– New 2023 Honda CB650R Review / Specs: Colors, HP + More! | CB 650 Buyer’s Guide –

The 2023 Honda CB650R Neo Sports Cafe motorcycle has finally been announced and now it’s time to go over everything you need to know about this naked 650cc sport bike! First off, keep in mind that at the time of writing this, American Honda hasn’t released this bike officially so all of the details below are from the release in Europe which gives us a sneak peek as to what will be coming here to the USA for the 2023 CB650R.

The CB650R is your step between the more entry-level CB500F and the fastest 1000cc class naked sport bike from Honda, the absolutely B-E-A-UTIFUL CB1000R. Is it worth the several thousand dollar jump from the CB500F while still having a significantly cheaper price tag when compared to the CB1000R Black Edition? Hopefully this page helps answer that question and on top of that, we’ll also dive into the new 2023 CB650R changes / updates and a lot more below…

Quick 2023 CB650R Info:

• 2023 CB650R Price / MSRP: $9,399
• 2023 CB650R Release Date: February 2023
• 2023 CB650R Announcement Date: October 2022
• 2023 CB650R Colors: Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, Matte Jeans Blue Metallic, Matte Dim Gray, Candy Chromosphere Red | USA: Matte Gray Metallic
• 2023 CB650R Horsepower: 94 HP @ 12,000 RPM
  
• 2023 CB650R Torque: 47 ft/lb TQ @ 9,500 RPM
• 2023 CB650R MPG: 47.9 Miles Per Gallon
• 2023 CB650R Seat Height: 31.9 inches
• 2023 CB650R Weight: ABS 445 lbs (curb)
• 2023 CB650R VS 2022 CB650R Price / MSRP Increase: +$100
• 2023 CB650R VS 2023 CB650R Changes: Yes, explained below. 

• 2023 CB650R Review Contents:
  • 1. | 2023 Honda CB650R Introduction
  • 2. | 2023 Honda CB650R Model Overview
  • 3. | 2023 Honda CB650R Key Features
    • 3.1 | 2023 Honda CB650R Equipment & Styling
    • 3.2 | 2023 Honda CB650R Chassis
    • 3.3 | 2023 Honda CB650R Engine
  • 4. | 2023 Honda CB650R Accessories
    • 4.1 | 2023 Honda CB650R Accessory Pictures
  • 5. | 2023 Honda CB650R Videos
  • 6. | 2023 Honda CB650R Pictures
  • 7. | 2023 Honda CB650R Specs

1. | 2023 Honda CB650R Introduction

Honda has always thrived on exploring new boundaries – in design as well as engineering. In 2018, the CB1000R, CB300R and CB125R brought a fresh identity to its naked motorcycle line-up, mixing café racer inspirations with a forward-looking ultra-minimalist look under the ‘Neo Sports Café’ design theme.

One segment remained for the new aesthetic to find expression: the hugely competitive naked middleweight arena and, in 2019, the CB650R confidently took on this role. Aimed at a young demographic that looks to show off in style and enjoy to the maximum a combination of exhilarating four-cylinder engine performance and light, versatile, refined chassis handling, it has proved a great success.

Building on the momentum, in 2021 the CB650R received a major front suspension upgrade, plus a range of detail improvements to enhance comfort, usability and practicality. Creating a motorcycle that was Honda’s #1 selling bike in 2021 and in 2022, falling to the #2 spot behind the Africa Twin CRF1100L.

Valerio Aiello, of Honda’s Rome R&D Department on the Neo Sports Café design aesthetic:  

“The entire current Neo Sport Café range from Honda is the result of the CB4 Concept model presented at EICMA in 2015. Our desire was to explore the world of the café racer and reinterpret it in a modern key. 

All the models of this CB series are not simply retro-vintage motorcycles, but rather neo-classics – that is, modern motorbikes showcasing classic design styles combined with modern techniques. 

We wanted to create a new stylistic dimension, different from the muscular streetfighters of the last few years, and at the same time, far from the simpler café-racer style. The end result is that none of the bikes from the competition resemble the Neo Sports Café range and, like them or not, they are easily recognizable as Hondas. The competitors have classic or very modern motorcycles in their ranges, but in my opinion, not something that goes in the wake of both styles. 

During development of the CB4 concept, I found inspiration from outside the world of motorcycles, in watches. I’ve always liked their technicality and one of the key concepts used during the Neo Sports Café design was ‘Mechanical Art’. 

‘Mechanical Art’ is the desire to show the beauty of the various mechanical elements to which Honda has always given great importance. Watches do this very well indeed, with their mechanics always creating a certain charm.”

2. | 2023 Honda CB650R Overview

The CB650R received a significant refresh for 2021. The major news was the application of 41mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SSF-BP) USD forks – high quality suspension that really elevate handling ability.

EURO5 compliance for the engine was achieved with no loss of top end power; other detail improvements included slightly more forward-set handlebars, improved visibility for the LCD display and USB Type-C charging socket under the seat. New side panels and rear mudguard were also minor cosmetic changes.

• 2023 Honda CB650R Colors:
  • Matte Gunpower Black Metallic
  • Matte Dim Gray Metallic
  • Candy Chromosphere Red
  • Matte Jeans Blue Metallic
  • USA = Matte Gray Metallic

3. | 2023 Honda CB650R Key Features

3.1 | 2023 Honda CB650R Equipment & Styling

• Handlebar angled for effortless low-speed maneuvering
• LCD display
• USB Type-C socket under the seat
• New colors

Tightly wrapped and aggressive, the CB650R’s Neo Sports Café style features the signature compact ‘Trapezoid’ proportion of short, stubby tail and short overhang headlight. The long fuel tank is a key motif of the family design; its smooth lines accentuate the solidity of real metal surfaces and crown the engineering of the four-cylinder powerplant. It also houses the ignition.

A 35° handlebar angle makes tight, slow-speed turns and U-turns straightforward. Compact side panels accentuate the minimalism, as does the steel rear mudguard. There’s a USB Type-C socket located under the seat, for easy charging of a mobile device.

3.2 | 2023 Honda CB650R Chassis

• Four-piston, radial-mount front brake calipers and floating discs
• 41mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks 
• 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tires

The CB650R’s steel diamond frame uses pressed swingarm pivot plates and twin elliptical spars with a rigidity balance specifically tuned (stiffer around the headstock and more flexible in the spar sections) to deliver balanced handling characteristics, with high levels of rider feedback. Rake is set at 25.5° with trail of 101mm and wheelbase of 57 in. (1,450mm). While the 2023 CB650R curb weight comes in at 445 lbs (202.5kg) and the CB650R’s seat height comes in at 31.9 inches (810mm).

Showa’s 41mm Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks offer high-quality reaction. A pressure separation damper in one fork tube and spring mechanism in the other deliver high damping performance and lighter weight. Together with the use of a larger sized piston the result is increased feel, bump absorption and control. Adjustable for 10-stage spring preload, the single-tube monoshock (now finished in red on the standard bike) operates directly on the curvaceous gravity die-cast aluminum swingarm.

Four-piston radial-mount front brake calipers work 310mm wave-pattern floating discs, and are paired with a single-piston rear caliper and 240mm disc. The ABS is a two-channel system.

Cast aluminum wheels mount 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tires.

3.3 | 2023 Honda CB650R Engine

• 94 Horsepower & 47 ft/lb Torque
• Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
• Assist / slipper clutch

The 649cc, DOHC 16-valve CB650R engine is tuned to create the purest, most enjoyable mid-sized four-cylinder performance possible, with the classically fast ‘pick-up’ through the rev range and hard-hitting, high-revving top-end for which Honda’s in-line’s fours are renowned. Peak power of 94 HP (70kW) arrives @ 12,000 RPM with peak torque of 47 ft/lb (63Nm) delivered at 9,500 RPM. A 47 horsepower (35kW) CB650R option is available for A2 license holders for those countries with licensing restrictions. 

• 2023 CB650R Performance Numbers:
  • 2023 CB650R Horsepower – 94 HP @ 12,000 RPM
  • 2023 CB650R Torque –  47 ft/lb TQ @ 8,500 RPM
    • 2023 CB650R kW – 70kW @ 12,000 RPM
    • 2023 CB650R Nm – 64Nm @ 8,500 RPM
• 2023 CB650R Fuel Economy:
  • 2023 CB650R Miles Per Gallon – 47.9 MPG
  • 2023 CB650R Kilometers Per Liter – 20.4 KM/L

Direct cam actuation makes for a compact cylinder head; bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 46mm with compression ratio of 11.6:1. Iridium spark plugs are employed and twin air ducts – either side of the fuel tank – feed the airbox and produce a throaty intake roar.

Asymmetric piston skirts minimize bore contact and reduce friction. Ferrous spines on the outer surface of the cylinder sleeves reduce oil consumption (and friction) with improved heat transfer and a silent SV cam chain reduces frictional losses by using a Vanadium coating on its pins. Internal water channeling from cylinder head to cylinders does away with most of the exterior hoses.

The engine uses a compact internal architecture, stacked six-speed gearbox and starter layout with the cylinders canted forward 30°. An assist/slipper clutch eases upshifts while managing rear-wheel lock up under hard braking and rapid downshifts. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) manages rear wheel traction; it can be turned off should the rider choose.

Fuel consumption of 47.9 miles per gallon (20.4km/l WMTC mode) gives a range of around 190 miles (300km) from the 4.1 gal. fuel tank (15.4L). EURO5 compliance required revisions to the ECU, cam lobes, intake timing, exhaust pipe, catalyzer and silencer, as well as the addition of a crank pulsar.

4. | 2023 Honda CB650R Accessories

A range of Genuine Honda Accessories are available for the CB650R, both available as individual items and grouped in packs, that are ready to bolt straight on to the bike:

• Front Fender Panels
• Shroud Covers
• Side Cover Panels
• Meter Visor & Stay
• Quickshifter
• Under Cowl
• Rear Seat Cowl
• Seat Cowl Plate
• Smoke Front Visor & Stay
• Grip Heaters & Attachment
• Tank Pad
• Tank Bag & Attachment
• Rear Seat Bag & Attachment
• Wheel Stripes

4.1 | 2023 CB650R Accessory Pictures

I haven’t had a chance to video the new 2023 CB650R yet as it was just released but here’s a few CB650R videos to hold you over until then…

6. | 2023 Honda CB650R Pictures

7. | 2023 Honda CB650R Specs

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