Honda has launched the CBR650R in India and priced it at Rs 7.70 lakh. The middleweight, fully-faired motorcycle makes its way to India as a replacement to the recently discontinued CBR650F (that retailed at Rs 7.37 lakh) and has substantially more on offer. The 650R will be available at 22 Honda Wing World dealers, and one recently opened BigWing dealership in Gurugram.
The CBR650R was first revealed at EICMA 2018 and represents a rather significant evolution over the 650F. Honda also recently discounted the CBR600RR in international markets leaving a void in its middleweight, supersport segment. The CBR650R fills this void; the ‘R’ suffix denotes an increased focus on sportiness.
Powering the Honda CBR650R is a 649cc, inline, four-cylinder engine, which – mirroring other premium Honda bikes in India – has been detuned to better suit our riding conditions. The India-spec 650R produces 88.4hp at 11,500 rpm and 60.1Nm at 8,000rpm. Meanwhile, the international-spec engine produces 95hp at 12,000rpm and 64Nm of torque at 8,500rpm. The CBR650R also features a slipper clutch and Honda’s version of traction control – Honda Selectable Torque Control System (HSTC). The system also allows for traction control to be turned off, completely.
Suspension duties are handled by a 41mm Showa USD fork and a monoshock. The front brakes consist of four-piston calipers working with 310mm twin discs, while the rear brakes consists of a single-piston unit and a 240mm disc. The 650R also comes equipped with dual-channel ABS. Minor frame revisions in the form of updated pivot plates, engine hangers and seat rails are among other changes, which have resulted in a kerb weight of 210kg; 6kg less than its predecessor.
From a visual standpoint, the new bike differs significantly from the CBR650F as well. The new Honda CBR650R looks a lot like the Fireblade, the brand’s flagship supersport. Honda has equipped the new bike with Fireblade-inspired LED headlights and a new full-LCD instrument cluster. The riding position is sportier too, with further rear-set foot pegs and clip-ons that have been moved forward by 30mm.
The 2019 Honda CBR650R will be available in two colours – Grand Prix Red and Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic. At Rs 7.70 lakh, the 650R offers more than the 650F did, with added electronics, a slightly more powerful engine and revised styling. Another key factor that makes the CBR650R a desirable motorcycle is the fact that it is the only fully-faired, middleweight, inline-four motorcycle in the country, at this price point. The closest motorcycles, in terms of competition, are the Suzuki GSX-S750 (Rs 7.46 lakh), the Kawasaki Z900 (Rs 7.70 lakh) and the Ninja 650 (Rs 5.89 lakh), all of which are very different motorcycles in terms of intent.
(All prices are ex-showroom, pan-India)
Azaman Chothia
