The Honda CBR650R last saw a major update back in 2021 that added Showa SSF-BP forks to boost comfort and handling. Emissions were also improved, so the engine meets Euro 5 standards, along with improved LCD instrumentation and the addition of a USB Type-C plug under the saddle. This let's you can power/charge your handheld devices while underway.
This Honda CBR reprises its role as an in-between model, bracketed by the CBR500R and top-tier CBR600RR, which means it could be a trainer, or could even serve as a destination model 'cause it has plenty of juice for use on the public roads. Too much really, but it's just the right amount of fun for racebike enthusiasts who may not ever see a track proper.
A black finish on the engine cases and rocker boxes sets the 2023 model apart from its immediate predecessor. It started life as the CBR650F back in 2014, but the CBR650R with its sportier build replaced it in 2019.
2023 Honda CBR650R
- High-Revving Liquid-Cooled 649 cc Inline-Four
- Switchable Traction Control
- Five Percent More Power Than Previous Iteration
- Aggressive Riding Posture
- Agile Handling
- Model: CBR650R
- Engine:: 649 cc Inline-4
- Power Output: 94 HP @ 12,000 RPM
- Torque: 47 LB-FT @ 9,500 RPM
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- MSRP: $9,899
- Powerful Engine
- Good Basic Electronics
- Fast Top End
- Never Do It Justice On Public Roads
- Vulnerable Front Turn Signals
- Quickshifter Should Be Stock
2023 Honda CBR650R Performance And Capability
Honda powers the CBR650R with a transverse-mount, in-line four-banger that benefits from water cooling to provide good emissions control and thermal stamina when operating under adverse traffic and weather conditions. This engine is all about having fun with a free-revving nature and respectable power. What sort of power?
The Honda CBR650R produces 94 horsepower and 47 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are at an unusually high rpm with the ponies maxing out at 12,000 rpm and the grunt developing fully by the 9,500 rpm mark, so this is a mill that likes to be wound up fairly tightly indeed. Plus, riders across the pond can get an A2-compliant setup for their tiered licensing system.
Dual, over-head cams time four poppets per cylinder for efficient aspiration with direct-cam actuation that does away with the rocker arms to simplify and lighten the top end. Unsurprisingly, it runs an oversquare layout ratio with a 67 mm bore and 46 mm stroke which gives it a spicy, 11.6-to-1 compression ratio and a preference for high-octane pusholine, and 649 cc displacement. The pistons run with uneven piston skirts to minimize friction.
Power flows through a slipper clutch for the backtorque mitigation it brings to the table along with a light lever pull and tractable friction zone. A six-speed transmission is stacked with the starter to shorten the overall drivetrain with a chain-type final drive. The gearbox comes ready to receive the accessory-list Quickshifter feature for the more aggressive riders out there, but it comes stock with Honda's traction control feature. The CBR650R's top speed is 149 mph, but here's how fast it can really go.
Design
The CBR650R's race-tastic chops are undeniable, from the air-intake ports at the front of each side to the mudguard-mount license plate holder and back blinkers. Wind tunnel-tested fairings ensure low-drag penetration, and it carries a pair of LED headlights to split the night with good two-way visibility. Around behind the short bubble screen, an LCD instrument display handles the instrumentation along with the controls for the electronic ride-control systems. The cockpit is very racebike-like as well with dead-short, clip-on handlebars that pull the pilot forward into an aggressive, forward-leaning riding position.
A molded, 4.1-gallon fuel tank sports a broad flange with a strong wane where it meets the narrow waist to both give you a break when you put your feet down and leave plenty of room for dramatic body English. The seat rides at 31.9 inches off the deck, which isn't too tall except for the shortest of inseams. Subframe-mount, flip-up foot pegs join with a slim p-pad to accommodate one very brave passenger right off the showroom floor. The flyline is that of a straight-up sportbike, so it looks the part as a mid-range, liter-bike trainer.
Honda CBR650R Specs | |
|---|---|
Length | 83.8 inches |
Width | 29.5 inches |
Height | 45.2 inches |
Seat Height | 31.9 inches |
Wheelbase | 57 inches |
Ground Clearance | 5.2 inches |
Fuel Capacity | 4.1 gallons, including 0.8-gallon reserve |
Curb Weight | 445 pounds |
Chassis
Steel members on the CBR650R make up the diamond-type frame's elliptical arms and pivot plates with flexion and rigidity baked right in. The steering head sets a sharpish rake angle of 25.5 degrees with four inches of trail over a 57-inch wheelbase to give the CBR650R some serious handling performance to match the engine's performance.
Part of the 2021 update, Showa SFF-BP suspension floats the front end on 4.7 inches of travel ahead of a single Showa shock with an obligatory spring-preload adjuster and a five-inch suspension stroke. Both come with the full range of tweaks, so you can dial in for preference. These figures point to a fairly comfortable ride with plenty of room to squat under hard cornering actions from the 5.2 inches of ground clearance.
Cast wheels fit the mold with a symmetrical, 17-inch diameter and Y-spoke design. They come shod in a 120/70 and 180/55 on the front and rear respectively. The brakes come loaded for bear with dual, 310 mm discs and four-bore Nissin binders up front with a single-pot caliper and 240 mm disc. Twin-channel ABS protection comes stock.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Front Suspension/ Travel | 41 mm fork; 4.3 inches |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | Showa Single Shock w/adjustable preload; 5.0 inches |
Rake | 25.5° |
Trail | 4.0 inches |
Front Tire | 120/70-17 |
Rear Tire | 180/55-17 |
Front Brake | Dual 310 mm floating discs with radial-mount Nissin four-piston calipers; 2-channel ABS |
Rear Brake | 240 mm disc, one-piston caliper; 2-channel ABS |
2023 Honda CBR650R Price And Availability
The 2023 Honda CBR650R costs $9,899. Grand Prix Red is the only colorway on the U.S. site, but a Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic as a colorway in other markets. We'll see if they both make it here or not.
Pricing & Features | |
|---|---|
Model ID | CBR650RA |
Warranty | One-year transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty |
Colors | |
└2021, 2022 | Matte Black Metallic |
└2023 | Grand Prix Red |
Price | |
└2021 | $9,699 |
└2022 | $9,799 |
└2023 | $9,899 |
Competitors
At the top of any given bracket, the competition comes down to a game of inches and ounces, and that's true for the CBR650R. First I looked around the British and Euro markets, and couldn't find anything appropriate, so I returned to the Japanese Big Four and Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-6R.
Like the Honda, it has almost complete coverage with just a peek of the engine, and for the same reasons. Kawasaki packs in more electronics for sure, with Dual Throttle Valves, Power Modes, Traction Control, ABS, and the upshift-only Kawasaki Quick Shifter to give it a leg up in that department.
The engine is also an in-line four with a 636 cc displacement that puts out 134 horsepower and 52.3 pound-feet of torque against 94/47 for a significant power advantage over the Honda. Both run on Showa suspension with similar capabilities and also use Nissin brakes almost like both bikes came off the same shelf. Kawi is a bit prouder though with its $10,699 starting price for the non-ABS model and $11,999 sticker for the ABS one.
He Said
“This bike, as advertised, is a great mid-way machine for a sport rider. Whether you're destined for larger displacements or plan to dwell in supersport territory, this machine brings some serious performance to the table. It's even better for Euro riders. You can remove the A2 restrictor, effectively making this bike work for two tiers of the licensing system.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,
“If you're a new rider, the bike is forgiving while you learn how to manage the hardware and power delivery. Once you figure it all out, the bike is ready for your higher skillset.”
“While in the low-to-mid range, there's ample torque, and beyond that, there's ample horsepower to carry you the rest of the way. There's a definite racebike vibe, but you aren't forced into the Superman posture allowing you to sit up and give your wrists a break.”
“Yeah, it might be a little pricey compared to other bikes in this displacement and skill range, but honestly, you can learn on it and then keep it as your forever bike. Even if you park something bigger and more exciting next to it in the garage, the CBR650R can be your everyday ride because it's just that nice.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between CB650R and CBR650R?
The same engine powers both the CB650R and the CBR650R, though the CBR runs with blackout paint on its powerplant. The suspension and slipper clutch is also similar across the board. As for the differences, the CB runs with a dearth of bodywork leaving it naked, whereas the CBR has full bodywork. The CB also has a relaxed cockpit for a low-stress riding position with no windscreen for protection compared to the CBR with its more aggressive rider triangle. The CB is similar to the CBR, just stripped down to the essentials.
Q: How fast can a Honda CBR650R go?
Top speed for the Honda CBR650R is 149 mph.
Q: What is the 0-100 mph of a CBR650R?
According to accelerationtimes.com, the 2019 Honda CBR650R does zero to 100 MPH in 12.3 seconds. The update in 2021 improved power by a claimed five percent, so the current time would be slightly quicker.
Q: How much horsepower does a CBR650R have?
The 649 cc inline-four engine in the CBR650R produces 94 horsepower at 12,000 RPM and 47 pound-feet of torque at 9,500 RPM.