CBR650F noob unsure about lever adjustment

[doozer]

Hi, Ive bought a cbr650F abs and its got what I assume are aftermarket levers, can anyone offer an ID and/or any advice as to how the adjustment works and if they're any good? The person I bought the bike off really looked after it, the bikes in A1 condition, serviced every year done 11k

 

[Brammers]

I just googled them, cheap; likely chinese.

Website: https://mzsracing.com/products/mzs-...-compatible-with-honda?variant=51181803405605

One redit thread (so take that with a pinch of salt) was very negative to the point of saying "don't use - dangerous".

I've had great experiences with V-Trec levers. On my second set now (because I wanted to change styles - not because of an issue).
Link: https://www.motea.uk/brake-lever-an...14-18-v-trec-lever-set-short-or-long-115819-0

The adjustment is easy - hold the lever away from the bars (to remove tension) and move the adjuster. Keep doing this until the lever is in the best position "for you".

J

 

[Brian C.]

All good advice from Brammers (as always) I went with Puig and am very happy with them

https://pyramidmoto.co.uk/collections/puig-3-0-lever-adaptors?Year/2018/Make/Honda/Model/CB-650-F

https://pyramidmoto.co.uk/collections/puig-4-0-levers?Year/2018/Make/Honda/Model/CB-650-F

look for the Puig 3 levers to ensure compatibility with the adapters.

adjustment exactly as suggested, but i wound mine in over a few rides until i was happy with them, very worth it imo to get a comfy position for you .
Have a look at this Vid to adjust the position of your levers for the best comfort for you, the angle is as important as the reach in my experience.

 

[doozer]

Cheers guys, I went out sunday morning while it was quiet to practice some slow speed stuff and had a play with the clutch adjustment as its very different to the bike I learned on for the test... bite point seems a long way out comparatively so I sent the adjustment back all the way.. that made the pull very short and the clutch real snappy with the bite point being just off full pull like the z and I ended up dropping the bike... no major damage just a scratch on the crash bars.. thing is it feels veeerryy different to the z650 I did my test on, and am wondering, on the z, the bit point was just off full pull, and the friction zone quite large. I found it an easy bike to ride slow or fast, but my cbr650F 2018 feels 'wooly'? if thats the right word? clutch just feels really weird in comparison and tbh Im struggling to get some confidence with it at slow speeds.. would it help to back of the circular adjuster so the bite point is closer? where is 'normal' on a bike anyway? or is it just purely personl preference and I just need to get used to it?

 

[Brammers]

First off, get the freeplay adjusted to 10-12mm on the tip of the clutch lever.

Once that's done, use the lever adjuster to find the best place for you. It might not be perfect, so the final adjustment will be in your head.

Other levers are available that use a screw type adjuster for an infinite amount of possibilities... Bear in mind if you need the option. (v-trec do one such set)

Otherwise, yes it's different and you'll learn how to slip the clutch to gain confidence.

Stick with it!

J

 

[doozer]

Cheers Brammers, helps to know where the 'baseline' is for starting adjustment.. Guess I'll take a ride down the local cinema (seems nobody bothers with the cinema anymore and the carpark is massive and empty) and ride some u turns and figure 8's etc till it feels 'right'.. didnt think it would be this different tbh, all part of the learning curve and learning to ride I suppose, and I did expect that I'd have to actually learn to ride now Ive passed so.. yeh, nice one 👍

 

[miweber929]

didnt think it would be this different tbh, all part of the learning curve and learning to ride I suppose, and I did expect that I'd have to actually learn to ride now Ive passed so.. yeh, nice one 👍

When you’re new, EVERYTHING is this different. Once you get time under your belt you just adapt; I normally bounce between 7 different bikes ranging from a ‘75 Honda to a ‘26 KTM. It’s always a moment or two of “oh yeah” then it just is what it is.

It’ll come in time.