel injected DOHC inline-four engine. Peak power of 89 hp is delivered at 11000 rpm while peak torque of 63.6 Nm comes at 8000 rpm. Give the bike space to really extend its legs – like an open highway – and it will show what this power means. The 6-speed transmission gets tight gear ratios – more so than even its parent bike between the 2nd and 5th gear. This power makes it a beast when you really open up the throttle. Higher up the rev range nothing can touch it. Overtaking maneuvers take no effort at all other than the odd downshift. Then there is the characteristic growl from the inline-four engine to keep you company.

Learner-friendly

 Anyone who has ever ridden one can tell you that middleweights can be very powerful. But the manner in which this inline-four engine delivers its power makes it very easy to handle, especially for new riders. Down low at the rev range, the power delivery is sluggish. But still, there is enough power to putter around town all day. But give the bike some open road to play around in, twist open the throttle to reach beyond 8000 rpms and you can feel the true extent of power that this engine can deliver. This learner friendly power delivery makes the bike very usable in everyday situations. It encourages its rider to ride reasonably on city roads but will keep up with their demand when the roads provide an opportunity to go ballistic.

Commuter friendly ergonomics

Despite being a middleweight street fighter, the Honda CB650F is almost benign when it comes to handling and comfort. The curvy seat is very comfortable and works very well for longer rides too. It is slightly high at 810 mm but the rider triangle formed by the wide raised handlebars and the position of the footpegs makes for relaxed riding. The handlebars themselves are rubber mounted to minimize vibrations. The wide handlebars make it very well suited for city riding as does the slim nature of the bike. Even the rearview mirrors are designed with tight traffic in mind. The urban jungle is where this bike truly shows its colors with impressive slow speed handling.

Comfortable suspension

The commuter-friendly nature of power delivery is only complimented by the bike’s handling. The Honda CB650F’s twin-spar steel frame uses the engine as a stressed member to reduce weight. There are preload adjustable rear shocks while the front is provided with Showa’s 41 mm telescopic forks equipped with dual bending valve tech. These imitate cartridge style forks and allow it to vary its damping according to the varying road and riding conditions. The addition of ABS as standard backed by a 320 mm disc up front and a 240 mm disc in the rear provide adequate braking power.

With so much on offer, the Honda CB650F is a lot of bike for its Php 459000 price tag. Sure, it is not perfect and a bit pricey. But with its easy handling and learner-friendly approach to power, it can be a very good first bike.