Honda CBR650F, strong emotions branded “CBR” [ROAD TEST]

Honda's mid-sized four-cylinder sports car faces 2017 with a more powerful engine and close-ratio gear ratios, a forked front end Showa Dual Bending Valve, more rigorous, both in compression and rebound, upgraded brakes with new Nissin calipers and very bright LED headlights. The redesigned fairing places even more emphasis on the engine and emphasizes the SuperSport style. The CBR650F recreates the perfect balance between the fun of sporty driving and ease of use in everyday use. Its inline 4-cylinder engine was designed to offer strong and generous thrust at low and mid-range speeds, maintaining the great brilliance of Honda multi-fractional engines at higher speeds. The response to the pilot's commands is always prompt and the fuel efficiency is remarkable. Its solid double-spar steel frame gives fantastic cornering agility and great handling in the city. This is also thanks to the rigorous set-up offered by the preload-adjustable shock absorber fixed directly to the beautiful aluminum swingarm. The braking system with ABS is powerful and perfectly modular, and the exhaust system is beautiful, with the manifolds that descend sinuously on the right side up to the newly designed compact silencer. The eye-catching backlit LCD digital dashboard is the ideal complement to the look of the only true 4-cylinder super sports car
Honda CBR 650 F, the medium sports car from Honda becomes more powerful with a sporty ride but at the same time easy to use in everyday use.

In 2014 the first model was launched, today the CBR650F MY2017 aims for the maximum from all points of view, guaranteeing ease of driving with high level performance thanks to its sporty and engaging style.
The greater power is guaranteed by the redesigned intake ducts, which allow it to reach up to 11.000 rpm, accompanied by the exhilarating exhaust which gives it a hoarse and decidedly exhilarating roar even from low revs. To ensure an aggressive look, the new and angular fairing has been revised, which is accompanied by the new elegant and bright LED headlights, with an overall appearance reminiscent of the 1000 CBR2017RR Fireblade.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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A new design and a more aggressive look

That the little Honda wants to enhance some details of the look can be seen at a glance. The new fairing not only accentuates the SuperSport style, but directs the air from the front, with maximum pressure, towards the airbox. In addition to the "slim" tail, the look of the new CBR650F is made aggressive by a sporty set-up, heavily loaded on the front, in order to facilitate any driving style. The height of the saddle from the ground is 810 mm and guarantees safety when placing your feet on the ground. Narrow and easy, the CBR650F allows you to move around the city very well, even when stationary. The "Hondina" also has an extra touch in the rear light cluster, thanks to the LED light with white glass, which gives it a sophisticated touch of elegance, as well as matching the new front cluster, also LED. As soon as you get on the Honda CBR 650 F, you can also appreciate the instrumentation, which is very complete and easy to read.

It offers a completely digital dashboard, beautifully integrated into the aerodynamic fairing, easy to read and complete with all the functions of its competitors, offering information on the tachometer and speedometer on the left, on the right the fuel level indicator, the odometer and the service lights, with a space also dedicated to the clock, which never hurts. Both displays are backlit with white light. Swingarm, frame and rims are black, with the engine crankcase bronze.

Engine and performance:

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It adapts easily to any driving style, earns Euro 4 and a handful of horsepower

Moving on to the engine of the CBR650F MY2017, the 4 cc inline 649-cylinder (bore x stroke equal to 67x46 mm) now gains 4 horsepower compared to the previous model, reaching 91, delivered at 11.000 rpm and with a torque maximum of 64 Nm at 8.000 rpm. The engine displays excellent regularity of delivery, combined with a discreet downward thrust, so much so that, compared to the previous model, accelerating in second gear from a speed of 60 km/h, distances it by a length equal to 3 motorbikes in a 400 meter stretch. This greater power is guaranteed above all by the new intake and exhaust systems, with a wider airbox duct, which contains shorter intake ducts, to feed the four 32 mm throttle bodies. The cylinder liners also have a spiked surface, a solution that disperses heat better, improving cooling and reducing oil consumption. The vertical gearbox behaves in a completely familiar way, it is very fluid and soft, both when engaging and downshifting, while the starter motor is positioned behind the cylinder bank and is inclined forward by 30°, guaranteeing a minimal style and elegant engine. On the rims front, they have 6 split spokes in die-cast aluminum and are fitted with sports tyres, in sizes 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17.

Once the key is turned and the four-cylinder Honda is turned on, its beautiful sound is always recognisable, which it transmits even from a distance. In the first kilometers we immediately focus on the engine, to understand how it reacts. The result of the 2017 innovations is excellent, with even more linear delivery, without any uncertainty at low speeds. the reach is also notable, with the 4 in line rising fluidly, but also progressively. In the hairpin bends from second gear we can even enter third gear, given that we can go down to 1.500 rpm, and then open the throttle wide open and resume without the little Honda feeling any uncertainty. The game becomes more fun as you increase the delivery speed. In the upper portion of the rev counter you can drive in a more sporty manner, moving it towards the limiter.

Ride and handling:

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A nice compromise between sportiness and comfort, with an almost tourist driving style

The frame, which is made of steel with a diamond "beam" structure, offers excellent balance, which allows for excellent handling in the tightest hairpin bends, as we were able to see on the narrow curves that go up from San Pellegrino Terme towards the Val Taleggio and the Culmine pass. The inclination of the steering head is equal to 25,5°, with a trail of 101 mm, which determines a wheelbase of 1.450 mm. Thanks also to the new Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) fork, with 41 mm stanchions, response to stress and maneuverability have improved, a sign of the excellent absorption guaranteed by the standard suspension, which is perfectly proportioned to the 120 mm travel. As regards the rear shock absorber, adjustable in spring preload on 7 positions, we found no difficulties, but a good feeling, which allowed us to quickly reach high lean angles and enjoy excellent stability when exiting corners with the gas open.

During our test, braking distances were always excellent, as was the resistance and modulability of the braking system, with two-channel ABS, which can count on large 320 mm wave front discs gripped by new Nissin calipers. 2-piston and on the rear 240 mm wave disc with single-piston caliper. The weight with a full tank of petrol is 213 kg. Getting closer, to better understand the shapes of the new CBR650F, it appears compact, the seat and the distance from the ground lead to a very comfortable driving posture, given that the arch of the horse is narrow and the torso remains well erect on the saddle, with ease even in the riding position, which does not tire the wrists, while you perceive the sensation of being very well inserted into the body of the motorbike.

When driving on the most tortuous sections, it actually surprised us and once we had become familiar with the front, we found a well-balanced suspension, even when exiting the most extreme bends, which were digested with total ease and without giving rise to annoying loosening. The chassis is sincere, intuitive and never put in a position to become unbalanced, allowing you to paint the trajectories as you wish. The braking is a guarantee, ready and well controllable in every situation, while the ABS is fine and not at all invasive. In this, Honda has put to good use, and you can feel it, almost ten years of experience with anti-lock braking on sports bikes, given that the CBR600 was in fact the first to fit it. Braking can be delayed and extended right up to the center of the bend, without putting the front in crisis and without any danger or fear. As for the rear brake, which is normally used little, our opinion is a little more severe, because we found it slightly spongy and it seems, at times, to arrive with a certain delay.

Price and consumption:

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The price has been adjusted in light of the improvements, while the efficiency of the engine is excellent

The new CBR650F 2017, homologated Euro 4, is very efficient in consumption, with a figure declared under consumption equal to 21 km/l on the WMTC cycle. Thanks to the 17,3 liter tank, the autonomy should therefore exceed 350 km. Since it turned out to be close to what we were able to observe during our test, at least until we get too carried away. Even in the most sporty driving, however, the speed never drops below 15 km/l, which is therefore a more than positive figure. The purchase cost to take the new Honda CBR650F home is 8.550 €. Something more than the "old" CBR650 F, but in line with the many new features and improvements introduced. As for the colors, you can choose it with two shades, this one called "full black". Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, Or the Millennium Red.

Needless to say, after our complete road test, the new Honda CBR650F really convinced us. It is a very versatile motorbike, which can be fun, but also easy and accessible to everyone, without having to be a rider to get on its saddle.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Engine, quality and design
We do not like it:
Rear brake

Honda CBR650F MY 2017: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Jacket : Alpinestars GP Plus R V2 Airflow Leather, a superbly styled sports jacket with premium leather, packed with protective features, offers excellent joint movement.

Trousers: Alpinestars Muissile Leather, made of highly resistant leather and equipped with reinforced areas also in the seams. CE certified, these trousers are optimized for city use rather than on the track.

Gloves: Alpinestars Stella Sp-1 Leather Glove, an excellent quality leather glove, an anatomical design and whose shape offers excellent support, handling and freedom of maneuver, all essential for improving performance on the track or on the road.

Boots: Alpinestars SMX PLUS BOOT, a boot that perfectly combines sporty and elegant style with advanced protection functions.

Helmet: Suomy Full Face Apex, the fiber helmet from the Brianza company has a sporty external shape, but at the same time guarantees the comfort that only a quality helmet can provide. Shell in TRICARBOCO material, a mix of Kevlar, carbon and fiber fabric, bonded with resin. Visor printed and obtained from a flat sheet and subsequently thermoformed. Permanent anti-fog and anti-scratch treatment.