New Bike time - 2014 CBR650F
Discussion
Afraid it's not Italian or German or exotic in any particular shape or form. It is white and reliable, sporty without being crippling to ride for a long time, and has enough poke above my Versys 650 that it feels like a very different riding experience.
A nice chap from Preston Superbikes dropped it off the morning after I got back from offshore. Promptly went for a blast down to Anstruther to get used to the bike.
Went on a very long day trip round the passes south of Glasgow with a friend.
Managed to get about 900miles on it in the space of 2 and a half weeks roughly. Very strange getting used to a sporty bike after sitting so upright for a long time on the Versys. Almost having to relearn cornering and gripping the tank with my knees rather than putting so much weight on my wrists. Other than that really loving it.
Short term mods:
Anti-vibe bar end inserts (not that bad but think it could be improved)
Clear grip pads for sides of tank
Taily Tidy and LED light clusters front and rear
Replacement chain adjustment inserts with paddock stand bobbin threads
Will look at exhausts as well but seeing as you cant just stick an end can on it you've got to do a full system replacement.
Also completed two observed rides out with Tayside Advanced Motorcyclists and feel like my riding is much better and smoother.
A nice chap from Preston Superbikes dropped it off the morning after I got back from offshore. Promptly went for a blast down to Anstruther to get used to the bike.
Went on a very long day trip round the passes south of Glasgow with a friend.
Managed to get about 900miles on it in the space of 2 and a half weeks roughly. Very strange getting used to a sporty bike after sitting so upright for a long time on the Versys. Almost having to relearn cornering and gripping the tank with my knees rather than putting so much weight on my wrists. Other than that really loving it.
Short term mods:
Anti-vibe bar end inserts (not that bad but think it could be improved)
Clear grip pads for sides of tank
Taily Tidy and LED light clusters front and rear
Replacement chain adjustment inserts with paddock stand bobbin threads
Will look at exhausts as well but seeing as you cant just stick an end can on it you've got to do a full system replacement.
Also completed two observed rides out with Tayside Advanced Motorcyclists and feel like my riding is much better and smoother.
lyceum said:
Very nice! Looks great in white.
Been considering the 2017. How much of a step up performance wise from your Versys is it?
Guessing the engine character is completely different going from twin to a IL4.
Cheers.
The pearlescent white really pops in the sunshine. IMHO it looks the cleanest of all the 2014 models and isn't overloaded with graphics. Been considering the 2017. How much of a step up performance wise from your Versys is it?
Guessing the engine character is completely different going from twin to a IL4.
Cheers.
It's not a mightly leap in performance like going from a 650 to a litre bike. The jump from the twin to this IL4 is supposedly about 22HP (64 versys - 86 CBR). But I'm still pretty new to riding and didn't fancy the jump in power straight to a litre bike from the Versys. Also didn't fancy the compromise in cost for going for a much older litre bike compared to this which is newer and has ABS.
The engine is a hell of a lot smoother and quieter than the versys, pulls well below 7krpm and above that pulls like a train. Versys engine and clutch feel agricultural in comparison. Clutch is nice and light, but not as light as a more modern assisted slipper clutch. Fueling is smooth(ish) although throttle can be a little snatchy at low speed. Pootling along in 3rd in town isn't so bad but the steering lock is pretty dire. Long periods at 20mph though can really start to hurt the wrists but once you're above 30 it's no issue at all.
It's dire on the motorway though. It will sit happily at 70mph but the buffeting and wind noise does my head in. Screen isn't good for much unless you're really tucked in. Mirrors are also a bit crap, not vibey but I have to move my elbows out of the way to see behind me.
Seat is comfy for longer rides and seat height is pretty low. I'm a 30" inseam and can get both balls of my feet on the floor. It's also not a massively light bike fully fueled. Something like 210kg, but it's all quite low down so feels nimble enough to me.
I'm not an amazing rider by any stretch of the imagination but it's more than quick enough for any B roads I've come across so far and still fun within legal limits. I also don't have a lot to compare it to.
Nice looking bike!
Buffeting and wind noise on the motorway could be reduced by either a double-bubble or touring screen. Also, you can probably get 'bar risers' to reduce that weight on your wrists.
Buffeting and wind noise on the motorway could be reduced by either a double-bubble or touring screen. Also, you can probably get 'bar risers' to reduce that weight on your wrists.
RichTT said:
Also completed two observed rides out with Tayside Advanced Motorcyclists and feel like my riding is much better and smoother.
Good stuff SVS said:
Good stuff
To be fair, if I'm doing anything longer journey on the motorway I'll just take the Versys (which i kept because I'm greedy and it fills a role). I've had a look for bar end inserts that should help the vibes, but only really notice it after a period at either very low speed, or constant high speed (70+). I've had one from new in June 2014 and put 34k miles on it
Used all year round for my 80 mile commute on mainly motorways, I switched to a double bubble screen, didn't seem to make much difference but I've never noticed much buffeting
One thing I was surprised, it being my first Honda, was the quality of finish, the bottom of the fork legs have lost most of their black paint and the mirror mounts are a bit crusty, probably doesn't help using it through the salty periods and only cleaning it every few months
I got mine on a 30 month 0% finance deal and when that ran out before Xmas looked at changing it but was offered crap money as part ex so decided to keep it and see how many miles I can rack up on it, also not much else to replace it with apart from a newer model
Have fun with yours
Used all year round for my 80 mile commute on mainly motorways, I switched to a double bubble screen, didn't seem to make much difference but I've never noticed much buffeting
One thing I was surprised, it being my first Honda, was the quality of finish, the bottom of the fork legs have lost most of their black paint and the mirror mounts are a bit crusty, probably doesn't help using it through the salty periods and only cleaning it every few months
I got mine on a 30 month 0% finance deal and when that ran out before Xmas looked at changing it but was offered crap money as part ex so decided to keep it and see how many miles I can rack up on it, also not much else to replace it with apart from a newer model
Have fun with yours
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