Honda has long been the benchmark for reliability in the motorcycle world. From daily commuters to high-performance race bikes, Big Red has built its reputation on machines that just won’t quit. Among them, the CB650R and CBR650R stand out as some of the most refined and rider-friendly middleweight bikes on the market.
These 650cc inline-four machines are beloved for their silky power delivery, comfortable ergonomics, and approachable nature. The CB650R, with its neo-retro naked styling, and the fully-faired CBR650R, which channels superbike DNA in an accessible package, offer the best of both worlds: thrilling performance and everyday usability.
But even Honda, despite its well-earned reputation for building bikes that last a lifetime, isn’t immune to the occasional recall.
Honda has issued a recall for certain 2024 CB650R and CBR650R motorcycles due to a critical flaw in the gear shift arm. According to NHTSA, the fasteners securing the gear shift arm may loosen and detach, potentially leaving the rider unable to shift gears while riding.
This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a serious safety risk. Imagine cruising through a tight set of twisties, needing to downshift for an upcoming corner, only to find your shifter completely unresponsive. A failure like this could result in a crash, especially in high-traffic or high-speed situations. Losing the ability to shift could leave a rider stranded in a dangerous spot or unable to react to changing road conditions.
At the moment, Honda estimates that only 507 units are affected by this issue—a small fraction of the thousands of CB650R and CBR650R motorcycles sold worldwide. It remains unclear whether both the manual transmission and Honda’s new e-Clutch variant are impacted, as the recall details do not specify. Given the severity of the potential failure, it’s crucial for all 2024 CB650R and CBR650R owners to take this recall seriously and confirm whether their bike is at risk.
To address the issue, Honda dealers will replace the gear shift arm free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out by April 21, 2025, but there’s no reason to wait. If you own a 2024 CB650R or CBR650R, get in touch with your nearest Honda dealer as soon as possible to verify whether your bike is affected.
While 507 units may be a drop in the bucket compared to Honda’s global sales, this is not a recall to brush off. The possibility of losing the ability to shift while riding is a serious hazard that could lead to a dangerous situation on the road.
If you own a 2024 CB650R or CBR650R, take action now. Contact your nearest Honda dealer for verification and recall service. You can also check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 888-327-4236 or visit nhtsa.gov for more details.
Source: NHTSA
