Honda CBR650R (2019) - Long Term Review

Part 1 - First Impressions

First Published - 5th April 2019

Am I the only one who enjoys running-in a brand new bike? There’s something about the enforced evolution of learning and shared bonding that bypasses the impatient among us, but I enjoy that feeling of a gearbox getting slicker, suspension easing-up and brakes getting stronger.

So when the call came through that BikeSocial’s long term test Honda CBR650R was ready for collection it was my hand first in the air to collect it. Honda technicians had done the pdi and put 21 miles on the clock, but the bike still felt brand new. The brakes weren’t bedded-in, suspension still had that ‘crashy’ feel before the damping oil worked its way through all the shims and the tyres were still a little slippy.

Taking the twisty way back to the office to make most use of throttle, revs and gears let me settle into the riding position and controls. For anyone who rode in the 90s and noughties this CBR feels an awful lot like an updated version of the classic steel-framed CBR600F of the period. That’s a massive compliment by the way. That bike was a machine that could hold the hand of a new rider, but also satisfy the most demanding road rider, win hundreds of races all over the country every weekend and demolish the Isle of Man TT course at ridiculous speeds with a half-decent safety margin of reliability and stability. History will (or at least should) see those mid-90s CBR600s as the greatest motorcycle ever built. Ever… Apart from a Yamaha TDR250, of course.

Looks great in the Fireblade-replica colours

And this one feels like a 21st century version of that earlier CBR. Comfy, but sporty, fast enough (even at half revs running-in), but easy to ride, nimble and stable too. Bikes like these are the hot-hatches of motorcycling; fast, frantic, accessible, practical and very, very good value.

The Honda’s trump card is the flexible-but-still-revvy four-cylinder engine, which makes the CBR feel a few degrees sportier than Kawasaki’s Ninja 650 twin. Some might dismiss the Honda’s 94bhp as not enough, but wind back a few years and Honda’s legendary RC30 felt (still does) pretty damn quick with not much more and even an early FireBlade only made about ten bhp more. Plus this bike has the latest fuel-injection and ignition technology, making the whole spread of power easily accessible. And if we look back to those days of previous 94bhp fully faired middleweights, it should be good for a top speed nudging 150mph. That’s fast enough for me.

A couple of other riders found the CBR very buzzy, complaining of tingles in the groin, which is a bad thing, apparently. I didn’t notice it at all and Si Hargreaves didn’t mention it on the launch, so it’s either a new-engine thing which will disappear with miles or maybe a riding-style issue. Either way, it reinforces why a test ride is always a good idea.

Wind on the power out of a corner and you won’t quite keep up with a 2019 Fireblade or BMW S1000RR, but you’ll catch up with many of them by the next corner because they’ll be going faster than they planned-to before panic-braking too early and actually cornering slower, while the CBR650 rider goes slightly slower between the corners, panics less, reads the road better to corner quicker and keep up. Beyond the litre-boys’ bravado and bull-poop, we all know it’s true.

On a track day it’ll be different because track riding is all about full throttle or no throttle and any of the superbikes will murder a CBR650, as you’d expect. But on the road, you’ll be there on the 650 every time.

Stacked gearbox is a legacy from the mass-centralised, supersport CBR600RR

It’s still early days, but the defining memory of the first couple of rides has been the way the CBR steers. Pick a turn-in point, nudge the inside bar and the CBR obligingly takes up your chosen lean angle and line. Ease the pressure of the bar and the bike just flows around the corner on your chosen line with no fuss, no drama and no worries. It took 100 miles before the suspension settled into that lovely balance between performance and ride quality that Honda do so well on mid-spec bikes. Talking of Honda-ness, I love the way the sporty-looking, compact fairing did such a good job this morning keeping the rain off my legs and upper body when I got caught in a shower without waterproofs for five miles. That and the light clutch action, slick gearchange and mirrors that show enough of everything to be useful.

Simple suspension works well in all situations so far

The brakes are surprisingly strong, but with plenty of feel and the ABS is not intrusive, even on the rear, which can be a problem on softly-sprung bikes. I’m not sure why the hazard warning lights flash on the dash when I brake really hard, but it clearly made someone at Honda happy, so I’m cool.   

I have a hunch that Honda will sell a lot of these in 2019. It looks like a Fireblade, goes like a sports bike you can use, is much more comfortable and easy to live with than something like a Yamaha YZF-R6 or Kawasaki ZX-6R and costs a fraction of their price. In fact at £7799 the 2019 CBR650R with all its state-of-the-art fuel-injection, rider aids and development is near-as-dammit the same price as a CBR600F cost back in 1996. If that’s not a bargain I don’t know what is.

Likes & Dislikes

Part 2 - Owners living with Honda's new middleweight

Updated 14th June 2019 by Chris Newble

Maz Claydon, Matthew Rooney, Steve O'Connor

Six months on since its release, we catch up with some fellow, proud CBR650R owners. Here’s how they’re finding it, and what future modifications and rides they have planned. 

Mark Carroll

Age: 55
Previous bike: Ducati 1199

How are you finding the CBR650R?

After having most bikes in the past 40 years from a Suzuki A100 to a 1199 Ducati, I have purchased a CBR650R and love it!

I no longer kid myself I need 180bhp. It’s fantastic and practical, no aches or pains and handles lovely.

On a sensible note it also does 45-50 mpg!

Are you planning any modifications?

I’ve fitted an R&G tail tidy and a Honda rear seat pod.

Possibly next it will be a full Akrapovič exhaust. Oh… and a Honda tinted screen so you can see the dash a little better. Then some new rubber.

Kate Dean

Previous bike: 2015 Honda CBR125R

How are you finding the CBR650R?

Absolutely amazing. I feel incredibly safe on it, handles really well, is amazing fun and looks fantastic. I really feel, as my riding progresses, the CBR650R has so much more to offer me.

Planned trips?

I’m heading to Snowdonia at the end of June, and then North Coast 500 when I get the chance!

Chris Roberts

Age: 24
Previous bike: Honda CBR125

How are you finding the CBR650R?

It’s a real sporty, but comfortable machine and I like how light and agile it is. It’s also easy to ride in all conditions and the slipper clutch is amazing. However, I do find myself catching the traction control button from time to time and would like the screen to be a little taller.

Are you planning any modifications?

I’ve got a double bubble screen on order, and am looking at panniers/luggage once they’re available.

Planned trips?

Lots of days out - Lake District/Yorkshire, Irish Atlantic way, North Coast 500, and possibly Europe in the next few years.

Steven O'Connor

Previous bike: Honda CBR500R

How are you finding the CBR650R?

My CBR650R was the first black edition on the roads in the UK and was the first, and so far, the only one on the Isle of Man.

It’s just been through its first service and I got a few laps in over the course of TT week. I’m really starting to give her some welly now it’s broken in and it’s an absolute machine in the high revs. Much, much closer to the CBR600RR and the Kawasaki ZX6R than it would be to your regular 650 twins.

Amazing bit of kit considering it’s half the price of the Fireblade too.

Stephanie Hill Wakeman

Previous bike: Honda CBR500R

How are you finding the CBR650R?

It’s a step up from the CBR500R and I’m in love with it. I feel so great riding it on the road and so safe - it’s fantastic!

Are you planning any modifications?

I’ve added heated grips, crash bungs and will eventually be adding a Black Widow Exhaust.

Planned trips?

I’d like to head to Scotland and do the coastal route, plus Portugal at some point.

Stuart Hatfield

Age: 37
Previous bike: Honda CBR600RR

How are you finding the CBR650R?

I looked at the Honda CBR650R initially as it looked so much like the Fireblade, which I think is one of the best-looking bikes on the market today.

I’ve owned two Honda CBR600RRs, which I really liked, one 2009 and one 2013 (new model). I must admit I genuinely prefer the CBR650R, I think it’s a nice, more forgiving bike for the type of riding I do, plus gone are the days where you actually need a Fireblade, R or S1000RR on the road, as you can’t really open them up without the risk of losing your licence.

Are you planning any modifications?

One thing which I’m a little disappointed in is the fact you can’t just change the end can, you have to put a full exhaust system on, however I did know about this before I bought one so I can’t complain really.

I did ask for the dealer to put Bridgestone S21 tyres on the bike before collection as I had Dunlop’s (standard tyres) on one of my CBR600RR and I just couldn’t get on with them.

Any trips planned on the CBR650R?

Planning to go to some BSB rounds this year on the bike so that should be good as it’s very comfortable both on the road, and the riding position.

Maz Clayden

Previous bike/bikes: Where do we start…

How are you finding the CBR650R?

Having had an XL100, FZR1000, GT750, R1, GSXR600, Ducati 1198, Dorsoduro, Bobber and CBR600RR - this bike is the nuts! I love it and wouldn’t take anything else out on the road now.

Any trips planned on the CBR650R?

I’ve just ridden to Germany and Holland on the bike.

2019 Honda CBR650R - Technical Specification