CBR650F. Anything I need to look for when purchasing?

[Heaveho]

As title.

Decided these are looking like the most likely thing for me to consider unless there are well hidden horror stories to be related? I can't find a reason not to buy one as things stand.

[trickywoo]

It’s a Honda so reg/rec but everything else should be fine unless it’s been abused.

[Mike230]

They are a great bike. I've had mine for just over a year, 2018 model and I love it. Plenty of poke, good handling and supremely reliable as you would expect.

There were a few updates on the 2018 models I think so worth looking in to that. Other than that, get one and enjoy.

[Biker 1]

I had a 2018 bike. It was totally reliable.
However: I hit a pothole & had to fork out £400 for a new front wheel. I was quite surprised how fragile it was!!
Was very easy on tyres/chains. Sounded ok with a full titanium Akra system, but too quiet with baffle in, waaaaaay too loud with it out!

[Pete-mojsh]

I've had my 2016 for a bit over a year now, no issues to report in the 6k I've done but it has been well looked after by me and the previous owner. Allow some money for the 16k valve check if it's around that amount of miles, make sure it's suitably prepped for winter and just enjoy it, it's good at everything but excels at nothing if that makes sense, just a really good all rounder.

As above, the standard exhaust is unbelievably quiet, it does add something to the ride when you have a bit more depth to the exhaust note.

[Heaveho]

Thanks for the replies. Looking at giving 4k for a 2016 9k miles example, does that seem reasonable?

[Biker 1]

Sounds a lot for a 6 year old bike, but I'm guessing it's from a dealer with full service history, has been looked after well & comes with a decent warranty.
There was a recall on some of the early bikes, which involved Honda having to replace some switch gear, so double check all paperwork.

[Pete-mojsh]

Biker 1 said:

Sounds a lot for a 6 year old bike, but I'm guessing it's from a dealer with full service history, has been looked after well & comes with a decent warranty.
There was a recall on some of the early bikes, which involved Honda having to replace some switch gear, so double check all paperwork.

I think it's at the lower end, certainly not overpriced in the current market, things do seem to have calmed a bit with prices but still higher than pre-covid. If it's been looked after I would say £4k is a decent price. I've been keeping an eye for either my next bike or getting and early to mid 2000's 600 as a bit of a project or something a bit more focused for the weekends and track, there aren't a lot of bargains out there.

[IAN1967]

I'm on my second CBR650F

First one I got brand new in 2014, because Honda were offering 0% finance, and ran it for 50K miles in the 4 years I had it. Killed the electrics in the end from riding through all weathers all year round, the indicators packed in on the way to p/ex it!

Second one is a year old ex-demo I got in 2018 and have done, I think, over 26K miles on it. Working from home has reduced my mileage considerably

I paid £5.5K for the 2017 model with minimal mileage

Tyres last about 12K miles and c&s about 13K, need to get mine replaced soon
Front brake pads replaced about 23K which I did myself

I use mine to commute round the M25, over an hour each way, and it's an ideal size to get through the traffic

The one thing I have noticed on both of mine is the poor quality of paint on the forks, pitted and flaking on them

Overall a good/reliable/comfortable bike to rack up the miles.

HTH

[Heaveho]

Thanks for all the replies. Unless things change again as rapidly as they already have this week, I've shelved the idea of a purchase with an eye on seeing what happens with the prices in the coming months. Good to hear that they seem like a decent prospect.

[LuS1fer]

Thai-built.
Not the Honda quality of old.

[Jakey123]

I'd also consider the cbr600f model the preceeded them - they are really really good bikes and often overlooked. (The 2011ish onwards model, obviously all of the CBR600Fs are great but earlier ones get raved about a lot more!)

[Caddyshack]

Heaveho said:

Thanks for all the replies. Unless things change again as rapidly as they already have this week, I've shelved the idea of a purchase with an eye on seeing what happens with the prices in the coming months. Good to hear that they seem like a decent prospect.

Is it worth waiting on a gamble that prices may drop £1k or something like that? Crack on with life. I suspect buying in winter and with the panic now is a better time than summer and panic over.