All-purpose bike offers inspired ride

Much like trying to make a rational choice in the cereal aisle of a supermarket, picking a motorcycle from the staggering selection available in dealers' showrooms can be an overwhelming proposition.

The Honda CBR650F, introduced as an all-new model for 2014, offers something of an antidote to the epidemic of specialization that has swept through the industry.

A market that once had just a single divide - highway motorcycle or off-road machine, take your choice - has become increasingly focused on serving every possible niche of customer interest.

For every laid-back cruiser model offered, showrooms display a racetrack-ready sport cycle. Fully outfitted touring rigs vie to be considered alongside so-called adventure bikes, which are roughly the equivalent of an SUV, aiming to combine long-distance comfort with moderate trail-riding capability.

What has come up short in all this hairsplitting is the traditional "standard" model, an all-purpose bike that ably serves enthusiasts who simply want to enjoy these warming days of springtime on a scenic back road.

The 2015 CBR650F, while not quite the do-all Swiss Army knife of two-wheelers, proved in a tryout of more than 1,000 miles fully capable of delivering an inspired ride on roads that included everything from farmland lanes to bustling superhighways - all the more impressive considering its relatively modest price.

At a casual glance, the Honda's styling strikes a sport-bike stance. Looks deceive, in this case: The CBR650F never enforces the torture-rack riding posture demanded by those full-commitment racetrack-replica models. It does take advantage of an aerodynamic cowling to deflect some of the wind rush away from the rider, but it does not fold the rider into a crouched seating position.

The handlebars are high enough to accommodate a person sitting reasonably upright, the seat is comfortable enough to get you through all but the last miles of a long day's trek, and the footpeg placement yields sufficient legroom to forestall cramps.

At $8,809 (including $310 destination charge; antilock brakes are $500 extra), the CBR650F may be a few hundred dollars more expensive than similar models like the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Yamaha FZ-07, but it comes with a powerful 4-cylinder engine that revs higher and is more fun to push than the 2-cylinder engines of its competitors.

Still, it is tuned to deliver its power at lower speeds, and it consistently squeezed 50 miles from each gallon of gas, even on spirited romps over twisty backcountry roads.

What mostly distinguishes the CBR650F, though, is its straightforward specification. Unlike supersport models in this class, it does not present the rider with a multitude of choices in adjusting the suspension; the front and rear suspensions offer only preload settings.

Likewise, it does not have multiple riding modes optimized for slogging down the interstate or coping with rain; that's partly why it costs about $3,000 less than bikes like Honda's CBR600RR, a machine more likely destined for racetrack time.

In that sense, the CBR650F is something of a throwback, despite its up-to-the-minute looks. Honda has carefully calibrated all the engine and chassis settings, striking a happy middle ground of well-balanced cornering and excellent straight-line stability that will satisfy all but the most demanding of owners.

Only a light pull is required at the clutch, and the 6-speed transmission shifts without a fuss. The front brakes are basic twin-piston units, but they provide all the stopping power a judicious rider should need on the street.

I found it a relief not to have to cope with screen menus to set the level of intervention for the antilock brakes or traction control. Those are useful provisions for some riders, but as is the case in many new cars, the complexity can be a showstopper.

Rather, the CBR650F's appeal is smart value, not leading-edge features, and it makes a strong case as a highly competent cycle that's as well-suited to everyday commuting as it is to being weekend entertainment.