EICMA 2018: 2019 Honda CBR650R revealed

- Is an ‘R’ now, as in ‘Replace the CBR650F’

- 5 per cent more power

- More aggressive riding position

Honda really doesn’t give an F any more, at least to the CBR650 – it now has an R at the end instead. It also gets more power, less weight and a more aggressive riding position to match the more aggressive styling. 

The 2019 CBR650R now looks more Fireblade-like, which is no bad thing. This is reinforced by the lower handlebars, which are 30mm further forward. The footpegs have been moved 3mm further to the back, and 6mm higher. The seat is also now a split seat, although nominally so – it still flows like a one-piece seat but the pillion seat is removable. Seat height remains identical to the outgoing CBR650F, at 810mm. The split seat means that the rider seat is bolted on, which will give the rider better feel and control. The engine now revs 1000rpm higher, giving it 5 per cent more peak power. That’s 98bhp at 12,000rpm. Electronics remain basic, with just ABS, to keep the cost in check.

The 2019 Honda CBR650R will replace the 2018 Honda CBR650F in the first half of the next calendar year. It will still not have any direct competition, although the Kawasaki Ninja 650 offers similar displacement but with half as many cylinders and at a different price point.