Supersport bikes are supposed to be fast, fun, easy to ride, and affordable. It’s the perfect formula to get the most out of your riding experience. If you are like me and like to extract every ounce of power out of your motorcycle for a confidence-inspiring and sporty ride, then you will agree that larger 1,000cc superbikes are a bit too much to handle. Unless you have easy access to a racetrack, or if you are one of those few riders who can handle the mindbending performance of big bikes, only then will a liter-class bike be worth your while.

If you are looking for a more real-world-friendly machine that is both sporty and easy, then you should stick to supersport bikes. While there are quite a few supersport bikes in the 500cc to 900cc segment, there is one that stands out the most amongst enthusiasts. That is, of course, the Honda CBR650R.

Honda, as most of you already know, makes some amazing machines. Luckily for me, I just so happened to get my hands on the 2021 Honda CBR650R. Now, in the past, I had ridden the CBR650F, which was a slightly more touring-friendly 650. The 650R on the other hand is a full-blown supersport. It’s got a few updates and it has a more athletic and aerodynamic design. For 2021, the CBR650R also gets a new suspension that makes it a more sports-focused machine. After riding the motorcycle for a few days, this is what I found out.

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The 2021 Honda CBR650R Is The Best-Looking 650

2021 Honda CBR650R side

Move over Italian supersport machines. Your exotic appeal is no match for the purposeful and athletic stance of the CBR650R. Surprisingly, this is the first time Honda has taken a non-traditional and conservative approach to their middleweights. One look at the CBR650R and you will be smitten by it. It’s not bulky from any angle, instead, it looks compact and sharp, and well-defined. The graphics also are pretty good. The 2021 version of the bike looks gorgeous from every angle. The front cowling and chiseled fuel tank give it the muscle, and the full-LED lighting gives it a modern twist. The 2021 CBR650R now looks more Italian than it does Japanese. It’s definitely taken a lot of inspiration from the big daddy of Honda’s sports bike line: the Fireblade. That is why it has an aggressive appeal to it. I really think it is the best-looking 650cc machine out there today. I think it looks better than the MV Agusta F3 675 and Aprilia RS660, and I am sure someone is going to come at me after making such a statement. But, it is what it is.

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The Four-Cylinder Engine Is Where the CBR650R Really Shines

2021 Honda CBR650R engine

Not many middleweight sports bikes get a four-cylinder engine. But Honda is not just any bike maker though, and they are known for making some of the smoothest and exciting four-cylinder units on the planet. The CBR650R is no exception. Even this small but generous 649cc liquid-cooled engine gets four cylinders. It’s the same engine as the 650F and it's a very popular engine. I have had plenty of saddle time on the 650F and I thought the engine was brilliant back then. Sure enough, it's still brilliant today.

The 2021 version of the CBR650R gets a slightly updated engine compared to the 2018 model, but it's only been done to be compliant with emission norms. The engine is still buttery smooth and offers genuine performance that will keep you comfortable but will also put a smile on your face. With a humble power output of 94 hp and 47 lb-ft of torque, it might not sound as if this bike is a neck-breaker. And that’s true. The accelerating performance from the CBR650R is not the best in its class, and neither is it a thrilling machine. But it offers you consistent accelerating power throughout the power band.

The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and the ratios are perfect. You don’t need to shift gears all that often. You get plenty of torque from as low as 2,000 rpm, which is very impressive for this four-cylinder 649cc engine that revs all the way up to 12,000 rpm. You still get fantastic acceleration, and as I said, it will put a smile on your face, and you will love the confidence this bike inspires in you. It’s manageable power, and that’s a great thing if you want to ride it on an everyday basis. Is it enough to have fun at the track with as well? Absolutely! It's surely got enough power for you to play with it on a closed circuit, and what adds to the experience is the way the CBR650R handles.

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The CBR650R Offers A Sporty Ride With Incredible Handling, And Can Be Used As A Weekend Track Tool

2021 Honda CBR650R motion

What makes the CBR650R really special is how the engine is perfectly suited for the nature and character of the bike’s handling capabilities. While the engine lacks a bit of character, when it’s paired with the handling nature of the bike, you finally see some personality in this machine. It’s got the power for you to push the bike around and attack corners with good speed. The chassis is well-built, and the bike feels extremely well-balanced.

For 2021, the CBR650R also gets new Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks. This makes the bike feel a lot more confident when taking on fast corners. You can shift the bike from side to side very easily, and the front- end always feels well-planted. Just put on some stickier rubber than the stock Dunlop tires, and you will get an even better grip when riding on a track. You will definitely enjoy and appreciate the sportiness of the bike. The brakes also do a great job with stopping power. Nissin’s 310mm dual discs at the front work especially well, and there is all ABS.

What I enjoy even more when riding the CBR650R is that it offers you a pure riding experience. There are no fancy electronics, not even ride-by-wire. Yes, this does make the throttle a little jumpy at times, but I’m totally OK with that. There might be a few picky riders who would appreciate a better throttle response, and I am sure they would also like a quickshifter. Luckily, that does come as an option. The CBR650R certainly excels at being a sporty machine that looks great as well, and yet the greatest thing about the CBR650 is that it's usable in every condition.

The CBR650 Is Practical Enough To Be Your Daily Rider, And Anyone Can Ride It

2021 Honda CBR650R instrument panel

If you love riding your bike every day, then the CBR650R is perfect for you. It’s not the most comfortable for long touring, but if you want to use it as a daily commuter you can easily do that. In fact, you will have proper fun on your daily commutes. The ergonomics are simple and not too aggressive. There isn't much weight on your arms, and your feet are placed comfortably behind your knees. The seat is soft, and the suspension isn’t stiff at all. The overall ride quality is fine for city roads, and you can ride the bike easy or hard all day long. It’s fairly light and handles great in traffic as well. This is why the Honda CBR650R is the best supersport bike for the real world. You can use it all the time, and it will always be fun to ride when you need it to be. Plus, it looks like a superbike.

With a starting price of $9,699 the CBR650R offers you everything you need from a sports bike. Four-cylinder sport bikes are a specialized breed, and while the CBR650R does lack a thrill factor, you will be rewarded with easy engine performance, sharp handling, and most importantly a fun confidence-inspiring riding experience. It certainly beats the competition in terms of styling, so you will get the same attention as a superbike. The CBR650R is one bike you will never regret owning.