QUIKSPIN: 2013 Honda CBR500R/CB500F – Fortune 500

 

Honda’s last 500cc machine, the CBF500, was a replacement for the indestructible CB500, beloved of bike couriers, commuters and training schools everywhere.

 

So, why bring back the 500cc class now? Well, Honda wants to target new riders, those looking to trade up from a 125, and those people who just fancy life in the slower lane. And with the likes of Kawasaki’s baby Ninja 300 proving a big hit, it’s the perfect opportunity to trump it with a larger capacity, full-size bike that’s still learner-friendly. Enter the CBR500R, the naked CB500F and the adventure-styled CB500X. 

 

All three bikes share the same 471cc motor, 35mm steel frame and running gear. Honda decided to produce an all-new DOHC, water-cooled parallel twin powerplant with a 180° phased firing order for the 500s, with the camshafts intentionally on show, a heritage design nod to the 1960s CB450s.

 

A lot of effort has gone into it: a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders to reduce vibration, four frame hangers each side make the motor a strongly stressed member of the chassis, there’s a very small yet efficient water pump for better cooling, plus an anti-turbulence guide plate in the airbox separates the air flow evenly to each cylinder, a first for Honda. 

 

The 500’s twin-cylinder engine also shares the same grooved pistons, gear-change arm structure and link mechanism with its bigger RR relative, as well as identical 67mm bore size and interval. 

 

On the recent European launch, only the CBR and CB-F were ridden (the X is still a couple of months behind in the production schedule). 

 

The main differences between the R and the F are a fairing plus riding position, achieved through a different bar set-up – the R has 40mm shorter clip-ons set 49mm lower for a sportier, but still comfortable, riding stance. The standard ABS equipped R is also 2kg heavier than the ABS F, although the F non-ABS version is 4kg lighter than the R (available as an option in some countries). 

 

Riding the CBR first in dry but cold conditions on snaking roads in Tarragona, Spain, the creamy smooth, linear power delivery is pleasantly engaging, and while its 47bhp is never going to feel intimidating (a good thing for the intended market), it’s lively enough and responds well to a quick flick of the throttle, and feels stable at three-figure speeds too. 

With a chance to also open the CBR up around the Parcmotor circuit, it showed it can be hustled surprisingly hard, even on standard road rubber and suspension set-up. The strong ABS stoppers helped, and the front end felt reassuringly stable and planted going into corners. Even a couple of quick, fairly brutal downshifts didn’t faze it – this 500 is forgiving in all the right places, perfect for soaking up rider errors. 

 

The heavens opened for our afternoon ride aboard the CB-F, but the more upright feel helped in the bad conditions, while the heated grips (optional, but fitted to the launch bikes), worked a treat and were easy to operate with wet gloves. Although the CB-F felt slimmer, it also felt a bit more agile and will make a great commuter. 

 

These new 500s hit the mark: they’re easy to ride yet still enjoyable, well priced, decent looking and appeal to riders after a true middleweight machine. Watch for a bigger test when the bikes launch in Oz in early April.