Duel CB650F Vs MT-07: the traditional Honda 4-legged against the sensational CP2 Yamaha
Attacked from all sides, the Yamaha MT-07 remains the benchmark for mid-capacity roadsters. In 2017, Honda continues to oppose its CB650F, revised on the occasion of the switch to Euro4. Can the 4-legged roadster beat the CP2 twin ? Answer in this new MNC duel !
Duel CB650F Vs MT-07 page 3 – Yamaha’s twin is thumping, but struggling
Sitting a little further back on the Yamaha, however, the rider stretches less above the tank to grab the handlebars, which are further back than that of the Honda. The MT-07 also spreads the hands slightly less: one centimeter, no more.
On the left of the two handlebars, the clutch control is not adjustable: the small minoches will regret it more on the Honda. But this one catches up to the right, by offering six spacings: everyone will find a brake lever in their glove! On the Yamaha on the contrary, the shortest of the five settings is still a bit long.
The Honda’s round and ergonomic stems are easier to tame … but watch out for the horn, the large button of which is located above that of the turn signals. On the Yamaha, the small eccentric horn is not likely to be actuated inadvertently.
By engaging the first, the Honda rider notes that his double dashboard does not have a gear engaged indicator light. It also lacks engine and ambient air temperatures. Average and instantaneous consumption are present, but we expected a full box from the "dear" Honda.
On the contrary, the MT-07 counter cannot be faulted: it broadcasts all the information necessary for daily use (see them as well as our). Only small complaint: like the CB, the MT does not have handlebar controls.
The Yamaha is far from perfect: besides the absence of a center stand – a constant on most current motorcycles, starting with its rival Honda! -, Site regrets that we cannot store any anti-theft device under the saddle. Even a yellow vest () struggles to slip into it…
On the CB650F at least, it is possible to slip a specific U and a second pair of gloves. The rear buckle includes cleverly hidden notches that the passenger can grip on hard braking. Not worth real grips, but better than nothing … so better than MT !
Also well seen on the Honda, the two side lugs which allow to secure a bag. On the practical side therefore, as well as from a static point of view, the CB defends itself well against the MT. What about in dynamics? Let’s see…
Although the CB650F’s counter displayed zero kilometers when we left, the Tokyo Rouge’s gearbox turned out to be smoother than that of the MT-07, while the Iwata Bleue totaled 1713 km. start of this duel.
The flexibility of the CB is immediately unbeatable, its 4-cylinder accepting without flinching to stroll at 25 km / h in sixth gear. The range of use is maximum: from idle to the perched red zone at a little over 11,000 rpm! Unbeatable.
Slight shadow on the Honda table however: the throttle which initially shows a slight play, then quickly makes the engine climb in the revs on the first degrees of opening, but then requires a strong inclination of the wrist to open the throttle to knock.
The CP2, for its part, accepts only reluctantly to go below 2500 rpm on the last three reports. We therefore play more with the clutch and the selector on the Yamaha, which can tire in the long run in town and / or in traffic jams..
On the other hand, as soon as its digital tachometer exceeds 3500 rpm, the MT-07 takes the advantage: much more responsive than the Honda, the Yamaha propels its pilot at the head of this MNC duel … and of the circulation in general. Heavy strike and featherweight: this cocktail is to be consumed without moderation, well almost…
In the introduction to this duel, MNC raised one of the good points of the MT-07: it can be restricted for A2 licenses. So let us warn MT owners who go from 35 to 74.8 hp: it "watts" so much that when accelerating fully on the first two reports, the front wheel leaves the ground! It never happens on the Honda.
While it easily dominated its 4-legged opponents, the CB was flattened by the bluffing MT in the tests of recovery. For 2017, Honda engineers tried to boost their bike by shortening the gear ratios (from 2nd to 5th), but nothing helped: in mid-revs, the CB650F was doomed to stay – far behind the MT-07.
To hang on to the Yamaha wheel, the Honda must be seriously whipped. This need could explain the higher consumption of half a liter during this test: 5 l / 100km for the Honda and only 4.6 for the Yam (respectively 346 and 305 km of autonomy).
It is therefore only kept high in the towers that the CB650F will eventually be able to stand up to the MT-07. But at these high speeds, the speeds reached are quickly shameful, while the vibrations are unbearable. !
Acceptable up to 5000 rev / min (110 km / h in 6th), the crackling of the CB650F goes up from the feet to the buttocks, even to the thighs – and to the crotch, brrr – if one remains glued to the tank. For motorway connections, MNC testers clearly competed for the MT-07 which only distills small vibrations in the hands !
A brief passage on the passenger saddles makes it possible to perceive that over short distances traveled quietly, the Honda – with its footrests a little less set back and its seat a little higher – has the advantage. But for long distances swallowed at higher speed, the MT-07 will be more appreciated by "co-pilots".
In front, the pilot takes advantage on the MT of a light front axle which brings complete satisfaction in town and its surroundings, where one is satisfied to "commuter", that is to say to assure the daily motorcycle-work-sleep. without rolling like a dingo. The weight distribution – feather! – of the machine ensures exceptional maneuverability. You can pilot it with your fingertips, pelvis or feet, as desired !
In built-up areas, the Yamaha suspensions absorb the most pronounced retarders without flinching. This is not the case with the Honda, in particular at the rear where the mono-shock absorber lacks progressiveness. Comfort on board the MT-07 is therefore superior: another victory for the Yam ‘ !
On small, virulent roads, on the other hand, the character of the MT’s front axle alternates between being too nervous on high acceleration and too soft on the brakes. Mounted on generous silentblocs, the handlebars even end up twisting forward on the trapper brakes..
The handlebars of the CB provide its rider with more solid support. Also at the knees, the Honda and its rubber plates placed on the frame allow the rider to sit firmly on his bike. You can then take advantage of the full power of the front brakes.
Braking is another strong point of the CB650F against the MT-07. The Yamaha tilts due to an attack of the lever too spongy and a fork too plunging which complicates the dosage on the one hand, and a slightly lower power on the other.
With regard to the rear brake, it is quite the opposite: the Honda pedal is both too hard and ineffective, while that of the Yamaha makes it possible to slow down the motorcycle better when approaching a crossroads or correct a curve trajectory.
Nothing to report regarding the ABS: once is not custom, this new MNC duel took place under ideal conditions! The grip of the Dunlop D222 fitted to the CB650F and that of the Bridgestone B023 fitted to the MT-07 has never been lacking. Le Journal moto du Net was able to arsouiller at will, in complete safety !
The reactions of the Yam ‘are more marked in the winding: taking a pinch of brake on the angle or putting a tasty ladle of gas at the exit disrupts the attitude of the bike. Add a few bumps to the road and the "païlotes" apprentices may tense up trying to follow faster comrades…
In this regard, the Honda, which is always perfectly neutral, very balanced and much more stable, has Site’s preference. Unlike the Yamaha, the winged machine instantly builds confidence and never confuses anyone who tries to set the pace, even clumsily..
"Having fun was our keyword when developing this bike," explained project manager Shin Yokomizo at the release of the MT-07. At MNC, we recognize having actually split the pear by making the MT rear up. But we had so much fun tracing beautiful trajectories at the controls of the CB…
The new 41mm SDBV (Showa Dual Bending Valve) fork meant to improve "both comfort and handling" did not seem to us to be much more efficient than the one fitted to the old CB650F. What we remember above all is that we like it much more than that of the MT-07 !
Qualified as "light" during our previous comparison, the front of the CB650F seems perfectly stable this time, more physical than that of the MT-07 to take in the successions of small bends, certainly, but never heavy. Hence the importance for Site and its readers to multiply the comparisons !
This new duel has also proved to be interesting and surprising: more powerful on paper but also much heavier, the new CB650F shines against the MT-07 by its handling of roads (winding and / or bumpy), but finds totally eclipsed when it comes to mid-revs.
In the end, customers will not be mistaken: the majority will certainly choose the MT-07 for its engine performance, its versatility and comfort in town and on expressways, its lower price and the possibility of restricting it to 35 kW for validate the first two years of the A license.
Other bikers, less numerous, will lean towards the CB650F and will not be wrong … and no choice even, if they wish to ride on the latest 4-cylinder 600 roadster – and dust – available on the market !
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