In the 600cc Sportbike segment in the Vietnamese market, Kawasaki boldly took the lead in official distribution. At the time of the Ninja 650 launch, no other brand had decided to attack this segment in the Vietnamese market. That is also a great advantage for Kawasaki.
Yamaha YZF-R6 2017 (left) and Honda CBR650R 2019 (right).
However, in early May 2017, at the Vietnam MotorCycle Show 2017 in Saigon, the Yamaha YZF-R6 2017 model was revealed to contribute to the diversity in the 600cc Sportbike segment. Unfortunately, from the time of its launch until now, the YZF-R6 has not been officially released. However, it’s highly likely that the YZF-R6 will be sold in Vietnam through official channels.
In May 2018, Honda officially started distributing several large-displacement motorcycles, including the CBR650F 2018, a mid-range Sportbike that garnered a lot of attention due to its aggressive and sporty design. Recently, the latest version of the CBR650F 2018, the CBR650R 2019, has also been imported (priced at VND 253.9 million, including VAT). This is the direct competitor in the same segment as the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Yamaha YZF-R6.
With revolutionary changes in 2019, the CBR650F model transformed into the CBR650R model with design inspiration from the CBR1000RR Fireblade 2018 and its own unique signature. The “F” suffix has been changed to “R” in the name, indicating a sportier riding capability.
The Yamaha YZF-R6 2017 is considered the most notable motorcycle in the 600cc segment, as it is designed for experienced riders with courage and the desire for conquest. The new edition inherits many designs from its “siblings,” the YZF-R1 and R1M, with a shape that enhances aerodynamics.
The windscreen and front of the YZF-R6 2017 reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 8%. The integrated LED turn signals on the rearview mirror also contribute to reducing drag and shaking. For the new CBR650R, this model uses dual LED headlights, replacing the previous single LED headlight. The new lighting system, with a sharper style, bears the beauty of its “older brother,” the CBR1000RR Fireblade, making the CBR650R extremely appealing.
Compared to previous models, the rider seat on the YZF-R6 2017 is narrowed by 20mm at the front, allowing the rider’s knees to grip the fuel tank more securely, creating a close connection between the rider and the bike. Meanwhile, the top of the seat on the CBR650R 2019 is designed to be compact, making the seat shorter, and the riding position more sporty with the addition of clip-on handlebars mounted below the upper suspension fork, extending the handlebar position further away.
The Yamaha YZF-R6 2017 uses 43mm KYB USD forks at the front, replacing the previous 41mm forks. The rear suspension is a single KYB shock absorber that can be adjusted. The braking system of the YZF-R6 is taken from the YZF-R1, with front disc brakes measuring 320mm, combined with a dual-piston caliper on each side. The Honda CBR650R 2019 is equipped with dual USD Showa SFF front forks with separate damping adjustment and preload adjustment. The rear suspension is a single coil spring directly connected to the cast aluminum swingarm with 7 levels of preload adjustment.
The YZF-R6 2017 uses the latest frame, inspired by the YZF-R1 and developed in the style of the R1M. Unlike the previous version, the taillight of the YZF-R6 2017 has been redesigned to be more compact. The rear fender and turn signal pair still maintain the traditional design. The tail of the bike features aerodynamic design with two air vents at the bottom of the rear seat. The exhaust pipe is made of titanium, while aluminum is used for the frame and rear brake caliper. In addition, the fuel tank is made of aluminum, which is 1.2kg lighter compared to steel. As for Honda, the CBR650R 2019 features the diamond frame applied to the 2019 version, with the rear fork pin processed by stamping (instead of forging as before), reducing 1.9kg compared to the previous design. The weight of the bike is reduced to 207kg not only thanks to the lighter frame but also thanks to the new fuel tank design and rear footpeg support.
The YZF-R6 2017 is equipped with a 599cc engine with 4 cylinders, providing a maximum power of 123.7 horsepower at 14,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 65.7 Nm at 10,500 rpm. This engine uses titanium intake and exhaust valves, along with magnesium valve covers and engine casings to reduce weight. The advanced electronic control system integrated into this R6 version includes the Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) intake control, ride-by-wire throttle with Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T). The bike has 6 levels of traction control. Equipped with quickshifter technology (but only applicable during upshifting) and an anti-lock braking system when downshifting.
As for the CBR650R 2019, Honda has improved the 649cc DOHC engine for this mid-range 4-cylinder motorcycle, eliminating the slight torque drop at 5,500 rpm, increasing the maximum power by 5% at above 10,000 rpm, and increasing the maximum engine rpm by an additional 1,000 rpm. Specifically, the bike has a maximum power of 94 horsepower at 12,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 64 Nm at 8,500 rpm. The 2019 edition’s dual-directional clutch makes shifting up and down smoother and easier, and the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) technology enhances rear tire grip.
250 MILLION VND, CHOOSE HONDA CBR650R 2019 OR KAWASAKI NINJA 650?
Thành Nhơn (forum.autodaily.vn)
