2021 Honda CB650R gains some major changes with styling and suspension tweaks
Aside from the obligatory colour changes, the Honda CB650R gets new suspension, a tweaked riding position, and Euro5 certification
HONDA has just announced the specification and features for the 2021 Honda CB650R. Next year sees the bike get its biggest overhaul since the neo-retro design was unveiled at the beginning of 2019.
Honda CB650R (2019) video review
Honda’s engineers have worked hard to improve the handling, comfort, and practicality of the bike, getting it through the latest Euro5 regulations to boot.
Here’s a rundown of all that’s new.
Honda CB650R (2021) styling and colours
With the classy looking CB650R only getting revealed in its current Neo Sports Café form in 2019, it’s no surprise that the visual changes to the bike are small.
The bike will now also feature smaller side panels enhancing the neat design of the bike. The rear mudguard is now constructed from steel rather than nylon plastic.
The bike is also available in a new colour, Pearl Smoky Gray (above). Other colours available are Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic, Candy Chromosphere Red, Matt Jeans Blue Metallic.
New suspension for the 2021 CB650R
The biggest change for 2021 is the inclusion of an improved set of front forks in the form of Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF BP) forks. The previous generation CB650R was already shod with a decent set of Showa Separate Function forks and we never had any complaints of the handling. The upgrade to the SFF BP forks should provide the bike with a major upgrade. A pressure separation damper in one fork tube and spring mechanism in the other is claimed to deliver high damping performance and lighter weight than before.
Improved comfort and equipment
One of the only gripes we had of the CB650R on the launch last year was the dash was a little tricky to read in anything other than overcast weather. Honda might have remedied that for 2021, as the font is now larger, and the angle of the dash altered to make it easier to read.
Another change at the front of the bike is to the handlebar angle which has been increased by 3° to 35°. Honda is claiming this should make the bike easier to handle during low-speed manoeuvres and U-turns.
Under the 810mm seat of the Honda now resides a USB Type-C socket to allow charging of mobile phones and other equipment while on the move.
Honda CB650R (2021) specs
ENGINE | |
Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC inline-4 cylinder |
Engine Displacement (cm³) | 649cc |
Bore ´ Stroke (mm) | 67.0 x 46.0 |
Compression Ratio | 11.6:1 |
Max. Power Output | 70kW/12,000rpm |
Max. Torque | 63Nm/8,500rpm |
Oil Capacity | 2.7L |
FUEL SYSTEM | |
Carburation | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.4L |
Fuel Consumption | 20.4km/litre |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
Starter | Electric |
Battery Capacity | 12V/8.6AH |
ACG Output | 370W |
DRIVETRAIN | |
Clutch Type | Wet, multiplate disc |
Transmission Type | 6-speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
FRAME | |
Type | Steel diamond |
CHASSIS | |
Dimensions (LxWxH) | 2130 x 780 x 1075mm |
Wheelbase | 1450mm |
Caster Angle | 25.5° |
Trail | 101mm |
Seat Height | 810mm |
Ground Clearance | 150mm |
Kerb Weight | 202.5kg |
Turning radius | |
SUSPENSION | |
Type Front | 41mm Showa Separate Function front Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks |
Type Rear | Monoshock damper with 7 stage adjustable preload, 43.5mm stroke |
WHEELS | |
Rim Size Front | Hollow section 6-spoke cast aluminium |
Rim Size Rear | Hollow section 6-spoke cast aluminium |
Tyres Front | 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) |
Tyres Rear | 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W) |
BRAKES | |
ABS System Type | 2 channel; hydraulic dual disc 310mm front, hydraulic disc 240mm rear |
INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
Instruments | Digital speedometer, digital bar graph tachometer, dual trip meter, digital bar graph fuel gauge, gear position and upshift indicator, digital clock |
Headlight | LED |
Taillight | LED |
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
