Honda CB650F Bike Overview
The Honda CB650F is a bike with attitude. Compared to the old model, it is far sportier and we really like it.
The bike feels light and agile, with a real aggressive riding position which puts you right up and over the front of the bike. It is not uncomfortable though and can feel quite pleasing to ride in most conditions. Also, if you want to ride the CB gently, you can. It can ride no problem on low revs, but for a real thrill you’ll want to open this up on the open road.
The build quality of this bike is good for what is essentially a budget bike. The styling is modern and feels fresh. Other budget middleweight bikes, such as the Z650, will get a good run for their money with this bike. It is priced around the same but possibly has a better chassis.
This bike unfortunately lacks a digital gear indicator, which we feel it really does need. ABS is standard – which is great. You won’t lose money with this bike. With the Honda name to it, it is bound to last you a long time and can hold its value.
Honda CB650F Bike Spec
- Top speed135mph
- Engine16v DOHC
- Weight208kg
- Average fuel consumption51mpg
- Capacity649cc
- Seat height810mm
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Honda CB650F Bike Gallery
Owner Reviews
Pros
The best thing about my bike is how flattering it is to my riding, its so easy to ride and put Into corners it would make even the most novice rider look like a pro.
Cons
I wish it had adjustable upside down front forks, so I could customise it a bit more for my riding style.
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Nice upright comfortable cruising position but still allows room for putting your head down and making progress
Fantastic build quality as you would expect from Honda. Great attention to detail and an awesome bike to ride. Feels really well put together.
Best brakes ive ever had on a bike, massive front disks. Perfect powerful stopping power
Excellent ride quality, front forks dive a little for my liking but nothing you don't get used to very quickly
Plenty of low down torque and once you get it up the rev range it just keeps on pulling. Very quick bike for a 650. No complaints
I average around 60mpg on a run, really cant complain. I'm sure it will do far more if ridden more economically
Pros
The fun factor. It'll easily cruise at speed on a motorway and just makes me feel alive on my favourite twisties.
Cons
As of now definitely a slightly more comfortable seat that would save me some money not having to invest in another one.
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The seat is comfortable until about an hour and a half into the ride, I'm looking at getting some gel padded seats for it but these can but up to £400. Pillion seat is comfortable but my pillion felt like they were going to slip off at 70mph on the motorway. I have invested in a puig screen as this has helped with the wind buffering as there can be some at high speed.
Very well built only had it a month, so no breakdowns or faults as of yet.
Very powerful brakes, I've had to brake sharply due to being pulled out and the ABS system kicked in and didn't feel like it wanted to snatch the brakes away from me. It comes with nissin brakes as stock.
Very smooth throttle response. The slipper assist clutch is very smooth, the only thing I would say it needs is definitely is a quick shifter would make it 10 times more fun. Weighs 202kgs but once you're going it feels like it weighs nothing, easy to whip around and corners absolutely beautifully.
Coming from a 125 to this much more powerful bike the power difference is insane. Although being only 22 at the time meaning I've had to have the bike restricted to be A2 licence compliant the bike gives so much power and I can only dream of what it'll be like unrestricted.
I fill up the tank once I get down to 1 bar of fuel, I can get a range of 150 miles on a full tank however this will most likely increase once I have the bike de restricted as Honda say an estimated range of 180 – 200 miles on a full tank. A full tank normally costs me just under £12 from Shell and a similar price from BP. However the higher performance fuel is around the £18 mark for a full tank.
Pros
The way it sounds.
Cons
Could do with a windscreen.
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Seat is kind of small but good enough.
It's a Honda, build quality if phenomenal.
Amazing brakes, the abs system is really nice.
Beautiful handling from this machine.
Nice mid to high range power.
She's dirt cheap to run 250 milesish to a full tank.
Pros
Comfortable, easy, well balanced and awesome looking bike. I personally love the naked style of bikes and this vehicle doesn't let me down. A perfect bike for the newly passed offering great handling, speed and stability. A real contender for the mid-range CC catalogue of available bikes on the market.
Cons
Front headlight could do with being xenon like the driving side lights. Personally I'd also swap the horn and beam-main-beam toggle for the headlights.
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VERY responsive even at speed, very well balanced
It being a 650 and shuntinig the power to the lower end of the rev-counter brings much enjoyment and great pickup - of course there's room for more CC and with it, this bike would be perfection
Front headlight could do with being xenon like the driving side lights. Personally I'd also swap the horn and beam-main-beam toggle for the headlights.
The bikes like a tank, it's solid, no faff, just awesome
Very good braking, balanced, reliable and smooth
Pros
Great first big bike due to power delivery. Amazing at commuting around town with filtering. Honda quality giving you piece of mind. 2016 colour schemes are stunning and turns heads. All rounder that is great fun to ride. Front screen for extra wind protection on faster roads.
Cons
Temp gauge.
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Great ride quality considering it doesn't have adjustable front forks. Power delivery is silky smooth with linear delivery giving power low to mid range.
Great power all round. Fantastic first bike as the power is predictable once you are used to it. Enough power to have fun around town commuting and fab for a blast on the weekend.
Temp gauge.
Honda so quality is very high.
As expected. ABS is a great addition and works well.
Pros
From the moment I picked the bike up I've just wanted to ride it. Cornering even in the wet feels great and just the solid comfort of it makes the bike feel safe in all weather conditions. As my first bike I am loving it. I just love getting on it even for the short journey to work. I get on and off it with a smile!
Cons
The only thing I would change is the headlight bulb. The light cluster has a couple of led lights and it would just top it off if the main headlight was an led as well.
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This bike loves corners or maybe that's just me but it rolls really well and feels light switching from one turn to another. The gears are easy and change with little need for the clutch and it handles like a dream.
The bikes power is everything I need and as I'm still new to riding I've not opened it up but I can feel it wanting to give me more!!
The only thing I would change is the headlight bulb. The light cluster has a couple of led lights and it would just top it off if the main headlight was an led as well.
I've only had the bike for a month but in that time it's always started straight away and feels goof and well built.
The bike comes with ABS braking which I've not had to use but it stops well with a firm feel to the brakes
Pros
The overall design, build and performance of the bike combine to make this CBR my favourite yet. It is smooth, economical and feels extremely safe with the addition of ABS. Overall a fantastic sports tourer. I particularly love the looks of this model. Just look at the pictures! I took this bike to the Picos mountains in Spain last year with two friends who road much faster and more expensive bikes; a Ducati Monster and an Aprilia RSV4. Although their bikes were obviously quicker, my bike more than held its own, particularly on the tight hair pins where the Honda's superb handling and cornering came into its own.. Also I had to visit the garage on far fewer occasions! I love this bike!
Cons
The instrument cluster and clocks are a little sparse and could possibly be deemed 'tacky'. A gear position indicator would also be a great addition. But I'm being picky!
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Honda have done a few things with the design of the CBR650F and the rotation of the engine by 30 degrees and a longer stroke means that power is applied throughout the rev range and the ride seems somehow much smoother than any of my previous bikes. The bike is light and responsive and corners beautifully. I am of average height, build and weight and this bike is so easy to handle for me. I love the ride and the smooth power application, there is no 'fighting' the bike to get what I want out of it. Superb!
Honda's changes to the CBR650F include a longer stroke by rotation of the engine by 30 degrees forward, and upping the engine by 50cc to give a little extra grunt. The changes would not seem major, but the overall effect is very noticeable. The engine is super smooth and quiet and power is available throughout the rev range, as mentioned previously. You do not have to wait for things to happen by pushing the rev needle all the way to the top of the clock!
The instrument cluster and clocks are a little sparse and could possibly be deemed 'tacky'. A gear position indicator would also be a great addition. But I'm being picky!
The CBR650F feels strong and is typically Honda; I thought there may be some issues as it is built now in Thailand, but I've had it almost a year and nothing has gone wrong and the build quality matches that of any Japanese built model I've owned previously.
The addition of ABS to the baseline model has filled me with confidence when I ride this bike. Braking is smooth and even and I have no trepidation going into corners. Front and rear 'wavy' disks are stunning in terms of looks as well!
Pros
Cheap to buy, looks good and Honda reliability.
Cons
this is my first big bike after riding scooters. It is confidence inspiring and handles great, ABS has saved me on a few occasions. I would definitely recommend this bike to new riders.
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this is my first big bike after riding scooters. It is confidence inspiring and handles great, ABS has saved me on a few occasions. I would definitely recommend this bike to new riders.
Pros
The colour and the beautiful noise coming from the inline 4
Cons
The wind blast at motorway speeds
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The wind blast at motorway speeds
Pros
Perfect bike for your first big bike in my opinion, Nice and cheap to run and easy to ride. What more do you want? Honda do some great deals I've got this on a PCP deal and I'm only paying £10 a week. Bargain!
Cons
If I'm honest I can really think of any cons. Wold be nice if it sounded a bit better. Can always put a different exhaust system on I suppose.
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As a fairly new rider this bike is easy to ride. The weight is easy enough to handle and it goes through the bends with no worries at all.
The engine is plenty powerful enough for me. Had a ride out with a friend on a 750 sports bike and had no problems keeping up. It has me holding on for my life when I give the throttle a good turn.
If I'm honest I can really think of any cons. Wold be nice if it sounded a bit better. Can always put a different exhaust system on I suppose.
No problems so far although I've only done 1700 miles on it from new. The gearbox can sound and feel a little clunky at times although I don't really have that much to compare it to.
Braking is great. Had to grab a handful a couple of times when I'm apparently invisible to pensioners in cars. Great when diving into corners and getting back on the gas. No complaints.
Pros
It is fast, comfortable without pillion, with good breaks, good build and strong style.
Cons
Easy adjust clutch
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Can't compare it. 1st bike
Best in class
Easy adjust clutch
Pros
The looks alone are what made me jump at it, sleek but at the same time a little evil and boisterous. Again as it's my first big bike I can't fault it. It does what you ask of it.
Cons
Front forks need to be firmer as previously stated and a maybe a better rear brake line for when city riding at slow speeds for just that extra little feeling of control. Great introduction to riding a big bike, with more that enough bang for your buck for a mid size naked bike from one of the big manufacturers.
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I'm 6ft and the peg placement is great didn't feel any need to stop and stretch every so often. It weight at 209 kgs it is very nimble and easy to ride. Would recommend for anyone looking for their first big bike and riding from central Scotland to York for a course was amazingly easy, even as a naked bike.
I'm only an A2 licence holder so don't have the poor thing at its potential but it still accelerates like a little whippet and gets to the speeds you need.
£12 on average to fill up on premium unleaded gives an average range of 120-40 miles, in the case of taking the revs to the max on each gear and sitting on the motorway the revs sit high so used the fuel much more than expected when sitting in 6th gear.
The only thing I feel that let's it down is the front forks, they're alright for just riding around town. As soon as you take it out for on the country roads it feels like it dips far too low and makes breaking a little harder that I feel it should.
The back break as with any bike is has a minimal impact on the bike as it is small and the line is very soft and stretched easily. The double disks have a great stopping distance but could be shorter if the forks were stiffer.
Pros
Good for all levels of experience. Fun with it. Looks great. Performs well. Well built at a good price.
Cons
Haven't found anything yet
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Great, and forgiving, first bike. Engine braking is a bit "heavy"
A good all-rounder
Cheap as chips
Great look and feels well made.
Back break is weak but front does the job
Pros
Looks well .brakes are amazing handles great
Cons
Standard exhaust could be a little louder ... if I'm picky indicator switch is in wrong place I have hit the horn couple of times
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Falls into corners .very well balanced machine ..quick enough on the roads .excellent bike really smooth pulls away in 6th at low revs
Brilliant performance only 92bhp .ideal for novice and mature riders
Even when your playing in the twisties still returns 50mpg steady runs I have seen 65mpg
Early days yet only done 2000 miles on her ..no warranty issues as yet .I was a little concerned when I bought the bike as this model is made in Thailand
Brilliant brakes best brakes I've ever had and ABS is brilliant
Pros
Cheap but powerful.
Cons
Ride height.
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Very smooth and nice sound.
Mid range power
Cheap but effective.
Solid but durable.
Great breaking power.