One other accessory is a 48.6 PS restrictor kit that explains some of Honda’s thinking regarding a bike that is unashamedly targeted at inexperienced riders. The 650F’s 87.2 PS maximum output means it can be restricted to 48.6 PS for European A2 licence-holders, which wasn’t true of the Hornet because it made more than twice that figure to start with. As a capable, unintimidating bike for novices or riders moving up from smaller machines, the CB650F makes plenty of sense.
On the other hand, if you have a full licence and a liking for adrenaline, Honda’s middleweight move could well look like a step in the wrong direction, and the CB might seem a bit dull. But it worked just as its makers intended on that twisty road in the Spanish sunshine. It was quick enough to be fun, cornered and stopped just fine, and was as comfortable and easy to ride as a naked middleweight is likely to be.
In a way the CB650F epitomises Honda’s approach in recent years. It’s stylish, well-engineered, and delivers efficient all-round performance to a carefully defined target audience. Building it in Thailand with fairly basic chassis parts has allowed a very competitive price. Which is great if efficiency, ease of use and economy, rather than excitement, are your priority from a middleweight four. Personally, I might be needing another beer quite soon…
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