So realistically, the only issues you have found are that of "comfort" and easy to fix/change issues that are personal for the most part. I have a 2014 CB650f and I love it, have done around 6k so far and the only issue I find is no LED main headlight(fixable) and like you, the stock clutch lever is too far out, will be replacing soon. Love the honest vids, should do a 20k review so that others can get an idea of what to expect after a few thousand KMs :)
Having owned a CBR650F for almost 2 years, I agree there's nothing not to like about these bikes. They do everything you need and more, looking at buying the CB650F in the next few weeks, hopefully in red like yours. 😁 great videos, subscribed too👍
I've got a 2017 version of this bike and I love it. The major gripe is no gear indicator but it's really not a big or expensive job to fit one. Sure, it's no racing bike and gets very windy but it really shifts and it's a nice feeling to know it can utterly destroy virtually any car on the road on acceleration.
Yup, it's a lovely bike. So smooth and lots of power when you want it. I have a gear indicator on mine. Got it from Amazon and it was plug it in, calibrate it, and you're done.
I have the same bike,,9,000 miles and no complaints👍. I had to watch your video to find out what there is to hate, and to my surprise, like me, you really had none. Good job on the review, ride safe, but most of all , HAVE FUN!
Nah, it happened from new and on roads that were very clean. I didn't have the tail tidy installed until the following season. Anyway it's right under my butt. Strange.
I have that bike, I removed passenger foot rest too and added a tail tidy. I only hate the headlight tbh, it didn't age well. Other than that, great beginner bike
I love the bike. It's been great. I'd never label as a beginner bike though. Sure a beginner can start on it, but it's perfect for seasoned riders for anything from commuting, to spirited street riding, and the occasional track day. This power class is where it's at. Power that useable on the street; well, almost useable. The phrase beginner bike is so overused. I heard someone call the R6 a beginner bike because the R1 has more horsepower, lol.
I think the lack of gear indicator is the worst thing. It would have been so easy to include it. No heated grips is annoying, in the PNW it gets unrideable due to cold hands. The stock levers aren't great but you hit on that. The way the mirrors are adjusted is annoying to me but maybe I just need to read the manual to get it straight. I've had the right mirror get loose and swing back when going fast.
Usually only high end bikes come with heated grips. It gets cold up here in BC for sure and I ride all winter. I prefer heated gloves. Keeps the fingers warmer. Regarding the mirrors. Two 14mm wrenches to adjust and lock it down with the lock nut. Pretty much all bikes have the same method. Just gotta lock it down good. Great bike though. Enjoy yours :-)
It hit me later that it's probably coming off my boot as I swing a leg over to dismount. Seems obvious now but it sure puzzled me for a while. Doesn't take much, lol 🙂.
Did you remove the CB650F stickers yourself on the plastic vents, on the sides of the fueltank? I got a black CB650F and the red stickering is something I want to get rid of. Very happy with this bike as a beginner rider.
Yes I removed them myself. I used a hair dryer to warm them up as I went and they pulled off cleanly. It's a wonderful bike; one you won't necessarily outgrow. It's very capable. Enjoy :-)
If I were commuting to work that would be an issue for sure and I'd leave the stock tail alone. You're right it wouldn't be practical. As is, I get to choose my riding conditions and never ride in the rain, so not an issue for me.
Where did you come across the side tank pads? And I agree with you there is more to love about this bike than not to like. I’ve done 17,000 miles in the past year on this wonderful machine.
Nice. I like when people actually ride their bikes! I got those tank grips from either AliExpress website or Amazon. If you search you're bound to find them. I couldn't get the backing paper off the adhesive on them when trying to apply, so I ended up removing the adhesive altogether and bonding them to the tank with a good quality exterior silicone sealant. It's a good choice if you need an adhesive.
The mess on the seat could be because you installed a tail tidy? I’ve seen a few complaints in the U.K. about crap being thrown up after removing the standard rear tail.
I was assuming that the small bits of gravel was due to the pavement being fresh or sticky. So tires picking up small bits and flinging them into the air from other vehicles . I don't have a tail tidy and it's happening to me too. Good case for decent eye protection in any case.
You know, the video could have been shorter if you just talked about things you didn’t like (like the title implies). Or you could have made one about the things you do like about the bike, which seem to outweigh the things you don’t like. Just my thought. I’m considering buying one myself as I am a Honda in-line 4 fan.
It's always nice to have more power to weight ratio, but the weight of this bike is in part why it is so planted at speed. It has the power to easily carry it's weight, so I don't see it as a negative in the final analysis.
And let me add a couple to your list, vibration around 4.5 to 6.5k, high fuel consumption, buttery soft bolts and nuts, dead spots at 6th gear on lower rpms, uncomfty seat after 1 hour
I have no vibration at any RPM, my fuel consumption is quite reasonable and depends on how hard I push it. Bolts have been as expected; they are meant to be torqued to spec and so they vary in hardness accordingly, I have no dead spot in power in any gear, and the seat is comfy for me even after several hours. Different strokes I guess ;-)
Yeah, sure I miss Clyde. Selling was the right thing to do though, being as I couldn't ride the dirt trails enough anymore to warrant keeping him. Sad though, I recently heard the new owner slid out on some gravel in the road and Clyde slid under an oncoming semi truck. The rider was okay as far as I know, which is good at least, but Clyde is no more.
Can you please let me know the model of your levers? I have the same bike - same year same model and I really dislike the levers as they are just too far out. Thanks!
Hi, I ordered them from Pazzo Racing in Vancouver Canada. www.pazzoracing.com/ The details from my order are: HONDA CBR650F/A CB650F/R 2014-2020 (F-18/H-65), short, BLACK LEVER W/RED TAB, Brake And Clutch You can look up your bike on their website and have them build them in whatever configuration and color you want. I'm very happy with them. Nicely built, very precise and solid.
@@Scoottoots Thanks! One more quick question if you don't mind. Do you use two fingers or four fingers on your clutch lever? I wonder if I could still use four fingers on a short clutch lever. Thanks again!
@@acctyj I use two. I keep two fingers on the brake and clutch at all times, except when I am stopping when I need to pull the clutch in all the way; then I use 4 fingers. So I guess you can still use four, but two is better. Maybe build the good habit of keeping two fingers on each lever at all times. It's safer and when you get used to it, it gives you better control for trail braking and such.
A little over 12,000 kms. The front was still good but I wanted to switch to the Dunlop Sportmax Q3 Plus front and rear at the same time. Nice improvement in handling and grip.
@@ridehead8771 MT07 doesn't handle well. I4s have a different rev range. I don't need ALOT of power at 90 mph, 'cause I'm not gonna need it. The MT07 does have the power where it's needed, but it's not a quality bike. Not like the CB650f COULD be.
It was from AliExpress (China). It was $43 CAD delivered. It is not available anymore, but there are always several types on offer there. This is one I got: www.aliexpress.com/item/4000354164453.html?
Yes, the new version from this model is the CB650R, and most sources indicate a flat spot in the power delivery; likely a result of the 4 extra ponies they got out of it with some intake modifications and a bit higher redline limit.
Hairpin turns at 100 mph are bit sketchy, lol. Seriously though, at that and above the bike is still planted in sweeping bends. The weight, wheelbase, and suspension, create a stable ride at speed. Good tires help also. I use Dunlop Q3+
@@Scoottoots May I ask what your weight is? I'm really happy to see that you liked the bike so much. I loved it but it just wasnt right for me. I weighed only 130 pounds without any gear when I had it and I think that contributed to the awkward handling. It handled well when pushed hard but in regular traffic felt like riding on ice
@@microsoft790 I weigh 180lbs without gear. I am surprised your bike handled skittish in traffic. I enjoy challenging myself in parking lots on tight maneuvers and fast direction changes, etc. I think that helps.
@@shashidl I find it fairly comfy on longer rides at highway speeds, as the wind hitting you is clean and not buffeting, and it supports your torso taking all the pressure off the wrists and arms. The seat is comfortable and the legs are in a good position, for me at least. I am 6' tall and weigh about 180 lbs. Because you have a bit of forward lean, the pressure is also off the spine so the back feels good.
