Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd (HMSI) is set to launch the all-new 2019 Honda CBR650R in India in the coming weeks. The company had started accepting bookings for the bike at an amount of INR 15,000. The CBR650R features a radical new design, updated electronics and a powerful engine. Here's a specs-level comparison with its closest rival, the Kawasaki Ninja 650. Read on the Honda CBR650R vs Kawasaki Ninja 650 comparison.
Also Read: Kawasaki India Announces New Price List, Select Models to Get Costlier
Features
The Honda CBR650R will be sold exclusively at the 22 Honda Wing World dealerships across India. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 is available at all the company's showrooms across the country. Both the motorcycles are comparable to each other when it comes to the features.
However, the CBR650R triumphs the Ninja 650 with a few tricks up its sleeve. While both feature dual-channel ABS, the CBR650R receives a fully digital instrument cluster and LED headlights. The Ninja 650 offers a semi-digital instrument cluster and halogen headlamps. The CBR650R further benefits from Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) as standard.
Suspension & Wheels
The Honda CBR650R uses high-spec components when it comes to suspension hardware. The motorcycle features Showa upside-down forks and an adjustable rear mono-shock. On the flip side, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 employs conventional telescopic forks along with an adjustable mono-shock at the back.
Both the motorcycles ride on 17-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped on tubeless tyres. However, while the CBR650R features a 180-section rear tyre, the Ninja 650 uses a 160-section rubber. The front tyre size is identical at 120-section.
| Specifications | Honda CBR650R | Kawasaki Ninja 650 |
| Engine | 649cc, in-line four-cylinder | 649cc, parallel-twin |
| Maximum Power | 95 PS at 12,000 rpm | 68 bhp at 8,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 64 Nm at 8,500 rpm | 65.7 Nm at 7,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed, with assist-slipper clutch | Six-speed, with a slipper clutch |
| Front Suspension | Showa separate function fork (SFF) USD | 41 mm telescopic forks, 125 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Mono-shock with 10 stage pre-load adjustability | Adjustable Back-link Mono-shock, 130 mm travel |
| Front Brake | 310 mm disc with four-piston callipers | 300 mm twin discs |
| Rear Brake | 240 mm disc with single-piston calliper | 220 mm disc |
| Front Tyre Size | 120/70 R17 | 120/70 R17 |
| Rear Tyre Size | 180/55 R17 | 160/60 R17 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.4 litres | 15 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 207 kg | 196 kg |
| Seat Height | 810 mm | 790 mm |
| Ground clearance | 130 mm | 130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1450 mm | 1410 mm |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Under INR 8 lakh (expected) | INR 5.49-5.69 lakh |
Engine & Transmission
The Honda CBR650R is a premium and compelling offering as compared to the Kawasaki Ninja 650, and the most significant difference lies at heart. As compared to the older CBR650F, the 2019 CBR650R uses a reworked 649cc in-line four-cylinder, 16-valve liquid-cooled motor that develops 5 per cent more power, with a maximum of 95 PS at 12,000 rpm and a peak torque of 64 Nm that comes at 8,500 rpm. The engine uses a six-speed gearbox with a standard slip-assist clutch.
The Kawasaki Ninja 650, on the other hand, employs a parallel-twin, 649cc, liquid-cooled engine that puts out 68 PS of power at 8,000 rpm and 65.7 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed transmission. The engine on the Ninja 650 is not as peaky as the one found on the CBR650R. It linearly produces power with a lot of torque lower down the rev range.
Also Read: India-bound 2019 Honda CBR650R - Motorshow Focus
Pricing
As far as pricing is concerned, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 is available in two variants - standard (INR 5.49 lakh*) and KRT Edition (INR 5.69 lakh*). While the Honda CBR650R is yet to be launched in India, Honda had announced that the motorcycle will be priced under INR 8 lakh (ex-showroom). The Honda CBR650F retailed at INR 7.37 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
*ex-showroom Delhi
