What kind of motorcycle is a Honda CBR650R?
There is a reason that the Honda CBR650R is the best-selling sports bike in Europe for 2021. The predecessor to the CB600f, the reliable 649cc inline four-cylinder engine, produces a pleasant 95 hp with 46.4 lb. ft. of torque that has good pickup when the throttle is pressed. It is undoubtedly not the hefty push of much larger bikes with more significant engines, but as a street bike that can double on the track, there is more than enough power.
The 2021 version of the CBR650R received an upgrade in suspension with a new Showa Separate Function Big Pistons, which provides a great deal more confidence in the corners. The grip holds well in turns, and the way the bike responds to the driver's commands is effortless and easy. The stock tires grip well, but the stock Dunlop tires could use a bit more stick for the track, even though they are more than adequate to handle the demands of daily commuting.
The motorcycle is athletic and stylish, with its chiseled lines sweeping upward toward the 4.1-gallon tank and back toward the rider. The Honda is a middleweight that looks the part of a superbike. The CBR650R comes in two colors, black or red, and either is a head-turner. The rider sits deep in the bike, comfortable with a slight lean forward. The feet are set back in a supersport bike fashion, which is ideal for the warrior who secretly knows they can open the bike and unleash the beast whenever they want.
Instrumentation is readable, giving the right of information but not too much. The LED lights give excellent illumination at night or on a rainy day. While the disc brakes hold well, I would like more grip from the tires during panic stops. The braking isn’t bad, but not as effective as other sportbikes.
The six-speed transmission shifts effortlessly as if the bike were taking a walk in the park, and even though the temptation is always present to push the bike harder, there is a controlled calmness to the drive. This CBR650R is a street/superbike just waiting for its moment. Bring on the larger superbikes with all their fancy options, and watch the little beast teach the truth that size doesn’t always matter and big is not always better.
What are the Best Tires for a Honda CBR650R?
Several manufacturers make tires for the Honda CBR650R, and while the motorcycle comes with Dunlop Sportmax D214s, several other tires are better equipped for the road.
Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22
This tire has been impressing many people during the last couple of years it's been out. The tire has a unique compound designed to provide better grip on the edges when cornering and better traction while riding on wet pavement. The resin has been reformulated, and the tire edges reinforced to increase traction control during a lean. Compared to the ever-popular S21, part of the advancement is the use of smaller, more refined silica that allow for more particles to be added to the center stripe, increasing the surface contact area by nearly 25%.
A new tread pattern for the S22 helps with water evacuation. While the siping is shorter and more pronounced on the front tire than the rear, the tread’s rigidity has been increased to support the tractional friction on dry and wet applications. The improved tread grips when it should, helping during acceleration and for panic stops by not wasting pavement. They feel comfortable while riding and have an adequate softness that makes them suitable for either street or the track.
Bridgestone is the number one manufacturer of tires in the world. Joined with Firestone in the late 1980s, the company grew into a global entity and continues to be a global supplier. Many of its tires are award winners and have been making the best of lists for years.
Rating
- The tire has a 4.7 rating on Revzilla.com
Load and Weight Limits
- The load rating for the front tire is 58, or 520 lbs.
- The load rating for the rear tire is 69 or 716 lbs.
- The max speed limit is W or 168 mph.
Pros
- A quality tire that can be used on the road or off-road
- Made by the largest maker of tires
- Number one replacement tire for stock Dunlops
Cons
- Tread seems to wear quickly
Price
- For more information, please visit the manufacturer’s website
- Check here for Today’s Price on revzilla.com
Pirelli Angel ST
This tire is the number one best-selling tire on Amazon and has been produced by Pirelli since 2009. Even with the introduction of the new GT line, this tire continues to be very popular among motorcyclists. The tread pattern has an effective feathering away from the center, providing a solid contact surface. The steel belt radial design provides good firmness on dry or wet pavement. The tire has several world records for speed and endurance to its credit, which attests to its ability to perform. The contours are cut into the side, allowing enough ply to stick on the sidewall when performing a turn.
Pirelli is an Italian tire manufacturer that has been in business since 1871 and is based out of Milan. Their tires have been tested consistently over the years. The results continue to lead to enhancements. The company supplies tires for Formula One, a contract that will continue to be in place until the end of the 2024 season. In addition, they are a respected leader in making racing tires for the world motorcycle circuit as well.
Rating
The tires have a 4.8 rating on Amazon.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 73 - rear)
- The load limit for the front tire of the Pirelli Angel ST is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 73, which is 805 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- A quality tire that is built to last a long time
- Excellent grip on dry or wet surfaces
- Handles curves well and provides confidence in handling
- A rich tradition in the manufacture of motorcycle and racing tires.
- 4.8 stars on Amazon Website
Cons
- Built overseas
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
Dunlop Sportmax Q3 Plus
This tire is built for serious street and track riders who need a tire that will crossover easily. The new Q3 Plus is more refined, particularly in the sidewall, with additional carbon fiber, which provides excellent grip in the turn. The tire will hold even during the lowest angle lean while providing enough traction to bring the rider through to upright. The dual tread compounds lend stiffness to the center ribbon, providing excellent acceleration when the bike is pushed down the straightway.
The only hypersport tire made in the US, the Dunlop Sportmax Q3 Plus, is manufactured at the plant in Buffalo, NY. Dunlop is the only company to design, test, and make motorcycle tires inside the states, and for that reason alone, they are worth a serious look. The same factory that started making tires in the 1920s for the American automobile industry still makes motorcycle tires. In addition, I love the fact that every motorcycle tire is hand inspected before it leaves the factory (I think it is better to have human hands touching every product before it gets shipped).
The company was founded by the maker of the pneumatic bicycle tire in the late 1800s, and a year after receiving a patent, he formed a company to mass-produce them. Eventually, the company would grow and reposition itself as a global distributor of tires. In 2015, Sumitomo Rubber Industries acquired the North American division of Dunlop from Goodyear after a 16-year partnership.
Rating
The tires have a 4.8 rating on Amazon.
Load and Speed
- The load limit for the front tire of the 58 Dunlop Sportmax Q3 is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 75, which is 853 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- Made in the US
- Excellent grip on dry or wet surfaces
- It rides well, a good all-purpose tire
- 4.8 stars on Amazon Website
Cons
- I would like more siping on the sidewall
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at Amazon.com
Michelin Road 5
Michelin is a massive player in the motorcycle tire market, and they have been making superior tires for many years. The Road 5 has been chewing up pavement for about five years, and the dual compound formula for its tread (labeled 2CT+) ensures the tire gets a better wet grip than its Pilot Road 4. Michelin tested the Road 5 against other manufacturers' sporting tires and found the grip stronger on wet pavement than any other tire tested.
The tread is a unique design that looks very sharp on the bike. I appreciated that the siping was crisp and feathers away from the center. The grooves in the tread widen from the center to the side. This kind of cut does a couple of things. It evacuates water better than any tire I’ve seen, and it allows for more flexibility on the sidewall, so the surface contact through a turn is established.
There is a firmness to the center of the tire that you can feel as you ride. (This gives tremendous confidence as acceleration is needed).
Michelin is a French multinational that has been making tires since 1889. Today, the company has grown into a global giant, with 123 production centers in 26 countries and employing over 124,000 workers worldwide.
Rating
The tires have a 4.8 rating on Amazon.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 73 - rear)
- The load limit for the front tire of the Michelin is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 72, which is 783 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- The unique compound holds well
- The award-winning grip on wet surfaces
- 2nd most prominent maker of tires
- Excellent tread wear
- 4.9 stars on Amazon Website
Cons
- Built overseas
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
Metzeler Roadtec 01
These are balanced touring tires designed for the daily commuter who spends most of the time on the street. These tires are made with a stiffer compound than the Roadtec Interact to increase mileage and wear. These tires have been around for several years but are always on the top of motorcycle riders' best-loved lists. The tire has exceptional control on dry surfaces, but its real skill is when the pavement turns damp. The braking on wet surfaces is exceptional, without the rider losing a sense of control or having a fear of the bike beginning to slip.
The ride is cushioning, and the tire absorbs bumps well enough to handle the impact and keep the rider planted. Gravel and dirt surfaces pose no problem for the tire, as the tread digs in effectively. The stiffer sidewalls provide good contact during turns, and the large contact patch of the center portion of the tread helps to provide the stability that the tire needs on long stretches of pavement.
Metzeler has a strong presence in Europe and currently only produces motorcycle tires. In 1986, the company was purchased by Pirelli, who has a long tradition of making quality tires.
Rating
The tires have a 4.7 on Revzilla.com.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 73 - rear)
- The load limit for the front tire of the Metzeler Roadtec 01 is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 73, which is 805 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- Most popular in Europe
- Excellent tread wear
- 4.7 on Revzilla website
Cons
- Built overseas
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com.
Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Tires
The folks at Pirelli strike again in our list of the best tires for the Honda CBR650R. This is a quality tire made for primarily the street surface, with a slight nod to off-road. Taking influence from the World Superbike Championship to improve their tire, the engineers can’t seem to stop fiddling with their Diablo tires. However, it should be noted that since its introduction in 2002, Pirelli has sold over 5 million tires in the Diablo family alone, which should attest to its popularity and quality.
The newest version in the Diablo family is a street beast of a tire. Larger contact surfaces in the center stripe offer enhanced grip and treadwear. An improved compound allows for excellent adhesion on all surfaces, and even better sidewall construction allows for practical lean-in and confidence in coming out of a turn.
The Diablo series features a unique tread “flash” pattern that effectively evacuates more water the faster the bike goes, channeling the water away from the center strip, and improving adhesion to the surface. This is particularly important because the weather can change in a heartbeat, and no rider wants to be slogging home in the rain on tires that won’t hold as they should.
Pirelli is owned by a Chinese multinational and has been operating under their direction for years. While the company is headquartered out of Milan, it has grown to be a global powerhouse supplying tires for virtually every application.
As far as the Diablo IV is concerned, I hope that Pirelli will continue to tinker with this best-selling tire, even though it is hard to imagine if it could get any better than it already is. Whenever I think it can’t get better, the boys at Pirelli prove it can.
Rating
The tires have a 4.9 on Revzilla.com.
Load and Speed (54 - front; 73 - rear)
- The load limit for the front tire of the Pirelli Diablo Rosso is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 75, which is 853 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- Great tire for the daily commuter
- Flash tread design
- Very popular tire for the last 20 years (Diablo family)
- Excellent tread wear
- 5.0 stars on Amazon Website
Cons
- Built overseas
- May wear prematurely as opposed to other brands
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com.
What are the Signs A Motorcycle Tire Needs Replacing?
Unfortunately, there are many accidents every year involving motorcyclists. The NTHSA reports 5,579 fatalities in 2020 (the latest figures are not out yet). While most fatalities are caused by distracted driving on the part of motorists, a significant number of accidents involve faulty tires. It is always a good idea to inspect your tires before riding. But what should you look for? How do you spot a faulty tire?
The tire doesn’t hold pressure.
If you walk out to your garage and the tire looks low or flat, you know you aren’t going anywhere. Many times tires that sit for a while will lose pressure, but it is more likely that there has been a puncture to the tire somewhere.
The tire is punctured.
This is a perfect time to inspect the tire thoroughly. Pump the tire up and listen for the sound of any air escaping. Look for any pieces of metal, screws, or otherwise foreign objects. (This is an excellent time to remove any pieces of gravel that might have wedged into the siping). A puncture is usually easy to spot with performance tires like those described above.
Any puncture on the sidewall is an immediate warning that the tire should be replaced.
The tire shows signs of dry rot.
Dry rot is the mortal enemy of any tire. Look for signs of graying, small cracks, or tire feathering; if spotted, do not trust the tire. I repeat, never ride on dry rotted tires. Dry rot is a fungus that breaks down the chemical compound of rubber and is exasperated by harmful UV rays.
If you spot signs of dry rot, replace the tire immediately.
The tire has a bubble or wart on the surface or sidewall.
Sometimes, even the best motorcyclists make a mistake, scraping a curb or even laying the bike down on the street. These scenarios can cause a tire to develop a pimple or wart (a raised bubble on the surface). This is a place of a weakened compound and is prone to blowing out - think of it as an aneurysm on your tire. Do not ride on your tire if you spot this abrasion. If you do, you are pushing the bike past the limits that the tire can do. (Tires warm up as they are ridden, and the air inside expands, which places a lot more pressure on that bubble).
