2014 Honda CBR650F - First Look

In the upcoming April issue of Cycle World (on sale March 4), we tell our readers that the naked Honda CB650F shown at EICMA last fall will be coming to the US as a 2014 model. Well, we were wrong. By one letter: Honda announced today that it is actually bringing the CBR650F to the U.S. this summer.

And what a bike this new CBR650F appears to be, an affordable middleweight built to excel in a variety of roles—in everything from canyon carving to commuting. In other words, this new Honda has been designed to balance sportbike styling and nimble handling with good comfort and versatility, all while getting great (59.3 mpg in European tests) fuel economy.

The heart of the matter is a 649cc four-cylinder that Honda says is smoother and faster revving than most twins, an engine whose "easily accessible power" is sent rearward via a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive. The powerplant, with a luscious four-into-one exhaust, mounts in a twin-spar steel frame that carries a conventional fork with 41mm tubes and clip-on bars. The front cowl, inspired by the CBR600RR's, is said to cut just enough of the wind blast while enhancing the bike's sporty look. Dual disc brakes with 320mm rotors (and a 240mm rear) ensure that this new Honda CBR650F has the stopping power to back up its looks, while an LCD instrument panel with a clock and trip meter keep the rider informed.

When it arrives this summer, the 2014 Honda CBR650F will be available in three colors: Red, Candy Blue, Matte Black Metallic. The standard bike will cost $8499. The ABS version is $500 more.

Although we still salivate at the idea of Honda bringing the naked CB650F to the States, we certainly welcome the new CBR650F (which weighs a claimed 465 lb. in European specification), into the middleweight fray, if for nothing other reason than it nicely filling that cavernous performance gap between the CBR500R and CBR600RR.