There has been some talk about CBR 650F on this forum, but the conclusion was, that it is basically a bit too boring and also inferior to earlier CBR models. It is my impression that all of these conclusions were mead strictly merely based on superficially looking at the specs.

Here is a nice clip where the naked counterparts of latest and greatest CBR 600F, 2016 650F and also MT(FZ)-07 were tested:

Guess what; over one lap 650F came out on top and the mighty last generation 600F fell behind big time, +4s !!!

With CB(R) 650F 2017 model, the gap would be even larger, with it's increased power, torque and shorter gear ratios. I am a happy owner of one of these new ones, pearl white. I have to say that I find it hard to imagine anything faster than this making any sense on the street i.e. outside of a race track.

Cheers, Bernard

 

I have no idea what they are saying in the video......

 

The times are printed out after the guy does one quick lap with each bike. 1:03.720 for 650F (skip to 5:52 in video to see it), 1'05,222 for MT07 (skip to 8:11) and a lowly 1:07.970 for 600F (skip to 10:30). This guy is not Dani Pedrosa, but he looks legit. You can follow his riding with each bike all around the lap.

My explanation would be that 650F produces more power across a wider range of RPM, even if it does not peak as high as 600F. I guess it also has a better, more modern geometry with better balance, maybe also better brakes.