Had mine almost a year and done over 8k miles on it and for my first big bike it's amazing, it may not be the fastest in that engine bracket but it's handling and stability are what make it dream to ride for me as a relatively new rider
Definitely rode the first time in a very long time at a Honda training centre in Melbourne. Witches hats, emergency breaking. Highest mortality rate is amongst mature age riders who haven't ridden for a long time and hopping on a large capacity bike. Good to do a refresher coarse - these people are very good.
I have a 2016 model. Took it to The Bol D'or soon after i bought it. Back through France, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. Economical with a great tank range and a reasonable amount of power. Use it every day to commute work. A great little bike imho.
Good review as always.....lets face it, 650cc 90bhp, more than enough for todays roads, my 18yr old 750f Suzi only has that and I can't use most of that without loosing my ticket or life....modern bikes,smooth, quick, brakes, reliability, usable, put the key in and ride, massive choice, it's a good time to ride these days! Keep up the good work son!
I had one of these for 2 months as a courtesy bike after an accident last year and was very impressed with it, nice power throughout the rev range, comfortable and looks good for a pillion. When you did the walk around I had a smile. I would have one for sure if I had the money. Great review of what I considered a great bike :)
Another excellent bike for someone who is just getting into motorcycling or returning to motorcycling. These midsize bikes inspire confidence and they have enough horsepower and are comfortable enough to commute to work or do an all day ride on. Another reason to own one is the cost - they are affordable for most people. By the way, I am still recovering from my health issue - got another 8 weeks to go - and your videos help pass the time. Looking forward to your reviews on the Kawasaki and Triumph.
The last time I was on a CB650F I was doing 3 days of training followed by my mod1 and mod2 tests. They had been a bit ragged but they are easy to ride and make a great first bike, training bike and commuter bike. For me though a bit on the dull side against other options on the market.
Hi Flyer, well priced for a Honda 4 cylinder. The 600 engine was bullet proof, this has same bore with longer stroke and detuned should last ages! Come on Honda l'm a "Hornet" not a number, let's give more bikes names 👍
I bought one of these when I passed my test, great bike to start on couldn't fault it at all really, I'm a massive sports bike fan so the cb650f ended up being swapped for a fireblade which is a lot more exciting all round.
I´m getting myself my own 2018 version of this bike tomorrow and your video just reminded me how stoked i am to ride it! Really really apreciate such a calm video.
I’m glad you done this review. I don’t think many people are aware of the raft of changes for the 2017 model so well done on pointing it out. Lots of small changes that made a big difference! Only thing it’s lacking is a gear position indicator imo. The CB650F is my first big bike and I think it was and great choice. Very easy to ride and forgiving but still has plenty of poke. As many of its rivals are now twins (SV, MT07,Z650) the 4cyl engine still has the upper hand.
I've had the US version (2018 model) since last October. It's a very nice bike if you want something usable in pretty much any sitaution. My take on the CB650F is this: Weight: Feels right. It is balanced well. The CG is low making it stable. It doesn't feel heavy at low speeds either; very manueverable in parking lots. Easy to walk it around if you need to park it somewhere tight. Handling: Surprisingly good for a bike that's billed as a commuter / general purpose. Comparing it to a supersport is pretty dumb, so people who do that don't ride and/or don't know what they're talking about. In its class, it's one of the best. Appearance: I love the looks. The headers are very distinct and the overall styling is great without being over-the-top in any way. You could probably shed a few lbs by swapping the exhaust, but there are no aftermarket exhausts that look as good as stock. Only change I made was a tail tidy. Controls: All work fine. I swaped the levers to adustable ones. One complaint is the turn signal on mine gets stuck sometimes when trying to activate it. Fuel: I got about 38 MPG average, and after adding a windscreen, 40 MPG. I highly recommend a windscreen, it improves comfort at high speeds. Comfort: As for riding position, very good and non-fatiguing. No complaints. The seat is uncomfortable and should be replaced with something better, or re-padded. After about an hour of riding my back starts to hurt...fortunately the seat is easy to swap. Overall: I wanted a 4-cyl with about 100 HP, and I wanted one with a purpose-built swingarm rather than tubular steel junk (matters more than most think). I didn't want a liter bike or a sportbike because I wanted to be comfortable riding around. The CB650F was 95% what I wanted and I got a good deal on it. Yes, it has a hydroformed aluminum swingarm which you'd find on any high performance bike. It seems to be rare; I've yet to see another rider on a CB650F and I've seen many riders. Great bike for anyone, whether you're just getting started or are a seasoned rider looking for something with more utility than a sportbike and just about as much fun.
Great vid I am seriously considering one of these for my daily commute to work. I think it’s probably the only four cylinder bike that is left in this class now
I think you're right about that. There aren't too many 4-cyl 600 class bikes on the market. That was one of the primary reasons I had no problem paying more for the CB650F over the 2-cyl options from other manufacturers. Get a CB; you won't be disappointed.
The CB650F isn't heavy at all. It's not lightweight like a CBR600RR, but it's perfectly easy to handle it at both high and low speeds. Gear indicator can be added on aftermarket if you really want one. I agree they are handy to have but I've been riding fine without one.
So glad you have reviewed this bike as I own the previous model CBF600N8 and I've ridden this new version from HGB in Ruislip Manor, and I agree with everything you've said 😁👍. So now I know I can trust your reviews 😂 ! Last year I hacked it back on the motorway from Seville to Santander on day one (600 miles) and then on day two to Hertfordshire (800 miles) at a steady 85mph with no aches or pains, and of course it never missed a beat. 59,000 miles, never a problem and still going strong - it's a Honda!
TheMissendenFlyer . No, I rode their black CBR650F, because as you say they're the same other than the raised clip-ons and the fairing. I found out that I am now too old for clip-ons and the screen is ineffectual. I was also surprised that the extra 15 bhp and 50cc from my version made no discernible difference, which I assume is mainly down to Euro4 compliance.
Before this bike, Honda were making the 102BHP Hornet 600 which was very very fast as well as the detuned and 76hp CBF600 which is still quite fast and very comfortable on a motorway or a fast road. They discontinued both these bikes in 2014 and then brought out the CB650f which is about halfway between the two bikes in almost every way and spec. Makes sense because the Hornet was overkill and the CBF600 (which I have) is bland in style and unpopular as a model in general. Nice review, might even get one in a year or two.
Judging from the video, this bike appears really well designed. Purposeful and refined. More so to me than the twin cylinder MT-07. Great impression review of what appears to be a very sensible bike. Thank you, TMF for bringing us this one!
I test rode one of the older ones 2 years ago before I bought a Street Triple. I remember it being boring. Now that my Triumph has been stolen I tried the newer CB650 today. It's improved a lot! I think the biggest disappointment last time was the noise, this year's version though sounds like a proper inline 4! If I buy it I suspect I will use a lot of fuel.
I think it might be a great last big bike too... The only other 4 cylinder bike I had was a HONDA Pan European ST1300 which had an amazing V4 engine. At 208 kg wet (Triumph always give dry weights remember) it is worth having that weight to have a 4 cylinder....
Lovely bike. Nice and light. Simple. Little screen for touring. Perfect. Ideal do everything bike. Probably even better down light trails than some of the bid adventure stuff. Like it a lot and great noise too.
Just bought a 2018 reg and she’s gorgeous as soon as I saw her I fell in love , thank you for the video as your the only one on RUclips that’s done a decent job of a review for it 😊
TMF - You continue to pump out engaging, comprehensive reviews that give off a warm friendly vibe. So thank you for that sir! I want to add - My opinion of Honda motorcycles is fairly conflicted. I've only ever had the privilege of riding one motorcycle: My friend loaned me his 2012 Honda CBR250R for a summer a couple years ago, I learned how to ride it within 5-10 minutes I was on the road able to proceed from a stop at a stop sign on a steep incline, I consider(ed) myself a natural but maybe Hondas are just that user friendly? Anyway, at this time I'm not a proud owner of a motorcycle of any kind but I rode that CBR non stop that summer and I (cautiously) consider myself a fairly adept rider and fairly, if I'm honest, a theoretical nerd when it comes to the industry and all its offspring. Honda confuses me though, I am drawn to the quality of materials, excellence of build, design purity (of some) and burnished reputation for bullet proof reliability yet it seems they constantly lag behind the competition performance wise as well as market progression.. i.e. Honda probably won't pursue the 400cc 'beginner class' engine size any time soon and if they do chances are it will be outgun or matched, performance wise by the presumably-obsolete-by-then Yamaha YZF-R3. It's as if Honda assumes it's customer base and potential customer base doesn't want to see Honda engage in any performance wars. Perhaps for the sake of reliability? Safety? I don't know. Surely Honda has the capability to meet or exceed competitions performance benchmarks, why not go for it? Rant over, thanks TMF look forward to more reviews and first impressions! Cheers
I've just bought one of these after passing my test yesterday - I was going for the Street Triple R but after speaking to your friends at Principal Insurance (where I dropped your name of course) and having a good laugh at the quotations (£2000 plus) I decided I should opt for something a little more insurance friendly for the first proper bike. It was either this or the Suzuki SV650 but after watching your review on this one, and checking out the resaleability of both, the Honda certainly holds its value better. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into the videos they make for great watching!
I really like inline fours and the Honda 650F. A real quality piece. I do wish it had belt drive. You mentioned the “white van” issue in London traffic. Here in Florida, near Tampa, it seems that every fourth vehicle is a pickup truck pulling a trailer with lawn equipment. Thanks again. Ride safe.
I had the 2015 Tri-colour CB650FAE for about 18 months before upgrading to my MT10. The CB is a lovely bike for day to day and if you don't mind ringing it's neck you can have a fun weekend blast too. I removed the stock exhaust for a full de-cat system and it was very loud... always got heads turning. A little screen goes a long way for wind removal and also makes it look better. I'd recommend one for a first "big bike".
Hey TMF, I owned the CB650F for two years from 2015 when it was first launched before changing to the Triumph T120. I can say after two years of ownership it was a cracking bike, super reliable, usual excellent build quality from Honda and a great commuter but most of all it was masses of fun. Once I'd got rid of the awful stock tyres and fitted Pirelli's plus a tail-tidy Saturday rides out with my mates were a hoot. They all had Street Triples but my Honda kept up without any problem Cornering was excellent and lovely creamy power delivery. She stood up to two winters of daily commuting 50+ miles and I got a very good price at the trade-in. Thanks again for a great review.
Paul what tyres do you recommend for someone getting this bike in a few weeks? UK ish climate here in Denmark, i like going fastish in the corners and not dying in the rain... !
Hi HappyOwl, I had Pirelli's fitted (the stock tyres were awful) and they really sorted the bike out. I rode it through a whole summer & winter (UK temperate climate) with no issues and great road handling. Best of luck.
It's funny, but with all the twins and triples around these days, it's still the in-line fours you hear missing gears in the bypass on a Sunday morning. Long may it continue.
I just took delivery of a 2018 matt black cbr 650f. My first big bike. Maybe because its new but im finding it buzzy on the hands and the seat. I does need to be revved to get the most from the engine but a very comfortable and well made bike
Great review - thanks. Picked mine up from the dealer yesterday and very pleased with it. I had the NC750S but that gave no grin factor, where as this one does. Looked at several in this category but plumbed for this due to personal preference. Now to get some miles covered 😃. Cheers for the review.
I have CB500F 2017 year,i hope the next big bike is cb650f 2018! Because both bikes is so beautifull and so power,cb500f is so easy to driving,nice sound engine and i hope my future bike cb650f is better than cb500f :)
Nodded off for a few seconds and then woke up with a jump, just as that Nissan Note started to wander. I thought he was going have us both off the bike! Lol.
I have the 2016 model and have covered just under 3k from new in all weather and it's a dream for the daily commute, the suspension could be a little better but this is a great bike and very forgiving
Great review TMF. I had the Hornet as my first big bike which was mostly used for commuting, and it really was a quality bike, never let me down, like yourself not sure about headlights transformer looks but for a new rider sure you can't go wrong with this in your garage.
In your opinion: Is there a significant difference between them? I am searching for a used one and the 2017 models are 800€ - 1000€ more expensive than the 2014 models. I am trying to find out , if the update is worth the money. I could only test ride the 2014 model. Really liked it.
I had a yellow Hornet all those years ago..............considered a big bike then..................600cc bikes these days are "just" mid-sized..........how things change! Great review yet again.
Brilliant review once again TMF :) lovely engine noise when you parked it up to do the walkaround, it's got a lovely deep rumble about it. Those front brakes are bigger than on my Versys 1k!ahah
Five answers that require no questions. 1. Dallas, 22 November 1963 2. Neil Armstrong, 21 July 1969 3. 93,000,000 miles 4. Christopher Columbus, 1492. 5. 5'8"
You mentioned that the CB650F was an A2 bike in the clip and this is true, provided you apply a restriction accessory kit that cuts the power in half! The standard 90 bhp bike is full (i.e. A) licence stuff. For the avoidance of doubt, the A2 criteria after passing the test is: No more than 35kW (47bhp) and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2kW/0.26bhp per kg with a MINIMUM weight of 175kg to stop say the lightweight 250s busting a hole through the legislation. I understand the old 650F couldn't be restricted but helpfully, this one officially can.
Kevin: my reading of the regs is that the 175 kg minimum weight applies only to bikes at the maximum 35 kW power output, and not to all A2 bikes: 35/175=0.2. Bikes making less power can be lighter. Take the KTM Duke 390, 149 kgs dry, about 165 wet, with 32 kW gives a fraction under 0.2 kW/kg.
Hi Christopher: Yes I understand that's correct so if you want to ride a bike using the full 47 bhp then it will need to come in with a minimum kerb weight of 175 kg. And the other side of the coin therefore is that some lightweight bikes with less than 47bhp are not A2 legal. Going back to the Honda, I wonder what a restricted CB650F feels like in practice?
Great review, I've ridden this bike in London and loved it, so much fun. TMF, looking forward to the CB1000R Neo café racer... when it's out that is. I'll be looking for that review👍
hi Mr Flyer. recently did ie mid March, a 1700 mile tour of northern Spain on a 2015 model of this bike covering from 180 to 350 miles per day. bike was not tiring to ride over long distances and I could achieve just about 200 to a tank, depending on roads and riding style. also as I am just about 5ft 7 with 30 inseam its one of the few bikes I feel comfortable on, as always great and informative vid
I just spent the day on one of these practising for my mod 1. Great bike with a nice chunky feel. Plenty of power, however the 2015 one I had vibrated like a mother. First thing I did when I got on there was toot the horn because it's swapped with the indicators, then the first thing I did when I got back on my KTM was toot the horn again!
I've been riding the cbf125 I'm doing my bike test soon. Wanting the same sort of bike but faster. I loved how quiet this was in the review, also the same shape as my loved cbf125. Looks like this will be my next step into the biking world. Thanks
A really good looking bike! Like that a lot! As ever, great review! There are so many good bikes and I think almost anything will be great, so it really is down to the smaller things that are personal taste in these things, like aesthetics.
I am looking to move from my gsx1250fa to a smaller bike more suited to my commuting needs. I tried a honda cb500 but found the difference a bit too much, but noticed this in their showroom. I intend having a test ride next week and am doing a bit of research and found your video most helpful, Thanks
The only gripe i have with my 2017 CBR650F is i find 6th gear ratio is still rather short i find myself on a faster piece of road, trying to click up another gear. And the lack of gear position indicator dont help somtimes with the gearbox being close ratio. But other than that its fine.. exhaust note / induction roar is nice but its my first big bike so cant compare to much anyhow.
I rode both the cb650f and the CBR650F. Ended up buying the cbr prefer the riding position of the faired version. Really don’t think you need more power it has enough to overtake and to have fun without being stupid.
A nice practical lightweight machine for everyday use, with enough power for some out of town weekend fun. A fair new price and being a Honda you know the finish will probably outlast the lesser quality brands. I agree that it would look better with a round headlight and what is the purpose of those ugly black things attached to each side of the tank? The relatively minimal electronic package means it should help hold its second-hand value too, as when they go wrong they are often difficult to diagnose and expensive to replace. Many modern bikes are scrapped when they go beyond economic repair. I think Honda is on to a winner here, as a kind of slightly upmarket, ever popular, Suzuki Bandit. Another a great review.
It will be nice if they update it again with a gear indicator. For the price you're paying it would be a nice thing to have, I would consider this bike or even the GSXS-750 but this is more practical with a large tank too.
The issue I take with bikes like this, and this isn’t the bikes fault of course, is euro 4. For whatever reason and to my ear the 4cyl bikes seem to have suffered the most. It took until 4 minutes until I heard this bike. Not for me this one but it certainly serves a purpose.
Nice review TMF! I learnt to ride on a 2003 plate bandit 600S and then owned a 2000 plate Bandit 600 for a year and a half. I can confirm that this bike rides like a dream in comparison. It felt like a modern bandit to ride, but one that *felt* lighter at lower speeds (it isn't), started on cold mornings and hadn't been dropped 650 times. There are a few negative...ish reviews about it online (e.g. buzzy engine, naff LCD screen, BHP is alledgedly quite a bit less than 90). What I would add is that if you had learnt on a bike like the old bandit, then you might not even notice any of these points. You might just love it. I didn't read any reviews until after my test rides and was quite surprised!
I was surprised how much I liked Joy and Martin's little Hornet hire bike. Loads of fun at more sane speeds. The exhausts on this remind me of the old Honda 400 four. Think the main disappointment is the sound this and most of the other Euro 4 machines make #sewingmachine
Agree about the headlight should have been round, And a Decent seat for a 2up I hate those seats where you can only get a peanut on instead of the Mrs,,
Good to Know ,,its on my possible List ,, but i do like the CB400Sf better, but the 2018 price rise has blown that out of the list ,, im in the philippines
Another great review. Any chance of you getting hold of a CCM? I love the fact that you review the full range of bikes in various CC's. I would love to see a review if the CCM GP 450 Adventure as well as the Spitfire models (although I believe they are like hens teeth).
Another great review..I am a Honda fan and I love 4 cylinder bikes BUT this is hugely dull looking..does nothing for me but am sure it's a lovely bike.
Now its even harder to choose which one to buy. Mt07, sv650, z650, or cb650f. Beginner rider here just looking for an upgrade this year. 95% will be using the bike for commute., in town lots of traffic and stop light. Minimal highway/freeway ride. Please advice.
I've heard you mention not owning an in-line 4 a few times in your reviews. I'm expecting a comments kicking for this but from my experience I'd say don't buy one to add to your twins/triple stable unless it's for track days. I've owned just one; a Yamaha FZ1n which I had at the same time as an MT03 single and a Street Triple about 8-10 years ago. After the initial buzz of riding the new FZ I found I would always end up taking out the MT despite the woeful power comparison on paper or the Street Triple. I just found the in-line 4 engine too bland compared to the other two engines and from 0-60 there really wasn't much between them in acceleration either. We all know the 4s have all their power hiding so far up the rev range that you have to be in a certain type of mood (read 'risk losing yer license mood') to really get the most out of them.....even when they've been re-tuned as most of the nakeds have been. Singles, twins and triples (and V4s like my lovely old duffer of a VFR800 pre-vtech thingy) on the other hand; masses of torque right where you want it for the street. Perfect.
I have it, like it BUT: 1. No gear indicator, I would really like one 2. No helmet lock, I would like to have one if not two 3. No center stand, just a side stand 4. No temperature gauge I got Honda after having Yamaha FZ6 for 5-6 years. Yamaha had a most of those things that make life easier
Found this video very useful, have been looking for my first larger cc bike, as my test is not too far away now. Must admit i prefer the cb650r as looks go, able to add matching panniers. Think 90 bhp is as you say going to be just right for newbies like myself, downside for me is the price, which is slightly more expensive than some other models i have been looking at, but definitely one on the short list.
Nice vid MrF and what a lovely day for a ride. Totally agree with your conclusion, great bike for younger riders and commuters. Bit less intimidating than the Street Triple I’d imagine. And a 4 cylinder is definitely lovely to ride. You haven’t tried the Aprilia V-4 Tuono yet, right? That may be interesting!
TheMissendenFlyer ok....I’ll write a snotty letter to Aprilia UK and ask them why they they don’t let motovloggers test their bikes. Might sell a few more! I’ll let you know what the reply is! 😉
...actually that's not actually the case, I know "Lamb Chop Rides" has borrowed a couple in the past so it must be possible....I just need to get off my backside and write to the right man....
TheMissendenFlyer you’d have to find the right dealer who keeps enough bikes in stock.....not all of them do it seems......try LambChops dealer.....look forward to it and good luck! 👍.
Love the microfone on the video when you riding the motorcycle any chance you can share it us about it... Im new in the motorcycling so sorry if its strange questions....
Not really - ruclips.net/video/5LMdzIXTv50/видео.html . Over 4 seconds slower on a 1 minute lap. The new engine has a much wider usable rev range and the brakes are better. The geometry, balance is also improved I guess. Anyway, a significant advantage on track. This 'old Hornet was superior...' mantra is a myth.
Something seriously wrong there. How can the hornet be slower than a CBR500, and a KTM390? They have half the power. Must be a very small track. Almost like a gocart track.
Bernard Velkaverh dude that source material is not trustworthy. I don't care how much more "usable power" it has, the old Hornet weighed a solid 25-30 kg less than the 650f, had 15 more peak hp (which is the main hp you use on track), better suspension, and is generally much better in corners. The 650F is very stable in corners, but it is severely lacking in ability to shift its weight left and right. It likes to lean down and stay there, which is no good on most tracks.
Lol I just watched the video you linked to.. That rider, he treats it like the FZ07 he rode before it. Wtf, keeps it around 6k rpm most of the time when he gets on the throttle on corner exits. He has a racing suit, but he sure as hell doesn't look like he knows what he is doing. I imagine that all the parallel twin bikes had a distinct advantage mainly because he could not ride a high rpm peak powered bike. He could have been at least 1 gear lower in all the corners, was literally dragging the Hornet's ass out at every corner exit when trying to accelerate at 6k to peak. wtf.
25-30 kg less - you shouldn't compare dry and wet weight. wet vs wet is about the same. Better suspension -not sure where this comes from? This new (2018) one even has SDBV. USD fork is just more a bit more rigid under braking doesn't damp better. Engine - they have same max torque but at different revs (8k vs 10,5k). I think even when pushing hard on track, you'll be accelerating out of corners bellow 8k, so 650f should do better out of the corner and 600F should gain back on longer straights. As noted before, 650F also has bigger brakes. Compared to it's competition at the time, the old hornet was definitely a superior machine. It was also more premium. I think this is where this general impression comes from. But the old and the new head to head...
I made my full license on the Cb650f, super friendly and its also easy going in traffic but one must be careful if he/she is in the short inseam side as the bike in opinion feels heavy in slow maneuvers. My complaints are for that ugly front headlight with those big indicators, the instrumentation looks outdated and the lack of upside down forks. I only wish they use the same platform and make it to look as the cb1100x
Hey TMF, have you considered a different route from Ruislip. Try Breakspear Road to Harefield and then either turn left onto the High Street followed by Church Hill and then onwards to Denham or turn right into Rickmansworth Road and head back that way. If your going through the High Street, give me a wave. Keep up the good work. Smiffy
There are a lot of comparisons between this and an MT07. I've considered both, but side by side they're not that similar. This Honda is longer, wider, quite a bit heavier and has a 20% stronger engine. The seat is also more comfortable and a pillion is able to join you even for some longer distances. The little Yamaha ... if you're 6 feet + it feels almost like a toy, cramped riding position, the seat is hard, suspension can only put up with a very limited load. But if you're smaller and lighter MT07 might be right up you're sleeve and CB's extra weight might bother you in the twisties. Looking at the details, build quality, apart from the basic dashboard, Honda is in a different league IMO.
Had mine almost a year and done over 8k miles on it and for my first big bike it's amazing, it may not be the fastest in that engine bracket but it's handling and stability are what make it dream to ride for me as a relatively new rider
amongst the Japanese manufacturers atleast, this is the fastest in the 650 class.
Definitely rode the first time in a very long time at a Honda training centre in Melbourne. Witches hats, emergency breaking. Highest mortality rate is amongst mature age riders who haven't ridden for a long time and hopping on a large capacity bike. Good to do a refresher coarse - these people are very good.
I have a 2016 model. Took it to The Bol D'or soon after i bought it. Back through France, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.
Economical with a great tank range and a reasonable amount of power. Use it every day to commute work.
A great little bike imho.
Good review as always.....lets face it, 650cc 90bhp, more than enough for todays roads, my 18yr old 750f Suzi only has that and I can't use most of that without loosing my ticket or life....modern bikes,smooth, quick, brakes, reliability, usable, put the key in and ride, massive choice, it's a good time to ride these days! Keep up the good work son!
I had one of these for 2 months as a courtesy bike after an accident last year and was very impressed with it, nice power throughout the rev range, comfortable and looks good for a pillion. When you did the walk around I had a smile. I would have one for sure if I had the money. Great review of what I considered a great bike :)
Another excellent bike for someone who is just getting into motorcycling or returning to motorcycling. These midsize bikes inspire confidence and they have enough horsepower and are comfortable enough to commute to work or do an all day ride on. Another reason to own one is the cost - they are affordable for most people. By the way, I am still recovering from my health issue - got another 8 weeks to go - and your videos help pass the time. Looking forward to your reviews on the Kawasaki and Triumph.
Hope you get back up on your feet soon Ray - all the best - TMF
The last time I was on a CB650F I was doing 3 days of training followed by my mod1 and mod2 tests. They had been a bit ragged but they are easy to ride and make a great first bike, training bike and commuter bike. For me though a bit on the dull side against other options on the market.
What are you comparing it to that you conside rto be better than the CB650F?
Hi Flyer, well priced for a Honda 4 cylinder. The 600 engine was bullet proof, this has same bore with longer stroke and detuned should last ages! Come on Honda l'm a "Hornet" not a number, let's give more bikes names 👍
I agree!
I bought one of these when I passed my test, great bike to start on couldn't fault it at all really, I'm a massive sports bike fan so the cb650f ended up being swapped for a fireblade which is a lot more exciting all round.
I´m getting myself my own 2018 version of this bike tomorrow and your video just reminded me how stoked i am to ride it! Really really apreciate such a calm video.
Brilliant- enjoy!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Rode it for about 100km today. Great great experience! Gonna hope for nice weather next week :D
I’m glad you done this review. I don’t think many people are aware of the raft of changes for the 2017 model so well done on pointing it out. Lots of small changes that made a big difference! Only thing it’s lacking is a gear position indicator imo. The CB650F is my first big bike and I think it was and great choice. Very easy to ride and forgiving but still has plenty of poke. As many of its rivals are now twins (SV, MT07,Z650) the 4cyl engine still has the upper hand.
Yes I tend to agree - although I have the SV650 at the moment and I have to say it has a cracking twin engine....
I've had the US version (2018 model) since last October. It's a very nice bike if you want something usable in pretty much any sitaution. My take on the CB650F is this:
Weight: Feels right. It is balanced well. The CG is low making it stable. It doesn't feel heavy at low speeds either; very manueverable in parking lots. Easy to walk it around if you need to park it somewhere tight.
Handling: Surprisingly good for a bike that's billed as a commuter / general purpose. Comparing it to a supersport is pretty dumb, so people who do that don't ride and/or don't know what they're talking about. In its class, it's one of the best.
Appearance: I love the looks. The headers are very distinct and the overall styling is great without being over-the-top in any way. You could probably shed a few lbs by swapping the exhaust, but there are no aftermarket exhausts that look as good as stock. Only change I made was a tail tidy.
Controls: All work fine. I swaped the levers to adustable ones. One complaint is the turn signal on mine gets stuck sometimes when trying to activate it.
Fuel: I got about 38 MPG average, and after adding a windscreen, 40 MPG. I highly recommend a windscreen, it improves comfort at high speeds.
Comfort: As for riding position, very good and non-fatiguing. No complaints. The seat is uncomfortable and should be replaced with something better, or re-padded. After about an hour of riding my back starts to hurt...fortunately the seat is easy to swap.
Overall: I wanted a 4-cyl with about 100 HP, and I wanted one with a purpose-built swingarm rather than tubular steel junk (matters more than most think). I didn't want a liter bike or a sportbike because I wanted to be comfortable riding around. The CB650F was 95% what I wanted and I got a good deal on it. Yes, it has a hydroformed aluminum swingarm which you'd find on any high performance bike. It seems to be rare; I've yet to see another rider on a CB650F and I've seen many riders. Great bike for anyone, whether you're just getting started or are a seasoned rider looking for something with more utility than a sportbike and just about as much fun.
Wow - thanks for that!
Great vid I am seriously considering one of these for my daily commute to work. I think it’s probably the only four cylinder bike that is left in this class now
I think you're right about that. There aren't too many 4-cyl 600 class bikes on the market. That was one of the primary reasons I had no problem paying more for the CB650F over the 2-cyl options from other manufacturers. Get a CB; you won't be disappointed.
whats so good about 4-cyl?
Jesus MLG They run smooth and have a broad torque curve with high HP, and they sound great.
But the CB650F is extremely heavy and doesn't have a gear indicator :(
The CB650F isn't heavy at all. It's not lightweight like a CBR600RR, but it's perfectly easy to handle it at both high and low speeds. Gear indicator can be added on aftermarket if you really want one. I agree they are handy to have but I've been riding fine without one.
This is the bike my driving school used as a training bike. I liked it. It's a solid, useful bike. Good for beginners and commuters alike.
Cheers Zea....
So glad you have reviewed this bike as I own the previous model CBF600N8 and I've ridden this new version from HGB in Ruislip Manor, and I agree with everything you've said 😁👍. So now I know I can trust your reviews 😂 !
Last year I hacked it back on the motorway from Seville to Santander on day one (600 miles) and then on day two to Hertfordshire (800 miles) at a steady 85mph with no aches or pains, and of course it never missed a beat. 59,000 miles, never a problem and still going strong - it's a Honda!
Wow, that's quite a ride!! I wonder if this was the same bike you rode from HGB??
TheMissendenFlyer . No, I rode their black CBR650F, because as you say they're the same other than the raised clip-ons and the fairing. I found out that I am now too old for clip-ons and the screen is ineffectual.
I was also surprised that the extra 15 bhp and 50cc from my version made no discernible difference, which I assume is mainly down to Euro4 compliance.
Before this bike, Honda were making the 102BHP Hornet 600 which was very very fast as well as the detuned and 76hp CBF600 which is still quite fast and very comfortable on a motorway or a fast road. They discontinued both these bikes in 2014 and then brought out the CB650f which is about halfway between the two bikes in almost every way and spec. Makes sense because the Hornet was overkill and the CBF600 (which I have) is bland in style and unpopular as a model in general. Nice review, might even get one in a year or two.
Had a chance to ride one of these today for a few hours.
What an improvement over the older model!
This bike is not replacing the Hornet, it’s been tuned to have more urban usable engine. The hornet is constantly asking to be reved up.
I've waited you so long to review this machine. Thank you!
Sorry for the long wait!
Judging from the video, this bike appears really well designed. Purposeful and refined. More so to me than the twin cylinder MT-07. Great impression review of what appears to be a very sensible bike. Thank you, TMF for bringing us this one!
You’re welcome
This is an excellent review. Far superior to others I have seen and I've just bought one of these.
Thank you!
I test rode one of the older ones 2 years ago before I bought a Street Triple. I remember it being boring. Now that my Triumph has been stolen I tried the newer CB650 today. It's improved a lot! I think the biggest disappointment last time was the noise, this year's version though sounds like a proper inline 4! If I buy it I suspect I will use a lot of fuel.
Sorry to hear about your Street Andrew :0(
TheMissendenFlyer so was I. I want another Street Triple really but feel I should take the opportunity to try what's out there.
just a quickie haha, if you leave it in gear longer and take it closer to redline it actually goes, feels like a vtech
This is my learner bike. I love it!!
I think it might be a great last big bike too... The only other 4 cylinder bike I had was a HONDA Pan European ST1300 which had an amazing V4 engine. At 208 kg wet (Triumph always give dry weights remember) it is worth having that weight to have a 4 cylinder....
Wall-E inspired clocks :)
Lovely bike. Nice and light. Simple. Little screen for touring. Perfect. Ideal do everything bike. Probably even better down light trails than some of the bid adventure stuff.
Like it a lot and great noise too.
Yes that sound is addictive....
It's nice bike, in looks, sound, weight and handling. I like especially that Honda managed to get an inline 4 in at that weight.
Just bought a 2018 reg and she’s gorgeous as soon as I saw her I fell in love , thank you for the video as your the only one on RUclips that’s done a decent job of a review for it 😊
Glad I could help and congratulations on the new bike!
@@TheMissendenFlyer thank you !
Thanks for the review. As a satisfied Honda owner - NC750S - and fan of naked middleweights, I might get one of these as my next bike.
TMF - You continue to pump out engaging, comprehensive reviews that give off a warm friendly vibe. So thank you for that sir!
I want to add - My opinion of Honda motorcycles is fairly conflicted. I've only ever had the privilege of riding one motorcycle: My friend loaned me his 2012 Honda CBR250R for a summer a couple years ago, I learned how to ride it within 5-10 minutes I was on the road able to proceed from a stop at a stop sign on a steep incline, I consider(ed) myself a natural but maybe Hondas are just that user friendly? Anyway, at this time I'm not a proud owner of a motorcycle of any kind but I rode that CBR non stop that summer and I (cautiously) consider myself a fairly adept rider and fairly, if I'm honest, a theoretical nerd when it comes to the industry and all its offspring. Honda confuses me though, I am drawn to the quality of materials, excellence of build, design purity (of some) and burnished reputation for bullet proof reliability yet it seems they constantly lag behind the competition performance wise as well as market progression.. i.e. Honda probably won't pursue the 400cc 'beginner class' engine size any time soon and if they do chances are it will be outgun or matched, performance wise by the presumably-obsolete-by-then Yamaha YZF-R3. It's as if Honda assumes it's customer base and potential customer base doesn't want to see Honda engage in any performance wars. Perhaps for the sake of reliability? Safety? I don't know. Surely Honda has the capability to meet or exceed competitions performance benchmarks, why not go for it? Rant over, thanks TMF look forward to more reviews and first impressions!
Cheers
Thanks for the kind words Danny - stay tuned!
I've just bought one of these after passing my test yesterday - I was going for the Street Triple R but after speaking to your friends at Principal Insurance (where I dropped your name of course) and having a good laugh at the quotations (£2000 plus) I decided I should opt for something a little more insurance friendly for the first proper bike. It was either this or the Suzuki SV650 but after watching your review on this one, and checking out the resaleability of both, the Honda certainly holds its value better. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into the videos they make for great watching!
Enjoy Iain, and I think you made the right choice - make the Street Triple your second bike...
I really like inline fours and the Honda 650F. A real quality piece. I do wish it had belt drive. You mentioned the “white van” issue in London traffic. Here in Florida, near Tampa, it seems that every fourth vehicle is a pickup truck pulling a trailer with lawn equipment. Thanks again. Ride safe.
Yes I'd heard that about Florida before Jeff, must make a note to self.....
I had the 2015 Tri-colour CB650FAE for about 18 months before upgrading to my MT10.
The CB is a lovely bike for day to day and if you don't mind ringing it's neck you can have a fun weekend blast too.
I removed the stock exhaust for a full de-cat system and it was very loud... always got heads turning. A little screen goes a long way for wind removal and also makes it look better.
I'd recommend one for a first "big bike".
Full system, tail tidy and bar end mirrors.... awesome bike!
Hey TMF, I owned the CB650F for two years from 2015 when it was first launched before changing to the Triumph T120. I can say after two years of ownership it was a cracking bike, super reliable, usual excellent build quality from Honda and a great commuter but most of all it was masses of fun. Once I'd got rid of the awful stock tyres and fitted Pirelli's plus a tail-tidy Saturday rides out with my mates were a hoot. They all had Street Triples but my Honda kept up without any problem Cornering was excellent and lovely creamy power delivery. She stood up to two winters of daily commuting 50+ miles and I got a very good price at the trade-in. Thanks again for a great review.
Thanks for the real world feedback, all the best - TMF
Paul what tyres do you recommend for someone getting this bike in a few weeks? UK ish climate here in Denmark,
i like going fastish in the corners and not dying in the rain... !
Hi HappyOwl, I had Pirelli's fitted (the stock tyres were awful) and they really sorted the bike out. I rode it through a whole summer & winter (UK temperate climate) with no issues and great road handling. Best of luck.
It's funny, but with all the twins and triples around these days, it's still the in-line fours you hear missing gears in the bypass on a Sunday morning. Long may it continue.
You sir do the best bike reviews on RUclips
Very kind of you to say so, thank you.....
I just took delivery of a 2018 matt black cbr 650f. My first big bike. Maybe because its new but im finding it buzzy on the hands and the seat. I does need to be revved to get the most from the engine but a very comfortable and well made bike
Great review - thanks. Picked mine up from the dealer yesterday and very pleased with it. I had the NC750S but that gave no grin factor, where as this one does. Looked at several in this category but plumbed for this due to personal preference. Now to get some miles covered 😃. Cheers for the review.
Enjoy David!
I have CB500F 2017 year,i hope the next big bike is cb650f 2018! Because both bikes is so beautifull and so power,cb500f is so easy to driving,nice sound engine and i hope my future bike cb650f is better than cb500f :)
Nodded off for a few seconds and then woke up with a jump, just as that Nissan Note started to wander. I thought he was going have us both off the bike! Lol.
I have the 2016 model and have covered just under 3k from new in all weather and it's a dream for the daily commute, the suspension could be a little better but this is a great bike and very forgiving
A friend rides one and seems a great bike. Was disappointing to find the exhaust is one piece from the headers to silencer
Great review TMF. I had the Hornet as my first big bike which was mostly used for commuting, and it really was a quality bike, never let me down, like yourself not sure about headlights transformer looks but for a new rider sure you can't go wrong with this in your garage.
I have the CBR650F & I agree with this review great work as usual by TMF keep up the great work!
I'm glad we concur!
had a 2014 and now have the 2017 bike. no regrets.........dave :)
In your opinion: Is there a significant difference between them? I am searching for a used one and the 2017 models are 800€ - 1000€ more expensive than the 2014 models. I am trying to find out , if the update is worth the money. I could only test ride the 2014 model. Really liked it.
Thanks for respecting the hearse.
I had a yellow Hornet all those years ago..............considered a big bike then..................600cc bikes these days are "just" mid-sized..........how things change! Great review yet again.
I know, nuts isn't it....
yeah, but its smaller brother, the cb500f, has speed striped as a graphic, and has we know having those make it goes way faster
Don't slate the 500, it's a brilliant little bike
Brilliant review once again TMF :) lovely engine noise when you parked it up to do the walkaround, it's got a lovely deep rumble about it. Those front brakes are bigger than on my Versys 1k!ahah
Five answers that require no questions.
1. Dallas, 22 November 1963
2. Neil Armstrong, 21 July 1969
3. 93,000,000 miles
4. Christopher Columbus, 1492.
5. 5'8"
Another great every man review, well done fella. 👍🏻
Thank you....
Those clocks looked desperately cut price though and next to the characterful 650 twins this does sound bland.
You mentioned that the CB650F was an A2 bike in the clip and this is true, provided you apply a restriction accessory kit that cuts the power in half! The standard 90 bhp bike is full (i.e. A) licence stuff.
For the avoidance of doubt, the A2 criteria after passing the test is:
No more than 35kW (47bhp) and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2kW/0.26bhp per kg with a MINIMUM weight of 175kg to stop say the lightweight 250s busting a hole through the legislation.
I understand the old 650F couldn't be restricted but helpfully, this one officially can.
Kevin: my reading of the regs is that the 175 kg minimum weight applies only to bikes at the maximum 35 kW power output, and not to all A2 bikes: 35/175=0.2. Bikes making less power can be lighter. Take the KTM Duke 390, 149 kgs dry, about 165 wet, with 32 kW gives a fraction under 0.2 kW/kg.
Hi Christopher: Yes I understand that's correct so if you want to ride a bike using the full 47 bhp then it will need to come in with a minimum kerb weight of 175 kg. And the other side of the coin therefore is that some lightweight bikes with less than 47bhp are not A2 legal.
Going back to the Honda, I wonder what a restricted CB650F feels like in practice?
Great review, I've ridden this bike in London and loved it, so much fun. TMF, looking forward to the CB1000R Neo café racer... when it's out that is. I'll be looking for that review👍
i saw it in our honda dealer on saturday, that thing is gorgeous. and they made the 125 version spankingly attractive
hi Mr Flyer. recently did ie mid March, a 1700 mile tour of northern Spain on a 2015 model of this bike covering from 180 to 350 miles per day. bike was not tiring to ride over long distances and I could achieve just about 200 to a tank, depending on roads and riding style. also as I am just about 5ft 7 with 30 inseam its one of the few bikes I feel comfortable on, as always great and informative vid
Wow - 200 miles is pretty useful! Thanks for watching.....
I just spent the day on one of these practising for my mod 1. Great bike with a nice chunky feel. Plenty of power, however the 2015 one I had vibrated like a mother.
First thing I did when I got on there was toot the horn because it's swapped with the indicators, then the first thing I did when I got back on my KTM was toot the horn again!
I ride it, everyday. And I really like it, each day a little more. Thanks for the review.
You're welcome...
I've been riding the cbf125 I'm doing my bike test soon.
Wanting the same sort of bike but faster.
I loved how quiet this was in the review, also the same shape as my loved cbf125.
Looks like this will be my next step into the biking world.
Thanks
Thanks for watching and good luck with your test Tristan!
Just bought a CBR650F Tri-Colour........it’s fantastic
Glad you're liking it!
A really good looking bike! Like that a lot! As ever, great review! There are so many good bikes and I think almost anything will be great, so it really is down to the smaller things that are personal taste in these things, like aesthetics.
Exactly right Vernon - thanks for watching once again....
I am looking to move from my gsx1250fa to a smaller bike more suited to my commuting needs. I tried a honda cb500 but found the difference a bit too much, but noticed this in their showroom.
I intend having a test ride next week and am doing a bit of research and found your video most helpful, Thanks
Wish they brought back the Hornet, in my opinion better styling and more power!
I like the bronze on some of Honda's motors.
The only gripe i have with my 2017 CBR650F is i find 6th gear ratio is still rather short i find myself on a faster piece of road, trying to click up another gear. And the lack of gear position indicator dont help somtimes with the gearbox being close ratio. But other than that its fine.. exhaust note / induction roar is nice but its my first big bike so cant compare to much anyhow.
“Ahhhhhh the white van man”
Im finding myself say that now when im behind one
I really like your revues. Thanks for doing them.
You're very welcome Don - thanks for the kind feedback.....
I rode both the cb650f and the CBR650F. Ended up buying the cbr prefer the riding position of the faired version. Really don’t think you need more power it has enough to overtake and to have fun without being stupid.
100% agreed.....
A nice practical lightweight machine for everyday use, with enough power for some out of town weekend fun. A fair new price and being a Honda you know the finish will probably outlast the lesser quality brands. I agree that it would look better with a round headlight and what is the purpose of those ugly black things attached to each side of the tank? The relatively minimal electronic package means it should help hold its second-hand value too, as when they go wrong they are often difficult to diagnose and expensive to replace. Many modern bikes are scrapped when they go beyond economic repair. I think Honda is on to a winner here, as a kind of slightly upmarket, ever popular, Suzuki Bandit. Another a great review.
Cheers Geoff...
Andy - thanks so much for the great review - so much in fact, I now own one of these.
It will be nice if they update it again with a gear indicator. For the price you're paying it would be a nice thing to have, I would consider this bike or even the GSXS-750 but this is more practical with a large tank too.
The issue I take with bikes like this, and this isn’t the bikes fault of course, is euro 4. For whatever reason and to my ear the 4cyl bikes seem to have suffered the most. It took until 4 minutes until I heard this bike. Not for me this one but it certainly serves a purpose.
is euro 4, Hi Please could you tell us the difference - Euro 4 (Motos) made. No need to explain ABS
thanks mate for another great review,,watched so many,looked at so many,but now bought blue 2018,,,keep em coming
Congratulations Paul!
Nice review TMF! I learnt to ride on a 2003 plate bandit 600S and then owned a 2000 plate Bandit 600 for a year and a half. I can confirm that this bike rides like a dream in comparison. It felt like a modern bandit to ride, but one that *felt* lighter at lower speeds (it isn't), started on cold mornings and hadn't been dropped 650 times. There are a few negative...ish reviews about it online (e.g. buzzy engine, naff LCD screen, BHP is alledgedly quite a bit less than 90). What I would add is that if you had learnt on a bike like the old bandit, then you might not even notice any of these points. You might just love it. I didn't read any reviews until after my test rides and was quite surprised!
When I clicked through to this video, I didn't expect to see you driving through where I live haha.
I was surprised how much I liked Joy and Martin's little Hornet hire bike. Loads of fun at more sane speeds. The exhausts on this remind me of the old Honda 400 four. Think the main disappointment is the sound this and most of the other Euro 4 machines make #sewingmachine
Agree about the headlight should have been round, And a Decent seat for a 2up I hate those seats where you can only get a peanut on instead of the Mrs,,
The Fly depends on the size of the wife😅
I'm a solid 6 tall and my wife is a 5.5, it's like sitting on a couch for both of us.
Good to Know ,,its on my possible List ,, but i do like the CB400Sf better, but the 2018 price rise has blown that out of the list ,, im in the philippines
Great test ride again Sir. Very thorough on the spec side. Cheers Dave
Thank you....
Another great review. Any chance of you getting hold of a CCM? I love the fact that you review the full range of bikes in various CC's. I would love to see a review if the CCM GP 450 Adventure as well as the Spitfire models (although I believe they are like hens teeth).
I’d love a go on one of the new CCMs - as you say, hens teeth!
A grand more than my 10 yr old gs....seems like good value for a brand new ujm.
Another great review..I am a Honda fan and I love 4 cylinder bikes BUT this is hugely dull looking..does nothing for me but am sure it's a lovely bike.
It rides beautifully, but I agree the looks aren't anything special...
I think the faired version looks better than this naked version.
Yeah seems a nice bike, sounds reasonably priced, if was looking for a new bike, would be one to consider.
Now its even harder to choose which one to buy. Mt07, sv650, z650, or cb650f. Beginner rider here just looking for an upgrade this year. 95% will be using the bike for commute., in town lots of traffic and stop light. Minimal highway/freeway ride. Please advice.
My SV650 reviews are coming soon.....stay tuned! ;0)
I've heard you mention not owning an in-line 4 a few times in your reviews. I'm expecting a comments kicking for this but from my experience I'd say don't buy one to add to your twins/triple stable unless it's for track days. I've owned just one; a Yamaha FZ1n which I had at the same time as an MT03 single and a Street Triple about 8-10 years ago. After the initial buzz of riding the new FZ I found I would always end up taking out the MT despite the woeful power comparison on paper or the Street Triple. I just found the in-line 4 engine too bland compared to the other two engines and from 0-60 there really wasn't much between them in acceleration either. We all know the 4s have all their power hiding so far up the rev range that you have to be in a certain type of mood (read 'risk losing yer license mood') to really get the most out of them.....even when they've been re-tuned as most of the nakeds have been. Singles, twins and triples (and V4s like my lovely old duffer of a VFR800 pre-vtech thingy) on the other hand; masses of torque right where you want it for the street. Perfect.
I have it, like it BUT:
1. No gear indicator, I would really like one
2. No helmet lock, I would like to have one if not two
3. No center stand, just a side stand
4. No temperature gauge
I got Honda after having Yamaha FZ6 for 5-6 years. Yamaha had a most of those things that make life easier
Found this video very useful, have been looking for my first larger cc bike, as my test is not too far away now. Must admit i prefer the cb650r as looks go, able to add matching panniers. Think 90 bhp is as you say going to be just right for newbies like myself, downside for me is the price, which is slightly more expensive than some other models i have been looking at, but definitely one on the short list.
Exciting times getting your first "big" bike...enjoy and ride safe!
Good looking proper motorcycle. Good work, Mr Flyer !
Thanks again ! Mr Honda does it again for value for money and reliability.... I would fit a small fly screen as a useful addition ....
Nice vid MrF and what a lovely day for a ride. Totally agree with your conclusion, great bike for younger riders and commuters. Bit less intimidating than the Street Triple I’d imagine. And a 4 cylinder is definitely lovely to ride. You haven’t tried the Aprilia V-4 Tuono yet, right? That may be interesting!
Correct - sadly I don't have access to any Aprilia dealers and hence have never ridden any of the marque...
TheMissendenFlyer ok....I’ll write a snotty letter to Aprilia UK and ask them why they they don’t let motovloggers test their bikes. Might sell a few more! I’ll let you know what the reply is! 😉
...actually that's not actually the case, I know "Lamb Chop Rides" has borrowed a couple in the past so it must be possible....I just need to get off my backside and write to the right man....
TheMissendenFlyer you’d have to find the right dealer who keeps enough bikes in stock.....not all of them do it seems......try LambChops dealer.....look forward to it and good luck! 👍.
Love the microfone on the video when you riding the motorcycle any chance you can share it us about it... Im new in the motorcycling so sorry if its strange questions....
It's a nice bike but the Hornet before was better (more power, USD forks, around the same price)
Not really - ruclips.net/video/5LMdzIXTv50/видео.html . Over 4 seconds slower on a 1 minute lap. The new engine has a much wider usable rev range and the brakes are better. The geometry, balance is also improved I guess. Anyway, a significant advantage on track. This 'old Hornet was superior...' mantra is a myth.
Something seriously wrong there. How can the hornet be slower than a CBR500, and a KTM390? They have half the power. Must be a very small track. Almost like a gocart track.
Bernard Velkaverh dude that source material is not trustworthy. I don't care how much more "usable power" it has, the old Hornet weighed a solid 25-30 kg less than the 650f, had 15 more peak hp (which is the main hp you use on track), better suspension, and is generally much better in corners. The 650F is very stable in corners, but it is severely lacking in ability to shift its weight left and right. It likes to lean down and stay there, which is no good on most tracks.
Lol I just watched the video you linked to.. That rider, he treats it like the FZ07 he rode before it. Wtf, keeps it around 6k rpm most of the time when he gets on the throttle on corner exits. He has a racing suit, but he sure as hell doesn't look like he knows what he is doing. I imagine that all the parallel twin bikes had a distinct advantage mainly because he could not ride a high rpm peak powered bike. He could have been at least 1 gear lower in all the corners, was literally dragging the Hornet's ass out at every corner exit when trying to accelerate at 6k to peak. wtf.
25-30 kg less - you shouldn't compare dry and wet weight. wet vs wet is about the same. Better suspension -not sure where this comes from? This new (2018) one even has SDBV. USD fork is just more a bit more rigid under braking doesn't damp better. Engine - they have same max torque but at different revs (8k vs 10,5k). I think even when pushing hard on track, you'll be accelerating out of corners bellow 8k, so 650f should do better out of the corner and 600F should gain back on longer straights. As noted before, 650F also has bigger brakes.
Compared to it's competition at the time, the old hornet was definitely a superior machine. It was also more premium. I think this is where this general impression comes from. But the old and the new head to head...
I made my full license on the Cb650f, super friendly and its also easy going in traffic but one must be careful if he/she is in the short inseam side as the bike in opinion feels heavy in slow maneuvers. My complaints are for that ugly front headlight with those big indicators, the instrumentation looks outdated and the lack of upside down forks. I only wish they use the same platform and make it to look as the cb1100x
Great review as always!
Good bike for someone with a full licence who hasn't ridden for a while and wants to get back into riding again.
Agreed 100%
4 Bangers are hard to ride in city/suburban traffic I think. I too am a fan of round headlights. Great review.
Cheers Mike....
Quite easy actually
Hey TMF, have you considered a different route from Ruislip. Try Breakspear Road to Harefield and then either turn left onto the High Street followed by Church Hill and then onwards to Denham or turn right into Rickmansworth Road and head back that way.
If your going through the High Street, give me a wave. Keep up the good work. Smiffy
I don't know the area very well and fear I'll get lost and want my mummy....I'll check google maps next time I go up that way...
Nice commuter bike. Seems like a fair price too, anything sub 7k seems cheap these days. Enjoyed the review.
Yeah, crazy isn't it...cheers - TMF
any chance of you reviewing the suzuki SV650 2017 as it's a very popular VTWIN
Yep - coming soon!
There are a lot of comparisons between this and an MT07. I've considered both, but side by side they're not that similar. This Honda is longer, wider, quite a bit heavier and has a 20% stronger engine. The seat is also more comfortable and a pillion is able to join you even for some longer distances. The little Yamaha ... if you're 6 feet + it feels almost like a toy, cramped riding position, the seat is hard, suspension can only put up with a very limited load. But if you're smaller and lighter MT07 might be right up you're sleeve and CB's extra weight might bother you in the twisties. Looking at the details, build quality, apart from the basic dashboard, Honda is in a different league IMO.
I've yet to ride a standard MT07 so can't really comment on the comparison - thanks for watching Bernard...all the best - TMF