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2016 : CBR650F - On going review

rustyeyed

2016
CBR650F ABS
Oct 14, 2015
United Kingdom
Got the CBR650F in White Brand New - 0 Miles on the clock. Took it for a 670 mile trip (mixed roads) over two days to break in straight away.

Rider Height: 171 cm (5ft 7inch)
In seam: 29-30 inch
Wight: 88 Kgs
Experience: Beginner - Intermediate
Model: CBR650F
Colour: White

1. Wheels:
- Dunlops - No suprises, didnt take much to scrub in.
- Does make handling feel a bit off for some.
- Once they need replacing go for the recommended!
RECOMMENDATION: MICHELIN ROAD PILOT 4 or PIRELLI ANGEL GT (owning)

2. Suspensions - Front:
- Does feel soft at times, especially in the corners.
RECOMMENDATION: OHLINS FSK105 or FSK129

3. Headlight:
- Adequate
- Could clearly see on unlit roads
- Fog lights would be helpful
RECOMMENDATION: SAFE GO H4 LED BULB

4. Mirrors:
- Absolutely need to upgrade or use extenders.
- Stock too small not enough coverage and clarity.
RECOMMENDATION: AFTERMARKET MIRRORS or MIRROR EXTENTIONS.

5. Handle bars:
- Perfect for my height and size. May lead to sore wrist on longer journeys like mine. Nothing too serious, maybe I little getting used to will help.
- Vibration present but not too much that would make anyone uncomfortable.
RECOMMENDATION: NONE

6. Instrument Cluster:
- Good eough, though cant see anything in the sun, night time use it has no issues. Backlight is bright and all info is very clear.
- Nothing spectacular - Standard digital gauge with trips, average mileage, gas consumption, clock, fuel gauge, rpm range and speedometer.
- Fuel Gauge - prefer the analogue.
RECOMMENDATION: GEAR INDICATOR, TYRE PRESSURE INDICATORS

7. Tank:
- Good Enough
- Long Jounrneys will need many fuel stops
- Good Range - I got 58 mpg average.
RECOMMENDATION: NONE

8. Seat:
- Comfortable even for two up.
- Uncomfortable for long journeys (200+ miles) - needs something softer.
RECOMMENDATION: GEL INSERT / AFTERMARKET SEAT

9. Bodywork / Paint:
- Paint is First Class, bodywork styling is superb.
- Some body parts are stuck by velcro and some clearances between joints - Not good for £7099 bike.
- Windscreen may need upgrade as doesnt really keep the wind off even after attaching higher Honda windscreen.
RECOMMENDATION: AFTERMARKET WINDSCREEN

10. Foot Rests:
- Plush for rider.
- OK for pillion
RECOMMENDATION: NONE (Yet!)

11. Gear Lever:
- May need adjustment as it needs to go through its full travel in order to shift up to the next gear.
- It depends on your boots especially touring full boots.
RECOMMENDATION: GEAR LEVER ADJUSTMENT

12. Suspension - Rear.
- Adjustable.
- Handles twisties very well in collabration with Ohlins FSK suspensions.
- Needs to be adjusted to find the right setting for the rider.
RECOMMENDATION: OHLINS HO428 (not really necessary!)

13. Exhaust:
- Neat and quite.
- May not be too exciting in the long run.
RECOMMENDATION: AKRAPOVIC FULL EXHAUST

14. Engine:
- Smooth, solid an dsounds great when revving.
RECOMMENDATION: NONE

15. Tail Light:
- Not too shabby
- Kept pillion 100% clean - Lightly wet roads.
- Aftermarket not necessary unless you want it.
RECOMMENDATION: AFTERMARKET TAIL TIDY (this is absolutely non functional)

16. Indicators:
- Smoked.
- Look good - unless you want to change.
RECOMMENDATION: NONE

17. Lever:
- Clutch biting point too far out.
- Front brake adjustable
RECOMMENDATION: AFTERMARKET ADJUSTABLE CLUTCH LEVER

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Adjustabl...da-CBR650F-CB650F-2014-2015-YS-/171873245881?


Overall:
- Superb ride around country roads, motorways and cities.
- Good mpg (58 mpg)
- Very good handling at low speeds aswell as high - even with two up.
- Braking is very good even for ham fisted riders.
- ABS non intrusive
- Few improvments : REFER RECOMMENDATIONS!

***********UPDATE 1 @ 800 miles**********
- Mods, accessories & First Service

MODS PHASE 1:
1. Wheel Rim Stickers (Ebay, £10)
2. New foldable & adjustable Clutch and Brake Levers. (Ebay, £25)
3. Datatool Alarm System 4 (Honda, Free)

First service complete, improvements:
- Cost £130

1. Smoother engine feel. (initially felt rough)
2. Vibrations are almost extinct.
3. Power delivery is smoother.

**********UPDATE 2 @ 2000 miles************

- Slight slacking in the chain, this could be due to not constantly lubing the chain like some (solution: clean chain, install scottoiler)

- Vibration from the instrument cluster is annoying ( Solution: Rubber dampers in instrument cluster, TBC, yet to fix this!)

Added accessories:

1. Waterproof Iphone 6s holder inclusive + Stem / Yoke - 1" Ball Mount (17.5-20cm fit) + 3 prong quick release adaptor + screen protectoir - (Ultimate Addons, £40, new compelete package)

http://www.ultimate-mobiles.co.uk/C...proof_Tough_Mount_Case_for_iPhone_6_47?bid=33

You can operate the touch screen provided your gloves have 'touch tech' or can use with bare hands.

2. Abba Center Lift Stand (£65, ebay, used), may require to order new adapters for the CBR650F (Abba, +£20, new)

3. Chain oiler - Scottoiler (£40, ebay, used) + dual feed injector kit (£24, Scottoiler) + Oil (£10, Scotoiler)

4. Tools - Torque Wrench, Sockets, Spanners and usual handtools. - Required for chain adjustment. Chain adjustment shouldnt be neccessary if lubrication is done often, to save time invest in the Scotoiler or any oiler you prefer. Also helps for other mods or servicing if you prefer doing it yourself.

**********UPDATE 3 @ 3000 miles************

1. Mirror Extenders (£25, eBay)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262517200196?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Stock mirrors are absolutely useless, maybe is better if you have puny shoulders.

2. Tank Grips (£60, Tech Spec via Speedycom)

http://www.speedycom.co.uk/shop/pro...od_notif_email=e-mail&prod_notif_email=e-mail

The tank is too slippery especially with kevlar jeans or textile trousers - clear coat seems to get damaged (lightly)

**********UPDATE 4 @ 4000 miles************

No issues so far

1. Tyres - Changed rear stock tyre for Pirelli Angel ST, as it got sliced by a sharp rock.

Absolutely worth it, handling has improved a lot!

**********UPDATE 5 @ 8000 miles************

Upgraded a few bits since the previous update here are the highlights:

1. AKRAPOVIC Full Exhaust (£886)

- Significant power gain through the entire rev range.
- Sounds amazing!

2. MRA Touring Windscreen (£75)

- Much taller and wider than the OEM Tall Windscreen
- Not tested yet!

3. GB Racing Engine protectors (£174)

4. Carbon wrapped the lower cowls (£10)

5. EBC Sintered HH brakes - front and rear (£60 for all)

- improved the front braking power a little but not too sharp
- Improved the rear braking significantly, before the replacement my OEM brakes wouldn't really do anything.

No performance issues yet, finished the 2nd service and no advisories.

**********UPDATE 6 @ 12000 miles************

1. HEL Braided Brake Lines (£179)

- Improved the braking performance significantly, highly recommended

2. Power Commander 5 (+ Dyno tuned) (£350)

- Power delivery much smoother and more power across the range

3. PAIR valves blanked (£25)

- recommended if using a PC5 and blanked O2 sensor

4. D.I.D Chain Gold VX (inlcudes item 5, £117)

- Good quality chain

5. OGNIBENE Silent Sprokets ( front and rear)

- Just silent but not essential, just gave it a try

6. Ohlins FSK105/129 + 10W silkolene fork oil (£225)

- Improved the handling significantly
- not required to change rear suspension

Bike is now transformed to it's best self and don't think I can fine tune it anymore.

This maybe the end of my performance modifications and add ons.

All the work on my bike has been carried out by myself so any questions feel free to ask.

TO BE CONTINUED!..........
 
Last edited:

Shaun22P

2017
CBR650F ABS
Dec 4, 2017
Hi Rusty.

I am looking to buy a 2017 CBR650F and test rode a 2016 model in Bangkok yesterday. Great bike but the engine heat at the back of the legs was quite uncomfortable.

With the 2017 model and has Honda been able to address the issue effectively? What has been your experience?

Thank you in advance.
 

rustyeyed

2016
CBR650F ABS
Oct 14, 2015
United Kingdom
Hi Rusty.

I am looking to buy a 2017 CBR650F and test rode a 2016 model in Bangkok yesterday. Great bike but the engine heat at the back of the legs was quite uncomfortable.

With the 2017 model and has Honda been able to address the issue effectively? What has been your experience?

Thank you in advance.

I live in the UK and the temperatures are not very hot. But regardless of bike living in a hot country you will feel engine heat. A few suggestions:

1. get the bike to run on a rich map (PC5 can help!)
2. Use better coolant in the radiators
 
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