Roadster
The CB 650 R has evolved much more than it seems. Particularly with the inauguration of its new E-Clutch clutch assistant, which could well become obvious for all Honda models in the years to come. A bit like power steering in a car or TV in a house – It’s not essential, we did very well without it before… and we don’t see how we could do without it today.
But before seeing the contribution/interest of this E-Clutch, let’s see what’s new in the mid-range Neo-Sport-Café.
A revised face, a retouched design, and a more assertive desire for difference. The original “Mechanical Art” concept suddenly seems very timid to us on the old CB 650 R, while the new one expresses it more proudly with a new headlight block (pilfered from the CB 1000 R), scoops of prominent air intake, a sharpened rear end and a redesigned taillight. It retains its more precious appearance with its bronze treatment for the wheels, the cylinder head cover and the side covers, as well as the gold finish for the fork. Undeniably, the new 6 and a half looks good and we are very proud of it.
This reinforced identity is placed on exactly the same chassis as previously. There was no need to see him again. Around the “Diamond” type steel frame is a preload-adjustable mono-shock absorber, 17-inch rims and a 41 mm Showa inverted fork. A safe and effective suspension element with its SFF-BP system, combining large piston and separate functions: a large internal piston diameter to better absorb shocks and give more feeling, hydraulic damping in a sleeve and springs in the ‘other. For braking, 4-piston radial Nissin clamps are there to bite 310mm tracks. Here too, consistent and proven.
In the era of everything connected, it was high time that the CB 650 R released its LCD instrumentation for something more modern and rewarding. Hence the arrival of a 5-inch TFT screen, with a sober and colorful interface, multiple and thematic, communicative and abundant. Between the control of the phone, the E-Clutch and the RoadSync app, the dashboard has what it takes to support its driver at many times of the day. First choose a type of display (Simple / Bargraph / Circular) then configure the clutch activation settings and finally (via voice recognition or action of the new backlit button on the left commodo) take advantage of the management of music, simplified GPS navigation or even being annoyed by calls or message notifications.
-The CB is powered by the same 4-cylinder as yesterday, with 16 valves, double ACT and super-square dimensions; a very classic engine, proven and by definition worry-free. A choice which may seem outdated as the competition mainly only designs 2 or 3-cylinders. But its type of architecture provides very pleasant flexibility and linear behavior that can be appreciated, with an increase in power in the revs to reach 95 horsepower. The counterpart of this type of engine is that it must be kept at higher revs to have force under the handle. In the event of overflow, HSTC torque/traction control watches over the grain; or not, because it can be deactivated.
Its limited-slip clutch makes its control lever very flexible and absorbs the risk of the rear wheel locking. That’s it, we come to the clutch control and the E-Clutch.
How does it work? When the system detects the use of the selector, it intervenes on the ignition and the injection then activates two small electric motors which will take care of operating the clutch. This creates, essentially, a semi-automatic system. Because the E-Clutch will never take care of shifting gears; he assists them. From the dashboard, the driver can choose the “type of action” for the clutch / disengagement, in Hard, Medium or Soft, for both upshifts and downshifts.
And as this system assists the control all the time, the motorcycle can no longer stall. A real plus for new users or those with sore hands from long city driving.
But this technology is not exclusive. The left lever is still there and usable like on a classic motorcycle, at any time. I encourage you to discover all the subtleties of this technology in the dedicated news ->.
This evolution of the CB 650 R has a consequence on the weight. A few extra kilos, to which we must add two for the E-Clutch. The bike now reaches 207 kg.
Honda has determined that the CB 650 R sold in France will be equipped with the E-Clutch as standard. An “obligation” not necessarily annoying because on the one hand, the system can be deactivated for those who want to keep handling the lever; and on the other hand, it is rumored that the cost of this technology would only slightly increase the price of the motorcycle. The difference is 450 euros since the previous model, including the e-clutch and the 2024 evos – a very reasonable additional cost.
Democratizing a revolution would be the niche of this new CB. Doesn’t that remind you of anything!?!.
MB – Manufacturer photos
