There are so many different types of motorcycles one can choose from that picking the right one can be a daunting task.
Motorcycles also vary a lot in terms of engine size, which raises different questions like “How fast do the different cc motorcycles go?” or “How fast a particular cc motorcycle is?”
In this article, we will be reviewing 650cc motorcycles.
So, how fast can 650cc motorcycles go?
The average 650cc motorcycle has a top speed of around 100 to 135 miles per hour. Most 650cc sportbikes tend to be faster with top speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, compared to 650cc cruisers, dirt bikes, and touring motorcycles, which often have top speeds of 95 to 120 miles per hour.
That being said, there are some caveats that are worth understanding when it comes to motorcycles and their speed—especially in connection to the engine cc.
Below you will find more in-depth information about 650cc motorcycles and how they perform.
How does the cc of a motorcycle affect it?
The engine size of motorcycles is measured in cubic centimeters (cc). The cc of most commonly used motorcycles usually varies between 50cc to 1,500cc. However, motorcycles with as much as 10,000cc or more can be found.
The cc of the engine determines how much fuel it can displace or burn. In other words, the higher the cc of the motorcycle, the more fuel its engine can burn through each stroke of the piston(s).
The cc is directly connected to the engine’s power and torque. More ccs usually mean a more powerful engine that also has more torque. On the other hand, the bigger the engine capacity, the less efficient it is in terms of fuel consumption.
However, the power and torque of the engine are not determined only by the engine size. This is evident by the fact that 650cc motorcycles will vary widely in terms of how fast they can go. Let’s take a look.
Examples of 650cc motorcycles top speed
This is how fast some of the most popular 650cc motorcycles can go.
- Royal Enfield Continental GT 650: 150 mph (241 km/h)
- Honda CBR650R: 150 mph (241.4 km/h)
- Suzuki SV650X: 135 mph (217.2 km/h)
- Kawasaki Ninja 650: 131.7 mph (212 km/h)
- Kawasaki Z650: 130 mph (209.2 km/h)
- Kawasaki Versys 650: 125 mph (201.1 km/h)
- Suzuki SV650: 124 mph (199.5 km/h)
- BMW-F650GS: 114.95 mph (185 km/h)
- CFMoto 650 NK: 111.8 mph (180 km/h)
- Royal Enfield Cruiser 650: 105.6 mph (170 km/h)
- Royal Enfield Interceptor 650: 102.5 mph (165 km/h)
- Suzuki V-Strom 650: 100 mph (160.9 km/h)
- Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS 650cc: 100 mph (160.9 km/h)
- Kawasaki KLR650: 95 mph (152.9 km/h)
Why are there speed fluctuations between the different 650cc motorcycles
As you have seen from the examples given above, the difference in how fast a 650cc motorcycle can go can be fairly big. The fastest 650cc motorcycles can be nearly one and a half times as fast as some other motorcycles with a similar engine displacement.
What is more, usually, cruisers and touring motorcycles will be slower than sportbikes. That means that in some instances, even sportbikes with significantly fewer CCs can often be faster but may lack top-end torque. In addition, 650cc motorcycles also fall a little short in terms of top-speed capabilities. However, they are built for a different purpose, so this is to be expected to a certain degree.
For example.
A sportbike like the Honda CBR650R is significantly faster, in terms of top speed, compared to the Suzuki V-Strom 650, which is a sport-touring model.
This is not unusual, as the motorcycle’s top speed that can be observed in a real-world setting is not determined solely by the cc or the engine size. In fact, there are a number of different factors that will determine a motorcycle’s actual top speed and acceleration.
These factors are, but not limited to:
- The type of engine; its configuration, tuning, number of cylinders, bore/stroke ratio, compression ratio
- The power-to-weight ratio
- Gearing ratios
- Performance mods
- Aerodynamics
- Weather and road conditions
- The weight of the motorcycle
- The weight of the rider(s)
- Tire dimensions and threads
- Braking horsepower (BHP)
- Exhaust system
Are 650cc motorcycles fast?
The engine size or the cc cannot really tell you everything about a motorcycle. The general belief is that more ccs equals more power and speed. However, that is not always true.
Let’s take a look at a few examples.
The Kawasaki Ninja 650, a 650cc motorcycle, can reach top speeds of 131.73 mph. In comparison, the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 is capable of reaching a top speed of 140 mph. Both motorcycles have nearly identical top speed, but the Ninja has nearly half the ccs of the Rebel.
Another good example is the 321cc Yamaha YZF-R3, which can reach top speeds between 103 to 110 mph.
It has a nearly identical top speed to the Suzuki V-Strom 650, CFMoto 650 NK, and Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, all of which are 650cc models. This is pretty good for a 321cc motorcycle with an engine capacity of about 1/2 of a 650cc motorcycle.
There can also be a significant difference in how two 650cc motorcycles feel depending on whether or not they have a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine and its type.
Generally, an inline-four engine tends to have higher top speed, less torque power at the low end, and a notable jump in power at higher RPMs, which can catch beginners off guard, while a v-twin engine tends to have a smoother performance with higher torque values throughout the whole rev range.
See article: What CC motorcycle should a beginner get?
That being said, not all inline-four and v-twin engines are created equal and perform the same. So just because two motorcycles have a V-twin or an inline-four engine does not mean they will perform the same.
In other words, how fast a 650cc motorcycle can go cannot be determined solely by the size of its engine.
It can be said that most 650cc motorcycles are a great middle ground. They are fast, but they are not the fastest motorcycles out there. It may be more accurate to say that most 650cc motorcycles are reasonably fast, and many riders may never feel the need to go with a more powerful motorcycle.
Are 650cc motorcycles fast enough?
Most 650cc motorcycles can be used comfortably and safely on highway and city roads.
While riding around the town, 650cc motorcycles will be very nimble and easy to maneuver in tight spots, although some models can be on the heavier side. Overall, riders will not feel underpowered or limited in terms of speed and acceleration.
The majority of the 650cc motorcycles are fast enough to be taken on the highway. They may not have the highest top speeds but have plenty of power and torque to allow quick and safe acceleration at highway speeds.
Who are 650cc motorcycles good for?
A lot of people will wonder if 650cc motorcycles are too much for a beginner.
Some 650cc motorcycles can be suitable for beginners but not all.
The SV650 is an excellent 650cc motorcycle that is also a good beginner’s motorcycle. On the other hand, CBR650R is a good example of a 650cc motorcycle that may be too powerful or unpredictable for some beginners.
See article: Best 650cc Motorcycles for Beginners
All in all, 650cc motorcycles are not too big and can go pretty fast. They also remain fairly predictable. These are excellent motorcycles to take on the highway. Riders who are spending many miles and time on the highway will appreciate the higher torque a 650cc motorcycle can provide, allowing the rider to keep up with highway traffic safely and comfortably.
That being said, 650cc motorcycles are also suitable for more experienced riders as well. In fact, 650cc motorcycles are widely considered among the best types of motorcycles that will often meet the needs of both beginners and advanced riders. By no means are they boring, and many people will not feel like they have outgrown them even after years of riding.
FAQ’s
- How fast can a typical 650cc motorcycle go?
- This question focuses on the top speed of 650cc motorcycles and highlights the speed range for various types of motorcycles within this engine capacity.
- How does engine cc affect a motorcycle’s performance?
- This question explains the relationship between engine displacement (cc) and a motorcycle’s power, torque, and efficiency. It addresses common misconceptions about engine size and performance.
- Are 650cc motorcycles suitable for beginners?
- This question addresses the suitability of 650cc motorcycles for beginners, discussing specific models that are beginner-friendly and providing insight into how these motorcycles perform for both novice and experienced riders.