2018 Honda CB 650F

Honda’s newest middleweight naked bike is powered by a compact 649cc inline four-cylinder engine that provides a satisfying rush of power and torque while emitting a throaty growl through beautiful side-swept exhaust headers (a Honda signature) and a single, organically shaped, under-swingarm muffler. With minimal bodywork, the view of the handsome engine and twin-spar frame is unobstructed. Suspension comprises a Showa Dual Bending Valve fork and adjustable shock, and both the headlight and taillight feature LED bulbs. All three brake rotors are wave-style, the dual 320mm front discs being squeezed by Nissin calipers. Longer rides are made comfortable by the sporty-yet-natural riding position and a rubber-mounted handlebar.

The full-fairing sibling of the naked CB650F, the CBR650F touts an unorthodox 650cc displacement size that offers a great mix of midrange torque and low reciprocating mass, earning the model praise as a powerful, nimble midsized four-cylinder sport bike that’s ideal for a broad spectrum of users, from weekend canyon carvers to weekday commuters. The competitively priced CBR650F benefits from a number of revisions, including enhanced power via updated intake stacks and muffler changes that also deliver an improved sound. The gear ratios have also been revised for improved acceleration feel. The fork is now a Showa Dual Bend Valve unit that has better damping action for more comfort over varying road conditions, and the headlight now has LED bulbs. Rounding out the changes are L-shaped air valves on the wheels to simplify air-pressure adjustment. While the sporty bodywork provides wind-cheating aerodynamics, strategically placed windows offer peekaboo views of the handsome cylinder bank and sculpted exhaust headers.

The 649cc engine gets an extra 4bhp at peak, taking it up to perfectly useable 89.8bhp at 11,000rpm. The increase – which Honda say is most apparent from 5000rpm upwards – is due to new intake and exhaust flow management: shorter air intake funnels feed four 32mm throttle bores from a down-flow airbox (which itself draws through larger intake ducts) and in turn the side-swept CB400-aping 4-1 exhaust now employs a dual-pass internal structure (rather than triple-pass) in the muffler, reducing back pressure – before belching its gasses from a larger end can exit.

Overview

What makes motorcycles special? Where do you even start! For one thing, what you see is what you get. With a bike, nothing’s hidden under a hood or behind doors. And that’s especially true of a “naked” bike, a machine where you can see the engine and the frame and just about everything else.

Bikes like these make sense—they’re light and elemental and pure. And they can also be a ton of fun. Especially a machine like the all-new 2017 Honda CB650F.

While you may not have seen this machine before, we’ve been refining it for several years over in Europe. Now it’s your turn, and like a European supermodel, the CB650F is honed, toned and gorgeous.

We started with the engine from our popular CBR650F. Offering an 11,000 rpm redline, we gave it shorter gear ratios to ensure some rigorous acceleration through the midrange. Revised intakes and a free-breathing exhaust mean more peak power too. In short, it’s a blast to ride. And check out those 4-into-1 exhaust pipes—a styling touch to one of the most iconic Hondas ever, the CB400F Supersport.

Genuine middleweight four-cylinder motorcycles are an important Honda tradition, and bigger isn’t always better. With the new CB650F you get more of what matters – performance, acceleration, style and handling ability – without adding weight or cost.

Power Up!

The 649cc engine uses a compact internal architecture, stacked six-speed gearbox and starter/clutch layout with the cylinders canted forward 30°. The DOHC 16-valve cylinder head employs direct cam actuation with a 11.4:1 compression ratio.

Good Bones

The CB650F’s steel diamond frame features twin 64mm x 30mm elliptical spars. They’re stiffer around the headstock and more flexible in the middle of the spars to deliver balanced handling characteristics with high levels of feedback.

New Showa Fork Technology

A brand-new 41mm Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) fork improves ride comfort and handling. It delivers proportional rebound damping with firmer compression damping as the travel increases.

Information Central

The dash offers twin digital screens. On the left are the rev-counter and speedometer; on the right are a fuel gauge, clock, odometer and the warning lights. Both sides are lit by a white backlight.

A distinctive presence

This motorcycle has real pulling power.

The CB650F delivers the kind of enjoyable performance, acceleration and handling that will never fail to make you smile. Its looks are striking; most dominant are the sinuous exhaust pipes that sweep down, then up and around the four-cylinder engine where they let out a deep growl. Pure Honda.

A beauty of a beast

Take a closer look at the finer details of the CB650F – they’ll make your heart thump a little bit faster.

Pure muscle

Engine casings are finished in an attractive, satin bronze coating. They not only contrast with the imposing black, DOHC engine, they highlight the CB650F’s super sport connection with Honda’s racing heritage.

Seeing clearly

The clear-lensed LED headlights illuminate the darkest roads and city streets. The rear taillight is also LED to improve visibility and is positioned high for that uncompromising streetfighter look.

Easy information

Keep up to speed with what’s going on underneath and around you. This simple, twin digital screen, with a white back light, means you won’t miss a thing: rev-counter, speedometer, fuel gauge, clock, odometer and warning lights are all clearly displayed.

Stop sure

The CB650F has revised two-piston Nissin front calipers that squeeze 320mm wavy discs. With two-channel ABS as standard, they provide strong braking power and confidence in all conditions. A single-piston rear 240mm disc is at the rear.

Shaped to ride

The seat has been created with a narrow middle section, this is not only good for rider movement around town, but helps ground reach when you’re on and off the pegs in traffic. For comfort, it’s been designed to sit on rubber mounts to minimise any vibration.

Hard style

Pared back and hard, the smaller side cowls highlight the angular fuel tank and show much more of the muscular engine. The headlight cowl has been drawn in tighter, with sharper angles presenting a hard-edged appearance.

A fine balance

Fully adjustable front and rear suspension by Showa.

This suspension system is fully adjustable and can be tweaked to suit all road and riding conditions.

Front fork

The CB650F has a 41mm Dual Bending Valve type fork that provides excellent control. Incorporating a free valve structure that progressively increases the amount of damping according to the road conditions – there is no limit to how much the compression damping can be reinforced. This simple, innovative technology – a world first – delivers superior performance levels that are equivalent to cartridge type suspension units, but in a lighter package.

Rear shock

Underneath the seat is housed a single-tube, monoshock suspension unit with 7-stage spring preload adjustment. It the works directly on the neatly curved, gravity die-cast – for stability and strength – aluminium swingarm.

A black, rear swingarm matches perfectly with the finish of the cast alloy wheels.

Beautifully powered

A compact 649cc engine that’s smooth in every sense.

The sleek and lithe profile of a street fighter, with exquisite hollow section 6-spoke cast aluminium wheels.

The CB650F’s (EURO4 compliant) engine now develops 67kW @ 11,000rpm. This is down to a new intake and exhaust system with shorter air intake funnels linked to a down-flow airbox. Together with a 4-1 exhaust, with a larger muffler outlet, you can hear the power as well as feel it.

A body of steel

The CB650F is built around a steel diamond frame, which incorporates twin 64mm x 30mm elliptical spars. A rigid balance specifically tuned to deliver delightful handling with high levels of feedback. Rake is set at 25.5° and trail is 101mm for good straight-line stability. The wheelbase is 1,450mm – short and sweet – for excellent turn-in performance.

Revisiting an air-cooled era, the gorgeous chrome exhaust pipes are reminiscent of the stunning 1970’s CB400 Four.