2014 Honda CBR650F Coming to US

American Honda is adding another middle-weight sportbike to the U.S. market with today’s announcement of the 2014 Honda CBR650F. Like the VFR800F (which was also announced for the U.S. today as the Honda Interceptor), the CBR650F was first revealed at last November’s EICMA show in Milan, but at the time it looked unlikely to come to America.

We are pleased to hear our initial conclusions are wrong and Honda will offer the CBR650F here after all (unfortunately, it doesn’t look like its naked sibling the CB650F will be coming along, though we’d be happy to be wrong again.) The CBR650F slots in above the CBR500R as a mid-sized sportbike that’s a more sedate option than the much more aggressive CBR600RR.

Unfortunately, American Honda won’t offer the tricolor paint option for the CBR650F.

The CBR650F is powered by a 649cc inline-Four engine. American Honda didn’t release numbers for the U.S.-spec model, but in Europe, the CBR650F claims 85.8 hp at 11,000 rpm and 46.5 ft-lb. at 8000 rpm. The engine is mounted in a 30-degree incline which Honda says lowers the center of gravity to improve handling.

Suspension duties are handled by a 41mm fork with 4.3 inches of travel and a spring-preload adjustable rear shock offering 5.0 inches of travel. Two-piston calipers grip the dual 320mm front disc brakes while the 240mm rear disc is stopped by a two-piston caliper. Anti-lock brakes are optional.

Other features include a 31.9-inch seat height, 4.5-gallon fuel tank and an elegant four-into-two-into-one exhaust system ending in a silencer mounted under the swingarm. Honda claims the CBR65F has a curb weight of 461 pounds (467 pounds with ABS).

The 2014 Honda CBR650F will arrive in U.S. dealerships sometime in the summer. American Honda will offer it in Red, Candy Blue and Matte Black Metallic (unfortunately we aren’t getting the tricolor option shown in the pictures here.) Honda is asking for $8,499 for the CBR650F, with the ABS version priced at $8,999.

[Source: Honda]

By Dennis Chung