Honda FMX 650 Supermoto

The Honda FMX 650 Supermoto was built from 2005 to 2007 at the Spanish Honda plant in Montesa under the model code RD. The engine of the FMX 650 is a wind-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine of the type RFVC and was already used in this form in the Honda NX 650 Dominator . In the FMX 650, the engine equipped with four radially arranged valves is installed with a catalytic converter and a displacement of 644 cm³. The rated output of 28 kW (38 hp) is at a speed of 5,750 rpm, and the maximum torque of 52 Nm is achieved by the FMX 650 at 4,500 rpm. An unregulated catalytic converter complies with the emission standardEuro-2, but only with a loss of performance, and thus the 44 hp that the engine in the Dominator from 1988 achieved are no longer achieved. Equipped with an electric starter and a 5-speed gearbox, the FMX 650 revs up even at low to medium revs and consumes between 4 and 8 liters per 100 kilometers, depending on the driving style.

Overview

With the FMX 650 Honda has made supermotard fun and games accessible to a lot more people. Gone are the days where you had to buy expensive wheels with your XR enduro to get a Honda supermotard. True, the ultimate is still a CRF with supermoto wheels. But FMX 650 is not about ultimate performance, it’s about honest and cheap fun.

Ever since Honda launched the FMX last year I have wanted to ride it. Not because it is the most powerful or the lightest supermoto. Just for the fact Honda has finally made one that actually looks good. Our test bike is fitted with a few extras from Acerbis and a tattoo sticker kit. The hand guards from Acerbis are on Honda’s accessories list along with the sticker kit. It is a cheap way of transforming your standard FMX into a more mean looking street wise bike.
This bike is from Honda Europe and I have 200 gruelling miles of mostly motorways ahead of me before I can have some fun in the twisties back home. And let me tell you straight away that it is no fun riding on full throttle for many miles on a big single. Vibrations, no acceleration, no wind protection and poor fuel range from a tiny fuel tank.

But it is only transportation and I guess it beats the same journey I did on a MZ 125 SM last year. As with any supermoto the bends need to be as tight as possible. Instant torque from the big single is available and the Pirelli MTR 01 tyres provide all the grip the FMX needs to stop and accelerate quickly. As a stop and go bike nothing beats a supermoto and that is why, along with the narrow design and low weight, they are perfect for riding in towns and city centres. The long wheel travel and good ground clearance makes sure those pavement edges can be tackled easily as well. The FMX 650 was never going to be comfortable, but compared to the hard core supermotos from KTM or Husqvarna the FMX seat is more humane. Seat height is 875mm.

The engine is a single cylinder air cooled four stroke of 644cc. Power output is a moderate 37bhp whilst emphasis is on torque where a decent 52,3Nm is available at only 4,500rpm.

The engine feels totally out of breath when keeping the throttle open above this. There is no rev counter on the FMX, but you notice that torque is all you have got to play with. Which is always fun, but in fourth and fifth gear there is no kick from the engine. Given these limitations, I prefer to stay on the twistiest roads and in town. And the FMX does not disappoint on the B-roads. Good grip and moderate power me

Source Motards-online.com