CB650F and CBR650F pricing

Not after the caffeine-charged full-blown repertoire of a supersport bike, but still like your four-cylinder middleweights? Then Honda’s seemingly got the answer in the form of the CBR650F and unfaired CB650F middleweights, which will go on sale in April, 2014 for $9999 and $10,599 respectively. Anti-lock braking is standard.

The sporty machines offer “a new entry point into Honda’s four cylinder engine range”, and are designed to “conquer corners with ease and also be great around town”.

The two bikes share a DOHC, 649cc four-cylinder engine that –  like all bikes in this ilk – is tuned for low and mid-range rather than a howling top-end.

The four cylinders are canted forward 30 degrees, and the cylinder head employs direct cam actuation and cam timing that equals strong torque performance and drivability below 4000rpm. Bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 46mm.

Peak power of 87hp (64kW) arrives at 11,000rpm, with peak torque of 63Nm at 8000rpm. There’s a side-swept 4-2-1 exhaust.

PGM-FI fuel injection is fed through a down-flow airbox and narrow 30mm high-velocity funnels. It operates with information from four separate throttle body sensors on 32mm throttle bores. Keihin KN7SJ injectors have replaced the Denso units used on the CB600F. Honda claims fuel consumption of about 4.8lt/100km.

There’s a steel twin-spar frame. The seven-stage preload adjustable shock works directly on the swingarm and is matched to a 41mm telescopic front fork; the wheels are a new five-spoke design with 120/70 and 180/55 17-inch rubber. Twin 320mm wavy front and a single 240mm rear disc deliver the stopping power, with two-channel anti-lock braking fitted as standard on the CBR650F and optional on the CB650F.

Rake is set at 25.5 degrees with trail of 101mm and wheelbase of 1450mm.

Kerb weight for the CBR650F is 211kg, and 206kg for the CB650F.

The dash comprises twin large digital screens. On the left are the rev-counter and speedometer; and on the right are a fuel gauge, clock, odometer and the warning lights. Both sides are lit by a white back light. A compact ‘wave’ design ignition key offers improved security and reduced chance of breakage.