We’ll have to disappoint anyone who had hoped Honda would update it, because the only thing Hondas has changed to the CB650R for 2023 is its color. Or as they say: given a visual update.
The CB650R is arguably one of the most underrated bikes since its launch nearly four years ago. Too big for a napkin and too small for a tablecloth Grandma used to say and although that sounds more negative than intended, it is precisely the reason why the engine is stuck.
Too small to take in a comparison test with heavy mid-range motorcycles such as the Street Triple 765, Z900 and MT-09 (to name a few) and too large for a comparison test with the light mid-range such as the Z650, MT- 07 and Trident (again, just to name a few). There’s really nothing you can compare it to one-to-one.
And so it is often passed in comparison tests – unfortunately also with us, while it is actually a damn nice bike that, thanks to the Neo Sports Café design, also looks mouth-wateringly good. We should really do something different next year.
Especially because, as Honda has now announced, the CB650R has been the best-selling model at Honda in 2021 and is second in the 2022 sales stat, behind the Africa Twin. Then you immediately understand why Honda has not given any updates for next year, but only a different color.
Two other colors to be exact. For model year 2023, the Neo Sports Café mid-range will still be available in Candy Chromosphere Red and Matt Jeans Blue Metallic, with two brand new colors coming to the market: Matt Dim Gray Metallic and Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic. The latter maximizes the ‘stealth’ look, with all-black detailing, including cam cover, crankcase cover, fork legs, side panels, levers and footpegs.
Price and delivery time is not yet known.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.