HONDA
This could be the middleweight of the year…
By transferring the style of the excellent CB1000R to the humble competence of the CB650F, Honda have created a potential winner. Obviously a few of the CB1000R’S touches have been dropped in the name of price – there’s no single-sided swingarm, fewer brushed aluminium panels and no machining on the cylinders – but quality looks good. Besides styling, the CB650F’S already sound mechanicals have been improved too. The frame has been revised, saving 5kg, and the engine has been tweaked. Revised intake and exhaust ports, new cam timing and an increased compression ratio boosts power by 4bhp to 90bhp and Honda claim there’s stronger torque in the midrange. The engine now revs to 12,000rpm, an extra 1000rpm compared to the CB650F. The only bit we are really not sure about is the new riding position, which has been made more aggressive – the bars are 13mm further forward and 8mm lower while the footpegs are 3mm further back and 6mm higher. Here’s hoping that doesn’t make it off-puttingly cramped…
Bike says: ‘Honda have created a potential winner’