There are many sorts of bikes for various sorts of riders, and after a couple of minutes of analysis just about anybody will be capable of inform the distinction between a sportbike and an journey bike. We know that not all bikes are woven from the identical material – or solid from the identical metallic, if you’ll, however it may be fairly complicated, particularly for learners, to decide in the case of what bike they really need.

For instance, we regularly get requested about two bikes in Honda’s sportbike catalog, and why one ought to go for one or the opposite. Of course, I’m speaking in regards to the CBR650R and CBR600RR. For the uninitiated, the CBR650R could seem to be the extra premium, and due to this fact extra fascinating, machine. After all, it is up by 50 cubes when in comparison with the CBR600RR, so certainly it’s the higher bike? Meanwhile, those that know a factor or two about bikes would know that the CBR600RR is in actual fact the dearer, performance-oriented machine.

2024 Honda CBR600RR

2024 Honda CBR650R

Well, as it might prove, the phrase “better” is subjective, and relies upon totally in your desires and wishes as a motorcyclist. With that stated, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the Honda CBR650R and CBR600RR. Let’s check out a number of the distinction between these two sportbikes, and hopefully, after studying this text, you’ll study a factor or two about these two bikes and make a better-informed choice in case you’re eyeing a four-cylinder sportbike bearing the Honda badge.

Performance

The Honda CBR600RR is a much more track-focused machine. 

It will be straightforward to suppose that these two bikes have related efficiency scores, given the truth that they’re each 600-ish cc, inline-four cylinder engines. However, one in every of them is tuned extra for avenue use, whereas the opposite is actually a road-legal race bike.
Let’s kick issues off with the CBR650R. It’s powered by a 649cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, inline-four engine. It pumps out a most of 94 horsepower at 12,000 rpm and 47 pound-feet of torque at 9,500 rpm. It’s under no circumstances a low-power engine, but it surely isn’t a high-performance, fire-breathing engine both. Rather, it’s a sporty four-banger that’s designed to be satisfying on the road, whereas packing sufficient energy for a spirited experience on the twisties or on monitor.

As for the CBR600RR, properly, it’s by far a stronger, race-oriented machine. In phrases of efficiency, it’s rocking a 599cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, inline-four engine with 113 horsepower at 13,000 rpm and 48.7 pound-feet of torque at 11,250 rpm. As such, it’s a far higher-revving engine than that of the 650, and produces extra energy excessive up within the rev vary. As a consequence nevertheless, it feels sluggish and typically troublesome to handle at decrease rpms when in comparison with the CBR650R.

Ergonomics

Although sporty in nature, the Honda CBR650R has a extra snug, upright seating place. 

When selecting a bike, it may be all too straightforward to miss the significance of ergonomics, particularly in case you’re a brand new rider with a passion for sportbikes. The CBR650R is certainly a sportbike, but it surely’s one which was designed extra for the highway and for touring functions somewhat than being a razor-sharp track-focused machine. As a end result, the CBR650R has a extra upright seating place because of barely taller handlebars and decrease rearsets. With a seat peak of 31.9 inches, the CBR650R is approachable to riders of various heights.

As for the CBR600RR, properly, it’s designed to be a razor-sharp supersport for the road, and all it takes is one take a look at this bike’s rider triangle. With its low-slung clip-on handlebars and tall rearsets, you’re pressured into a completely tucked place it doesn’t matter what you do. It additionally has a barely taller seat peak at 32.3 inches, which may typically really feel even increased because of the bike’s hunched over place.

Underpinnings

The CBR650R even comes with an non-obligatory E-Clutch for on-road comfort.

When it comes to those two bikes’ underpinnings, they’re related, but it surely’s clear that one in every of them sits within the extra budget-focused finish of the spectrum. The CBR650R will get 41-millimeter inverted Showa Big Piston forks, however misses out on the adjustability options discovered within the CBR600RR. Out again, the 650R will get a preload-adjustable monoshock which will be tweaked for using two-up or with baggage. When it involves brakes, the CBR650R involves a cease with twin radially mounted disc brakes with 310-millimeter rotors and a single 240-millimeter disc on the rear.

As for the CBR600RR, it’s as if Honda plucked its elements out of the HRC components bin, and that’s fairly in all probability what they did. It sports activities 41-millimeter Show SFF-BP inverted forks which have been lengthened for higher adjustment. There’s additionally totally adjustable compression and damping, permitting riders to fine-tune suspension settings based on their preferences. Meanwhile, on the again, the Show rear shock can be totally adjustable, and is made much more compliant because of Honda’s Unit Pro-Link system.

Marc Marquez’s coaching bike of alternative is a Honda CBR600RR. 

The CBR600RR units itself aside because of a diecast aluminum twin-spar body that retains weight down low, in addition to an digital steering damper that’s managed by the bike’s ECU. As for the brakes, it will get radial Tokico four-piston calipers up entrance which clamp down on two 310-millimeter rotors. The rear brake is a single 220-millimeter rotor with a single-piston sliding caliper. Overall, Honda claims a moist weight of 193 kilos (425 kilos), whereas the CBR650R weighs in at 211 kilos or about 465 kilos – various weight for a sportbike.

Styling

The Honda CBR600RR has far more aggressive styling, and a attribute under-tail exhaust system. 

It’s within the styling division that these two bikes share various similarities. They each characteristic signature Honda aesthetics highlighted by their sporty, race-inspired colorways. However, the styling of the CBR650R is clearly extra touring centered, accentuated by its taller windscreen, vast fairing, and two-up saddle.

Meanwhile, the CBR600RR has a way more aggressive design, with a bone line that’s parallel to the bottom suggesting a extra aggressive using stance. Additionally, for the 2024 model-year, the CBR600RR comes customary with winglets, a purposeful stomach pan, and an upswept exhaust that sees the muffle mounted simply beneath the tail.

Pricing and availability

When it involves pricing, it’s additionally clear that the CBR650R is supposed to be extra accessible to a wider viewers. It’s accessible within the US market with a base MSRP of $9,899 USD. Honda additionally not too long ago introduced an E-Clutch model of the CBR650R, though pricing within the US has not but been confirmed on the time of writing. As for the CBR600RR, it’s fairly a bit pricier carrying an MSRP beginning at $12,199 USD. This worth can go all the best way as much as $13,199 USD for non-obligatory ABS.