Honda CBR 650F 2015 – Quick look and Review

The Pros: Its stunning looks, very powerful 648.7cc engine that generates awesome power along with fuel tank capacity of 17.3 liters.

The Cons: The Sitting position is not aggressive, the indicator and horn switch position have been swapped that create problems.

The Crux: The bike is priced at 7.6 lac(ex-showroom), if don’t mind the price then this bike is right up your alley.

Rating

Earlier this year Honda Motorcycles said that they’ll be launching 15 new models. However, the one motorcycle everyone was waiting for, was the CBR 650F. Well we were finally able to get our hands on it and now it’s time to see if it’s worth all the hype.

The digital instrument console is split into two parts. The left side displays the kilometres per hour and the rev meter while the right side shows you the fuel guage, the time and your basic other needs. The switchgear looks very stylish but the indicator and horn switch position have been swapped and the horn switch has been inverted which can get a bit frustrating. The front brake lever is reach adjustable while the clutch lever is a standard non-adjustable one.  It gets a hazard warning button, an engine-kill switch and a passing light that can be used by pressing the low beam switch down. The quality of the fit and finish from head to toe is top notch.

Ride and Handling:  We know that the CBR 650F performs well but how does it handle? Well it has a premium steel diamond frame supported by an alloy swing arm sitting on 17 inch wheels at the front and rear. This combination leaves you with a riding position that is just right, letting you sit in a sporty and yet not too aggressive riding position. Couple this with its low seat height of just 810mm and you’ve got a good motorcycle for everyday use and long weekend rides. But if you are thinking of using the CBR 650F every day and riding through Mumbai traffic, its 215kg weight is going to hamper your fun. The weight of the motorcycle can be felt while going through corners and even if you have to change directions quickly. The 6 speed gear box is nice and smooth but the clutch is heavy and will be a boon when riding in the city.



The suspension is handled by 41mm telescopic forks in the front and a monoshock at the rear. For a motorcycle of this calibre we would have expected upside down forks in the front and an adjustable rear monoshock for preload and rebound. The contoured seat is firm enough to leave you and your pillion happy both while riding in the city and on long rides. The CBR 650F can be brought to a stop using the twin 320mm petal rotor front disc brakes or it 240mm single petal disc at rear. ABS comes standard and it comes with an option of two tyres, Dunlop or Metzeler. Either way both offer great grip and will keep you planted on the road.



Verdict: The CBR 650F is imported into India via the CKD route and assembled at their plant in Manesar. This was expected to bring the price down and deliver a good blow to any rivals. But unfortunately the CBR 650F is priced at 7.6lakhs(ex-showroom Mumbai). Price wise its closest competitor is the Kawasaki Z800. But we know that the CBR650F cannot be compared to the Kawasaki Z800 since one is a sports tourer and one is a naked street fighter. However the Indian market hasn't evolved enough to differentiate between the two and hence when you compare both, the Z800 does seem to appeal both to the heart and the head.

However I you still want a fully faired sports tourer that has 4 cylinders and you don't mind the price. Then the CBR 650F is right up your alley.