2021 Honda CBR650R: Top 5 Highlights

Honda’s BigWing division is on a roll at the moment. After recently launching the CB350RS and CB500X, it has now brought us the 2021 CBR650R and CB650R. Here’s all you need to know about the CBR650R, the sportsbike in Honda’s 650cc four-cylinder lineup.

Engine

The biggest change is in the engine department. The CBR650R is now Euro 5 and BS6-compliant, which is why Honda has been able to relaunch the bike in India. But there is bad news. Lots of it. Presumably to help it cope with dirty Indian fuel, Honda has de-tuned the motor on the CBR, so not only is it considerably less powerful than the international variant, it’s even less powerful than the BS4 version earlier sold in India.

Suspension

On the upside, Honda has improved the suspension components on the CBR650R. At the rear you continue to get a preload-adjustable monoshock but the front fork has been upgraded to a Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston unit.

Weight

Another little bit of bad news is about the weight. Despite still being held together by the same tubular steel diamond-type frame, the emissions updates mean the 2021 CBR650R is 3kg heavier than before. It now tips the scales at 211kg (kerb).

Price

The biggest increase hasn’t been in the weight, but the price. At Rs 8.88 lakh, the 2021 CBR650R costs a whopping Rs 1.18 lakh more than its BS4 predecessor. And at least on paper, there aren’t nearly enough upgrades to justify this massive increment.

New Additions

In a desperate attempt to justify the price hike, Honda is claiming new additions such as a USB charger under the seat and revised headlight reflectors. But that’s about it.