Honda Europe dealers hold CB650R build-off

Healthy competition between dealers

There’s a lot of competition between motorcycle dealers. After all, good sales figures lead to even better unit allocations in the future. Sometimes, this competition can get extremely competitive, which may not be good for business.

Honda Motor Europe, however, came up with a way to channel their competitive spirit into something productive: a bike build-off. The bike of choice is the CB650R, which is already a looker in stock form. However, that didn’t stop the dealers from customizing them even further.

The top 10 finalists were originally scheduled to appear at the Wheels & Waves festival in Biarritz, France. However, since the show was cancelled, the entries are now being shown online, with the public getting the chance to vote for their favorite and even download some of them as wallpapers. All ten are available to view at Hondacustoms.com.

CB650R HEDICION

This bike is an homage to Honda sporting history, particularly the 1966 Brabham Honda BT18 racing car.  Built by Motor Sport of Madrid, Spain, it features a unique, subtle green and yellow paint, complemented by blacked out handlebars, footrests, front forks and wheels. And, just like the car, its inline four­cylinder engine is the centerpiece, with a cam cover picked out in yellow. A full titanium Akrapovič exhaust adds lightweight performance while the carbon fiber nose cone and seat cowl are finishing details.

CB650R AKIRA

From the Japanese word, Kaizen (meaning ‘to improve’), Hakuba Motor’s sleek CB650R Akira reflects the never-ending quest for improvements, no matter how small. The dealer from Santander, Spain built a classic single seat unit as a one­off carbon fiber creation, topped with a nubuck leather seat trimmed in red to key with the subtle ‘straight line’ silver and red paint. CBR650R clip­on handlebars bolt straight on and the electronics are now sited in their own compartment under the seat. A titanium Arrow muffler underlines the minimalist ethos.

CB650R CAFÉ RACER

Blanmoto have gone down a ‘steam punk meets café racer’ route with their CB650R. And while its look is completely transformed, many of the parts used are from ‘mainstream’ suppliers such as Puig, PSR, Givi and Rizoma. Naturally, detail custom fabrication abounds: the seat has been modified and re­upholstered (alongside upholstered side covers) and there are new side­scoops manufactured from 1.5mm aluminium sheet. A blacked­out Arrow end­can injects stubby simplicity. Not bad for a dealer from Girona, Spain.

CB650R FENIX

As an emblem of renewal, the CB650R Fenix is a special symbol for the entire Mototrofa team, whose dealership in Trofa, Protugal has risen again from the ashes of a devastating fire. And while looking totally modern it also makes use of past Honda models. The single­sided swingarm and rear wheel are from a VFR750F, the front wheel from a CBR900RR FireBlade. Custom parts include the seat and rear cowl and the ‘93’ paint scheme (by Nexx Helmets) both pays homage to the incredible Marc Marquez and marks the year Mototrofa was founded.

CB65R FOUR

Honda’s 24-hour endurance efforts are the races of true legend, and this CB650R has been built to celebrate the 1976 edition and the Honda RCB1000 raced by Jean­Claude Chemarin and Roger Ruiz. The red, white and blue colour scheme and Honda logos – seamlessly applied by A Brax Custom painting – instantly invoke a picture from the 1970s, as does the bikini nose fairing. A sports pack, including engine guards and seat cowl, maintain the racing feel while a Bagster seat neatly trims the mid­section. This Bol d’Or tribute was built by Sagaz Honda of Toulouse, France.

CB650R WHITE EDITION

3C Motos’ CB650R White Edition was conceived by 3C Motos in Biarritz to complement their moody ‘Black Edition’ CB1000R of 2019. Its paint – using matt white and varying shades of gloss white – adds texture and depth, and crowns the muscular depth of the jet­black engine and wheels. A CB1000R front master cylinder clamps neatly to the handlebar and Dunlop Sportsmart TT tyres finish the subtle – yet aggressive – look. #C Motos is based in Anglet, France.

CB650R BMX

There’s more than a hint of BMX stunt bike on the Werther machine. The gloss black paint pops eyeballs, as do black forks, gold engine cases and wheels. And not to forget the whitewall tires. For a bike built to perform, a shorter final drive gear ratio (plus black/gold chain, naturally) makes for instant acceleration, with a full Akrapovič exhaust system adding to the engine’s performance. An NMB Design seat, adjustable levers and grips, plus Puig gold bar ends and black footrests stand out, while smoked varnish on the front/rear lights and indicators are more subtle details. This bike was built by Wether of Nice, France.

CB650R KarbOne EDITION

The bike that started it all for the modern era of motorcycling, the four­cylinder CB750 ‘K0’ stunned the world in 1969, and AZ Motos CB650R KarbOne, with its metallic gold paint, pays deep respect to its illustrious forbear. SEB Auto Shop are responsible for the bespoke carbon fibre parts like the rear seat unit and headlight surround; the stunning black rims (with chromed spokes) are supplied by Evo­X Racing and wear Dunlop Mutant tires. Black Topema epoxy paint covers the engine, handlebars, rear shock and cam cover while all the finishing parts are readily available from the likes of Puig and Chaft. This bike was built by AZ Moto of Rouen, France.

CB650R FLAT TRACKER

Flat track DNA runs through ADN Motos’ CB650R and they’re rightly proud of it. Choice parts include a remote licence plate holder with integrated brake light and indicators, black and red Kineo spoked rims and Acerbis hand guards. The evocative nose cone and rear seat are custom fabrications while the yellow­tinted headlight glass adds a vintage feel. A twin­muffler titanium Arrow full exhaust system adds satisfactory bark and bite while Dunlop Mutant tyres have the look of cut slicks. ADN Motos is from Cognac, France.

CB650R FOUR Limited Edition

For Espace Motos, the legend of the CB750 Four lives on in the spirit of the Neo Sports Café family, led by the CB1000R and hugely popular CB650R. To respect the legend they added a raised, flatter brown leather seat and for the paint chose green with gold pinstriping, plus an ‘80s Honda logo. The paint also extends to the headlight surround, front mudguard, rear scoops and spring. Vintage­style bar­end mirrors, black footpegs and scrambler tires complete the makeover. Espace Motos is based in Angers, France.

Which one is your favorite? Should Philippine Honda dealers have a similar competition?