2019 Honda CBR650R to be launched soon; bookings open!

- Can be booked at a token amount of Rs 15,000

- Deliveries are expected to commence by the end of April

- It is the predecessor of the Honda CBR650F

Honda is set to introduce its middle-weight sportsbike, the 2019 CBR650R in India. Ahead of its official launch, which is expected to take place sometime next month, the company has opened bookings for the motorcycle at a token amount of Rs 15,000. It will be sold via Honda’s Wing World dealerships across India and the deliveries are likely to begin by the end of April. As for the pricing, Honda confirmed that it will cost under Rs 8 lakhs. The 2019 Honda CBR650R is the successor of the now-discontinued CBR650F which was priced at Rs 7.42 lakhs (ex-showroom). 

The CBR650R takes design cues from its litre-class sibling, the CBR1000RR Fireblade. It sports a pair of mean-looking LED headlamps which blend well with the angular fairing and sculpted fuel tank. The ergonomics are also now sportier owing to the lower-set handlebar and footpegs which have been moved slightly up and backwards.  

The 649cc, inline four-cylinder motor generates five per cent more power now. It churns out 98bhp at 12,000rpm and 64Nm of torque at 8,500rpm. The engine is mated with a six-speed gearbox accompanied by a slipper clutch. In terms of features, it incorporates a new fully-digital instrument cluster, ABS and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). 

The cycle parts of the Honda CBR650R have also been tweaked. Now, it gets Showa’s 41mm upside-down forks on the front as opposed to the telescopic units on the CBR650F. The rear wheel is suspended on adjustable monoshock with 43.5mm of travel. Braking is taken care of by a pair of 310mm discs with Nissin four-piston calipers on the front and a 240mm disc with a single-pot caliper at the rear.

Looking at its expected pricing, the Honda CBR650R will compete against the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT, Suzuki GSX-S750, Kawasaki Z900 and the Ducati Monster 797. However, in terms of displacement and styling, it will go up against the Kawasaki Ninja 650 which is a twin-cylinder bike.