2022 Honda CB650R ABS Guide

2022 Honda CB650R ABS: FROM BOREDOM TO THRILL AT FIRST SIGHT.

Introducing the 2022 Honda CB650R ABS…

Honda’s iconic CB moniker evokes a proud legacy of middleweight machines that boast user-friendly four-cylinder engines mated to nimble, confidence-inspiring chassis. That’s also an accurate description of the CB650R, which features a Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, excellent emissions performance, striking aesthetics and comfortable ergonomics. Showcasing Honda’s Neo Sports Café design theme through its smooth lines and compact packaging, the CB650R is a popular and enjoyable naked bike that builds on the CB history of catering to diverse riding experiences, from daily commutes to exhilarating outings on tight, twisting backroads.

Honda’s Neo Sports Café middleweight continues to carve out a strong following. Specification includes 41mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston USD forks, high-revving four-cylinder engine, HSTC, assist/slipper clutch and LCD dash. Minimal styling makes a bold statement, and includes practicality of a USB Type-C socket under the seat. The choice of colours grows to four for 2022, with the addition of a Sword Silver Metallic option.

Honda has always thrived on exploring new boundaries – in design as well as engineering. In 2018, the CB1000R, CB300R and CB125R brought a fresh identity to its naked motorcycle line-up, mixing café racer inspirations with a forward-looking ultra-minimalist look under the ‘Neo Sports Café’ design theme.

One segment remained for the new aesthetic to find expression: the hugely competitive naked middleweight arena and, in 2019, the CB650R confidently took on this role. Aimed at a young demographic that looks to show off in style and enjoy to the maximum a combination of exhilarating four cylinder engine performance and light, versatile, refined chassis handling, it has proved a great success.

Building on the momentum, in 2021 the CB650R received a major front suspension upgrade, plus a range of detail improvements to enhance comfort, usability and practicality. For 2022, the CB650R gains a cool new colour option.

Valerio Aiello, of Honda’s Rome R&D Department on the Neo Sports Café design aesthetic:

“The entire current Neo Sport Café range from Honda is the result of the CB4 Concept model presented at EICMA in 2015. Our desire was to explore the world of the café racer and reinterpret it in a modern key.

All the models of this CB series are not simply retro-vintage motorcycles, but rather neo-classics – that is, modern motorbikes showcasing classic design styles combined with modern techniques.

We wanted to create a new stylistic dimension, different from the muscular streetfighters of the last few years, and at the same time, far from the simpler café-racer style. The end result is that none of the bikes from the competition resemble the Neo Sports Café range and, like them or not, they are easily recognizable as Hondas. The competitors have classic or very modern motorcycles in their ranges, but in my opinion, not something that goes in the wake of both styles.

During development of the CB4 concept, I found inspiration from outside the world of motorcycles, in watches. I’ve always liked their technicality and one of the key concepts used during the Neo Sports Café design was ‘Mechanical Art’.

‘Mechanical Art’ is the desire to show the beauty of the various mechanical elements to which Honda has always given great importance. Watches do this very well indeed, with their mechanics always creating a certain charm.”

The CB650R received a significant refresh for 2021. The major news was the application of 41mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SSF-BP) USD forks – high quality suspension that really elevates the bike’s handling ability.

EURO5 compliance for the engine was achieved with no loss of top end power; other detail improvements included slightly more forward-set handlebars, improved visibility for the LCD display and USB Type-C charging socket under the seat. New side panels and rear mudguard were also minor cosmetic changes.

LESS IS MORE
Minimum fuss, maximum motorcycle.
The CB650R features a sleek, streamlined design to match your sophisticated urban style. The bike’s ultra-compact, powerful stance channels the retro-minimalism of the CB1000R Neo Sports Café. It blends curved lines with taut angles and, now, is even more dynamic with newly-chiselled side panels and sleek rear number plate mount. With the CB650R, less gives you more.

ADDICTIVE ENGINEERING

Built to be used. And enjoyed.
The inline four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine is built to be used. Close, short gearing and a smooth rush of power delivers exhilarating acceleration – and then there’s the evocative howl as rpm climbs high. It’s addictive. An assist/slipper clutch eases upshifts and manages hard down changes, while Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) maintains rear wheel traction. It’s an engineering masterpiece. Have fun with it.

FULLY EQUIPPED
Everything you need. Nothing to get in your way.
A premium motorcycle deserves premium equipment. Full LED lighting adds a sophisticated, contemporary edge, and the distinctive circular headlight throws out a penetrating blue-tinted beam. There also now a USB socket under the seat, for charging your device and the instrument display – with improved clarity – is a crisp LCD dash, and includes Gear Position and Shift Up indicators.

2022 Honda CB650R ABS Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

• Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks
• Four-piston, radial-mount front brake calipers and floating discs
• 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tyres
• Minimal side panels and rear mudguard/number plate mount
• Handlebar angled for effortless low-speed manoeuvring
• LCD display easy to read; USB Type-C socket under the seat
• 70kW peak power, 63Nm peak torque with 35kW A2 licence option
• Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
• Full EURO5 compliance

ALUMINIUM WHEELS
The CB650R is equipped with premium 5-spoke Y-shaped aluminium wheels. The innovative design optimises rigidity while cutting down on thickness, giving you maximum strength with minimum weight.

NEW SHOWA SFF-BP USD FORKS
41mm Showa Separate Fork Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks are an upgrade for the CB650R, and offer supple response with excellent feel for front tyre grip. They match, perfectly the frame’s tuned rigidity balance and quick-steering geometry.

FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE
The inline four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve, EURO5-specification engine produces 70kW with strong mid-range torque of 64Nm. It has a 12,000rpm redline and features Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) to maintain rear wheel traction. The ignition switch is housed in the front of the fuel tank cover, to create a minimalist frontal area.

ENHANCED COCKPIT CONTROL
The CB650R features rich digital LCD instruments with new, easy-to-read design; included in the display are Gear Position and Shift Up indicators. The tapered handlebars are now set at a wider, and offer easy leverage for fast steering reaction. You are the king of the urban jungle. Show the world what you’re capable of.

FULL LED LIGHTING
The lighting system of the CB650R is optimally engineered. All lighting is premium LED. The circular headlight, equipped with a sharp black bezel, throws out an intense, blue-tinted beam. The taillight is minimal, and tucks away above the steel number plate mount.

RADIAL-MOUNT CALIPERS
The urban jungle can be unpredictable. That’s why you need a motorcycle that will give you smooth, complete control in any weather. Dual, radial-mount four-piston calipers grip 310mm floating discs, complemented by a single-piston rear caliper and 240mm disc. Dual channel ABS maintains smooth control in wet or dry conditions. Conquer the road, rain or shine.

ALUMINIUM WHEELS
The CB650R is equipped with premium 5-spoke Y-shaped aluminium wheels. The innovative design optimises rigidity while cutting down on thickness, giving you maximum strength with minimum weight.

NEW SHOWA SFF-BP USD FORKS
41mm Showa Separate Fork Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks are an upgrade for the CB650R, and offer supple response with excellent feel for front tyre grip. They match, perfectly the frame’s tuned rigidity balance and quick-steering geometry.

FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE
The inline four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve, EURO5-specification engine produces 70kW with strong mid-range torque of 64Nm. It has a 12,000rpm redline and features Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) to maintain rear wheel traction. The ignition switch is housed in the front of the fuel tank cover, to create a minimalist frontal area.

ENHANCED COCKPIT CONTROL
The CB650R features rich digital LCD instruments with new, easy-to-read design; included in the display are Gear Position and Shift Up indicators. The tapered handlebars are now set at a wider, and offer easy leverage for fast steering reaction. You are the king of the urban jungle. Show the world what you’re capable of.

FULL LED LIGHTING
The lighting system of the CB650R is optimally engineered. All lighting is premium LED. The circular headlight, equipped with a sharp black bezel, throws out an intense, blue-tinted beam. The taillight is minimal, and tucks away above the steel number plate mount.

RADIAL-MOUNT CALIPERS
The urban jungle can be unpredictable. That’s why you need a motorcycle that will give you smooth, complete control in any weather. Dual, radial-mount four-piston calipers grip 310mm floating discs, complemented by a single-piston rear caliper and 240mm disc. Dual channel ABS maintains smooth control in wet or dry conditions. Conquer the road, rain or shine.

Every day is a journey. Start yours today with the CB650R. Distinctive performance of raw sports street fighters and stripped-down Neo Sports Café styling. The CB650R – with style, suspension and equipment updates – is ready to take you on an unforgettable, urban adventure.

2022 Honda CB650R ABS Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

STYLING
Tightly wrapped and aggressive, the CB650R’s Neo Sports Café style features the signature compact “trapezoid” proportion of short, stubby tail and short-overhang headlight. The long fuel tank is a key motif of the family design; its smooth lines accentuate the solidity of real metal surfaces and crown the engineering of the four-cylinder powerplant. It also houses the ignition.

The handlebar is set forward for good ergonomics, and the LCD dash has good visibility. The round headlight is based on that of the CB1000R. It’s LED, as is the rest of the lighting. Sharp LCD instruments also use the CB1000R as a baseline and include Shift Up, Gear Position and a Peak Hold indicator, which brings attention to the peak revs and offers a dynamic experience for the rider.

A 21.9 inch tapered handlebar is shaped and positioned to offer a sporty yet comfortable riding position, as is the foot-peg position. Seat height is 31.9 inches.

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The CB650R’s steel-diamond frame uses pressed swingarm pivot plates for weight savings twin elliptical spars with a rigidity balance specifically tuned (stiffer around the headstock and more flexible in the spar sections) to deliver balanced handling characteristics with high levels of rider feedback. Curb weight (measured with all required fluids) is 447 pounds. Much is owed to weight-saving measures in the frame, fuel tank and super-sport-style footpegs. Handling is further aided by an ideal centralization of mass.

Front suspension comprises an inverted 41 mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork – high-quality suspension that improves the bike’s handling. The fork is held by a forged-aluminum bottom triple clamp. Adjustable for seven-stage spring preload, the single-tube shock operates directly on the curvaceous, gravity die-cast aluminum swingarm.

Four-piston radial-mount front brake calipers work on 310 mm floating rotors and are paired with a single-piston rear caliper and 240 mm rotor. Two-channel ABS is standard. The cast aluminum wheels are designed with five Y-shaped spokes, reducing weight by front and rear, which also improves handling by reducing inertia and unsprung mass.

ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
Honda’s development engineers wanted to create the purest, most enjoyable midsized four-cylinder performance possible for the CB650R rider, so the 649 cc, DOHC 16-valve engine has been tuned to deliver good power above 10,000 rpm. Peak power arrives at 12,000 rpm, with peak torque delivered at 8,500. The net result is a motor that spins well at high rpm, with a smooth, linear torque delivery that builds strongly as revs rise, and sounds great in the process.

Direct cam actuation makes for a compact cylinder head; compression ratio is 11.6:1. The valve train is reinforced and iridium spark plugs employed.

Asymmetric piston skirts minimize bore contact, reducing friction. Ferrous spines on the outer surface of the cylinder sleeves reduce oil consumption (and friction) with improved heat transfer, and a silent SV cam chain reduces frictional losses by using a Vanadium coating on its pins. Internal water channeling from the cylinder head to the cylinders does away with most of the exterior hoses.

Twin air ducts on either side of the fuel tank feed a large volume of air, raising atmospheric pressure in the airbox. They also produce a throaty intake roar. The exhaust features a large, 1.5 inch-bore tail pipe inside the muffler to flow more gas and, with its exit pipe angled upward, to emit an emotional howl.

The engine uses a compact internal architecture, stacked six-speed gearbox and starter layout with the cylinders canted forward 30°. An assist/slipper clutch eases upshifts while managing rear-wheel lock up under rapid downshifts, while Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) manages rear-wheel traction; it can be turned off should the rider choose.

Transferable one-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

• Meets current EPA standards.
• Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.

EUROPEAN FEATURES

Chassis

The CB650R’s steel diamond frame uses pressed swingarm pivot plates and twin elliptical spars with a rigidity balance specifically tuned (stiffer around the headstock and more flexible in the spar sections) to deliver balanced handling characteristics, with high levels of rider feedback. Rake is set at 25.5° with trail of 101mm and wheelbase of 1,450mm. Kerb weight is 202.5kg.

Showa’s Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) 41mm USD forks offer high-quality reaction. A pressure separation damper in one fork tube and spring mechanism in the other deliver high damping performance and lighter weight. Together with the use of a larger sized piston the result is increased feel, bump absorption and control. Adjustable for 10-stage spring preload, the single-tube monoshock operates directly on the curvaceous gravity die-cast aluminium swingarm.

Four-piston radial-mount front brake calipers work 310mm wave-pattern floating discs, and are paired with a single-piston rear caliper and 240mm disc. The ABS is a two-channel system.

Cast aluminium wheels mount 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tyres.

Styling & equipment

Tightly wrapped and aggressive, the CB650R’s Neo Sports Café style features the signature compact ‘Trapezoid’ proportion of short, stubby tail and short overhang headlight. The long fuel tank is a key motif of the family design; its smooth lines accentuate the solidity of real metal surfaces and crown the engineering of the four cylinder powerplant. It also houses the ignition.

A 35° handlebar angle makes tight, slow-speed turns and U-turns straightforward. Compact side panels accentuate the minimalism, as does the steel rear mudguard. There’s a USB Type-C socket located under the seat, for easy charging of a mobile device; seat height is set at 810mm.

The round headlight is one of the key words of the Neo Sports Café design language. It’s LED, as is the rest of the lighting. Sharp LCD instruments use the CB1000R as a baseline and include Shift Up, Gear Position and Peak Hold indicators.

Engine

The 649cc, DOHC 16-valve engine is tuned to create the purest, most enjoyable mid-sized four cylinder performance possible, with the classically fast ‘pick-up’ through the rev range and hard-hitting, high-revving top end for which Honda’s in-line’s fours are renowned. Peak power of 70kW arrives @ 12,000rpm with peak torque @ 63Nm delivered at 9,500 rpm. An easy 35kW conversion is available for A2 licence holders. EURO5 compliance required revisions to the ECU, cam lobes, intake timing, exhaust pipe, catalyser and silencer, as well as the addition of a crank pulsar.

Direct cam actuation makes for a compact cylinder head; bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 46mm with compression ratio raised of 11.6:1. Iridium spark plugs are employed and twin air ducts – either side of the fuel tank – feed the airbox and produce a throaty intake roar.

Asymmetric piston skirts minimise bore contact and reduce friction. Ferrous spines on the outer surface of the cylinder sleeves reduce oil consumption (and friction) with improved heat transfer and a silent SV cam chain reduces frictional losses by using a Vanadium coating on its pins. Internal water channelling from cylinder head to cylinders does away with most of the exterior hoses.

The engine uses a compact internal architecture, stacked six-speed gearbox and starter layout with the cylinders canted forward 30°. An assist/slipper clutch eases upshifts while managing rear-wheel lock up under hard braking and rapid downshifts. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) is fitted to manage rear wheel traction; it can be turned off should the rider choose.

Fuel consumption of 20.4km/l (WMTC mode) gives a range of over 300km from the 15.4L fuel tank.

Accessories

A range of Genuine Honda Accessories are available for the CB650R:

Several aluminium parts and aluminium inserts to maximise the Neo Sport Café design that CB650R and CB1000R have in common (meter visor, front mudguard panels, shroud covers, side covers, seat cowl).

Under cowl

Wheel stripes

Tank bag and seat bag – the same as those for Honda’s naked flagship, the CB1000R

Quick shifter

Front visor

12V socket

Heated grips

Tank pad

2022 Honda CB650R ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $9299 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $10149 CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ See Dealer GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride
Meets current CARB and EPA emissions standards

2022 Honda CB650R ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Type Liquid-cooled inline four cylinder
Displacement 649 cc
Bore & Stroke 67 mm x 46 mm
Compression Ratio 11.6:1
Valve Train Chain-driven DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery PGM-FI electronic fuel injection with 32 mm throttle bodies
Transmission Six-speed
Final Drive #525 O-ring-sealed chain (15T/42T)
Chassis & Suspension
Front Suspension 41 mm Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function- Big Piston front Fork) inverted fork
Rear Suspension Showa monoshock damper with 7-stage adjustable preload
Additional Information
Tires Front: 120/70ZR-17
Rear: 180/55ZR-17
Brakes Front: Dual 310 mm discs with radial-mounted four-piston calipers
Rear: Disc 240 mm with single-piston caliper
ABS: 2-channel ABS
Seat Height 810 mm (31.9 in.)
Wheelbase 1,450 mm (57.1 in.)
Curb Weight 201kg (443 lb) including required fluids and full tank of gas – ready to ride
Fuel Capacity 15.4 L
Colour Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic
Warranty 12 months, unlimited mileage, freely transferable warranty; extended coverage available with Honda Plus

2022 Honda CB650R ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details

# Please note that the figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).