CBR650F review on Canada Motoguide

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I came across one (somewhat) negative review; I didn't save the link. The reviewer felt that the CBR650F is cammier than a twin, weak at lower revs, with a power surge just above 4K rpm. Maybe it was just a general bias on his part in favour of twins. ATM, I'm imagining this bike, the CB500x, the NC750x the DL650 or the Vulcan S as my next bike, sometime in the distant future. Something practical inside the city, but still comfortable enough for weekends on the highway.

(Edit...here it is: http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2015-honda-cbr650f-review and the sweet spot is above 7K rpm)
 
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Matt Rain said:
That's my favorite part about it. The world needs more big round old style headlights.
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And proper clocks. Not impressed by cheap "Bandai Handheld" instrument pods foisted on us by designers/accountants. The 650F is very similar to a CBR600 F3 from what I've read, so the insurers aren't that far off classifying it as a sporty bike. It has roughly the same power as the ZX6e too, which was definitely a sport bike.
 
I must admit, at first I didn't like the all digital gauges on the bike, but after having it a while they aren't bad. Granted I'd still take an analogue tach and digital MFD like the CBR600RR has any day of the week, but you can still read it in most lights. Adding a tinted screen made it even better than before.
 
DejaVu said:
I came across one (somewhat) negative review; I didn't save the link. The reviewer felt that the CBR650F is cammier than a twin, weak at lower revs, with a power surge just above 4K rpm. Maybe it was just a general bias on his part in favour of twins. ATM, I'm imagining this bike, the CB500x, the NC750x the DL650 or the Vulcan S as my next bike, sometime in the distant future. Something practical inside the city, but still comfortable enough for weekends on the highway.

(Edit...here it is: http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2015-honda-cbr650f-review and the sweet spot is above 7K rpm)
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Of course a twin will have more power down low...same could be said about a Ducati over the inline 4 competition. Personally I like the more linear powerband of the 4s, and the higher redline. Different strokes for different folks though. CBR650F definitely has more power than the CBR600RR down low though, but of course the engine on the 600RR outshines it in the higher rpm range.
 
I picked up a 2014 last winter, and put on 6K KM last season. I also ran into insurance issues, but did find three places with reasonable quotes. Johnson, Dalton Timmins, and Duffy. Basic coverage is 580 a year for me.

Handling seems just fine, and I'm far more comfortable in fast sweepers than on my old GS500F. Power, I have no complaints. Rolling along in first at 5k RPM, you can full throttle it without lifting the front wheel. Still feels like my brain is getting pushed back in my skull though. I agree with most of the reviews, it's very linear.

One major, and three minor disappointments for me though.
1) I do find the throttle handle vibrates more than I'd like, and can leave my hand and wrist a bit numb after 30 minutes. A bit from the right peg as well, but doesn't cause discomfort.
2) Mileage is about 5L/100KM at 110Km/H. I don't think I ever broke 300KM between fill ups. I'd be allot happier if it got closer to 350KM out of the 17L tank.
3) My knee's don't quite match up to where they have the grip pads for them. Instead they tend to rest on the corner of small plastic fairing piece. Might just need to adjust the pegs though.
4) Has a solenoid flapper in the exhaust system, which makes this odd clicking sound when you go between engine braking and accelerating at lower RPMs.

Overall I'm still happy with it, but I could make a strong case for the CBR500F over it.
 
Waiting for next year, maybe they'll release some normal colors :)
Black one would be nice, maybe I'd upgrade then, but with current colors I'd stay with my R3.
 
Golluk said:
I picked up a 2014 last winter, and put on 6K KM last season. I also ran into insurance issues, but did find three places with reasonable quotes. Johnson, Dalton Timmins, and Duffy. Basic coverage is 580 a year for me.

Handling seems just fine, and I'm far more comfortable in fast sweepers than on my old GS500F. Power, I have no complaints. Rolling along in first at 5k RPM, you can full throttle it without lifting the front wheel. Still feels like my brain is getting pushed back in my skull though. I agree with most of the reviews, it's very linear.

One major, and three minor disappointments for me though.
1) I do find the throttle handle vibrates more than I'd like, and can leave my hand and wrist a bit numb after 30 minutes. A bit from the right peg as well, but doesn't cause discomfort.
2) Mileage is about 5L/100KM at 110Km/H. I don't think I ever broke 300KM between fill ups. I'd be allot happier if it got closer to 350KM out of the 17L tank.
3) My knee's don't quite match up to where they have the grip pads for them. Instead they tend to rest on the corner of small plastic fairing piece. Might just need to adjust the pegs though.
4) Has a solenoid flapper in the exhaust system, which makes this odd clicking sound when you go between engine braking and accelerating at lower RPMs.

Overall I'm still happy with it, but I could make a strong case for the CBR500F over it.
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Just to add:

1. I've noticed the vibration in the bars as well, but actually don't find it that bad until I've bee riding 2-3 hours. Thankfully even when it happens if you can somehow take your hand off the throttle or hold it differently the numbness goes away quickly. I've thought about adding heavier bar ends but it hasn't been bad enough for me to do that yet.

2. I've been getting similar economy but you should be able to do over 300 if you really wanted to push it. Most times I top up around 280km, but remember even when the fuel light is flashing there are still 4L left in the tank...meaning almost 100km further range. I'd estimate around 350-370km would run her bone dry if you weren't playing MotoGP racer. Also, I've noticed even when pushing the bike the fuel economy doesn't change that much...which is nice.

3. My knees are ok, but I did add Tech-Spec side pads to the tank which make a world of difference. I had them on my CBR250RA and missed them for the first year I had the CBR650F. Added bonus they also protect the tank from scratches/wear from your knees and pants.

4. I really hate this too...to be honest, one of the weakest points of this bike is the sound. At low speeds she sounds a little untuned due to that solenoid, and at higher speeds she still is fairly quiet (almost sounds like a turbine). I'd love to add the Akra to the bike, but given it needs a full system (exhaust is 1 piece so no slip ons) I just can't justify the price for better noise and maybe a 2-4hp gain.
 
Matt Rain said:
Speaking of the SV, I think the new one is downright gorgeous.

Ivz5av7.jpg
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Funny, I thought it looked pretty good when I saw it at the show. Great dimensions for smaller stature / female riders. But the way it is shown here I don't like the look of it at all. Maybe just the angle.

I'll be more interested when they take some of the improvements and bring them to the next gen V-Strom 650.

As for the Honda, is it just me or do they have way too many very similar bikes to keep them all straight?
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