My Honda CB650R Cafe Racer

[gcon45]

With my days of litre sports bikes over (for road use at least) I have been in the hunt for a more upright alternative.

I had been looking at a CB1000R initially but having test ridden both I decided on a CB650R. It’s a real box ticker for me and is more than powerful enough for road use.
It’s like a modern day Hornet with neo-retro styling.

The bike comes with Metzeler Roadtec 01s, which I’m not a huge fan of so I got a pair of trusty Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3s, which Honda fitted for me.

I ordered the bike with the comfort pack (heated grips, fly screen and 12v accessory socket) and the sports pack (quickshifter, anodised belly pan and seat cowl).

The sports pack items are currently on backorder from Honda so I’m going to have them fitted at the run in service.

No modifications planned other than the usual R&G tail tidy, crash protection, radiator guard etc.

First impressions are great.
Buttery smooth inline 4 and gearbox as you’d expect from Honda.

Look forward to racking up the cruising miles!

 

[Slimsbikers]

HTR .Looks well...

 

[Captain Starlet]

That is lovely, the exhaust is brilliant looking.

 

[gcon45]

That is lovely, the exhaust is brilliant looking.

A nod to the ‘70s CB slashed downpipes I believe

 

[gcon45]

Must... resist...

 

[Captain Starlet]

I was wondering how long it would take, the akrapovic is a must, and you may aswell fit an air filter and power commander while your at it .

 

[gcon45]

Shouldn’t really kid myself and delay the inevitable Gary

I only realised when I got the bike home that it’s one of the first to be made in Japan.
That was pure luck on my part.
They were made in Honda’s Thailand plant up until very recently - (not that there’s anything particularly wrong with that).

Fitted the tail tidy last night and got rid of the monstrosity that is the original number plate bracket:

 

[fabiostar]

HTR. great do everything bike

 

[gcon45]

Wee run out today to Ballycastle.
Loving this bike. 300 miles on the clock in less than 2 weeks! Soon be time for the run-in service ffs!

 

[gcon45]

Run-in service complete.

Really can’t say enough good things about these wee bikes to be honest.

Still on the original exhaust. It’s tidy looking and actually sounds quite well so will stay for now.


The bike now has:

• Quickshifter
• Belly pan
• Rear seat cowl
• CNC levers
• Gillies gear shaft support
• Screen removed
• Reflectors removed
• Screen protector fitted
• R&G aero crash protectors
• R&G rail tidy
• R&G swingarm bobbins
• R&G fork protectors
• R&G bar ends
• R&G radiator guard
• 7x5 plate with carbon fibre rear backing
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[Slimsbikers]

Looking great!Hard to resist buying a wee bit of bling.Still think you need the Akra though...

 

[BillyP89]

Looking for some advice if any you guys have a minute, I have a CB650R I changed my stock mirrors for moto gadget but getting severe vibration through them. Anyone any thoughts. TIA

 

[Apis]

Looking for some advice if any you guys have a minute, I have a CB650R I changed my stock mirrors for moto gadget but getting severe vibration through them. Anyone any thoughts. TIA

THis sounds like a bodge but has worked for me on a few different bikes..
Stick a small piece of wheel weight on the mirror as far out near the end as you can. Somewhere discrete like on the underneath. You can experiment first with plasticene or blutac. Or if there's anyway of splitting the mirror casing to get inside, that would be the best place

 

[gcon45]

I almost lasted a year...

 

[gcon45]

Out with the old

 

[Slimsbikers]

Out with the old View attachment 314995
View attachment 314996

Get a wee video clip up till we hear it!

 

[Lee]

Class looking bike. I like this pic:

 

[ST Colin]

Really like the CB650R. Think it looks better than the Trident I'm getting, but wanted a triple.

Stupid question, is it easy enough to put a bike up onto a paddock stand by yourself? I have a pair of bobbins fitted for one.

 

[Lee]

Really like the CB650R. Think it looks better than the Trident I'm getting, but wanted a triple.

Stupid question, is it easy enough to put a bike up onto a paddock stand by yourself? I have a pair of bobbins fitted for one.

Yep, you'll be a bit scared of it the first couple of times, then you'll be flying!

 

[Lee A]

Oh that's lovely, akra looks great on it. I'm sure it sounds well also