HONDA CB650 (2020)
July 20, 2022
Born in a neo-retro atmosphere that subtly blends the presence and power palette of a big bike with the personality of a crafted 400. Mind you the CB 650, would never dare to throw a beginner off the rails, nor will it dare to bore the die-hard Honda enthusiasts. Contrary to popular belief this Honda mil is far from being anything like its mellow elder siblings, the nimble CB Loves to be cranked all the way up.
Honda deserves praise for its design work; the display is a reverse LCD that is both compact and well-executed. It has all the essential bells and whistles while maintaining a clean, minimalist neo-retro aesthetic.
Precision is the name of the game; unlike its predecessor the CB650f which tended to be a little more lethargic, the new 650R twins are sharper and give the same level of easy plushness and impending rigidity. Although not adjustable, they’ve been precisely positioned for a dynamic road riding experience thanks to the upside-down forks to replace the old conventional units. Its sheer eagerness to bank into corners supported by the rider’s geometry creates a relaxed yet sporty riding posture. The bike maintains its stability while being almost effortless to flip through a series of curves. Twisting the throttle wide open makes it ever so addicting as is listening to its throaty intake growl.
CB v/s THE WORLD
However, the search for the ideal middle-weight bike still goes on. A pricing of 8.67L (Ex-showroom) compels the customer to think carefully about their decision, considering what the competition is offering at a rather fair price. The technology does begin to feel a little dated, particularly in the era of Triumph's street triple 765 track tool and Kawasaki's take on the iconic naked bike. However, Honda makes up for it with its phenomenally efficient inline 4 motor. The CB feels premium in every sense of the term when it comes to quality standards. The fuel tank is striking and contrasts nicely with the silver tank extensions that cover the air intake ducts thanks to its sparkly Candy Chromosphere paint job. The LED circular headlamp accentuates the bike's neo-retro café racing look, and the large 180-section rear truly makes it stand out.
The CB experience : Punchy.Pricturesque.Pragmatic
The location of the horn and indicator switchgear by Honda is one of the more amusing missteps. A change so small yet so significant that it’s a lie to be oblivious about it. Nevertheless, these can be looked over its nimble handling, capacity for embracing 1st and 2nd gear traffic, and a sense of belonging throughout the metropolitan commute. The Nissin brakes are deserving of special mention, for their quick initial bite and ease of stopping the bike from triple-digit speeds.
TO CONCLUDE
For someone upgrading from a small displacement motorbike, the Honda CB650R checks practically all the boxes. A graceful and timeless design, peak middleweight performance, and a powerful inline-four engine from Japan. But at a price.