Hitting the brakes to set up the bike for the bend ahead, you’ll appreciate afresh the CBR’s stable nature as the pair of 320-mm dia front rotors with Nissin four-piston callipers bite with potent force. At the rear, the bike gets a single 240-mm dia disc. ABS is standard kit.
Flick the bike into the turn and its dynamic capabilities truly come to the fore. The bike also has a pliant ride. Again, a must if you intend to go touring on Indian roads. Ruts and patches go by without much fuss and only a deep pothole will jar your senses back to our Indian realities. Until then you can continue to enjoy the Japanese interpretation of refinement.
| Need to Know: Honda CBR 650F | |
| Price (Ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 7.30 lakh |
| Engine | Liquid cooled, in-line, four cylinder, DOHC |
| Displacement | 648.72 cc |
| Maximum Power | 87 PS @ 11,000 RPM |
| Maximum Torque | 62.9 Nm @ 8,000 RPM |
| Transmission | Six-speed |
| Chassis | Steel diamond type |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm telescopic forks |
| Rear Suspension | 7-stage spring preload adjustable Monoshock |
| Front Brakes | Twin 320-mm dia discs with Nissin two-piston callipers (with ABS) |
| Rear Brakes | Single 240-mm dia disc with single piston calliper (with ABS) |
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…