[motorcycle.com] - EICMA 2013: 2014 Honda CB650F and CBR650F

[Ninjette Newsbot]

The 2013 EICMA show announcements are rolling in, and Honda has returned to the single platform, multiple models approach that appears to working so well with the CB500 series. Give a hearty welcome to the 2014 Honda CB650F and CBR650F. As you might expect from the CB and CBR designations, one is a naked bike and the other a sporty one.

Powerplant

Focusing on what they hope will appeal to younger riders, Honda’s engineers set out to create a chassis and engine combination that would strike the right balance between sportiness and practicality. The 649cc inline-Four was designed to be compact with a forward cant of 30 degrees. Operating within a bore and stroke of 67mm x 46mm, the con-rod length is designed to decrease the side-forces on the pistons. Pumping losses are reduced via vent holes through the crankcase walls between the journals. The pistons themselves wear asymmetric skirts to limit friction through reduced bore contact. The outer surface of the cylinder sleeves received ferrous spines as a means of reducing oil consumption and optimizing heat dissipation.



The 16 valves are directly operated by DOHC. The cams are, in turn, rotated by a friction reducing, silent SV cam chain. The timing is set for real world drivability and torque below 4000 rpm. A claimed peak of 85.8hp arrives at 11,000rpm while peak torque weighs in at 46.5 ft-lb at 8000. Exhaust gasses exit through a 4-into–2-into–1 catalyzer-equipped exhaust located under the right side of the swingarm.

Fresh air travels from the airbox through 30mm “high-velocity funnels” while fuel metering is accomplished with PGM-FI delivering commands to the Keihin KN7SJ injectors in the 32mm throttle bodies. All four cylinders get their own throttle body sensors for more accurate fuel delivery and better throttle response.

A short valve overlap and a special ignition map improves high-speed, constant throttle economy and assists the 650 in achieving a claimed 217-mile range. Factoring for a 4.6 gallon tank reveals a claimed 47.2 mpg.



The aesthetics and compactness of the engine are aided by the use of internal water channels from the head past the cylinders. The engine’s space requirements are further reduced by the stacked six-speed gearbox and starter motor.

Chassis

The chassis is constructed from twin 64mm x 30mm elliptical spars. To achieve the correct rider feedback and handling character, Honda tuned the flexibility of the frame for stiffness around the headstock with more flex in the spar sections. A sporty rake of 25.5° and 4.0 in. of trail are mated to 57.1 in. wheelbase, pointing to a bike that should feel light and maneuverable – particularly when the 465 lb. wet weight is factored in.

The traditional 41mm fork is non-adjustable while the shock gets seven-position adjustable preload. The shock mounts directly to the die-cast aluminum swingarm. Radial 120/70–17 and 180/55–17 tires are mounted on five spoke, cast aluminum wheels.



Two-channel ABS is standard. To simplify manufacturing, the 240mm rear disc is cut from the inside of the 320mm front disc. The dual front discs are squeezed by dual-piston calipers and sintered metal pads. The rear receives a single-piston caliper and resin mold pads.

What’s the Difference?

With a base chassis apparently produced with real-world use in mind, the differences between the CB650F and the CBR650F are few but still important.



First, the CB650F features minimal weather protection aside from the slick-looking headlight nacelle. The CBR650F has suitably sporty full-coverage bodywork. Riding positions are different in the expected ways. The CB has an upright riding position with a wide tubular handlebar for maximum leverage. The CBR, on the other hand, has a more sporty forward lean that puts the rider in a more aggressive position.

The suspension settings are similarly differentiated between the two motorcycles. The CBR receives firmer spring rate and damping for a more sporting ride. Despite suspension differences, the seat height for both motorcycles is 31.9 in.

Follow the rest of our 2013 EICMA show coverage

These two motorcycles illustrate Honda’s further commitment to producing multiple models from the same base chassis as a means of maintaining manufacturing costs while still providing performance, styling and technology that appeals to riders. While we are disappointed that these two models are not slated to arrive stateside in 2014, we can always watch – and hope.

[Source: Honda]

EICMA 2013: 2014 Honda CB650F and CBR650F appeared first on Motorcycle.com.



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[Jono]

While we are disappointed that these two models are not slated to arrive stateside in 2014, we can always watch – and hope

Shame on you Honda!!!!

[ChrisMKV]

Ooohhh that CBR looks nice!! I'll definitely have to test one next year, besides a Street Triple. Sporty but not too aggressive, fairings, Low exhaust, great range, honda reliability... That ticks all the right boxes on my list! Now I wonder if it comes in Repsol Colour, hehehe

Looks like they are trying to set up a replacement for the venerable CBR600F (non US Model too). That was a very nice sport tourer with a detained 600RR engine, but it was a heavy one... This looks to shape up much better.

Go Honda!

[rasta]

Except for the exhaust, I like that a lot. Honda is loving their red/white/blue color scheme.

[Sirref]

so many awesome bikes being announced, seems to be great competition for the street triple, Ninja 650, and other such sport bikes. I may consider this against the CBR600RR someday due to it's (assumed) real world commuting ability while still retaining an I4 engine config. though it doesn't have the sleek undertail exhaust of the cbr600rr

[sharky nrk]

Honda is kickin it these days on the "real world front" but also got alot of love for the RRSP

[choneofakind]

I like it! 650cc i4 and tuned for street use. Well played Honda. Bring that to the states please

[KawiKid860]

I hope it comes to the states. Would make a nice bike to relieve my F4i of street duty so I could make it a track bike But since I don't have any money I don't have to worry about that either way haha

[dfox]

i would absolutely buy that 650F. bring and and we'll buy it... listen honda!

[Byakkotai]

Wishing for a stateside arrival as well - hopefully it'll be priced appropriately compared to the FZ6R. Sigh EICMA...

[Sirref]

Honestly I'm torn between if I want this, the cbr600rr, a triumph street triple r, or the new yamaha mt-07 or even the yamaha mt-09 (sr edition w/the supermotoesque plastics so bugs don't make a mess of everything)

[Byakkotai]

Are the MT series headed to the states?

Well the two of the other three on the wish list are already here and tempting - a fan of Repsol schemes?

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Byakkotai

Are the MT series headed to the states?

Well the two of the other three on the wish list are already here and tempting - a fan of Repsol schemes?

the MT-09 is already here in the form of the FZ-09 as for the MT-07 it seems unlikely similar to this honda cb650f. I just want a sexy naked bike with hooligan features but isn't a guaranteed problem for my license (a tall order when a Ninja 300 already is) the MT-07 seems like a really good choice unless the cb650f is competitive enough in price. and they both beat out the Ninja 650R already in my eyes

and my dream bike is a repsol cbr600rr, such a beautiful bike though I'd be willing to hold off to get a more real world bike

[LoD575]

Seems like a solid competitor for the Ninja 650 and Street Triple.

I am looking forward to further information on this new Honda CBR650F and the KTM RC390.

[Jono]

Not a huge fan of the front end but in my opinion it still looks a lot better then the Ninja 650 and FZ6R. I think it would be smart for Honda to sell this bike in the states.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[SMman]

I doubt we will get the bike in North America, which is a shame. Honda has been selling the CBR600F elsewhere with good sales numbers but seems like they only do well with the 600RR here. The naked Honda 599 was a sales failure here with many bikes sitting on the floor for years. I'd be much more interested in one of these new 4 cylinder 650 models compared to the 650 twins currently offered by other manufacturers.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Sweet. Too bad no US availability.

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by Jono

Not a huge fan of the front end but in my opinion it still looks a lot better then the Ninja 650 and FZ6R. I think it would be smart for Honda to sell this bike in the states.

The front end does look similar to the current FZ6R especially with the headlight.



So I'm guessing that these new 650 Hondas will replace the current CBR600F? I really like that bike.

[subxero]

not a big fan of the mono headlight. IDK just not for me. other than that it looks very nice.

[TonyKZ1]

I wouldn't mind upgrading to the CBR650F if it would come over here and being able to afford it would be nice too… ;-)
Tony

[Reswob]

I really, really hate the underslung exhaust fad.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by TonyKZ1

I wouldn't mind upgrading to the CBR650F if it would come over here and being able to afford it would be nice too… ;-)
Tony

yea, I'd see the MT-07 being the biggest contender in the class. the more lightweight and fun one (yamaha) or the more reliable daily bike (honda) the power and weight differences are so slight too though I'd likely go with the yamaha if it reaches stateside, with the FZ-09 already going for 8 grand yamaha would have to price their MT-07 ridiculously low to sell in a US market against their own 09.

I feel like the japanese developers need to make some new sick supermotos sometime soon, maybe something like a drz500sm would be fun as hell. as it is KTM seems to be the only manufacturer up to the task though the fz-09/mt-07 seem like they're designed to be hooligan bikes similar to supermotos.