Honda’s new four-cylinder twins — CBR650R and CB650R: Differences explained

Honda has launched the updated 650 twins, the CBR650R and the CB650R in India. Twins because they share the same platform, but use in-line four engines. Back to the motorcycles now — for those thinking of what differentiated them and which one to choose, here are the differences between them and the similarities to help you choose wisely.

Honda CBR650R vs CB650R — What’s new?

Before we get into the differences and what the in-line four twins share, let’s look at what’s new. The CBR650R – the faired motorcycle – gets a sharper design inspired by the litre class CBR, giving it a more aggressive look than a friendly demeanour. The split headlight setup and the narrower tail section give it a sportier look, while the new colour scheme adds to the purpose.

The CB650R is essentially the naked version of the motorcycle when stripped of its fairings, but takes a more retro approach. It gets a redesigned headlight, and a narrow tail section, making it look much more compact for the engine it packs. The naked CB650R is also available in different colour schemes.

Honda CBR650R vs CB650R — What’s different and similar?

Let’s start with the differences first. The CBR650R is a fully-faired motorcycle, aimed at being sporty in a tucked-in position while still being a bit relaxed to tour on. It gets clip-on bars, and a full fairing to keep the wind away, but demands a more committed position. The CB650R is more street-friendly, meaning there are no fairings, and it gets a handlebar instead of a clip-on. The rider triangle is more relaxed, and the motorcycle takes on a more retro approach with a modern touch.

On the similarities front, the motorcycles are based on the Sam chassis, get the same suspension setup – USD forks up front, a monoshock at the rear – and feature a TFT instrument console with smartphone connectivity through a dedicated app. They both get 17-inch cast alloy wheels, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, and more. They also share the same engine, an in-line four mated to a six-speed gearbox.