Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F

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Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F
Honda

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F

6th photos

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F
Honda

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Honda CBR 500 R..

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F
Honda

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For Honda standards, the sound from the two-in-one exhaust system is almost really groovy, sounds like a full-blown bike.

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F
Honda

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The cockpit is familiar from the NC 700. In addition to the time and two trip meters, it now also provides the average consumption.

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F
Honda

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Good thing: luggage hooks on the passenger grab handles.

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F
Honda

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Honda CBR 500 R..

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F
Honda

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The CB 500 F is visually reminiscent of its big brother, the CB 1000 R, and despite the compact motor, it looks very mature.

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R / CB 500 F

No half things

Two 500 cubic motorcycles are in the starting blocks. The CBR 500 R and CB 500 F reinforce Honda’s 48 HP offensive. Does half a liter mean half the fun? A driving report.

Are the Honda press people still at ease? Do they really want to chase the journalists with 48-hp motorcycles down the racetrack of the Parcmotor Circuit Castellolí? Yes, the European Junior Cup has already started?

First take a deep breath and let the environment work its magic on you. Okay, there are definitely worse things than test drives in Spain. For example minus degrees and cloudy weather in Germany. In the area around Barcelona people already wear flip-flops and swim shorts – well, at least the die-hard Brits. 13 degrees Celsius and a few rays of sunshine also make the local biker’s heart beat faster. Especially when the new Honda CB 500 F and CBR 500 R are already waiting for their drivers and the newly designed 471 cubic centimeter in-line two-cylinder is gently warming up.

Honda is the only manufacturer to concentrate seriously with independent models on the 48 hp class that was newly established at the beginning of the year. That’s clever. With mopeds that are as easy to drive as they are inexpensive, you want to heave customers still sleeping or dozing out of bed onto two-wheelers. The sales success of the NC-700 series offers Honda promising starting conditions for this project. Nevertheless, one or the other was amazed when it became known that the Japanese were adding three more models in the same performance class this year based on a modular principle with a half-liter engine. But be careful! Anyone who thinks that the NC and CB (R) series are similar to one another is groping in the dark.

B.Even after taking a seat and a quick pluck on the gas tap, any doubts have fizzled out: the four-valve engine rotates freely through the speed range like a windmill even when it is stationary, thus keeping a clear distance from the NC-700 engine, which is often referred to as a diesel engine due to its performance characteristics. The lower flywheel mass and the construction, which is partly based on the CBR 600 RR engine, gives hope for dynamic power development right from the start.

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Driving report Honda CBR 500 R-CB 500 F

Driving report Honda CBR 500 R / CB 500 F
No half things

Honda CB 500 F: ergonomically uncomplicated


Honda

Honda CBR 500 R..

The modular principle allows Honda basically lower development and production costs. That makes sense. The chassis, engine, cockpit and fittings are shared by all three CB 500 models (the crossover version CB 500 X will only be presented in the coming weeks). On the F and R, the rear, the 41 mm telescopic fork (not adjustable) and the spring strut controlled by deflection and adjustable in the spring base are identical.

First of all, the CB 500 F is allowed to run on the streets around Barcelona. “Ergonomically uncomplicated” describes the front-wheel-oriented seating position on the F best (on the R it is a little sportier because of the different handlebar position, but a touch more balanced thanks to the slightly forward-leaning upper body). With a not too casual knee angle, it sits comfortably at a height of 790 mm, and the legs snuggle up to the almost 16-liter fuel drum. So let’s go! Not only in the first few meters does the CB scurry around the roundabouts in a stable manner and with easy-footed handling. She also passes different curve radii playfully and calmly. In order to flip the 192 kilogram motorcycle from left to right, only slight control impulses are necessary. This appeals to the novice driver as well as the experienced everyday cyclist. The chassis gives no cause for complaint, the mounted Metzeler Z8 tires in sizes 120/70 at the front and 160/60 at the rear harmonize perfectly with the Hondas.

The Honda CBR 500 R on the country road.


Honda

The cockpit is familiar from the NC 700. In addition to the time and two trip meters, it now also provides the average consumption.

In the hinterland of the coastal city, the asphalt is gradually becoming more pocky. The Honda glides comfortably over undulating sections, but it passes short and hard transverse joints unfiltered to the driver’s back. The response of the fork and the shock absorber could be a bit more sensitive. Otherwise, the damping characteristics are very suitable for everyday use on country roads. The same applies to the brake system, because the single-disc front brake decelerates at a good level even after several emergency stops. The fine control intervals of the standard ABS and the overall performance definitely do not suggest a low-budget solution: That deserves praise and recognition!

And how does the engine perform in the wild? In fact, a few laps on the Parcmotor circuit are planned with the CBR 500 R. The initial astonishment of pausing on the racetrack with 48-hp mopeds disappears when you consider that a modified racing version will be the standard motorcycle for the European Junior Cup 2013.

Even on the country road, the two-cylinder seemed unmotivated below 2500 revs, and now also stutters in the pit exit. So play a little with the clutch and full throttle: From 3000 revolutions, usable, albeit initially restrained, thrust sets in; at 5000 revolutions the compact engine really perks up, to be wonderfully lively at a revolutions of 7000 revolutions. There the counter-rotor also delivers its maximum torque of 43 Newton meters. What you shouldn’t hide, of course, is that the 48 hp doesn’t brutally catapult the moped forward. But the vitality and character of the half liter is simply remarkable and, despite the manageable performance, increases the mood immensely. Both model variants therefore offer only half a liter of displacement, but definitely a full load of fun at a sporty price.

Technical specifications


Honda

The look of the CB 500 F is reminiscent of its big brother, the CB 1000 R, and despite the compact motor, it is very mature.

Honda CBR 500 R (CB 500 F)

engine
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection Ø 34 mm, regulated catalytic converter, battery 12 V / 9 Ah, alternator 500 W, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O Ring chain.

Bore x stroke 67.0 x 66.8 mm
Cubic capacity 471 cm³
Compression ratio 10.7: 1
Rated output 35.0 kW (48 hp) at 8500 rpm
Max. Torque 43 Nm at 7000 rpm

landing gear
Bridge frame made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 41 mm, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, double-piston floating caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper, ABS.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 4.50 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17

Dimensions + weights
Wheelbase 1410 mm, steering head angle 64.5 degrees, caster 102 mm, spring travel f / r 119/108 mm, seat height 790 mm, weight with a full tank 194 (192) kg, tank capacity 15.7 liters.

Two year guarantee
Colors white, black
Price 5990 (5490) euros
Additional costs 265 euros

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