The 2020 Honda CB650R delivers sporty performance in a standard-style package. Its inline-four engine is derived from the popular CBR600RR, but it’s tuned for optimum performance on the street. A notable mid-level machine for riders in the market for a spirited streetfighter.
Honda made the big change to its middleweight standard in 2019, giving it the “R” moniker in place of the “F” and upgrading numerous components throughout. Looks upgrades made it fit nicely among Honda’s “Neo-Sports Café” machines, and improvements to the four-cylinder engine provided a much more enjoyable ride during our first test on the revised machine. That ride also revealed that updates to the CB650R’s suspension resulted in a nicely composed bike through the twisties. It’s a competitive entry against its twin-cylinder rivals in the class from Yamaha (MT-07) and Kawasaki (Z650), though its cost and upgraded components puts it more in league with models like the Ducati Monster 797 and Triumph Street Twin.
Honda made no updates to the CB650R in 2020. It’s only available in Chromosphere Red with ABS.
