Honda's middleweight CBR650F and CB650F have been updated for 2017. There are no sweeping changes; the big H has opted for incremental updates with these twins.
2017 models get a full 4bhp more from the 649cc inline-four, making it a 90bhp peak figure at 11,000rpm. It is most noticeable beyond 5000rpm, says Honda - and we believe it is mostly down to better airflow management. There are shorter air intake funnels, larger intake ducts, and the muffler now has a dual-pass internal structure, which reduces back pressure, and the end can exit is larger as well. There are also slightly shorter gear ratios in all but first and a slightly higher peak torque figure of 64Nm, which should make it a more flexible motorcycle to ride. The suspension now has a Showa Dual Bending Valve Fork and Nissin callipers for the brakes that are uprated as well. The headlamp is an LED one as well. The CB650F is the naked version of the CBR650F, and has nothing to distinguish it from its sibling other than the fairing.
We can expect the CBR650F to make it to India at some point in 2017, with a marginal increase in price. The CB650F will probably not be sold here.
