Honda CB500F vs CBR500R test

Menus

• Ideal motorcycles for beginners, have fun or … have fun
• Discovery
• Technical
• In the saddle
• In the city
• On departmental roads
• Cycle part
• Braking
• Comfort / duo
• Consumption
• Conclusion

Ideal motorcycles for beginners, have fun or … have fun

Anxious to face the competition and give a makeover to its CB range, Honda offers three new 500. A trail, the CB500X, a stripped roadster, the CB500F and a sporty model, the CBR500R. Three motorcycles accessible to all, ideal for new A2 license holders, perfect also for all those who, tired of their 125, choose to enter the big leagues.

Our test, carried out on the small winding roads of the Seville region, above Carmona, on this famous road known as "the thousand turns", will be limited to the CB500F and the CBR500R.

Two motorcycles of identical appearance if we ignore the fairing enveloping the "sports", the CBR500R, unlike the completely stripped CB500F. And if we also ignore the half-handlebars of the 500R as opposed to the wider handlebars of the roadster. Two motorcycles which, over the kilometers, will both prove to be efficient, finally in their category and at the same time different to the driving.

With the exception of the new shorter and lighter exhaust line, less than a 2kg, a new minimalist trim on the CBF and even more angular, those who have witnessed the arrival of the new CB500 will not see any big change at first glance. And yet this 2016 vintage offers many changes, starting with a more muscular look, a larger tank, an adjustable preload fork, LED front and rear lighting and new colors..

Discovery

At first glance, the CB500F gives the impression of being even more muscular, more elegant than the 2013 version. An impression created by its minimalist and angular livery. If the side covers are made smaller, the scoops they are more imposing. Matched to the shape of its new larger tank (increased from 15.7l to 16.7l), its new trim, which is reminiscent of that of its big sister the CB1000R, undeniably highlights its frame and its engine. . We also notice in passing that the cylinder head cover and side casings now adopt a bronze tint of the most beautiful effect..

Add to this a significant palette of colors, no less than 6 (tricolor, orange, millennium red, metallic black for France and two others not imported into our country: white / blue and yellow).

Right next door, her “sporty” sister does not demerit either, far from it. This CBR, which has greatly contributed to revitalizing the medium-displacement segment by bringing its dose of sportiness is also worth a look.
Here again this CBR500R adopts a more dynamic silhouette and therefore more sporty. Its more angular fairing, its very pointed muzzle and the convergence of its lines towards the rear tip of the passenger seat help to give it a lively pace synonymous with speed. With an obvious concern for penetration into the air, fine vents fitted above its optics guide the air towards the interior of the fairing thus reducing the frontal pressure.
Note also that the deliberately sharp design of its fairing sides conceals air inlets contributing to the aerodynamics of the beast. These are essentially the elements, not to say the only ones, contributing to its sporty image since the engine of this CBR500R, we will see in a moment, is strictly the same as that of the CB500F.

We will end this presentation with the colors of this sports car equipped, unlike the roadster, with a bubble. Colors ranging from the tricolor model through orange mixed with black without forgetting a millennium red, for those selected for France and three other non-imported ones: black, white / blue / black and yellow barred with black.

Finally, all these versions, both for the CB500F and for the CBR500R, feature original rim trims reminiscent of the color of the motorcycle..

Technical

Engine side these two 500 vintage 2016 are equipped with a twin-cylinder inline 4T with double ACT, 8 valves and liquid cooling. Supple and smooth at low revs, quick to climb in the towers, this twin displays 35kW at 8500rpm and torque of 43Nm at 7000rpm. Result, we will see in a moment, this engine reacts to the slightest request of the throttle offering pleasant times, whether in town or on the road.

And to allow these two CBs to be adapted to your driving style, or to your size, another novelty, these 2016 versions are fitted with a fork with a very easy-to-use preload adjustment. Intervention is also possible at the rear on a Pro-Link mono shock absorber which also has a 9-notch preload adjustment.
All you have to do is take your place on the handlebars and finally test this mischievous roadster and this sassy sportswoman.

In the saddle

It’s not difficult to step over these two CB500s. At a height of 785mm, the saddle allows the knee to pass very easily (be careful not to forget the small, higher rear backrest) and allows you, once seated, to put both feet on the ground. This seems to be valid for all sizes. It may sound like a cliche, but as always with the winged firm, you feel good on this comfortable saddle, your lower back propped up by the small backrest. On the other hand, the passenger will not be able to say the same about the rather minimalist rear seat and devoid of real grab handles..
Still cliche but pure truth, the handlebars (wide on the F version, tightened on the R version) fall easily under the hands creating a rather upright position on the roadster, leaning forward on the sport version.
The feet immediately find their place on the rubber-covered footrests. Small footrests, both for the pilot and for the passenger, which will not allow any vibration to be perceived throughout the duration of the test.
The dashboard, which has not changed, displays engine speed, speed, fuel level and time in front of you. It is also possible to circulate in the right window two partial kilometers, the average or instantaneous consumption or even the number of liters consumed. Everything is perfectly readable, even under the sun. Only small regret, the absence of an indicator of the engaged gear. And yes you quickly get used to this kind of gadget…. We will be satisfied with the green light for neutral and an orange indicator, at start-up, to indicate correct operation of the ABS (standard).
Note, other developments, the presence this time, unlike the previous versions, of a hinged fuel cap (no longer any question of seeing it fall when filling up) and a brake lever on the right handle with 5 spacing adjustments.

I will have told you practically everything by mentioning the new more beefy automotive type "fingerprint" key (this will prevent it from being twisted, for example by hanging up the gas pistol and leaning on it, I speak knowingly ….). Note that the storage space under the passenger seat can accommodate a U-shaped lock and its yellow vest (mandatory since January 1, I remind you …).

In the city

Turn of the key, 1st engaged and it starts badly. No, don’t worry, not at all at the level of the motorbike, on the contrary, but because of the coating of the city where we have just taken the motorbikes. The small streets of Carmona, this city built by the Carthaginians and which has the particularity of housing a Roman Necropolis dating from the 1st century, are indeed made up of cobblestones and while the water drainage system in the middle of the road has tendency to flip the motorcycle from side to side.

But 1st impression, the CBR500R (it will be the case on the return with the CB500F) cash pretty well. On the contrary, the suspensions are up to the task, erasing imperfections in the coating and while the clutch is smooth. Let’s not talk about handling, these CB500s are true agile and light bikes. The 190kg announced full facts are immediately forgotten while the twin makes itself available to all gears.

You just have to remember to take the first one again during rather steep climbs, the second could indeed make you lose face by an unexpected stalling. But in any case, let the "young" drivers rest assured, these CB500 F and R are surprisingly easy to get started..

On departmental roads

Don’t expect freeway "expertise", we didn’t borrow any in this test. However, for a few passages made on the fast lane, we can say that these two 500s are far from being ridiculous.
Comfortable and on course, they make it easy to maintain a good cruising speed and easily exceed 130 km / h if necessary to finalize an overtaking.

But it is when arriving on the so-called "thousand bends" portion of the road that the real notion of pleasure put forward by the manufacturer will take on its full meaning. Homogeneous like their predecessors, dynamic and agile, these two 500s will prove to be real toys. If I let myself go I could even speak of "happy mounts".

Straight, arms slightly apart by the flat handlebars of the CB500F, leaning forward on the half-handlebars of the CBR500R, the turns will follow one another in rhythm and without any unpleasant surprises.
Particularly manoeuvrable, extremely agile and lively in the winding, these two 2016 models will demonstrate almost flawless behavior. No stiffness or return when braking on the angle, no untimely plunging forward either proving the interest of the adjustment of the fork and the quality of the suspensions, finally let us underline the remarkable homogeneity between the front and the rear reinforced by a neutral chassis.

Also good surprise the engine is also pleasing for this segment (but we already knew that) as long as we manage to maintain it between 7000 and 8500 rpm, finally in "sport" driving.
Without reaching rally speeds, which once again is not the essence of a motorcycle vested in an A2 license, we can say that these two CB500s perfectly meet the expectations and aspirations of all those who, once out of town, will seek to have fun on weekends on small roads. Even the sound delivered by the new exhaust pleasantly accompanies the performance of the engine and the quality of the chassis..

Finally, nothing to say about the original fitment of these two models, the Dunlop Sportmax D222. Relatively "narrow" tires but visibly adapted to these frames and which we did not have the opportunity, on dry roads, to fault.

Cycle part

Whether for the CB500F or the CBR500R, the situation is the same. The cycle part is lively and above all reassuring. It must be recognized that the centralization of the masses obtained on these motorcycles guarantees a certain agility in the turns and while their distribution ensures flawless stability..

Braking

Both with a single 320 mm disc at the front with double piston caliper and a 240 mm disc with single piston caliper at the rear, not to mention the standard ABS, they have throughout the test demonstrates sufficiently powerful and effective braking. Well it is true that the sports version could be equipped with a second disc at the front, especially in sports events such as the CBR500 Cup. A CBR 500 Cup which will once again allow young and old pilots to enjoy and enjoy competition this year on various circuits in France on the sidelines of the French Superbike championship..
But again this is a more exclusive use to which not all new buyers of these "young permits" motorcycles will necessarily claim..

Comfort / duo

While these two CB 500s have proven to be really comfortable for the pilot, perhaps the same cannot be said for the passenger. The narrowness of the "small" rear saddle, the lack of grab handles compensated by a symbolic but approved strap or the two "notches" placed under the saddle, not to mention the rather high footrests do not allow consider long trips for two. Unless of course the passenger where the passenger completely in love plans to hug the pilot after having hugged his waist to hold on…. With a touch of love and a lot of masochism (or vice versa) anything is possible.

Consumption

It is difficult to establish an exact consumption since the test of these two models will not have exceeded 230 km. The manufacturer reports a range of around 470 km for an average consumption of 3.4 l / 100km (knowing that the tank capacity has increased to 16.7l).
For my part, the readings I was able to take, both on the CB500F and on the CBR500R, indicated an average consumption of 3.6l / 100km in normal driving and 3.8-4l / 100km in sportier driving. It is good to specify in passing (the photos prove it) that I am not really "jockey" size either ….

Conclusion

We would like to thank the competition which, with the arrival on the market for example of the Yamaha MT-07 or even the Kawasaki Z300 or even the KTM 390 Duke, will have been able to push the winged firm to reconsider and especially to rework its medium-displacement.
With these CB500F and CBR500R, sober, economical, dynamic, fun and reassuring at the same time, Honda found the excellent compromise to drive useful during the week and have fun at the weekend. Even if the modifications made are essentially cosmetic since the previous vintage, here are models suitable for attracting young people dreaming of integrating the sporting world on the handlebars of the CBR500R, or even all new owners of the A2 license, young or less. young people, girls or boys, seduced by the "manga" and attractive side of this new CB500F. Choices helped by measured prices, € 5,599 for the CB500F (€ 9 difference only with the 2013 version !!!) and € 6,149 for the CBR500R. The price of the trail, the CB500X, being fixed, for information, between the two, at 6,049 €.

Strong points

• Ease of driving
• Dynamic aspect
• Healthy and playful character
• Price

Weak points

• Lack of a gear indicator engaged
• Passenger comfort

The technical sheet of the Honda CB500F and CBR500R 2016

Test conditions

• Itinerary: carried out on the small winding roads of the Seville region, above Carmona, on this famous road known as "the thousand bends",

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