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650R reviews

Hondawing

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 24, 2019
it isnt the same bike as a 636 or a 600rr but it is close . It is only slightly less aggressive of a riding position and has plenty of power. The weight is manageable and handling is fantastic . For this 40 year old rider this is the sweet spot for sure
The bike looks the part and its performance is up to the standard for sure , I paid around $9500 out the door for mine and I think I got my monies worth
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
I wonder if there is more appreciation for a good 'do it all' bike in Europe, whereas maybe in the US, people are used to having multiple bikes and therefore prefer something more focused for their type of riding.

YES!!!! It’s been that way forever from the VFR to the 650F to a ton of other “practical” sports bikes like the Hornet, 600F, Bandit, FZ series Yamahas, etc. The UK loves them but you can’t give them away here.

The difference, I believe, is in the UK people ride for transportation, in the US it’s almost exclusively for fun. I’ve always been drawn to the UK liked bikes because I like practical as well as fun.
 
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Hondawing

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 24, 2019
I just read a review of the cbr650r in Bike magazine - August 2019 edition
They reviewed the bike and also the ninja 636 at the same time sort of a quazi comparison.
The cbr did very well - I am not surprised by that at all it is a fantastic road bike in my opinion.
I was especially interested in this review/ comparison because I am thinking of adding the 636 to my stable as well I test road one last week and it was a very streetable supersport . Not as comfortable as the cbr650 but it did seem easy to live with power was linear also the traction control and power modes were nice to have
Seating position was def more aggressive
At 40 years old I wouldnt want it to be my only bike but would be fun to get out on and rip around from time to time
 

fnation25

2019
CBR650R ABS
Dec 17, 2018
Check some youtube videos on how to clutch wheelie, on these bikes start doing them at about 50kph 1st gear, have patience and start slowly if you want to learn faster and don't crash. Also do them in a safe environment.
 

Eaglemoto

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 13, 2019
Riding Since
2013
Fast Bikes magazine have a 650R in their bike fleet, in this months issue the journalist went to the Ron Haslam school at Donington where they use the 650R as one of their track bikes. Interesting they appear to have got the matt black model and then swapped out the fairings for red racing ones! Looks odd with the black tank.

You will notice the journalist seems to like throwing R&G stuff at the bikes he gets to test.

20190909_192527[1].jpg
 
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Eaglemoto

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 13, 2019
Riding Since
2013
Another update from the journo in Fast Bikes. Looks like next month will be interesting as he plans to have the Akra exhaust fitted to the bike.

20190927_193051[1].jpg
 

Eaglemoto

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 13, 2019
Riding Since
2013
I gave up on his report when he said we all know the OE tail just has to go. No we don't , some of us think these so called
' tail tidies ' spoil the rear end of bikes !

TBH its not until you see the bike from behind with a tail tidy fitted that you realise how much better the bike looks without the OE tail. It is all a matter of taste, and from the start the sales person at Honda even suggested fitting a tidy, at the time I dismissed him!
 

Enrico

2018
CB650F ABS
Mar 28, 2019
That Honda salesperson is an idiot , just trying to get you to spend money ! Do all you tail tidy merchants ride around with a brown streak up the back of your jackets ? :)
Considering the muck that gets drawn up from the rear tyre around the back end of my bike I am more likely to be looking for the addition of some sort of 'crap flap' !
ps just taken a 50mm long screw out of my fairly recently fitted new rear tyre - bugger.
 

Eaglemoto

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 13, 2019
Riding Since
2013
The dealership didnt actually have any tail tidy's to sell. To be honest, if you get the right tidy you dont actually get mud up your back, the barn door number plates we have here work quite well as mud guards!
Only once have I got a screw in my rear tyre, just as I was taking the old bike for trade in!
 
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Enrico

2018
CB650F ABS
Mar 28, 2019
What was the topic ? Anyway ,I hadn't had a puncture in the last 22 years until this year and I have had 2 in the last few months.
 

Devilsfan

2018
CB650F
Jun 5, 2019
Tampa, Florida
What was the topic ? Anyway ,I hadn't had a puncture in the last 22 years until this year and I have had 2 in the last few months.


That sucks! I've had a few punctures before with relatively new tires and I hate that! Because some azzhat doesn't care to secure his nails/screws and let's them bounce all around his opened trailer. Bastages!!! :mad:
 

Enrico

2018
CB650F ABS
Mar 28, 2019
Triple bugger - 1) screw in tyre 2) temporary repair under Hondacare warranty but cut also in tyre so tyre had to be scrapped 3) Bridgestone rear tyre has gone up £19 in price since other new tyre was fitted only 2 months ago.
ps surprising to me but I had done 3000 miles on the tyre in 2 months so I had got some use out of it. Fingers crossed !
 

Eaglemoto

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 13, 2019
Riding Since
2013
Triple bugger - 1) screw in tyre 2) temporary repair under Hondacare warranty but cut also in tyre so tyre had to be scrapped 3) Bridgestone rear tyre has gone up £19 in price since other new tyre was fitted only 2 months ago.
ps surprising to me but I had done 3000 miles on the tyre in 2 months so I had got some use out of it. Fingers crossed !

Presume you dont ride across hatchings or other areas in the road where all that detritus gets moved to by other vehicles tyres?
 

Enrico

2018
CB650F ABS
Mar 28, 2019
Presume you dont ride across hatchings or other areas in the road where all that detritus gets moved to by other vehicles tyres?
yes I do sometimes ride over hatching in the middle of the road if cars are queuing and it is clear of vehicles coming the other way. ( thought all motorcyclists did that ! ) I do avoid riding at the kerb side of the road though where all the crap collects. Thanks for the advice.
 

Eaglemoto

2019
CBR650R ABS
Jul 13, 2019
Riding Since
2013
yes I do sometimes ride over hatching in the middle of the road if cars are queuing and it is clear of vehicles coming the other way. ( thought all motorcyclists did that ! ) I do avoid riding at the kerb side of the road though where all the crap collects. Thanks for the advice.

Yeah, hatchings are often the resting places of sharp objects like nails and screws. Particularly hatched areas round traffic islands.
 
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