[Added_flavor]

Originally Posted by RiderZone

1. Brilliant brakes, C-ABS standard. Although I am confused, how does C-ABS work? If I press only the front brake, what would the C-ABS do?

When the front brake is pressed, the brake force reaches the electronics, which in turn would apply the same amount of brake force on the rear wheel too. So indirectly you are applying the same brake force on both front and rear thereby facilitating faster stop. More details here.

PS: Apparently, this bike doesn't come with C-ABS. It comes with a normal ABS.

[loki]

Originally Posted by RiderZone

1. Brilliant brakes, C-ABS standard. Although I am confused, how does C-ABS work? If I press only the front brake, what would the C-ABS do?

This bike has ABS. Not C-ABS.

Originally Posted by dilipkumar7278

Hi
What's your opinion on the refinement of the engine? Also would like to know about the vibrations that many owners mention in other forums.
Cheers
Dilip

The bike is smooth overall. Except some uncharacteristic vibes between 3200 rpm to 4000 rpm. This is noticeable because the rest of the powerband is butter smooth and the vibes only occur at that specific rpm range. Not a deal breaker to me. BHPian Rachit.K.Dogra has also pointed this out in his ownership thread. Not sure why this occurs (might be a design fault).

Originally Posted by RiderZone

No vibrations at all, and that might be because this bike had gone through its first service already, done some 1100 kms. Refinement is amazing, pulled from 30 to 120 in 6th gear without even the slightest hiccup.

I'm in touch with fellow 650 owners in Bangalore. One owner who has already finished his first service said that the vibes have significantly reduced and its almost as if the bike has found an extra gear. Makes sense that the test ride bike was refined. I'm looking forward for my first service too.

[RiderZone]

My bad, the showroom guy kept pushing the C-ABS acronym down my ears, and that's what came with the 250R.

The other thing that he kept pushing down my ears is the service cost. After a 6000km interval, he said the service cost will be between 3000-4000 bucks, which included oil and oil filter change. Takes 3.5 liters of oil BTW.

Overall, should be an easier on the pocket machine as against Triumphs and Kawas.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Originally Posted by loki

I'm in touch with fellow 650 owners in Bangalore. One owner who has already finished his first service said that the vibes have significantly reduced and its almost as if the bike has found an extra gear. Makes sense that the test ride bike was refined. I'm looking forward for my first service too.

Well, I am headed tomorrow to get my first service done. I hope I come out with the same observation for the vibes. Will keep you guys posted.

Day after tomorrow, after the first service I am planning to take her to Chandigarh. Lets see how highways feel on this.

Rachit

[dilipkumar7278]

Guys
What's your opinion on the benelli 600 twins? Now that some of you have ridden both bikes how do they fare compared to Honda in comfort and performance. Benelli has started their first dealership here in Kochi yesterday.
Regards
Dilip

[djay99]

Honda CBR 650F vs Kawasaki Z800 video comparison by Kartikeya Singhee of Autocar India. Final verdict by him is that Z800 makes a strong proposition due to price overlap.

Honestly i feel that these bikes should not be compared but close pricing is making people to compare. Either honda has to reduce price or Kawasaki has to increase price so that comparison is stopped

[VW2010]

onestly i feel that these bikes should not be compared but close pricing is making people to compare. Either honda has to reduce price or Kawasaki has to increase price so that comparison is stopped

Unfortunately when you price it close to z800 and that 800 is a stunner as much as this 650 is its difficult to not compare.

And two years back the Fz1 was priced around 9 on road. If not for the price hike which pushed it now to close to 14L on road even FZ1 was comparable to me.

z800 pricing is bang on and there is no stopping a honda lover to not pick a honda over the z800.

But a sane comparison will push a buyer towards the z800 simply because of the feature set available at that price including ABC, TC etc.

[djay99]

Here's the link of comparo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNiuUcsGdBs

[Added_flavor]

• He finds the CBR650 Stiff sprung. He'll probably feel the KTM dukes don't have suspensions at all, if he rides them.
  
• Why does he say only the Z800 has preload adjustable rear suspension? Doesn't the CBR650 have it?
  
• What's the point of this comparison? Both bikes are built for different purposes! One is a dedicated sports tourer and the other is a naked street fighter. He conveniently skips talking about the tank range comparison!
  
• He's biased towards the Z. Period.

[loki]

The Z800 ABS is even better priced in the US ! $8399 MSRP! While the CBR650 ABS over there is around $8999.

Interesting how product pricing works across markets.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

• He finds the CBR650 Stiff sprung. He'll probably feel the KTM dukes don't have suspensions at all, if he rides them.
  
• Why does he say only the Z800 has preload adjustable rear suspension? Doesn't the CBR650 have it?
  
• What's the point of this comparison? Both bikes are built for different purposes! One is a dedicated sports tourer and the other is a naked street fighter. He conveniently skips talking about the tank range comparison!
  
• He's biased towards the Z. Period.

In my opinion, the CBR650F is stiffer than the Z800 too. Its not like race stiff but stiffer than Z800 I think.

CBR650F has pre load adjustment too but for the rear shock only.

On a side note, just came back from a highway run to Chd. The bike did 275 Kms before the last fuel bar started blinking (While going and coming back too). It is supposed to have 3.6 litres of fuel after this, which kind of translates into a decent 325ish Km range.

Rachit

[Ricci]

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

On a side note, just came back from a highway run to Chd. The bike did 275 Kms before the last fuel bar started blinking (While going and coming back too). It is supposed to have 3.6 litres of fuel after this, which kind of translates into a decent 325ish Km range.

Rachit

That's pretty good, I assume you were doing moderate speeds? I've seen a best distance-to-empty figure of 321km on the Daytona on NH4 when running in 6th gear for long periods is feasible. I suppose the CBR650 will do a little better. Normal range tankful-reserve is 220-240km, less if the running is in city or ghat(hill) sections where you stay in lower gears.

Don't try to see how much it gets in reserve/low fuel light on state if you have the chance to tank up soon after the light comes on - IMO, not worth risking the fuel pump getting damaged, and pushing these bikes to the pump is not a chore I'd like to do either.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

In my opinion, the CBR650F is stiffer than the Z800 too. Its not like race stiff but stiffer than Z800 I think.

I think the Z800 has gas charged rear shocks, hence it would/should be more comfortable than a bike with the traditional ones.

VW2010 - Z800 has ABS but no TC.

Djay99/owners please correct me if I am wrong.

+1 to Djay99.

Cheers

[v12]

You are right cyborg. Z800 does not have TC.

[amansanc]

I got a chance to ride the CBR650F yesterday. The riding position felt decent and the bike is easy to handle thanks to its lower height. It will be a boon for shorter riders. Touching unmentionable speeds is very very easy as the bike instils confidence in the rider to do so. But, I still don't think it is worth the asking price. I would plonk in a little more and go for a Triumph Street Triple. Or save a lot and get the Ninja 650