The Glass: Half-empty or Half-full? Honda CB650F Road Test Review

It was a similar story with the chassis, which worked perfectly well without quite delivering the agility or feedback that turns a good bike into an outstanding one. At a claimed 208 kg wet the 650F is a fair few kilos heavier than its Hornet predecessor (which was listed at 173 kg dry), which can’t have helped. Steering geometry is almost unchanged, and handling was impressively neutral. But the CB didn’t have the instantly responsive feel that, for example, helps make Triumph’s almost 25 kg lighter Street Triple so rewarding to ride.

That said, its suspension was very adequate. The only adjustment is preload for the non-rising-rate rear shock, but both ends gave a good compromise between being supple enough for comfort and firm enough for control. Those twin-pot front callipers were up to the job too, with the benefit of a good ABS system, though full-bore stopping required a firm squeeze. The Dunlop Sportmax tyres were respectably wide (the rear a 180/55) and grippy enough to make use of the generous ground clearance, losing no marks for small slides on the slippery white paint of the road crossings exiting some roundabouts.

As an all-rounder the Honda has plenty going for it, including a fairly broad and comfortable dual-seat that incorporates pillion hand-holds and useful luggage hooks. The digital dash is attractive, and includes a fuel-gauge and consumption info. But it’s quite basic: the info can’t be scrolled from the bars, the indicators don’t self-cancel and there’s no gear indicator, let alone traction control.

At 17.3 litres the stubby fuel-tank is almost two litres smaller than the Hornet’s, but Honda say economy is improved. You’d have to ride like a nun to get near their claimed sub-five litres/100 km economy and 360 km-plus range (do they have specially trained test riders?) but the CB would be good for roughly 270 km at my 6.4 litres/100 km launch average, and many owners will better that. The list of accessories is basic, but includes heated grips, a rack and top-box, and carbon-look bits including fly-screen, front mudguard and hugger.