Honda’s latest flagship product, the CBR 650F, has been talked about and anticipated. But how good is it really? We took it for a spin to find out
Story: Aninda Sardar
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
Honda’s latest flagship product, the CBR 650F, carries the weight of lineage. And what a lineage! The original Honda middleweight – the CBR 600F, stunned the world in 1987. Honda did a repeat performance in 2003, setting the world alight with the CBR 600RR. This is the burden of lineage that the CBR 650F bears on its shoulders. So, yes, it has a tall set of expectations to meet.
The CBR 650F, unlike the CBR 600F and 600RR, however is designed with sport touring intent. The design is edgy and sharp. It’s also very compact. Instrumentation is an all-digital affair with three virtual dials giving out your info instead of the digital-analogue set up that one expects.
I also wrote down my impressions of the bike when I test rode it. I obviously did not comment on the items that the experts would comment or review on. My impressions are purely from a consumer’s point of view and somebody who is searching for the perfect ride.
The article is here: http://bornhigh-partha.tumblr.com/post/127313065787/first-impressions-of-the-honda-cbr-650f-august
Would love it if you provided some feedback on the writing. Would love to learn.
Hi Partha,
First and foremost, our sympathies with you for deciding against buying the bike. As you mentioned, we agree that the Honda’s pricing is a little on the steeper side, however (as you mention in your review) it’s a great bike – something that one would love to own. As far as the review itself is concerned, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that we agree with everything you’ve said. However in many of the crucial places you have indeed nailed it. So kudos on that count. Keep the impressions coming. Keep riding and stay safe. Wish you all the best!
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I would have indeed liked to own it. As I have mentioned, I believe, the cost of ownership would be lower than the competing bikes as I have got some inside info on the servicing schedule and parts replacement schedule itself as well as the parts and accessories costs. As my wife mentioned, a bike is an investment you make in yourself and we would be riding it for at least the next 5-7 years if not 10. Considering the health problems I have now, would I be able to commit to riding it for that long? I agreed with her. Also, Her sitting position was too aggressive and she had to hold on real tight. That also was a factor where she did not feel as comfortable or as free as she would have liked.
So now off to a different category of bikes…