Official: Honda to manufacture CBR 650F in India

Vice President of the HMSI has officially revealed that Honda will begin local manufacturing of the CBR 650F sportsbike in India. The company claims that this initiative is in line with the ‘Make in India’ appeal.

Honda had first revealed the CBR 650F at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo and plans back then were to only locally assemble the bike. Now, the company is optimistic about the growth opportunities in India and also the levels of quality Indian manufacturing can match. Honda has still not announced from which factory the sportsbike will be manufactured. HMSI recently started operations on their fourth facility in India which will be the largest scooter only manufacturing facility in the world.

The CBR 650F is powered by a 649cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-stroke, inline four-cylinder, 16 valve motor producing 87 BHP of power @ 11,000 RPM and 63 Nm of torque @ 8,000 RPM. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission and the bike is built on a bridge-style steel frame. It has a 17.3 litre fuel carrying capacity and the fuel is delivered via fuel injection. Fuel efficiency is claimed to be 21 kmpl.

The 650F is 2,110mm long, 755mm wide and 1,145mm tall. Wheelbase is at 1,450mm and has a ground clearance of 130mm. The bike weights 211 kgs. A telescopic front fork, a monoshock rear suspension, 120 patch rubber at the front and a 180 section at the rear add to the form and function of the motorcycle. With a 320mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc, the bike comes with ABS as standard.

With local manufacturing, pricing will be very competitive. However, a 4-cylinder motor will be slightly expensive. Even if Honda manages to price the CBR 650F at par with the Kawasaki Ninja 650, it is a win-win. But if they do manage to undercut the pricing, Indian motorbiking enthusiasts will be jumping with joy.

Expected pricing: ~ Rs. 5.5 – 6 lakh