It seems that Honda is done with the mild mannered motorcycles which have F in the suffix and has toned up the aggression. The CBR650F has made way for the new CBR650R which is sharp enough to be hailed as the baby Fireblade. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R sure has a new contender to worry about.
Design wise, the New Honda CBR650R has an edgy styling which is derived from the bigger CBR1000RR. Salient features include twin LED headlamps, a snazzy full fairing which leaves most of the engine exposed, a sporty fuel tank, simple tailpiece and a stubby silencer.
Compared to the outgoing CBR650F, the new medium displacement sportsbike gets an aggressive riding posture thanks to the new clip-on handlebar which has been pushed forward by 30 mm (also lowered a bit) and the foot pegs that are pushed backward by 3 mm (also raised a bit). The seat height remains unchanged at 810 mm.
The aggressive approach is not just limited to the design and ergonomics. The 2019 CBR650R shares its upgraded 650 cc inline four-cylinder engine with the new CB650R naked motorcycle. The motor can now rev till 12,000 rpm and put out 95 PS (4 PS more than the CBR 650 F) and 64 Nm of torque. The engine is also tuned to offer 5% boost in peak power and a better torque curve.
In terms of equipment, the Honda CBR650R gets Honda Selectable Torque Control, Traction Control, ABS, and slipper clutch. Thanks to weight savings in the chassis and powertrain, the new Honda motorcycle is 6 kg lighter than the one it replaces. This leads to improvement of power-to-weight ratio by 8% which should increase real-world performance to a noticeable extent.
Compared to its predecessor, the new Honda CBR650R brings to table a sportier character without compromising much in terms of practicality. Expect it to be launched in India next year.
