2022 Honda CBR650R

The CBR650R is a sporty-ish sportbike with on a regular basis manners and practicality. (Honda/)

Ups

• Clean inline-four engine
• Not overly sporty, which makes it nice for every day driving
• Who can say no to Fireblade-like styling?

Downs

• Solely is available in Matte Black Metallic
• Restricted suspension adjustment
• Larger MSRP than some middleweight twins

Verdict

Riders in search of a motorcycle with sportbike styling and dealing with however an additional dose of practicality might be within the CBR650R. An inline-four engine affords extra efficiency than comparable middleweight twins, and it’s exhausting to argue with the construct high quality of a Honda.

Overview

The CBR650F hit US shores in 2014 and served as Honda’s bridge between the beginner-friendly CBR500R and the track-oriented CBR600RR. The bike was renamed the CBR650R in 2019, after receiving ground-up revisions and upgrades. That was quickly adopted up by a transfer to Showa’s Separate Operate Fork Large Piston (SFF-BP), new cams and consumption timing, revised bodywork, revised exhaust, and improved emissions in 2021.

The CBR650R is a completely faired variant of Honda’s CB650R bare bike and attracts inspiration from the supersport realm with styling cues from the CBR1000RR. Think about this an easy-to-live-with commuter that concurrently dishes out respectable energy (for the class) and handles properly when it’s time to hit the canyons.

The CBR650R returns in Matte Black Metallic for 2022. (Honda/)

Updates for 2022

Honda revised the CBR650R in 2019 and 2021, and due to this fact left the 2022 mannequin untouched. There was, nevertheless, a $100 value improve. Matte Black Metallic returns as the primary colour; eager eyes will discover the striping has modified colours although.

Pricing and Variants

The 2022 Honda CBR650R is offered in simply the one trim, with an MSRP of $9,799. Take into account that Honda does provide the CB650R bare bike with related {hardware}, however a distinct feel and appear for these not drawn to the CBR’s sportbike styling.

Competitors

There’s no scarcity of mid-displacement sportbikes available on the market at the moment, and every affords just a little one thing completely different. Engine configurations, {hardware}, and supposed use all range on this house, that means there’s one thing for everybody.

The CBR’s greatest competitor is the Kawasaki Ninja 650 ($7,999), however the bare Suzuki SV650 ($7,399) must also be thought of. Need one thing just a little extra monitor oriented? Yamaha has the YZF-R7 ($9,199), whereas Aprilia affords the RS 660 ($11,399).

The 649cc inline-four engine stands out in a category that’s lengthy been centered round twins. Not a fan of a parallel twin? The CBR650R is perhaps the middleweight sportbike you’re after. (Honda/)

Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency

The CBR650R shares an inline-four engine with its bare cousin, the CB650R. Balancing efficiency and rideability, the powerplant has a throaty consumption sound because it spools as much as its peak 80.1 hp and 41.73 lb.-ft. of torque (each of which had been measured on our in-house dyno). There aren’t any energy modes, however that’s okay because the engine delivers ample energy up prime, whereas being docile sufficient within the decrease revs and feeling very versatile.

The slip-assist, cable-actuated clutch is claimed to lighten clutch operation by 12 % in comparison with pre-2019 fashions, making managing the clutch simple and fewer tiring. Though the gearbox is simple to work, we did discover that the six-speed transmission sometimes slipped into impartial when shifting between first and second gear at excessive rpm. There’s no ride-by-wire throttle, however the throttle is properly calibrated.

That is an total simple bike to journey, due to the sleek fueling, gentle clutch, and respectable energy.

Chassis/Dealing with

Honda switched from the Showa SFF fork to SFF-BP fork in 2021. The suspension gives a agency and sporty journey, with nice front-end really feel. A caveat to that is that the fork can really feel a bit jarring when coming throughout bigger sharp-edged bumps. Clearly Honda nonetheless needed to pump some sportbike DNA into this bike.

The Showa shock is refined and composed and works properly when in comparison with different non-linkage setups.

The metal diamond body makes use of pressed swingarm pivot plates and twin elliptical spars tuned to be stiffer across the headstock and extra versatile within the spar sections for balanced dealing with and suggestions, says Honda. The CBR’s rider triangle additionally places the rider in a commanding place that makes it nice for flicking the bike by way of corners. The CBR is able to play if you end up.

Brakes

Radial-mount four-piston Nissin calipers chew onto a pair of 310mm floating discs up entrance. This setup is complemented by a Nissin single-piston caliper and 240mm disc out again. ABS is normal at each ends, however can’t be disabled. The lever and pedal present easy-to-understand communication and there’s enough chew on the discs for road use.

The CBR650R just isn’t meant to be a track-going sportbike (Honda saves that for the CBR600RR), however nonetheless affords up respectable efficiency and has a worthwhile spec sheet. Entrance brakes use radial-mount calipers biting on 310mm floating rotors. (Honda/)

Gas Economic system and Actual-World MPG

In testing, the CBR650R returned a median of 39.5 mpg.

Ergonomics: Consolation and Utility

Clip-on handlebars are mounted beneath the highest triple clamp however stand up for a extra relaxed driving place when in comparison with a real supersport.

In contrast to its bare sibling, the CB650R, the CBR is provided with a full fairing and windscreen for deflecting wind from the rider. The windscreen could possibly be a tad taller for higher wind safety, however that’s nothing the taller windscreen within the Honda OE accent catalog gained’t repair. Each the rider and passenger seats are large and properly padded for all-day consolation. Seat top is 31.9 inches.

Electronics

Electronics are restricted to ABS and Honda Selectable Torque Management (HSTC).

HSTC could be turned off with the handlebar-mounted swap. And whereas it’s unlikely you’ll push the CBR exhausting sufficient to place the system by way of its paces (it is a city-oriented bike in any case), it’s good to have the additional stage of security.

Twin LED headlights and an LCD sprint are normal tools.

Y-spoke aluminum rims are wrapped in Dunlop Sportmax rubber. (Honda/)

Guarantee and Upkeep Protection

Honda affords a one-year, unlimited-mileage guarantee for the CBR. Protection could be prolonged with the HondaCare Safety Plan.

High quality

The CBR has sharp, angular bodywork that contributes to its polished look. And whereas assembled in Thailand, the CBR650R lives as much as the excessive requirements of the Japanese producer.

2022 Honda CBR650R Claimed Specs

MSRP:	$9,799
Engine:	649cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled inline-four; 4 valves/cyl.
Bore x Stroke:	67.0 x 46.0mm
Transmission/Last Drive:	6-speed/chain
Gas Supply:	PGM-FI gas injection w/ 32mm throttle our bodies
Clutch:	Moist, multiplate slipper/help
Engine Administration/Ignition:	Full transistorized
Body:	Metal diamond
Entrance Suspension:	41mm Showa SFF-BP fork; 4.3 in. journey
Rear Suspension:	Showa shock, preload adjustable; 5.0 in. journey
Entrance Brake:	Twin radial-mounted 4-piston Nissin hydraulic calipers, floating 310mm discs w/ ABS
Rear Brake:	1-piston caliper, 240mm disc w/ ABS
Wheels, Entrance/Rear:	Y-spoke aluminum, 17 in. / 17 in.
Tires, Entrance/Rear:	120/70-17 / 180/55-17
Rake/Path:	25.3°/4.0 in.
Wheelbase:	57.0 in.
Floor Clearance:	5.2 in.
Seat Peak:	31.9 in.
Gas Capability:	4.1 gal. (0.8 gal. reserve)
Claimed Moist Weight:	456 lb.
Contact:	powersports.honda.com