The middle brother of the beginner-friendly CB300R and the performance-focused CB1000R, Honda’s CB650R combines street-oriented power, with comfortable ergonomics to deliver a well-refined LAMS approved motorcycle.
Rivalling that of Yamaha’s MT-07LA, Triumph’s Trident 660 and the Suzuki SV650, Honda aims to lead the middle-weight naked class, with many improvements seen for the 2021 model.
To get a better taste of what this bike is all about, I took the CB650R out for the day, putting it through its paces on the street and around the twisties. Here’s how it performed...
Related Articles On TeamMoto
Aesthetics - Styling & Finish
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so reviewing aesthetics is completely subjective to each individual. Personally, the new Neo Sport Café styling, first seen on the 2019 CB models, was a huge step in the right aesthetic direction. The 2021 CB650R has embodied the same modernised design, with sharp geometric bodywork, a Café styled headlight and urban-inspired colour schemes.
2021 Honda CB650R Colour Options
- Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic
- Pearl Smoke Grey
For this test ride, I was on a CB650R with the Pearl Smoke Grey finish, and as you can tell from the photos... It looks absolutely STUNNING! It's the small details, like the bronze finish on the engine casing, matching the colours of the wheels that take the overall finish to the next level. With such a district look, there is a lot to admire here. While on the test ride, I noticed a heightened sense of attention and curious eyes looking in the bike's direction. Safe to say, the CB650R is dramatic.
Ergonomics - Riding Position
Saddling the bike, you feel right at home with a comfortable, upright riding position. For 2021, Honda has rotated the handlebars slightly forward in a more neutral position, yet still felt relatively sporty… for a naked bike. The reach to the bars was relaxed and never forced unwanted pressure on my arms and wrists.
The mid positioned footpegs are slightly pushed back and up, hinting at that sports riding style. With that being said, your legs aren’t cramped and maintain a comfortable leg position. It achieves that blend between a daily commuter setup and weekend mountain carver capabilities.
The seat is wide and seamlessly drifts its way into the pillion seat. Standing at 180cm, I was able to flat-foot the bike with ease. With a seat height of 810 mm, it isn’t overly daunting for shorter riders, yet recommend coming into a dealership and sitting on one for yourself. For taller riders, the shape of the tank and overall ergonomic will be accommodating. After the day of riding, I can say the seat was relatively comfortable but is nothing to write home about.
Electronics - Technology Systems
The CB650R features a sleek, LCD screen that was highly legible in direct sunlight. Tucked underneath the front wind deflector fairing, the screen features a digital speedometer, tachometer, clock, odometer, trip meter, real-time and average fuel consumption meters, and illuminated engine diagnostic indicators. The rectangular shape flows with the rest of the bike and is an all-around solid instrumental unit.
Coming standard is the two-channel ABS system for your brakes. I found the ABS to be responsive and unobtrusive on the ride. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to test the system in wet conditions, yet feel pretty confident they will hold up without any dramas.
Honda’s Selectable Torque Control System (HSTC), makes an appearance, offering peace of mind during aggressive riding conditions. The system adjusts engine power to optimise torque at the rear wheel, reducing rear-wheel slip. Best of all, you can also turn it on or turn it off with a handlebar-mounted switch. This type of technology isn’t seen too often on Learner Approved motorcycles, so I’m glad Honda has introduced it here.
Performance - Let's Talk Power!
Powered by the 649cc, DOHC 16-valve engine, the inline-four revs hard, with an ultra-smooth and linear torque delivery. What can I say… It rides like a Honda! The four-cylinder engine offers great low to mid-range power, yet also has a good amount of pull in the top end. With many competitors in the middle-weight naked segment opting for Parallel Twins (which are known to lack top-end output), I’m glad Honda saw the gap and offered a bike with more top-end performance.
Shifting gears felt smooth… almost too smooth. At times I questioned if it actually shifted or not, as there wasn’t much of a click or subtle vibrational indicator. That being said, I encountered no false neutrals and gearing issues... so far from a complaint.
The slipper clutch works wonders, allowing you to simply engage the clutch with one finger. I had to do a fair share of lane splitting, which forced me to feather the clutch lever rather intensely. Thankfully with such a light and forgiving clutch, my wrists or fingers were never stained or fatigued.
Braking Performance
Sporting dual 310mm discs, radial-mounted four-piston callipers in the front and a 240mm hydraulic disc in the rear, the CB650R had adequate stopping power. My only gripe was you really had to be slamming a good amount of pressure on that rear brake lever, to unlock the bike's full braking potential. Nonetheless, I found myself always with enough braking power and had the ABS safety technology at the ready.
Suspension Performance
Featuring a lightweight Showa Separate Function Front Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP), the CB650R offers adjustable spring preload and compression damping. The overall handling was great, especially on the mountain roads! Weighing in at 202kg, it's a fairly light chassis bike, that you barely feel when you start moving.
Overall, the CB650R was an incredibly refined and exciting motorcycle to ride. With thrilling power delivery, solid braking performance and modern safety technology, Honda has produced an incredibly capable LAMS approved motorcycle. Head to your TeamMoto Honda dealership and test ride the new 2021 Honda CB650R today!
Shout out to Kurt and the team at TeamMoto & MCAS Springwood for lending the Demo 2021 CB650R out for the day! Highly recommend coming in-store and testing this bike for yourself!
Find Your Nearest TeamMoto Honda and MCAS Dealership Today!
Wanting to keep up with the latest news, events, reviews and specials? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter today, and stay in touch with current releases, exciting motorcycling events and be the first to hear about our upcoming specials.
