2021 Honda CBR 650 RA-M 0.6L Petrol · FD21 VTU

A 2021 Honda CBR650RA with this DVSA footprint presents a clean, low-intervention roadworthiness profile, with three consecutive passes and only a single advisory ever raised. The most recent test on 26 July 2026 recorded no defects at all, continuing the pattern established at the June 2024 examination, which was similarly clean. The solitary blemish in the entire history is the advisory logged on 26 June 2025 for a slightly distorted wheel rim bead at both the front and rear positions. Because this was raised as an advisory rather than a failure, the motorcycle remained roadworthy at the test, though the item has been carried on the record ever since and has not been re-presented for re-test or re-examination. The overall trajectory is therefore one of stable mechanical condition and no progressive deterioration across the testing cycle. With 13,801 miles recorded on a five-year-old machine, this CBR650RA is accumulating around 2,760 miles annually, which is markedly below the average for a middleweight sports-touring motorcycle and points to either genuinely light weekend use or extended periods of standing between rides. The MOT gap between June 2024 and June 2025 covers the bulk of the annual mileage accrual, suggesting the bike sees most of its use during the warmer months, while the shorter interval between mid-2025 and mid-2026 indicates slightly more regular running. Mechanically, low annual mileage on a multi-cylinder Honda of this type is generally kind to the engine, gearbox and final drive because thermal cycling and load are reduced, but it does place greater standing-strain on items that suffer from lack of use: battery health, brake caliper slide pins and piston seals, chain and sprocket corrosion, and tyre dry-rotting, particularly given that the bike will have spent significant time in ambient damp conditions if stored outside or in an unheated garage. The wheel rim distortion advisory flagged at both ends during the 2025 examination is the only specific component call-out in the record and deserves focused attention at the point of purchase. On a test ride, listen and feel for any rhythmic thumping through the handlebars at low speed, which is the classic symptom of a front rim that is no longer running true, and check for the same through the seat or pegs from the rear. Visually inspect both rims at the bead seat area for any visible flat spots, hammer marks or distortions in profile, and confirm that tyres are seating evenly all the way around with no daylight visible between bead and rim. Because the advisory applied to both wheels simultaneously, it is worth asking whether the rims were ever impacted, kerbed or subjected to pothole damage, as a single incident severe enough to distort both wheels would be unusual and may indicate a deeper suspension or steering geometry issue that the MOT would not have detected. Additionally, check that the tyres themselves are not flat-spotted or aged, as standing periods combined with a distorted rim can accelerate uneven shoulder wear. Beyond the advisory item, a prospective buyer should still carry out the standard checks that low-mileage Honda four-cylinder machinery tends to demand. During the warm-up, listen for any valve-train chatter or irregular cam chain noise from the top end, as a bike that has stood for long periods can suffer from oil drain-down through the cam chain tensioner, producing a brief rattle on cold start that should dissipate within a second or two. Test the brakes progressively from low and high speed, checking that the calipers release cleanly without any binding or judder, which would suggest seized slide pins given the low annual mileage. Finally, inspect the chain and sprockets for surface rust and verify that the chain has adequate slack, as standing periods produce corrosion on the sealing rings that accelerates wear once regular use resumes. With the DVSA history essentially clean and only one minor wheel-related advisory ever recorded, this CBR650RA represents a solid mechanical foundation, provided the standing-strain items and rim condition are verified in person before purchase.