Been riding my MT07 for just under a year now and very happy with the purchase. But, the Honda looks and sounds like a lovely bike. When i come to changing my bike (whenever that may be) i will certainly consider the CB650R. Good review, thanks.
@@dale-fi1fi Not everyone always wants a bigger bike. I started on a 700, currently have a 650, and my next purchase will be a 400-ish cc bike. I don't really care about speed as long as it'll reach highway speeds. Can't imagine why I'd ever get a 1000.
Amazing video. No one else has done a proper comparison yet. Thank you for this. I went with the cb650r and am in love. I don’t think I could be happier with my choice.
I don't mind admitting, this took me ages to do and I found it quite frustrating as I didn't get enough footage of the MT07. Ah well, glad you liked it and thanks!
@EnglishBikerDan Also bought that Akrapovic exhaust and she sounds amazing. Used your video for the install as well. You really do make the most informative and proper CB650R videos. I saw you grow from 400 to 5.2k and it’s been well deserved.
EnglishBikerDan I think it was very well done. I think you should have no complaints. You utilized the footage you did have very very well and seemed to be extremely fair in your analysis. I’d rather see that beautiful CB anyway haha. The mt-07 is a great looking bike but that CB -wow.
I've had my MT-07 for about 7 weeks now. With my weight at under 70 kgs wringing wet it has more than enough power for me and the weight at under 200 kgs is manageable.
It does feels like talking to a friendly guy in this video!i enjoy it so much! Congrats ! You came with the best comparison version of yours! I love it so much! As usual, you are awesome mate!!🎉
@@nsilva800 yea hence why I said I'm gonna test ride both?? Do you go blindly buy things without research? I'd imagine not since your on this video in the first place or are you just bored and looking at bikes you have zero interest in? Anyway I leaned away from both of these bikes and decided to test ride an MT09 instead after my brain did more research
@@Englishbikerdan most excellent videos! thanks for sharing! had the fender eliminator kit done last week and doing the akrapovic full exhaust this week! should sound really good!
I'm at 27k miles and having both sprockets and chain replaced! Finally installing the power commander after doing the aktrapovic full carbon exhaust 6 months ago! No problems with rust anywhere! Still loving my MT_07!!
I'm saving for a CB650R. I haven't ridden one yet but once I have the cash I will arrange a demo ride. I have owned an MT07 and I agree about the suspension. It wallows around in the corners. Still pretty good for day to day riding but when you wanna push harder in the corners, it starts to show how cheap the suspension is.
I am surprised at how fair and very practical your evaluation on both bikes had been. I felt like agreeing with you around 99% of the time. I am a Honda fan having already gone through owning 4 Honda's in the past but I do ride with friends on Yamaha and I can clearly relate to everything you have revealed here. Thank you. Can you just please tell me if I would need a windscreen on any of these bikes if I plan to go touring on them for hours on end?
After doing 2,000 miles through France, Belgium. Luxembourg and Germany I am more in love than ever with my CB650R. Except for the seat, although it definitely feels part of me now!
After trying out both bikes I went for the MT 07, it's just very comfortable and light, plus it's assuring to know that it is purely Made in Japan unit. 😀
Very nice, glad to see this video. Makes me feel good about waiting for my CB 650R which has finally arrived! I've been riding it for 2 weeks and like you, I smile every time I ride it. It's a bit different then my 72 CB350.
@@tiffanyscott4101 Hey Tiffany, Mine was a special order and the dealer ended up doing a dealer trade to get me the bike. Not sure where you are from and or live but I'm on the east coast of Canada. From what I understand the 650R was released in pretty limited numbers in Canada. I couldn't say if Honda Canada will drop ship some more to dealers but when I search for one on Kijiji. Some dealers still have one or 2 in stock. Good luck, it's a really nice bike and I'm enjoying it allot!
You just made it easy for me. Was thinking hard which one I should get but now it’s clear. Honda CB 650R it is for my first naked bike. Thanks so much for this awesome comparison.
Nice Overview of the two bikes. It just looked up prices here in Germany. All for new ones: MT07 - 6000 € vs CB650R - 8000 €. So that's a 2000€ gap which is a lot. IMagines putting that kind of money in a MT07 (Suspension, brakes ...). But - the Honda is really nice and I personally think that Yamaha needs to put some work into their MT07-Line. The bike has been almost without real competition over the past years and that's starting to change.
Regarding MT-07 suspension: I recommend Dave Moss and his content in general to everyone who is into motorcycles, but in particular he has some videos where he advises his clients how to fix MT-07 stock fork and there is one where he shows how he does that in the video. ua-cam.com/video/s91qcAXWKpI/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/X-uiiksWsOs/v-deo.html
Great review. I'm a 4 cyl guy. I had a 2017 FZ-07 ABS and never really fell in love with the bike. I liked the looks and the riding position, but the rumble of the twin was distracting. I'm a seasoned rider (40+ years and 17 bikes) and I prefer a smoother power delivery. When filtering through traffic, I never felt like I was in the right gear on the Yamaha. I've been looking at the CB 650r and it was really great to hear the perspective of someone who has owned both.
Can't argue with the rumble but I bought a 2018 MT-07 and when I was breaking it in, it felt exactly as you described, felt like never in the right gear, I thought it was me, there was a delayed throttle response and chugs in the low gears. I'm in Australia and I had a professional tuner re-map the bike.. It's now a completely different bike and a non issue, they come out running a little lean due to emissions and so the feeling through the throttle and gear changing felt rough from factory. I was a little dissapointed before the tune and now its amazing!!
@@justinsaponari Thanks for that info, Justin. I wish I would have considered tweaking the map before I got rid of mine. I also owned an MT-03. I didn't like the way that bike's throttle responded until I had a tech do some work on it. That bike also became a different machine after the adjustment, which was much better. Glad to hear you got yours sorted and hope you enjoy it for many years to come. I haven't made my final decision on my next bike. I really like the CB650R, but for about $100 more I could get an MT-09, which also has more than two cylinders, has more horsepower and it is lighter. It should be a no brainer, but I've heard some bad things about the MT-09 handling and throttle response.
One should ride both as the ergos are different, Honda weighs a tad more but both are exceptional machines. I settled for the 07 due to power/weight but the Honda is also a superb bike.
Got the CB650R this spring as my first bike. The silver one. Such a lovely machine! Absolutely beginner friendly. Yes, it can be dangerously fast, but in the end it is your choice if you want to break your limits or not. I doubt I will regret one day to have started with this piece of engineering art.
I just bought a new mt-07 for $6500 USD, the cb650r is still $9000 USD. I honestly thought for the price difference they aren't really in the same category when all is considered. The Mt-09 is priced around the cb650r so I'd compare those two.
@@AverageCitizen333 That's fine but I live in the UK, where the MT07 is £6,349 and the CB650R is £6,999. In fact I only paid £6,499 for mine so £149 more than an MT. No brainer.
Palcious not where I am! Here in VT a MT07 is $7700. A XSR700 is $8400 if you want the nicer cafe style look. And the CB650R comes in at $8700 at the same dealer. So not a terrible price difference. And with the added price you get a bike that’s built MUCH better, the Yamahas use really cheap paint that chips easy, has low tech, terrible suspension, lackluster brakes... Yamaha costs less because they cut cost in places where it shouldn’t be cut....
I haven’t ridden an MT 09 or a CB650R, but I’ve owned CBR600RR and an FZ09. The CB650R definitely sounds like a better value and motorcycle overall, but there’s something primal about the MT07 and 09. And once you experience the low-mid range grunt of both, it’s really hard to go back to higher revving bikes (UNLESS you’re going to the track). I was so skeptical coming to an FZ09 after having all the race bike goodies, but I wouldn’t ever buy another race bike unless it fell into my lap. Great video though!
Interestingly the MT07 only makes 2Nm of torque more than the CB650R. Although it also makes that 2,000 rpm lower. The CB650R has a lot more torque than most would imagine. It kinda feels like a mix of both. It has a good amount of midrange but also revs nice and high and keeps going to that screaming redline. It's nowhere near as punchy as an MT09 though. The engine on that is pretty vicious until you get used to it. Thanks for the comment!
I've had my CB650R for almost 3 weeks now. I've done about 1,600km on it and I'm loving it. I owned an MT07 a few years ago and I completely agree about the brakes and suspension. The suspension is soft and squishy so it's kinda good for day to day use but when you try to hussle it around a windy road it starts to bounce and wallow. On the contrary, the CB650R absolutely rails around corners. I have been so impressed with it. I havent had a single scenario where I could fault the suspension. It just feels perfectly damped and controlled. It can be a little firm over bumps but that's the tradeoff for having control in the corners. I also don't mind the weight of the bike. I feel like it actually contributes to the stability of the bikes. It feels rock solid both at high speed and in the corners and also when the wind is blowing hard the bike seems unfazed by it which is nice. The engine is lovely and as you say, it has plenty of low-mid range torque. Yes, not as much as other bikes like the MT07 but still plenty. I have passed cars in 6th gear at 100km/h and it does it no hassle. Obviously if you only have a short distance to pass in then dropping it down a few gears will give you much more urgency but still plenty of torque from that silky inline 4. The brakes, excellent although the rear does feel a little weak. Maybe some better pads will help that. The bike just feels amazing and I love it. My 2 cents about the comparison of the MT07 and CB650R: If you mainly ride at lower speeds and do a lot of stop-start then get the MT07 since you have the punch from the engine even at low rpm but if you want a real bike for real roads with corners and straights and higher speeds then get the CB650R. When you get that engine and chassis singing, it is lightyears ahead of the MT07, but you need the faster roads and bends to get the most out of it. Also when you want to pass and you drop it down to 2nd gear at 100km/h it f***in' flies. At slower speeds the CB650R is still nice and pleasant to ride but not as raucous as the MT07 because of that punchy low end torque. Pick your poison.
I owned the Mt-07 for a year, and I wasn’t pleased in the long term. I missed power after 5-6000 rpm and I lost total interest in riding. But after I bought a used GSXS 750 from 17’ I found my love for riding again.
@@hathaway.1166 Honestly no. I would rather buy a used bike for the same price with a little more power. I have 4 different bikes. Kawasaki 750z. hp. 106 KTM 390 Duke. hp. 44 Yamaha mt-07. hp. 80 Suzuki gsxs 750. hp. 114 I had the Duke for 5 years. It's so fun too ride and the only thing I missed was some more power at the top. My gsxs gives me the hole package. It looks good and so easy to ride.
Hmmm, in Ukraine new cb650r costs around €10100, while mt-07 €8000, and mt-09 is €10500, so I thought cb650r is mt-09 competitor, not mt-07. Choosing between 09 or 650r...
life thatis true but theres just so much more to the equation.. the mt09 & mt07 were designed to be hooligan bikes that also dub as excellent street commuting, whatever bikes. I love the mt09, easily one of my favorites engines but you cannot put all the power down do fo the chasis geometry. The mt09 Is of course still faster but 0-120 I bet its barely faster
I don’t think they even fit into the same category. I’ve seen new old stock MT07 going for $5K on two separate occasions this year. The Honda is $9K+. No brainer, I’d do what I did and buy new old stock MT-09 for $7K. If I really wanted a bike in that price range, it would be a new Triumph Street Triple
What about the Triumph? That’s a British brand isn’t it? Are they cheaper in the UK than in the US? I’d still take the Triumph. But forced to choose between the two, I’d take the Honda.
@@chincemagnet Yeah we have Triumph but they are not cheap. The cheapest Street Triple S is £8,300. It's also much more powerful which is why it gets put up against the likes of the MT09 and Z900 as they all make around 115-125bhp.
Learned to ride on this 2 bikes. - The MT07 seems to have more torque, handles better, bit better for a larger rider - The MT07 needs a bit of work on the front fork to set up the suspension right. - The CB650R seems to have smoother controls, easier to change gears - The CB650R is smaller, better for a shorter rider, not so comfy with a passenger - The MT07 180kg VS honda CB650 200kg, those 20kg are not very noticeable but it is 10% more. I would pick the MT07 anyday over the Honda, seems much more fun to ride in the city, i'm 6.2" so I sit better on it. And I say it as a honda owner at the moment :)
Nice review 🙂 I've not ridden the CB650R but did own an MT-07 for 14 months and put a couple of thousand miles on it. Couldn't agree more with your views on it ... it is a cracking little bike but has many budget compromises, the engine is a real peach though - lovely unit. Ended up trading mine in for a new 2019 KTM 790 Duke .. which is on a whole different level from the MT 😉
Make sure you get a radiator stone guard!!! If you take a look at the MT 07 shown in this video at 3:50 seconds, the radiator has taken quite a beating. A stone guard only costs about the same as a nice dinner out for two whereas a replacement radiator costs the about the same as an engagement ring! Lol 😉
Omg the friendliness is just over the rev line !! Subbed immediately! Great job there mate! Would really love to meet you and ride together if I were to be anywhere close to the UK! Keep up the good work! Cheers!
eagle52 exactly that, the MT engine configuration is more for torque, wheelies and suits a younger rider, hence the vast majority of (UK) riders on MT-07’s are teens/early 20’s. The inline fours on the other hand tend to be ridden by older riders (30+) because back in the 90’s we all started on 600cc hornets/bandits with inline 4’s. It’s what we know. The ride is smoother and less jerky. It’s not a criticism of the MT-07, I actually think it is a fun bike to ride. But the average customer will be younger and less experienced due to its engine characteristics and looks.
The MT really does sound great but as I'm sure Dan can attest, the CB with the akra when you're on the bike at wide open and hit around 6k revs onward the CB just sounds and pulls like a rocket ship and makes you forget all about that MT low end. That is one of my favorite things about the CB. It's a tame little bunny rabbit when you're behaving yourself but Dr Jekyl and Mr Hydes out when you get to twisting.
Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki need to start doing the 270 degree style cranks like Yamaha, Triumph and even the new Royal Enfield 650. They make these mid size bikes come alive
You are very lucky to have those bikes In my place I own a 220cc single cylinder Having 21 hourses Still considered to be over powered It's awesome to see you in those beasts
@@1990-t1j can I know which are those bikes please In my place the most powerful bike that rich own is the KTM 390 Nice choice man the king of single cylinders
Right now, 2019 GSX-S750 ABS are going for $6999 in the USA. That's 100cc larger, much more power, and plenty of chassis and suspension capability. Although it weighs 20 pounds more. Also 2018 GSX-S750Z for $5992.
I have a twin cylinder I ride on Sundays, and an inline 4 I ride on Saturdays. The 4 cylinder engine is better if you do track days. A twin is better for saving money, unless it is a Ducati or Harley. The MT-07 is more of a beginner bike and the brakes are weaker to help prevent crashes from someone panic braking and using too much right hand pressure all at once. Many say the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Yamaha Tracer 900 are more comfortable for long trips, for more money. I am also attracted to the Kawasaki H2 supercharged sport tourer, also V-twins for the glorious sound when engine braking at 20 mph.
Nice comparison mate, and once again my preference is confirmed. Honda all the way! I think this CB looks great, and I really like this blue colour. It's also just a superior machine to the FZ-07. I love honda's refinement, sensibility, and quality.
The only part i dislike on my brand new MT-07 is only the suspension...is too squishy even they have stiffen them for the new model...hopefully if there is MKIII for MT-07 equips with USD fork, i would certainly upgrade to it
The aftermarket preload adjusters on e-bay help a lot with the squish and aftermarket clip-on bars drop you about 4" at the wrist, totally changing the feel "dropping into" a turn on the twisties without twisting you so out of shape such as on a yzfr6
The YAMAHA Mt 07 is my favorite 1.. it looks better..2 it is not heavy like the honda cb 650... 3. the yamaha is much more cheaper than the honda, this why the Mt 07 is sold out therefore you have a wide range of accessories and spareparts 6..and the most important thing is you have more power in the low rpm range..this is perfect for lazy gear changing...
Looks are subjective though, I prefer the Honda. Yes the Yam is lighter and you can feel it for sure. The MT07 not much cheaper than the Honda in my country. Plenty of bits for the Honda already. MT has lower torque, definitely but that Honda will spank it on top end. I actually find the Honda really nice and relaxing to ride low down because it has good midrange and excellent throttle response. PLUS, the Honda brakes and suspension are so much better. Whatever you ride, enjoy!
I have the 2017 CB f. It's a fantastic bike. I do wish it had USDs for the looks, but the action of the forks is great - fine at lower speeds and amazing when spanking it on the back roads. I get around 35 - 40mpg(UK) because like Dan, I don't commute on it, so a lot of my riding is full throttle.
As an MT-07 owner (5yrs) I 100% agree with your assessment of the suspension and brakes so looking to change soon - taken it on a few track days and when pushed that squidgy 🤪front end does NOT inspire confidence. Been eyeing up the CB650R, CBR650R and the Street Triple RS as well as a few others. However I feel the look change from the MT to the CB650R won't be enough for me. Was it just the overall ride that did it for you - are you tiring of the look? Interesting to see how long you'll keep it. I can so seeing you jumping to the Street Triple RS in the near future (2021)... I know that revamp look of the bug eyes is growing on you! :p Plus the feel / brakes and handling of the RS is on another level. I'm torn between the above 3 mentioned bikes but see myself going for the RS or CBR rather than the CB. I love the naked look (don't we all... ) but feel I'll tire of the look, due to the similarity in looks of the MT 🤔. Nice vids btw 👍
Size matters, at 180cms the MT07 is too small so went for the MT09. The CB is the inbetweener. Looks is 30% to me, its all about the rush...and how much more you have to spend to get it how you want. Dealer is another important factor and finally residual if you turn your bikes regularly. I think the Brit dealers offer more demo bikes judging by the amount of reviewers. We dont have many in Sydney and some dealers escort you and try to do groups on Saturdays only. Most times its buy first ride later....the CB650R is out of stock again until Nov/Dec...
why o why i had the 250 inline 4 in 1989 when I lived in Japan for a couple yrs; awesome bike it was! I just wish Kawasaki would make an in-line 4 300 or 400.
Like your videos. For me, high revving engines like the Honda has just spur the rider to go faster than they may have done otherwise. (the mt-09 is the same) The mt-07 engine is lauded by all as one of the most pleasurable engines fitted to a motorcycle.I much prefer the power to be lower in the rev range. Weight and comfort are also for me extremely important, two areas which sway me towards the 07. Having had a first gen 07 and riding the 2020 model, I think the suspension tweaks do improve the ride. No doubt about the Hondas build quality but my previous 07 did not suffer from any of the faults mentioned in your vid. Its another 07 for me!
I wait for this video for long time, it is very good in your opinion👍🏻though the tempo of this video is very fast😅. I rent cb1000r and I feel posture and vibration is not good for long ride, so I can feel how good MT07 do on it. It really comfortable. I also trigger ABS of front and rear several times so I know the limitation of MT07 breaking, actually it is already enough for normal riding except GP racing. CB650R have electronic tracing control which good function reflected on price. I think MT07 still good and personally prefer to do half joint of clutch during riding, it exist wide are of half joint on MT07. If there is not MUCH riding difference of turning feeling next time test CB650R, I will upgrade the suspension on my MT07! Peace
I bought MT07 in 2014. Without test ride, because dealers didn't even have demo bikes. They sold everything in no time. The biggest concern is size of this motorcycle. It is really tiny. As it was my first bike I thought it could be advantageous. More manageable, maneuverable, etc. And that is true, but it also means less support when you want go faster. Less stability. More tiring during long run (no chance to stand on the pegs). And honestly, as much as I was in love with this engine for a long time, now I want inline 4 with more linear low range and more powerful high range. So I sold it this year and now I'm thinking if I should go for a comfort and versatility but no inline 4 (Versys) or something completely different like a new CBR650R, with 4 cylinder engine but less comfortable riding position.
@@Englishbikerdan Thanks for great comparison ;) As a previous owner of MT07 I completely agree with your evaluation. Have you considered GSX -S750 before buying CB650R?
Yeah I did, but I wanted something that didn't look as modern and the MT07 and Gsx-s750 look very similar to me. The modern retro look of the CBR650R really interested me.
@@Englishbikerdan I think it might be the less visually appealing naked bike on the market. Especially the front part looks weird and outdated. This bike needs black and red color scheme that was (surprisingly) withdrawn by Suzuki. But the biggest surprise for me was the position. Very short pegs, leaning forward, wide tank. Honestly, I felt much more relaxed on CBR650R.
The cb is more refined however, you can't beat the fun and riding experience of the mt07. I'm not sure there is any other bike that is more fun and enjoyable to ride. I rode both and though the choice would be tough I'd go with the Mt. Cbr650r is a different story though, it wins because of the looks. Hard choice though... But considering the price difference I'm not sure the Mt 07 can be beaten.
bmwm3man it was the ergonomics, fit, finish, and how I fit on the bike. I’m 6’1” and about 220. I could get comfortable on the CBR unlike on the MT07. I feel like I wouldn’t have been able to go on the long rides I do on the Yamaha and enjoy my riding as much. It’s plenty of bike to have fun with. Aftermarket is a little pricey on it but I’m sure that will go down with time.
Cheaper servicing and price go for the torquey MT07,Want comfortable and power of mid and high torque choose the CB650F....2 cylinders and 4 cylinders is like comparing inline 4 vs V6 cars
Nice review Dan, I have a 2016 fz07 (USA designation) bought new. I've heard about the rust issue but I live in California in the San Francisco Bay area where we don't typically have the dampness you have in England. I changed the brake pads, brake lines (steel braided), and modified the suspension plus other cosmetic upgrades. Big improvement. Engine and exhaust is stock. This bike rocks I love it. I can definitely see the appeal of the cb650r and I agree it looks great and is high quality. I'm considering adding the cb650r to my garage. I may be nuts, but these bikes have such different characteristics that I'm okay with it. But, I'm also considering the new z900 also a beautiful machine. 948cc and 125hp not much heavier than the Honda and it's same price over here.
Great review - thank you! Price differential is $1500 in the US. Better suspension and brakes seem like a good investment in my book. I do prefer faired bikes though, and the CBR650R at 9.7K USD is somewhat hard to justify. Thoughts on CBR650R vs. ZX6R? (only a $300 difference in the US)
Cheers! The US prices make no sense to me as they put these bikes up against rivals they should never have. ZX6R, had a few of them but not ridden a recent one. I imagine it's a sporty, agile machine that loves to rev though. The CBR650R just can't compete with that but it's a great mid weight bike. Just at the wrong price in the states.
Had both like you , the cbr just absolutely blows the yami away with ease as the cb is race bred. Some heavy fork oil in the cb and a duna jet and new aro, with a free flow air filter and get rid of the blockage on the intake tubes and with roso tires,. You can beat 1000 at the track . Its a high reving 4. That just is exceptional.
Having ridden the Honda and the MT both on street and track, Honda simply rides better, hands down. Which it should, it costs more. The 07 to me feels cheap, plasticy and the finish is just "meh", the honda stands so much sharper next to it, again it should. Both bikes are fun and good companions for anyone.
Thanks for this video. I'm going to buy my first bike soon. I couldn't figure out all the good and bad between the two bikes. This helped me out a lot.
I walked into the dealership today thinking I was going to purchase an MT 07. I did tons of research on it for months. But when I layed my eyes on the Honda CB650R, I knew it was the bike for me. Best of luck on your decision. Both bikes are amazing!
You guys must get sub-par bikes in the UK. MT07s are made in Japan and have superb build quality. I had an XSR700 for over a year and now have a XSR900 and never had any issue whatsoever.
Considered either the ninja 650 vs the MT07 for a while. Since this would be a major investment (at least in my country), I really thought about what I would buy. In the end the MT07 would be the one I picked because my father really liked Yamaha as a brand, since a lot of our bikes are yamaha. However, when we went to the official dealer, they said they were out of stock, and to wait 1 month (as they say, which varies tbh. some others they say wait next year lol). So we twiddled our thumbs by then. Then, I learned that Honda also offered a 650 bike, and it was a 4 cylinder bike, a little pricier than the MT07, pricier meaning $400 more. So I relayed this information to my father, and within 5 minutes he said to cancel the $200 "reservation fee" on the MT07, and that we are going to go down to the Honda dealership that very next morning to buy it. I remember what he said so distinctively "why would you buy a 2 cylinder big bike?" a lot more on and on about how back then, even 400cc's were 4 cylinders. Mind you, this is coming from a BIG FAN of Yamaha, yet he threw all that away when he heard that Honda sells a 4 cylinder 650cc bike. Somehow in the end, everything worked out. You already know the arguments between a 2 cylinder vs a 4 cylinder so I will skip that. On to the suspensions etc. we were not worried as much because this thing is a HONDA, it ain't no bmw or ducati, wherein the brand has such a reliability rating. Honda is one of the most reliable brands out there, so you are sure that when you are buying a Japanese bike, you're getting your investment right. Lastly, just something to say about the engine. At least in my country, you're going to expect a lot of bumper to bumper traffic, and even lane splitting will be hard due to the volume of other bikes. Hence, you don't really want power at the front (which 2 cylinders will have), but want power when you can SAFELY get it, meaning when you are on open road. At that point, it's simply too obvious that you want a 4 cylinder bike which will have a higher top speed, and more comfortable city ride.
I was looking at these but then I remembered I’m a life long rider that doesn’t feel challenged unless I have at least 130hp so I’m goin GM for a naked liter bike the Suzuki GSXS1000F has caught my eye it’s like a liter bike built for the street and that’s what we all wanted back in the day something super fast but yet comfortable enough to ride on trips! Now maybe if I can’t get a bigger bike I may settle for a 700-900cc bike but I’m aiming for a liter bike!
Hey Dan, first of all great video, would it be possible for you to test ride a 790 Duke, and then compare it to your CB? Would be very grateful, keep up the high quality👍🏼
There is a clear bias towards the Honda in this video. The Yamaha has the much better motor if you go off road at all. The Honda may have a little better brakes for the experienced rider but most people will never feel the difference. Depends on where most of your riding time will be spent. If it's around town and some trails I'd pick the Yamaha. A lot of freeway time and I'd pick the Honda. This video really isn't comparing apples to apples.
No, I just make observations on each bike. Both good and bad. Anyone with any kind of experience will notice the better brakes and suspension. Notice how I mention good points on the MT over the Honda? That's called being unbiased. I wouldn't take either of these bikes off road. They are not designed for it. At all.
A very good and informative comparison between both the bikes👌🏻👍🏻. But bro it would be really helpful if you have included Kawasaki Z650 with them too. 🙂
Just about the most perfect review and comparison. You've given me a lot to think about now, but "test both etc" is great advice! Thanks Dan for a such a thorough, well presented review/comparison.
Almost bought one of these, they didn't have one in blue, which I wanted, and while I was hesitating about getting the Honda, I ended up blowing my bank account a Street Triple R. I'm watching this video coveting your bike, it's really impressive what Honda have delivered for just £7K. I've accepted if I can only own one bike there will always be others I half regret not getting instead. It's a nice situation to be in. Interesting how the CB650F was largely forgotten about in the shadow of the mighty MT-07. But with a few tweaks, the CB650R comes out way on top.
Congrats on the Street Triple R. Lovely bike! Yeah, they really did go back to the drawing board and make the rather forgettable 650F into something quite desirable with the 650R. Gotta hand it to Honda, they delivered one hell of a bike for less than £7k!
Love my street triple r. I waited for months for the 650r to come to America. They took too long. Finally sat on 1 today in the showroom. No regrets on my Triumph purchase. Put together much better with better components.
"test both buy the one that makes you smile the most" Thank you for the video Dan
Thanks bro!
Yamaha makes me smile..
Where man cry
Ahh that scream of inline 4...
I bought my CB650R today as my first bike. I'm super excited!
Niiice! Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoy mine!
first bike 90horse power good luck with that throttle control
@@PEZ1514 It's much smoother than a 2 cylinder, as long as he doesn't overdo it, it'll be fine
@@silv3rArrow I agree! The power is there but I'm slowly getting used to the bike. Dont wanna over step my boundaries 😅
@@PEZ1514 for a beginner rider, the bike definitely has a lot of power. But it's nothing that im too worried about. As long as I ride smart and safe.
Been riding my MT07 for just under a year now and very happy with the purchase. But, the Honda looks and sounds like a lovely bike. When i come to changing my bike (whenever that may be) i will certainly consider the CB650R. Good review, thanks.
not the 1000cc?
you are gonna swtcih bikes just for the sounds? yikes
yayks😂
get the cb1000r if you upgrade bigger big
@@dale-fi1fi Not everyone always wants a bigger bike. I started on a 700, currently have a 650, and my next purchase will be a 400-ish cc bike. I don't really care about speed as long as it'll reach highway speeds. Can't imagine why I'd ever get a 1000.
Amazing video. No one else has done a proper comparison yet. Thank you for this. I went with the cb650r and am in love. I don’t think I could be happier with my choice.
I don't mind admitting, this took me ages to do and I found it quite frustrating as I didn't get enough footage of the MT07. Ah well, glad you liked it and thanks!
@EnglishBikerDan Also bought that Akrapovic exhaust and she sounds amazing. Used your video for the install as well. You really do make the most informative and proper CB650R videos. I saw you grow from 400 to 5.2k and it’s been well deserved.
@@aWardAvs Thanks! I hit the CB vids at the right time I guess so a bit of luck too! Enjoy your new bike! :D
EnglishBikerDan I think it was very well done. I think you should have no complaints. You utilized the footage you did have very very well and seemed to be extremely fair in your analysis. I’d rather see that beautiful CB anyway haha. The mt-07 is a great looking bike but that CB -wow.
Whats do you think would it be suuited for me (190cm)
I've had my MT-07 for about 7 weeks now. With my weight at under 70 kgs wringing wet it has more than enough power for me and the weight at under 200 kgs is manageable.
Glad you are enjoying your bike! Cheers. Dan
It does feels like talking to a friendly guy in this video!i enjoy it so much! Congrats ! You came with the best comparison version of yours! I love it so much! As usual, you are awesome mate!!🎉
Thanks! I try to be myself as much as I can. Cheers! :)
Damn I've wanted an mt07 for a year now or more and now this video has torn my world apart..I'm just gonna test ride both lol
The vblogger had one mt-07 with no complain now he has a rusty honda and he's suggesting is better maybe Honda has a new online friend?
@@nsilva800 yea hence why I said I'm gonna test ride both?? Do you go blindly buy things without research? I'd imagine not since your on this video in the first place or are you just bored and looking at bikes you have zero interest in? Anyway I leaned away from both of these bikes and decided to test ride an MT09 instead after my brain did more research
@@Cryptosporidium-zu2sc I'm not searching a new bike this review show up on my UA-cam account and I would not make my decision based on this review
@@nsilva800 yea once again that's why I said I would go test ride both but ended up wanting to try an MT09 instead..what kind of bike do you ride?
Also try the Suzuki sv, great bike.
Just rode my new 2019 Yamaha MT-07 from Denver, CO to Phoenix, AZ in 10 hrs which is flying and i've got no complaints! Fast & fun as hell!
Glad you enjoyed it! I rode mine to Bruges from the UK back in 2016. Very comfortable!
@@Englishbikerdan most excellent videos! thanks for sharing! had the fender eliminator kit done last week and doing the akrapovic full exhaust this week! should sound really good!
I'm at 27k miles and having both sprockets and chain replaced! Finally installing the power commander after doing the aktrapovic full carbon exhaust 6 months ago! No problems with rust anywhere! Still loving my MT_07!!
made my license on a MT07, didn´t know how good it was at the time because i had no comparison, but would like to get me one now.
I'm saving for a CB650R. I haven't ridden one yet but once I have the cash I will arrange a demo ride. I have owned an MT07 and I agree about the suspension. It wallows around in the corners. Still pretty good for day to day riding but when you wanna push harder in the corners, it starts to show how cheap the suspension is.
Dan: Nissin Calipers
Subtitles: Missing calipers
Me: Holy sh*t that thing is unstoppable!
Haha. They do come up up with some funny subtitles sometimes! 😂
I am surprised at how fair and very practical your evaluation on both bikes had been. I felt like agreeing with you around 99% of the time. I am a Honda fan having already gone through owning 4 Honda's in the past but I do ride with friends on Yamaha and I can clearly relate to everything you have revealed here. Thank you. Can you just please tell me if I would need a windscreen on any of these bikes if I plan to go touring on them for hours on end?
CB650R is my love and that's my first bike as well, half year on it and its perfect!!!
After doing 2,000 miles through France, Belgium. Luxembourg and Germany I am more in love than ever with my CB650R. Except for the seat, although it definitely feels part of me now!
After trying out both bikes I went for the MT 07, it's just very comfortable and light, plus it's assuring to know that it is purely Made in Japan unit. 😀
And yet has way worse build quality than the Thai Honda. 😉
@@Englishbikerdan lol true though 😁, can't fault a Honda quality I must admit.
@@jeremycubs8331 Glad you are enjoying your MT07 though, that's what it's all about! Cheers!
I' m not sure but the MT07 may be made in Malaysia?
@@kb34958 MT07 is produced in Japan
Very nice, glad to see this video. Makes me feel good about waiting for my CB 650R which has finally arrived! I've been riding it for 2 weeks and like you, I smile every time I ride it. It's a bit different then my 72 CB350.
Any advise where I can buy one or was yours fresh from the box.
@@tiffanyscott4101 Hey Tiffany, Mine was a special order and the dealer ended up doing a dealer trade to get me the bike. Not sure where you are from and or live but I'm on the east coast of Canada. From what I understand the 650R was released in pretty limited numbers in Canada. I couldn't say if Honda Canada will drop ship some more to dealers but when I search for one on Kijiji. Some dealers still have one or 2 in stock. Good luck, it's a really nice bike and I'm enjoying it allot!
Driving the MT07 on Saturday, rode the CB650F (not R) today and loved it. Thanks Dan.
You genuinely make the best motor reviews/comparisons on UA-cam. It is facts, experience and showcase. Perfect combination, thanks!
He's better than c2w and yammie.
You just made it easy for me. Was thinking hard which one I should get but now it’s clear. Honda CB 650R it is for my first naked bike.
Thanks so much for this awesome comparison.
The Honda is a beautiful bike indeed. I wish I could afford a new bike right now. I’d definitely be looking at the CB650R
I have a 2018 mt 07, real Nice bike! I love it.. 😍 I adjust the bag suspension to harder, and now the bike is just perfect!!
Nice Overview of the two bikes. It just looked up prices here in Germany. All for new ones: MT07 - 6000 € vs CB650R - 8000 €. So that's a 2000€ gap which is a lot. IMagines putting that kind of money in a MT07 (Suspension, brakes ...). But - the Honda is really nice and I personally think that Yamaha needs to put some work into their MT07-Line. The bike has been almost without real competition over the past years and that's starting to change.
I have the 2015 mt 07 , and yes, it needs an upgrade in the suspension.
Regarding MT-07 suspension: I recommend Dave Moss and his content in general to everyone who is into motorcycles, but in particular he has some videos where he advises his clients how to fix MT-07 stock fork and there is one where he shows how he does that in the video.
ua-cam.com/video/s91qcAXWKpI/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/X-uiiksWsOs/v-deo.html
Great review. I'm a 4 cyl guy. I had a 2017 FZ-07 ABS and never really fell in love with the bike. I liked the looks and the riding position, but the rumble of the twin was distracting. I'm a seasoned rider (40+ years and 17 bikes) and I prefer a smoother power delivery. When filtering through traffic, I never felt like I was in the right gear on the Yamaha. I've been looking at the CB 650r and it was really great to hear the perspective of someone who has owned both.
Can't argue with the rumble but I bought a 2018 MT-07 and when I was breaking it in, it felt exactly as you described, felt like never in the right gear, I thought it was me, there was a delayed throttle response and chugs in the low gears. I'm in Australia and I had a professional tuner re-map the bike.. It's now a completely different bike and a non issue, they come out running a little lean due to emissions and so the feeling through the throttle and gear changing felt rough from factory. I was a little dissapointed before the tune and now its amazing!!
@@justinsaponari Thanks for that info, Justin. I wish I would have considered tweaking the map before I got rid of mine. I also owned an MT-03. I didn't like the way that bike's throttle responded until I had a tech do some work on it. That bike also became a different machine after the adjustment, which was much better. Glad to hear you got yours sorted and hope you enjoy it for many years to come. I haven't made my final decision on my next bike. I really like the CB650R, but for about $100 more I could get an MT-09, which also has more than two cylinders, has more horsepower and it is lighter. It should be a no brainer, but I've heard some bad things about the MT-09 handling and throttle response.
@@bweimer157 Go with the CB650R, it's a much better bike overall than the MT-09 in my opinion
I actually know what you mean about filtering on a twin cylinder, it's just not as pleasant as doing it on a silky smooth 4.
Bob the mt09 is a great bike. Look into a flash tune and the throttle issue will be gone.
One should ride both as the ergos are different, Honda weighs a tad more but both are exceptional machines. I settled for the 07 due to power/weight but the Honda is also a superb bike.
Got the CB650R this spring as my first bike. The silver one. Such a lovely machine! Absolutely beginner friendly. Yes, it can be dangerously fast, but in the end it is your choice if you want to break your limits or not. I doubt I will regret one day to have started with this piece of engineering art.
Where I'm from, the Honda comes at about the price of the mt09 while the 07 comes way cheaper...
That's crazy! We're lucky in the UK.
yeah MT-07 by me are running around 7k, I haven't seen a CB650r for less than 10k
I just bought a new mt-07 for $6500 USD, the cb650r is still $9000 USD. I honestly thought for the price difference they aren't really in the same category when all is considered. The Mt-09 is priced around the cb650r so I'd compare those two.
@@AverageCitizen333 That's fine but I live in the UK, where the MT07 is £6,349 and the CB650R is £6,999. In fact I only paid £6,499 for mine so £149 more than an MT. No brainer.
Palcious not where I am! Here in VT a MT07 is $7700. A XSR700 is $8400 if you want the nicer cafe style look. And the CB650R comes in at $8700 at the same dealer. So not a terrible price difference. And with the added price you get a bike that’s built MUCH better, the Yamahas use really cheap paint that chips easy, has low tech, terrible suspension, lackluster brakes... Yamaha costs less because they cut cost in places where it shouldn’t be cut....
Damn, you can't even be alone these days. Even on a empty parking lot. Somebody will get to you and interrupt anyway. =/
Well, technically I was on private property so he must have thought I looked a bit dodgy haha.
Honda is also a slightly larger bike. 50 mm of wheel base difference is not negligible.
I say this to the Mrs all the time!
@@Englishbikerdan Usually it's the mrs that tells me that D:
@@foil666 Sad but true! 😂😂
if your little Honda is only 50mm I don't think any Mrs would be impressed. it would look like you had 3 wheel nuts.
This blue colour is THE best colour ive ever seen on a bike🤩🤩🔥❣️
I haven’t ridden an MT 09 or a CB650R, but I’ve owned CBR600RR and an FZ09. The CB650R definitely sounds like a better value and motorcycle overall, but there’s something primal about the MT07 and 09. And once you experience the low-mid range grunt of both, it’s really hard to go back to higher revving bikes (UNLESS you’re going to the track). I was so skeptical coming to an FZ09 after having all the race bike goodies, but I wouldn’t ever buy another race bike unless it fell into my lap. Great video though!
Interestingly the MT07 only makes 2Nm of torque more than the CB650R. Although it also makes that 2,000 rpm lower. The CB650R has a lot more torque than most would imagine. It kinda feels like a mix of both. It has a good amount of midrange but also revs nice and high and keeps going to that screaming redline. It's nowhere near as punchy as an MT09 though. The engine on that is pretty vicious until you get used to it. Thanks for the comment!
i've watch reviews of this two bikes for quite sometimes, definitely most detailed comparison to date.... nice job man...
Thanks for watching!
I've had my CB650R for almost 3 weeks now. I've done about 1,600km on it and I'm loving it. I owned an MT07 a few years ago and I completely agree about the brakes and suspension. The suspension is soft and squishy so it's kinda good for day to day use but when you try to hussle it around a windy road it starts to bounce and wallow. On the contrary, the CB650R absolutely rails around corners. I have been so impressed with it. I havent had a single scenario where I could fault the suspension. It just feels perfectly damped and controlled. It can be a little firm over bumps but that's the tradeoff for having control in the corners. I also don't mind the weight of the bike. I feel like it actually contributes to the stability of the bikes. It feels rock solid both at high speed and in the corners and also when the wind is blowing hard the bike seems unfazed by it which is nice. The engine is lovely and as you say, it has plenty of low-mid range torque. Yes, not as much as other bikes like the MT07 but still plenty. I have passed cars in 6th gear at 100km/h and it does it no hassle. Obviously if you only have a short distance to pass in then dropping it down a few gears will give you much more urgency but still plenty of torque from that silky inline 4. The brakes, excellent although the rear does feel a little weak. Maybe some better pads will help that. The bike just feels amazing and I love it.
My 2 cents about the comparison of the MT07 and CB650R: If you mainly ride at lower speeds and do a lot of stop-start then get the MT07 since you have the punch from the engine even at low rpm but if you want a real bike for real roads with corners and straights and higher speeds then get the CB650R. When you get that engine and chassis singing, it is lightyears ahead of the MT07, but you need the faster roads and bends to get the most out of it. Also when you want to pass and you drop it down to 2nd gear at 100km/h it f***in' flies. At slower speeds the CB650R is still nice and pleasant to ride but not as raucous as the MT07 because of that punchy low end torque. Pick your poison.
I owned the Mt-07 for a year, and I wasn’t pleased in the long term. I missed power after 5-6000 rpm and I lost total interest in riding. But after I bought a used GSXS 750 from 17’ I found my love for riding again.
Mikael2650 I was picking between the XSR700 (same engine as the MT07) or the CB650R, would you recommend the CB?
@@hathaway.1166 Honestly no. I would rather buy a used bike for the same price with a little more power.
I have 4 different bikes.
Kawasaki 750z. hp. 106
KTM 390 Duke. hp. 44
Yamaha mt-07. hp. 80
Suzuki gsxs 750. hp. 114
I had the Duke for 5 years. It's so fun too ride and the only thing I missed was some more power at the top.
My gsxs gives me the hole package. It looks good and so easy to ride.
Lol, L.
After you've had the big, gold upside-downers at the front of any bike, you can't even look at the other style.
Until you have to do the seals on them and USD don't seem so clever 😂
@@zedddddful yeah thats the bad part , but you can install usd forks covers
Hmmm, in Ukraine new cb650r costs around €10100, while mt-07 €8000, and mt-09 is €10500, so I thought cb650r is mt-09 competitor, not mt-07. Choosing between 09 or 650r...
But in terms of power fz09 leaves cb650 in the dust
Get mt09 for sure. I bought cb650r but if it was the same price minus 500 euros. I would buy mt09.
@@lifelife2517 it has like 12 more horsepower lmao
@@gooklogander7 yeah but way more torque so the cbr650r really doesnt have a chance in terms of speed
life thatis true but theres just so much more to the equation.. the mt09 & mt07 were designed to be hooligan bikes that also dub as excellent street commuting, whatever bikes. I love the mt09, easily one of my favorites engines but you cannot put all the power down do fo the chasis geometry. The mt09 Is of course still faster but 0-120 I bet its barely faster
I don’t think they even fit into the same category. I’ve seen new old stock MT07 going for $5K on two separate occasions this year. The Honda is $9K+. No brainer, I’d do what I did and buy new old stock MT-09 for $7K. If I really wanted a bike in that price range, it would be a new Triumph Street Triple
Here in the UK they are very similar money. Both naked, both middleweight bikes.
What about the Triumph? That’s a British brand isn’t it? Are they cheaper in the UK than in the US?
I’d still take the Triumph. But forced to choose between the two, I’d take the Honda.
@@chincemagnet Yeah we have Triumph but they are not cheap. The cheapest Street Triple S is £8,300. It's also much more powerful which is why it gets put up against the likes of the MT09 and Z900 as they all make around 115-125bhp.
For that price difference, you could buy the cheaper bike, do an Efi retune and custom fork springs and rear shock, and still have money left over.
Allready know the end
Both are good and both have pros and cons over each other
Learned to ride on this 2 bikes.
- The MT07 seems to have more torque, handles better, bit better for a larger rider
- The MT07 needs a bit of work on the front fork to set up the suspension right.
- The CB650R seems to have smoother controls, easier to change gears
- The CB650R is smaller, better for a shorter rider, not so comfy with a passenger
- The MT07 180kg VS honda CB650 200kg, those 20kg are not very noticeable but it is 10% more.
I would pick the MT07 anyday over the Honda, seems much more fun to ride in the city, i'm 6.2" so I sit better on it. And I say it as a honda owner at the moment :)
Nice review 🙂 I've not ridden the CB650R but did own an MT-07 for 14 months and put a couple of thousand miles on it. Couldn't agree more with your views on it ... it is a cracking little bike but has many budget compromises, the engine is a real peach though - lovely unit. Ended up trading mine in for a new 2019 KTM 790 Duke .. which is on a whole different level from the MT 😉
Supposed to pickup my MT07 in 2 days cant wait
I have the black widow on mine and it’s stupid loud but I love it 😂
BikerXJoe you will be satisfied 👍👍👍
Make sure you get a radiator stone guard!!! If you take a look at the MT 07 shown in this video at 3:50 seconds, the radiator has taken quite a beating. A stone guard only costs about the same as a nice dinner out for two whereas a replacement radiator costs the about the same as an engagement ring! Lol 😉
By the way Joe, you can get one from Irwin Supply on Tollgate Rd. West.
I got an mt 07 few months ago. All I'm gonna say is prepare yourself for a lot of fun
Omg the friendliness is just over the rev line !! Subbed immediately! Great job there mate! Would really love to meet you and ride together if I were to be anywhere close to the UK! Keep up the good work! Cheers!
Thank you!
If your a city rider, MT all day. So much fun when your barely going above 60mph
I can agree with that.
The paint scheme of that 07 is incredible...
Yeah but the fake intake cover look horrible
I had my 2017 FZ-07 for about 1.5 years now and the only thing I'd change on it is the suspension and the power.
Honda seems a far more mature choice. For me it would be the in-line four
And by mature you mean what?
eagle52 exactly that, the MT engine configuration is more for torque, wheelies and suits a younger rider, hence the vast majority of (UK) riders on MT-07’s are teens/early 20’s. The inline fours on the other hand tend to be ridden by older riders (30+) because back in the 90’s we all started on 600cc hornets/bandits with inline 4’s. It’s what we know. The ride is smoother and less jerky. It’s not a criticism of the MT-07, I actually think it is a fun bike to ride. But the average customer will be younger and less experienced due to its engine characteristics and looks.
@@jackwednesday Need that 650 as a parallel twin.
The MT07 with an aftermarket exhaust sounds AMAZING.
I have to agree! I had the Akra and then Yoshi on my MT07. Both sound badass!
Have you ever heard an inline 4? Eargasm.
The MT really does sound great but as I'm sure Dan can attest, the CB with the akra when you're on the bike at wide open and hit around 6k revs onward the CB just sounds and pulls like a rocket ship and makes you forget all about that MT low end. That is one of my favorite things about the CB. It's a tame little bunny rabbit when you're behaving yourself but Dr Jekyl and Mr Hydes out when you get to twisting.
Matthew Haworth I feel the exact same. Once you hit the power band my god the thing blasts off. Just pulllllllls
Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki need to start doing the 270 degree style cranks like Yamaha, Triumph and even the new Royal Enfield 650. They make these mid size bikes come alive
100% agree.
I have a Honda vtr250. Seems like it’s more powerful than similar 250s around
Honda NC 750 has 270 degree crank, just saying....
With the right exhaust it's sounds absolutely amazing
Suzuki? It is the only one with a real v twin!
Yes the NC, wish they did this engine in a lightweight CB naked with a RVF750 swingarm, now that would be a nice bike
Excellent comparison Mate , I would lean toward the Honda but as you said they are both great bikes.
You are very lucky to have those bikes
In my place I own a 220cc single cylinder
Having 21 hourses
Still considered to be over powered
It's awesome to see you in those beasts
Small cc bikes are still fun though, sometimes bigger isn't always better Thanks for watching!
I have three big bikes, Althaf, but I am getting rid of a couple of them and buying a KTM 390 Duke.
@@1990-t1j can I know which are those bikes please
In my place the most powerful bike that rich own is the KTM 390
Nice choice man the king of single cylinders
@@1990-t1j I have got a KTM 390 Duke for a week from KTM. It's SO much fun!! I'll be reviewing it soon.
EnglishBikerDan yayyy
Right now, 2019 GSX-S750 ABS are going for $6999 in the USA. That's 100cc larger, much more power, and plenty of chassis and suspension capability. Although it weighs 20 pounds more.
Also 2018 GSX-S750Z for $5992.
crazy how security asks you to move (happens a good amount on motorcycle videos),, that would never happen here in Canada.
I have a twin cylinder I ride on Sundays, and an inline 4 I ride on Saturdays. The 4 cylinder engine is better if you do track days. A twin is better for saving money, unless it is a Ducati or Harley. The MT-07 is more of a beginner bike and the brakes are weaker to help prevent crashes from someone panic braking and using too much right hand pressure all at once. Many say the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Yamaha Tracer 900 are more comfortable for long trips, for more money. I am also attracted to the Kawasaki H2 supercharged sport tourer, also V-twins for the glorious sound when engine braking at 20 mph.
Nice comparison mate, and once again my preference is confirmed. Honda all the way!
I think this CB looks great, and I really like this blue colour. It's also just a superior machine to the FZ-07. I love honda's refinement, sensibility, and quality.
Awesome review. Pretty much covered everything. Been looking at the Honda for awhile now and just makes my decision more solid!
i have been waiting for this comparison. Thank you very much :)
the CB for a "neo" cafe is a gorgeous looking bike.
I could listen to this guy talking all day everyday
My Mrs disagrees! 😂
Thanks for the comparison! Always loved Honda bikes and I currently own one but when I consider a new one I’ll be back to this video
The only part i dislike on my brand new MT-07 is only the suspension...is too squishy even they have stiffen them for the new model...hopefully if there is MKIII for MT-07 equips with USD fork, i would certainly upgrade to it
The aftermarket preload adjusters on e-bay help a lot with the squish and aftermarket clip-on bars drop you about 4" at the wrist, totally changing the feel "dropping into" a turn on the twisties without twisting you so out of shape such as on a yzfr6
@@SirLoinofBeef235 Guess I need to upgrade mine
The YAMAHA Mt 07 is my favorite 1.. it looks better..2 it is not heavy like the honda cb 650... 3. the yamaha is much more cheaper than the honda, this why the Mt 07 is sold out therefore you have a wide range of accessories and spareparts 6..and the most important thing is you have more power in the low rpm range..this is perfect for lazy gear changing...
Looks are subjective though, I prefer the Honda. Yes the Yam is lighter and you can feel it for sure. The MT07 not much cheaper than the Honda in my country. Plenty of bits for the Honda already. MT has lower torque, definitely but that Honda will spank it on top end. I actually find the Honda really nice and relaxing to ride low down because it has good midrange and excellent throttle response. PLUS, the Honda brakes and suspension are so much better. Whatever you ride, enjoy!
Great job !! The Cb650r 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I have the 2017 CB f. It's a fantastic bike. I do wish it had USDs for the looks, but the action of the forks is great - fine at lower speeds and amazing when spanking it on the back roads.
I get around 35 - 40mpg(UK) because like Dan, I don't commute on it, so a lot of my riding is full throttle.
Amen! Great bikes.
As an MT-07 owner (5yrs) I 100% agree with your assessment of the suspension and brakes so looking to change soon - taken it on a few track days and when pushed that squidgy 🤪front end does NOT inspire confidence. Been eyeing up the CB650R, CBR650R and the Street Triple RS as well as a few others. However I feel the look change from the MT to the CB650R won't be enough for me. Was it just the overall ride that did it for you - are you tiring of the look? Interesting to see how long you'll keep it. I can so seeing you jumping to the Street Triple RS in the near future (2021)... I know that revamp look of the bug eyes is growing on you! :p Plus the feel / brakes and handling of the RS is on another level. I'm torn between the above 3 mentioned bikes but see myself going for the RS or CBR rather than the CB. I love the naked look (don't we all... ) but feel I'll tire of the look, due to the similarity in looks of the MT 🤔. Nice vids btw 👍
I own an MT-07 and agree with you despite loving my bike.
07 with akropovic is probably the best sounding bike for the money.
I had the Akra on my MT07 at first but it was SO loud. Then I swapped to a Yoshi system which was a nice compromise.
Size matters, at 180cms the MT07 is too small so went for the MT09. The CB is the inbetweener. Looks is 30% to me, its all about the rush...and how much more you have to spend to get it how you want. Dealer is another important factor and finally residual if you turn your bikes regularly. I think the Brit dealers offer more demo bikes judging by the amount of reviewers. We dont have many in Sydney and some dealers escort you and try to do groups on Saturdays only. Most times its buy first ride later....the CB650R is out of stock again until Nov/Dec...
*Ain't nothing sweeter than inline 4*
*Doesn't matter it's a 250cc inline 4 like CBR 250rr in 90s or 1000cc like 1000rr*
why o why i had the 250 inline 4 in 1989 when I lived in Japan for a couple yrs; awesome bike it was! I just wish Kawasaki would make an in-line 4 300 or 400.
@@TrendingHeadlinesTV wasn't there a Kawasaki concept of a 4 cyl 250cc Ninja that was recently made?
Like your videos.
For me, high revving engines like the Honda has just spur the rider to go faster than they may have done otherwise. (the mt-09 is the same)
The mt-07 engine is lauded by all as one of the most pleasurable engines fitted to a motorcycle.I much prefer the power to be lower in the rev range.
Weight and comfort are also for me extremely important, two areas which sway me towards the 07. Having had a first gen 07 and riding the 2020 model, I think the suspension tweaks do improve the ride.
No doubt about the Hondas build quality but my previous 07 did not suffer from any of the faults mentioned in your vid.
Its another 07 for me!
As I always say, ride what makes you happy. Cheers bro 👍
I wait for this video for long time, it is very good in your opinion👍🏻though the tempo of this video is very fast😅.
I rent cb1000r and I feel posture and vibration is not good for long ride, so I can feel how good MT07 do on it. It really comfortable. I also trigger ABS of front and rear several times so I know the limitation of MT07 breaking, actually it is already enough for normal riding except GP racing.
CB650R have electronic tracing control which good function reflected on price.
I think MT07 still good and personally prefer to do half joint of clutch during riding, it exist wide are of half joint on MT07. If there is not MUCH riding difference of turning feeling next time test CB650R, I will upgrade the suspension on my MT07!
Peace
ight
I bought MT07 in 2014. Without test ride, because dealers didn't even have demo bikes. They sold everything in no time. The biggest concern is size of this motorcycle. It is really tiny. As it was my first bike I thought it could be advantageous. More manageable, maneuverable, etc. And that is true, but it also means less support when you want go faster. Less stability. More tiring during long run (no chance to stand on the pegs). And honestly, as much as I was in love with this engine for a long time, now I want inline 4 with more linear low range and more powerful high range. So I sold it this year and now I'm thinking if I should go for a comfort and versatility but no inline 4 (Versys) or something completely different like a new CBR650R, with 4 cylinder engine but less comfortable riding position.
The CBR650R is a beautiful looking bike and the engine is so silky smooth. Thanks for sharing your experience with the MT07.
@@Englishbikerdan Thanks for great comparison ;) As a previous owner of MT07 I completely agree with your evaluation. Have you considered GSX -S750 before buying CB650R?
Yeah I did, but I wanted something that didn't look as modern and the MT07 and Gsx-s750 look very similar to me. The modern retro look of the CBR650R really interested me.
@@Englishbikerdan I think it might be the less visually appealing naked bike on the market. Especially the front part looks weird and outdated. This bike needs black and red color scheme that was (surprisingly) withdrawn by Suzuki. But the biggest surprise for me was the position. Very short pegs, leaning forward, wide tank. Honestly, I felt much more relaxed on CBR650R.
Nice video! I'm glad I ordered a CB650R a week ago. :D
Awesome, how are you getting on with it?
The cb is more refined however, you can't beat the fun and riding experience of the mt07. I'm not sure there is any other bike that is more fun and enjoyable to ride. I rode both and though the choice would be tough I'd go with the Mt. Cbr650r is a different story though, it wins because of the looks. Hard choice though... But considering the price difference I'm not sure the Mt 07 can be beaten.
Agreed, MT is still a very fun bike!
mt07 is really aggressive, you can't ride normal on that thing. Unlike honda is more all range, though i ride fz6 which is absolute joy to ride.
I got used to the 07 pretty quickly. You can ride it softly and it's actually a pussycat really. Now the 09, that is a snappy brute! :D
The twin cylinder of Yamaha is unique because of it's crossplane crank, it sounds like a muscle car. ❤️
Pretty much why I first bought one. The 270 degree crank makes it sound just like a V Twin.
Doing my A2 next week (I’m only 22, can’t do DAS). Already have the money set aside for the CB650R. CANT FECKING WAIT!
Very lucky, still on a 125 me :(
Well you’ve got to start somewhere, 125s are fun though. Make the most of it
Was between the MT-07 and CBR650R and went with the CBR650R Have loved it every day since.
what do you love about the cb650r? I'm torn between the two as well.
bmwm3man it was the ergonomics, fit, finish, and how I fit on the bike. I’m 6’1” and about 220. I could get comfortable on the CBR unlike on the MT07. I feel like I wouldn’t have been able to go on the long rides I do on the Yamaha and enjoy my riding as much. It’s plenty of bike to have fun with. Aftermarket is a little pricey on it but I’m sure that will go down with time.
I bought a cb650r also brakes and chassis alone there’s no comparison the Honda is worth every penny more!
Cheaper servicing and price go for the torquey MT07,Want comfortable and power of mid and high torque choose the CB650F....2 cylinders and 4 cylinders is like comparing inline 4 vs V6 cars
I never experienced cheaper servicing with the MT. Plus it was less reliable so was in the shop more.
Nice review Dan, I have a 2016 fz07 (USA designation) bought new. I've heard about the rust issue but I live in California in the San Francisco Bay area where we don't typically have the dampness you have in England. I changed the brake pads, brake lines (steel braided), and modified the suspension plus other cosmetic upgrades. Big improvement. Engine and exhaust is stock. This bike rocks I love it.
I can definitely see the appeal of the cb650r and I agree it looks great and is high quality. I'm considering adding the cb650r to my garage. I may be nuts, but these bikes have such different characteristics that I'm okay with it. But, I'm also considering the new z900 also a beautiful machine. 948cc and 125hp not much heavier than the Honda and it's same price over here.
When you say modified the suspension you are talking about a inverted one ?
@@pedrofaial7223 No, an Ohlins shock and shortened the spacers in forks per Dave Moss recommendation on UA-cam. Also changed fork oil to Bel-Ray 15w.
Great review - thank you! Price differential is $1500 in the US. Better suspension and brakes seem like a good investment in my book. I do prefer faired bikes though, and the CBR650R at 9.7K USD is somewhat hard to justify. Thoughts on CBR650R vs. ZX6R? (only a $300 difference in the US)
Cheers! The US prices make no sense to me as they put these bikes up against rivals they should never have. ZX6R, had a few of them but not ridden a recent one. I imagine it's a sporty, agile machine that loves to rev though. The CBR650R just can't compete with that but it's a great mid weight bike. Just at the wrong price in the states.
@@Englishbikerdan Thanks for the response! Agree the pricing is strange. Triumph Trident 660 at 8K USD is going to be another interesting one.
@@bradthomas3188 It's a really good bike, can't wait to get on one again. 👍
Had both like you , the cbr just absolutely blows the yami away with ease as the cb is race bred. Some heavy fork oil in the cb and a duna jet and new aro, with a free flow air filter and get rid of the blockage on the intake tubes and with roso tires,. You can beat 1000 at the track . Its a high reving 4. That just is exceptional.
Having ridden the Honda and the MT both on street and track, Honda simply rides better, hands down.
Which it should, it costs more. The 07 to me feels cheap, plasticy and the finish is just "meh", the honda stands so much sharper next to it, again it should. Both bikes are fun and good companions for anyone.
Thanks for the review, I'm doing my DAS next month. I'm torn between the two bikes but I think I'll go for the CB650R!
That was a fast delivery! Thanks Dan, also following you on Insta :)
Thank you kindly!
I already love the Honda, but I can't get over that blue! 😍
Thanks for this video. I'm going to buy my first bike soon. I couldn't figure out all the good and bad between the two bikes. This helped me out a lot.
I walked into the dealership today thinking I was going to purchase an MT 07. I did tons of research on it for months. But when I layed my eyes on the Honda CB650R, I knew it was the bike for me. Best of luck on your decision. Both bikes are amazing!
@@sammehat Thanks. Please let me know how it handles.
@@sammehat how is the braking on the MT-07???
@@JWbabyshark I haven't riden the MT-07 unfortunately. But my Honda CB650R is getting delivered today. Can't wait!
@@sammehat Have fun and be safe. Please keep us updated. Can you do a video on it after a week or so riding it?
You guys must get sub-par bikes in the UK. MT07s are made in Japan and have superb build quality. I had an XSR700 for over a year and now have a XSR900 and never had any issue whatsoever.
Considered either the ninja 650 vs the MT07 for a while. Since this would be a major investment (at least in my country), I really thought about what I would buy. In the end the MT07 would be the one I picked because my father really liked Yamaha as a brand, since a lot of our bikes are yamaha. However, when we went to the official dealer, they said they were out of stock, and to wait 1 month (as they say, which varies tbh. some others they say wait next year lol). So we twiddled our thumbs by then. Then, I learned that Honda also offered a 650 bike, and it was a 4 cylinder bike, a little pricier than the MT07, pricier meaning $400 more. So I relayed this information to my father, and within 5 minutes he said to cancel the $200 "reservation fee" on the MT07, and that we are going to go down to the Honda dealership that very next morning to buy it.
I remember what he said so distinctively "why would you buy a 2 cylinder big bike?" a lot more on and on about how back then, even 400cc's were 4 cylinders. Mind you, this is coming from a BIG FAN of Yamaha, yet he threw all that away when he heard that Honda sells a 4 cylinder 650cc bike.
Somehow in the end, everything worked out. You already know the arguments between a 2 cylinder vs a 4 cylinder so I will skip that. On to the suspensions etc. we were not worried as much because this thing is a HONDA, it ain't no bmw or ducati, wherein the brand has such a reliability rating. Honda is one of the most reliable brands out there, so you are sure that when you are buying a Japanese bike, you're getting your investment right.
Lastly, just something to say about the engine. At least in my country, you're going to expect a lot of bumper to bumper traffic, and even lane splitting will be hard due to the volume of other bikes. Hence, you don't really want power at the front (which 2 cylinders will have), but want power when you can SAFELY get it, meaning when you are on open road. At that point, it's simply too obvious that you want a 4 cylinder bike which will have a higher top speed, and more comfortable city ride.
Happy when I went with my MT07, she’s a joy to ride, definitely needs a little windshield
This was extremely helpful, thanks! Great review of each major area.
I’ve started about 3 months ago with a MT-07, I’m super excited for the coming summer!
I like your videos. Very informative. Good job man
I was looking at these but then I remembered I’m a life long rider that doesn’t feel challenged unless I have at least 130hp so I’m goin GM for a naked liter bike the Suzuki GSXS1000F has caught my eye it’s like a liter bike built for the street and that’s what we all wanted back in the day something super fast but yet comfortable enough to ride on trips! Now maybe if I can’t get a bigger bike I may settle for a 700-900cc bike but I’m aiming for a liter bike!
Hey Dan, first of all great video, would it be possible for you to test ride a 790 Duke, and then compare it to your CB? Would be very grateful, keep up the high quality👍🏼
I should hopefully be able to do something soon, although not sure I'll do another in depth comparison video.
There is a clear bias towards the Honda in this video. The Yamaha has the much better motor if you go off road at all. The Honda may have a little better brakes for the experienced rider but most people will never feel the difference. Depends on where most of your riding time will be spent. If it's around town and some trails I'd pick the Yamaha. A lot of freeway time and I'd pick the Honda. This video really isn't comparing apples to apples.
No, I just make observations on each bike. Both good and bad. Anyone with any kind of experience will notice the better brakes and suspension. Notice how I mention good points on the MT over the Honda? That's called being unbiased. I wouldn't take either of these bikes off road. They are not designed for it. At all.
A very good and informative comparison between both the bikes👌🏻👍🏻. But bro it would be really helpful if you have included Kawasaki Z650 with them too. 🙂
No Kwak dealer near me I'm afraid.
The traction control I feel is what makes it better for starters. I could be wrong tho
I only trust Honda for my engine 🖤
D3tail3d Dee only as a Landscaepers I say that
all the 4 Japanese bike manufacturers are quite reliable but I do prefer the CB650R,.mostly because I like the look
Just about the most perfect review and comparison. You've given me a lot to think about now, but "test both etc" is great advice! Thanks Dan for a such a thorough, well presented review/comparison.
Thanks mate! My first comparison and I'd do it a lot different now. Appreciate the kind words though! 👍
Honda for me prefer the inline 4
What does the Yamaha have?
Is a inline better?
@@Smt_Glaive Yamaha has a 270 degree parallel twin.
Almost bought one of these, they didn't have one in blue, which I wanted, and while I was hesitating about getting the Honda, I ended up blowing my bank account a Street Triple R. I'm watching this video coveting your bike, it's really impressive what Honda have delivered for just £7K. I've accepted if I can only own one bike there will always be others I half regret not getting instead. It's a nice situation to be in.
Interesting how the CB650F was largely forgotten about in the shadow of the mighty MT-07. But with a few tweaks, the CB650R comes out way on top.
Congrats on the Street Triple R. Lovely bike! Yeah, they really did go back to the drawing board and make the rather forgettable 650F into something quite desirable with the 650R. Gotta hand it to Honda, they delivered one hell of a bike for less than £7k!
Love my street triple r. I waited for months for the 650r to come to America. They took too long. Finally sat on 1 today in the showroom. No regrets on my Triumph purchase. Put together much better with better components.