Honda CBR650R Unofficial Bookings Commence

Select Honda dealerships across India have started accepting bookings for the fully-faired sports bike

• The 2019 CBR650R gets an all-new design inspired by the CBR1000RR.
• Booking amount varies between Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. 
• Sources suggest that deliveries will commence from April 2019. 
• Expect the bike to be priced between Rs 9 lakh to Rs 10 lakh (on-road).

Select Honda dealerships across India have started accepting bookings, albeit unofficially, for the 2019 Honda CBR650R. The booking amount for the mid-displacement sports bike varies between Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. Sources suggest that deliveries will commence from April, thereby hinting that the official launch for the CBR650R is closer than what was anticipated. Also, customers who had already put down a token amount for the previous-gen CBR650F need not worry as they will be signed up for the new CBR650R instead. 

A few weeks back, Honda launched its cheapest CKD offering for India, the CB300R, at Rs 2.41 lakh (ex-showroom India). The launch of these new bikes suggest that the Japanese manufacturer could be focusing its resources on performance-oriented bikes, a rapidly growing segment in India. 

Also Read: Honda CB300R Launched In India

Coming back to the topic at hand, the CBR650R looks sharper than ever thanks to an all-new design language derived from its elder sibling, the 2018 CBR1000RR Fireblade. Besides this, the bike features redesigned LED lights at both ends and a fully-digital instrument console with a gear position and gear shift indicator. While the previous-gen bike was inclined more towards touring, the new bike gets revised ergonomics to make it sportier. The riding position is more aggressive as the clip-on handlebars are now placed 30mm forwards and lower. Even the footpegs have been pushed back by 3mm and sit 6mm higher than the CBR650F. 

And that’s not all, Honda has also tinkered with the bike's engine, enabling it to produce 5 per cent more power compared to the model it replaces. Due credit goes to the new intake and exhaust outlets, a change in cam timing and an increased compression ratio. As a result, the bike is said to have a meatier mid-range and now revs to 12,000rpm. That’s an extra 1000rpm over the old model.

Powering the bike is a 649cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, inline-four motor that belts out 95PS (up by 8.3PS) of power at 12,000rpm. Likewise, 64Nm (up by 3.5Nm) of torque is delivered at 8500rpm. It comes mated to a 6-speed transmission which now gets a slipper clutch. The fuel tank capacity now sits at 15.4 litres, down from the 17.3 litres on the CBR650F.

Also Read: Honda Unveils 2019 CBR400R sportsbike

Furthermore, according to Honda, the 2019 version shaves 6kg thanks to a lighter frame, fuel tank and footpegs. Suspension duties are handled by new 41mm Showa SFF (Separate Function Forks) upside-down forks, while the rear retains the same seven-stage preload-adjustable monoshock. Braking power comes in the form of new radially-mounted four-piston calipers clamped onto twin 310mm discs at the front. The rear, on the other hand, gets a larger 240mm disc (220mm on CBR650F) mated to a single-pot caliper. Dual-channel ABS comes as standard. Its new 17-inch cast aluminium wheels come wrapped in 120/70-section front and 180/55-section rear tyres. Last but not the least, the CBR650R also features Honda’s Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which manages rear wheel traction. It can be switched off if the rider chooses to do so. 

The Honda CBR650R will be offered in two colours - red and black. Considering the aforementioned updates, we could expect the bike to be priced a smidge under Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom). While it doesn’t have any direct rival, once launched, the CBR650R could go up against the Kawasaki Ninja 650, which is priced at Rs 5.49 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom India).