Honda launches CBR650F sports tourer for Rs 7.3 lac

We first heard of the Honda CBR650F’s India plans during Auto Expo 2014 in Delhi, and officials had hinted at an incredibly attractive price tag. Fast forward to today, and the bike is here, with a slightly more elevated price tag than promised. While Rs 7.3 lac ex-Delhi (7.6 ex-Mumbai) is certainly attractive considering the Honda brand, there are other players in the market now. The Benelli TNT600i comes in at a bit lower, while the Triumph street triple is a bit more. Heck, you could get the Ducati Scrambler delivered for the ex-showroom cost of the CBR.

Nevertheless, we expect the CBR650F to do very well within its segment. There’s the Honda brand and the promise it brings, the almost-superbike styling and the always fun inline-four engine configuration. It’s no slouch either, putting out 87bhp and 63Nm of torque in a package that weighs about 211kg (kerb). Twin 320mm discs up front and a single 240mm out back stop the bike, and ABS is standard. There’s a 180 section rear tyre, which is mandatory for the Indian market to take it seriously, and overall it looks quite fetching in the red/white/blue Honda livery. There are nods to cost, of course. You get upright forks and a steel frame instead of the more expensive USDs and aluminium perimeters seen on higher-spec sportbikes.

Bookings have been open for a few days across 12 cities in India through Honda’s “Wing World” dealerships.