Hi,
I'd like to know your view on which would be the most direct competitors to CBR 650F (full fairing mid-range bikes). Very strictly there are none, but if you start counting twins, the list starts to fill up.

The first one that pops up to mind and is also compared most often in articles would be Ninja 650, but that is a smaller and significantly less powerful bike. Tracer 700 is a bit closer looking at power (still 15 HP less!), but the seating position is quite different, not exactly the same type of bike.

Next could be the stronger twins - BMW F800 GT and the new Ducati Supersport. You rarely see anyone comparing 650F to these bikes, but in fact they are closer in specs than the small Ninja. The bigger difference here would be the extra equipement and options that CBR is lacking.

Your views?

Cheers, Bernard

 

I have seen one or 2 Youtube videos comparing the CBR650f to the Kawasaki Z800 based on similar MSRP.

I personally do not agree.

 

Hi! Am new to this forum. I am currently shopping for a CBR650F. Reviews I've read most typically compare the relatively new Honda CBR650F to the Ninja 650 and the Yamaha FZ-06. Have also seen where the Honda is compared with the Triumph Street Triple 675. New for 2018, the Street Triple has a 765 cc motor. The Honda fairs pretty well in all of reviews I've read. This CBR650F will not be my only Honda but the one with the smallest displacement. I currently own a 2012 Honda VFR1200 and a 2007 Honda VFR800. Motorcycles are my hobby so I have multiple bikes.

 

I used to own a BMW F800ST and wouldn’t say it’s a rival to the CBR, it’s a completely different proposition, they handle and stop well but the engine is completely devoid of any character and you sit up very high a bit like a supermoto.



The Ducati Supersport however IMO is a modern day CBR600F, the ergonomics feel the same and the power to weight is very similar.

 

I agree with respect to the similarities between the Honda CBR F series (including the new for 2014 CBR650F) and the new for 2017 Ducati SuperSport. I test rode the SuperSport thinking I might prefer it to the current CBR650F (or even the CBR F4i of the past). However, I was not impressed with the ride (liked the looks!). Mirrors vibrate quite a bit and the engine puts out considerable heat when stuck at a stop light. Enough heat that here in California, it would be intolerable during a hot summer for me. On the Ducati forum, it's mentioned that rubber bump stops for the rear shock melt due to exhaust heat. As much as I like the looks of the 2001-06 F4i, I decided the riding position is a little too cramped for me personally. Likely I will purchase one of the earlier year models of the current CBR650F. Hope to be able to test ride before plunking down the $$$.

 

Years ago I owned a 600 Supersport and that was horrendous in heavy traffic, the heat off the engine was really intense, especially in heavy traffic. The Honda in line 4’s run much cooler.