2014 Honda CBR 650F

First of all, the CBR650F is not, in any way, shape, or form, a rehash of some other model. It’s 100-percent new from the ground up, a fresh design built in Honda’s ever-expanding Thailand facility. And old-school riders can rejoice, as the 650F takes a decidedly low-tech, low-cost approach with a twin-spar steel frame instead of aluminum, a non-adjustable conventional fork, non-radial-mount twin-piston front brakes, a dohc engine that’s all-new but breaks no new ground, and an absence of electronic rider aids except for a $500-more-expensive ABS model. If all this makes you think the CBR650F is a slug, a bargain bike that disappoints in every way except price, think again. The 649cc dohc engine was specifically designed for stronger low-end and midrange than your typical 600-class supersport, a goal achieved through systematic tuning and added displacement. As a result, the 650 pulls steadily from as low as 3000-4000 rpm and accelerates the claimed 461-pound (with the 4.5-gallon gas tank fully topped) machine up through the gears to its 11,400-rpm redline quickly enough to get the rider’s attention and keep it there. It’s no match for a 600cc repli-racer in pure acceleration; but on many curvy backroads, especially ones with tight corners and short straights, the 650F could either run wheel-to-wheel with a good 600 supersport or at least keep it in sight. the 650’s rudimentary suspension causes no discomfort in ride quality. The fork and shock soak up most road imperfections without harshness or bottoming, with only the deepest and most sharp-edged bumps delivering any kind of thump through the seat. After all is said and done, the reasoning behind the CBR650F is the same as that employed by most bike manufacturers these days: getting more people on two wheels by using simplicity, affordability, and ease of riding instead of record-setting performance and cutting-edge technology. Yamaha's approach is with fun-loving FZ-07 and FZ-09 nakeds, while Kawasaki does it with multitalented Versys and Ninja 650 twins. Honda has used a broader tactic, first with economy-minded NC and CTX 700s, then with a trio of 500cc twins. The CBR650F is just the latest offering to spring from that mindset. This bike like all our bikes will be fully serviced, inspected and detailed at the time you take delivery. See this and other great deals at www.cyclehunters.com HaldemanAuto/cyclehunters.com 102 Old Ebenezer Rd Lebanon Pa, 17046 717-273-1809