Should You Choose The Honda CBR650R In India Over Its Competitors?

The sports bike category is full of exciting and powerful machines. The Honda CBR650R is a motorcycle that embodies the perfect combination of design and performance, making it a must-buy choice for riders who crave the thrill of the racetrack.

Honda has introduced two surprises in the 650 segment: one is the fully-faired, track-oriented CBR650R and the other is the street-naked CB650R. Both motorcycles share the same engine but the track-oriented Honda CBR650R has captured the attention of track-focused riders.

Designed to ignite passion at every corner, the CBR650R promises to deliver a sensational riding experience, whether you are carving through twisty backroads, conquering mild urban commutes or pushing the limits on the track.

At the heart of the motorcycle is a 649cc inline four-cylinder engine. The discontinued version produced roughly 87 hp of maximum power but the updated version is all set to produce 95 hp of peak power and 63 Nm of peak torque. Its high-revving roar is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. This inline-four powerhouse ensures exhilarating acceleration and silky-smooth throttle response. Honda’s renowned engineering achieves the perfect blend of power and control, promising riders the confidence to unleash their full potential.

Aesthetically, the red CBR650R is a masterpiece. Inspired by the legendary Fireblade, its aggressive stance, sharp lines and aerodynamic fairings are designed to turn heads wherever you go. Additionally, it comes equipped with a twin-tube frame, telescopic suspension at the front and mono-shock suspension at the rear.

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Key features of the Honda CBR650R

The new CBR650R is powered by a 649cc inline-four engine. Honda has tweaked the engine for the 2025 model and it now produces 95 hp of peak power and 63 Nm of maximum torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox. Furthermore, Honda has removed the E-Clutch from the Indian version.

The new CBR650R also comes with a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity via Honda’s RoadSync app. It is available in Honda Red and a muted Matte Black colour. Additionally, the motorcycle features a 15.4-litre fuel tank, 17-inch track-oriented tubeless tyres at the front and rear, 132mm of ground clearance and rear alloy wheels.

The updated version of the motorcycle has been launched at an ex-showroom price of INR 9.99 lakhs. At this price point, the motorcycle competes with the Triumph Daytona 660, Suzuki GSX-8R and Ninja ZX-4R.

Triumph Daytona 660 vs Honda CBR650R

The Triumph Daytona 660 is powered by a 660cc engine that produces 93.87 bhp of peak power and 69Nm of peak torque. It is a three-cylinder engine and the ex-showroom cost of the motorcycle is INR 9.72 lakhs. The new CBR650R produces more power than the Daytona 660.

Both motorcycles are paired with six-speed gearboxes and liquid-cooled engines. Additionally, both come with 810mm seat heights. However, the Daytona has a ground clearance of 140mm, which is slightly better than the 132mm ground clearance of the CBR650R. Both motorcycles feature LED headlights and tail lamps. 

The ex-showroom price of the Triumph Daytona 660 is INR 9,72,000, which is slightly less than the Honda CBR650R.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R vs Honda CBR650R

In this price segment, Kawasaki offers the Ninja ZX-4R, which comes with an inline-four 399cc engine producing 76.4 bhp of peak power and 39 Nm of peak torque. The Ninja ZX-4R features USD forks, whereas the Honda CBR650R is equipped with telescopic forks at the front and a mono-shock suspension at the rear.

The seat height of the Ninja ZX-4R is 800mm, making it more accessible than the Honda CBR650R, which has a slightly higher seat height of 811 mm. The ground clearance of the Ninja ZX-4R is 135 mm, almost similar to the 132mm ground clearance of the Honda CBR650R.

In terms of power figures, the CBR650R is more powerful than the Ninja ZX-4R. The ex-showroom price of the Ninja ZX-4R is INR 8,79,000.

Suzuki GSX-8R vs Honda CBR650R

The Suzuki GSX-8R is a classic gem. It is powered by a 776cc twin-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed gearbox, producing 81.8 bhp of peak power and 78 Nm of maximum torque. The ground clearance of the motorcycle is 145 mm and the seat height is 810mm. The Suzuki GSX-8R boasts the best ground clearance in this range, the ex-showroom price of the Suzuki GSX-8R is INR 9.25 lakhs.

Conclusion

The updated Honda CBR650R is one of the fastest track motorcycles in this price range, with the highest power figures. However, its relatively low ground clearance of just 132 mm could be a deal-breaker when encountering unorganised speed breakers. Despite this, the motorcycle is set to steal the spotlight at track events.

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