By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Honda CBR650R (RH01) vs Yamaha YZF-R6 (BN6)
Honda CBR650R vs Yamaha YZF-R6: fast is a given. What sets them apart isn't.
At a lazy roll-on, the Honda CBR650R pulls clean from low revs and doesn't stumble. The Yamaha YZF-R6's throttle barely stirs anything until the revs run high. Up top, it howls and keeps on pulling.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the YZF-R6 if…
Racetrack use
Clearly ahead: YZF-R6
The YZF-R6 suits track days much better. That comes from more suspension adjustment and a sportier chassis. Book the first one and see.
The YZF-R6 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: YZF-R6
The YZF-R6 is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Thank better suspension and more feel through the bars for that.
Which one's the smarter buy
Money won't decide it
The CBR650R costs less, but that gap doesn't make it the clear better buy. Neither bike wins on value alone.
What makes each one tick
CBR650R
On a twisty back road, the CBR650R turns in off a light push on the bar and stays planted once it's leaned over. Down low, the four's smooth. Spirited riding wants the tach needle kept well up, where the top end wakes and rushes. The brake lever brings strong stops with real feel.
YZF-R6
Low clip-ons and high-set pegs fold you into the YZF-R6's forward crouch, and it won't ease off over a long day. Its four saves the punch for the top of the tach, where peak power arrives at 14,500 rpm. Below that, there's little to use. At 419 lb (190 kg), it snaps into corners.
Nils rode the YZF-R6 in Germany in 2017 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CBR650R has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 33.5 in (850 mm).
- The YZF-R6 has the lower wet weight: 419 lb (190 kg) vs 456 lb (207 kg).
- The YZF-R6 makes more peak power: 118 hp (87 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Count commuting and running costs as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CBR650R
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, flexible inline-four engine
- Strong, progressive brakes
Trade-offs
- Needs revs for excitement
- Noticeable vibration at highway speeds
YZF-R6
What owners say
Strengths
- High-RPM engine character
- Build quality and reliability
- Effective traction control
- Surprising daily usability
Trade-offs
- Minimal low-RPM power
- Euro 4 power reduction
- Limited street appeal
What they cost used
These prices compare a 6-year-old CBR650R with a 6-year-old YZF-R6.
- CBR650R
- about $7,700
- YZF-R6
- about $11,600
At six years old, the Honda CBR650R sits around $7,700 while the Yamaha YZF-R6 holds near $11,600. That's a $3,900 gap in the CBR650R's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CBR650R | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 33.5 in (850 mm) |
| Wet weight | 456 lb (207 kg) | 419 lb (190 kg) |
| CBR650R | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 649 cc | 599 cc |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 118 hp (87 kW) |
| Peak power at | 12,000 rpm | 14,500 rpm |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 46 lb-ft (62 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 10,500 rpm |
| CBR650R | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.4 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| CBR650R | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 57.1 in (1450 mm) | 54.1 in (1375 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CBR650R | YZF-R6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
