Booking for the 2019 Honda CBR 650R has started in India. The booking amount is Rs. 15,000 and the bike will be priced under Rs. 8 Lakh (ex-showroom). The bike will be sold from the company’s Wing World dealership across India. The updated CBR 650R was first revealed at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan last year.

The all new 2019 CBR 650R is equipped with a 649 cc, In-line 4 cylinder engine making 92 BHP, with DOHC 16-valve. The engine redlines at 12,000 RPM and features Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) to maintain traction on the rear wheel. The engine is mated to a 6 speed gear box and is managed by an Assist/Slipper Clutch for those quick downshifting without locking the rear wheel (which can be switched off). You get a twin LED headlight setup, styled similar to the CBR1000RR. The dash is digital LCD, which is clear and easy to read. Dash includes Gear Position Indicator and Gear Up-shift Indicator.

The colour options offered currently are Grand Prix Red and Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic. 2019 CBR 650R should be an ideal middle weight sports tourer. Though the riding position is slightly aggressive, you can still use it for your long highway runs. You get semi sporty clip-ons on the CBR650R as opposed to single flat bar on the CB650F. You get SHOWA 41 mm Upside-down Shocks with dual-radial mounted calipers on the front and a mono-shock on the rear. The height of seat remains unchanged at 810 mm.

The CBR650R rivals Kawasaki Ninja 650, Suzuki GSX-S750 and Triumph Street triple. But given Honda’s reliability and sensible pricing they are sure to sell good number of units.