All Tests – Honda CB500F Test: the legend is back – Quality is at the rendezvous

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Honda CB500F test: the legend is back

All Tests - Honda CB500F Test: the legend is back - Quality is at the rendezvous

Honda launched in 2013 three 500 cc models: a roadster, a sports car and a trail! First version to pass between the gloves of Site: the CB500F roadster which seeks to update the recipe for the glorious CB500 of the 90s. Test !

The quality is at the rendezvous

Although the bike is produced in Thailand, Honda seems to have provided fairly rigorous specifications to its factory. It just goes to show that Southeast Asia can do good things too! Crutches in front of us, the compact CB500F looks great in its red or white colors.

Its clean lines are largely inspired by the CB1000R. On the other hand, on the size side, it is modeled on the Hornet 600. At first glance, it even looks like a 125 cc! But as the 125 cc look more and more like big cars, there is something to lose its Japanese…

Small price, but big catalog !

If the CB500F is satisfied with a minimum of original equipment in order to guarantee a low price, its catalog allows to add some interesting options:

  • Package holder + 35 l top case: 39 + 119 €

  • Heated grips: € 279

  • Windscreen: 29 €

  • Seat cowl: 156 €

  • Akrapovic silencer: 599 €

  • Luggage racks + pair of side cases: NC

  • Alarm: NC

On board, young and old alike find their account thanks to a well-balanced geometry between the handlebar, saddle and footrest support points. The depth of the saddle even allows the rider to adjust his position forward and backward for those (and those) who have not yet shed their extra pounds !

On the other hand, Honda has not thought of everyone when it comes to the controls: the levers are not adjustable and little hands will have trouble grasping the clutch lever. And cheating on the guard setting may not be enough…

Another point that would have deserved more attention: the crutch lug is difficult to catch because of its location too behind the footrest. For the rest, everything seems to have been thought out correctly.

The well-fitting fairings look more like real bodywork than just plastics. In terms of controls, we have real buttons well integrated into the controls. And like on its larger displacement motorcycles, Honda took care to integrate the heated grip button (optional for 279 €). The whole is therefore discreet and well finished.

The dashboard – which acts as a very light nose screen – reinforces this impression of overall good quality. "Full digital", it integrates a lot of information such as the clock, two partial trips, the injection and oil pressure indicators, the average and instantaneous consumption as well as the volume of fuel consumed. The tank containing 15.7 liters, we know exactly where we are !

To be perfect, however, the meter would have deserved a control on the handlebars. In addition, its readability against the light is not yet fully developed..

Finally, for 5 590 €, we appreciate the rather flattering Y-shaped rims, the original exhaust not too "original" as is often the case on current motorcycles, the fairly good thickness of the seat for the passenger or the good visibility of the mirrors, which are almost obvious as their location is close to the bust.

But as they say: "it is in front of that it happens". So now it’s time for dynamic testing !

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