CB650R The 2019 CB650R's

Devilsfan · Jun 10, 2019

I was just lurking on the local dealer sites and noticed a 2019 CB650R, but it didn't look like that Neo Sports Cafe one. Then I browsed the specs and noticed the R's have a 32 degree rake! I swear when I sat on a Neo Sports model it felt almost exactly the same as my 2018 F, only a little more wider(?) in the seat.

Anyone have the 2019 CB650R and straddled a 2018 CB650F and noticed a difference in the feel of the longer rake?

Enrico · Jun 10, 2019

'I was just lurking on the local dealer sites and noticed a 2019 CB650R, but it didn't look like that Neo Sports Cafe one.' - what did it look like ? The R has upside down forks and a round headlight.

Devilsfan · Jun 10, 2019

Enrico said:
'I was just lurking on the local dealer sites and noticed a 2019 CB650R, but it didn't look like that Neo Sports Cafe one.' - what did it look like ? The R has upside down forks and a round headlight.

It had the round headlight but, from the picture I was looking at, it appeared to have a BRIGHT red gas tank. I know those Neo Cafe's have a more darker-marroon'ish colored tank. I'll try to find the link.

***EDIT - I think you're right. This picture makes the tank look like it's brighter red but scrolling through the other shots I can see the darker red.

EnglishBikerDan · Jun 12, 2019

Yep, that's the new Neo Sports Cafe one. It does have a sporty feel to it!

Enrico · Jun 12, 2019

Is the neo sports café a special version of the latest CB650R , I thought they were all the same ?! Round headlight, upside down front forks,2 piece seat .

Sunde · Jun 12, 2019

All the 2019 CB's are the "neo sports" - there are no special versions, tho you can get some mods for a little extra cash.
Having ridden both my 2018CB and the 2019CB, around Jyllandsringen, i can comfortably say that there is little difference (performance wise). Personally felt the 2019 to be marginally easier to turn in, but my stock CB handled better mid corner. The 2019 felt kinda squirmy on the front when i started scraping the pegs, could just be the tires? But felt more like a suspension thing tbh.

Enrico · Jun 12, 2019

Sunde said:
but my stock CB handled better mid corner.

- but the 2018 CB650F and 2019CB650R are both stock aren't they ?!
Sounds like the CB650R upside down front forks aren't as good as the CB650F's front forks !

Sunde · Jun 12, 2019

They were both stock, yeah.
No idea if it was a matter of "x is better than y". Tbh i think both bikes with the same tires would have borderline identical lap times, hell maybe the front end felt like that because it was easier to push harder. I felt right at home coming from the 2018 CB (shocking i know).
The performance benefit from the previous gen is very much negligible i think, the looks are obviously different.

EnglishBikerDan · Jul 3, 2019

Sunde said:
All the 2019 CB's are the "neo sports" - there are no special versions, tho you can get some mods for a little extra cash.
Having ridden both my 2018CB and the 2019CB, around Jyllandsringen, i can comfortably say that there is little difference (performance wise). Personally felt the 2019 to be marginally easier to turn in, but my stock CB handled better mid corner. The 2019 felt kinda squirmy on the front when i started scraping the pegs, could just be the tires? But felt more like a suspension thing tbh.

It could well be the tyres, my 2019 CB650R feels a little unsure at times. I have the Metzeler Roadtec's on mine.