Motorcycle Review of the Honda CBR 650F
SEASON 26 | EPISODE 6
“A true new-from-the-ground-up middle weight all ‘rounder that proves there’s nothing boring about sandwiches. I mean, check out the six hundred and fifty CC inline 4 which Honda boasts has been tuned for both fuel economy and low end punch. And, yup, there’s a very snazzy four into one under-slung tucked under a trick aluminum swing arm out back.”
Dave Hatch | Host
“The DOHC 16-valve cylinder head employs direct cam actuation and cam timing that delivers strong torque and drivability below 4,000 rpm. Steel, diamond frame uses twin 64 mm x 30 mm elliptical spars. Its rigidity balance has been specifically tuned – it’s much stiffer around the headstock and more ‘flexible’ in the spar sections – to deliver desirable handling characteristics and a high level of rider feedback.” Honda
From 50CC Giornos and Ruckuses to 1850 CC Gold Wings (and everything in between) Honda comes pretty close to having something for everyone. With that in mind, meet Honda’s all new CBR 650F. A true, new-from-the-ground-up middle weight all ‘rounder that proves there’s nothing boring about being mediocre. Check out the 650CC inline 4 which Honda boasts has been tuned for both fuel economy and low-end punch. The engine is a very snazzy four cylinder tucked under a trick aluminum swing arm out back. Dave and Colin Fraser met up at the press launch for the CBR 650F down at Roebling Road Raceway in Georgia. After a day on the track, the two were able to establish that the 650, despite being stuck in the middle, is still a stand out.
…this motorcycle was born and bred on the track, and in it’s natural environment, it’s a standout
According to Colin Fraser, the 650F is a throwback to the sport bikes of 20 years ago. In 1991, with the CBR 600F2, Honda set the bar for comfortable, high performance, appealing sport bikes and they’ve revived the concept with the CBR 650F. Honda launched the 650F at Roebling Road to remind riders of its aptitude on the track as a “hard core” sport bike. On the street its merits can seem conditional; for a middleweight it’s got lots of torque; for a middleweight, the motor is “buttery smooth”. As a middleweight street bike it’s easy for the CBR 650F to get lost in the mix. However, this motorcycle was born and bred on the track, and in it’s natural environment, it’s a standout. Remember, when you take the CBR 650F to the street, you should think of it as a sports car, not an SUV.
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The mission of the TELUS Ride For Dad is to raise funds to save men’s lives by supporting prostate cancer research and raising public awareness of the disease. Our goal is for men to continue to be there for their families and friends for years to come. The parade of vehicles grabs the attention of the masses and the media on ride day, the research helps find hope for the future and the awareness has the potential of saving men’s lives today.
