Honda CBR 500 R and CB 500 F

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Honda CBR 500 R and CB 500 F

Two "R.", Full fairing and 48 hp

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The Honda CBR 500 R has just 48 hp and does with full fairing and its two "R." sporty in the name anyway. That makes PS prick up the ears. The first test drive clarifies how much sport there is actually in the twin.

S.e sports riders have been waiting for what feels like an eternity for Japanese answers to the latest European superbikes. With the ZX-10R, this was only available from Kawasaki. Otherwise, in the land of the rising sun, people seem to prefer to concentrate on tame middle-class machines. The best example of this is Honda. Instead of a sharp new Fireblade, the brand rolled out two bikes and a scooter in the 48 hp class with the NC 700 models last year. And 2013? Again not a superbike! The CB 500 versions are joined by other machines with 48 HP.

Honda CBR 500 R and CB 500 F for A2 driving license

But there is a calculation behind this model policy. The manufacturer is reacting to the new guidelines for the A2 driving license that have been in force since the beginning of the year. After that, beginners can now drive machines with 48 paws around the area instead of the previous bikes with a maximum of 34 hp. And anyone who obtained their driver’s license before April 1, 1980 can now, after a practical test, get on bikes with 48 hp. Honda wants to lure this clientele with attractive, inexpensive machines. Once the fish is hooked, so the plan, you can certainly sell it stronger material later.

It remains to be seen whether this will work. But the fact is: the NC 700 models sold like hot cakes last year. In order to keep the competition as close as possible, Honda is creating competition from its own company with the smaller-displacement models CBR 500 R, CB 500 F and CB 500 X. The CB versions are in the same performance league as the NC machines , and they too drive a parallel twin. But the completely redeveloped, smaller unit is designed with a square bore / stroke ratio (67 / 66.8 millimeters) to be much shorter and therefore more speed-friendly. The little whisk yodels bravely until just before the electronic stop, which starts at around 9000 rpm. On the other hand, it acknowledges speeds below 2200 rpm with unwilling hacking.

Manufacturer

The European Junior Cup "EJC" will be held in 2013 on a modified CBR 500 R..

In between he marches obediently and calmly, from around 5500 rpm a noticeable boost in performance sets in. During overtaking maneuvers or other sporting ambitions, however, the clock should be at 7000 rpm. Up to this mark, the small drive runs pleasantly cultivated, after which it direct fine vibrations into the chassis. Thanks to the crank pin offset of 180 degrees, the unit bubbles sympathetically from the narrow, long exhaust.

Of course, this will also apply to the long-legged tour variant CB 500 X. The debut later in the spring and was not allowed to be part of this presentation. Therefore we concentrate here on the sporty "R" and the naked "F", which technically resemble each other like an egg except for the fairing and handlebars.

Atypically, the pilot sits a little more relaxed on the sportier version. The position on the naked woman with her wider handlebar mounted higher and closer to the driver, on the other hand, incites her pilots to walk a little harder. Both CBs bend very easily, but the rather comfortably designed chassis sets limits to all too brisk drifting. In addition, if the anchor is heavily anchored, the fork quickly moves towards the stop. Contrary to what was expected, the single-disc brake safely catches the load at all times and at least doesn’t bend its knees on the few, restrained test laps that Honda granted us with the R on the Parcmotor Castellolí provincial race track in northern Spain.

It remains to be seen whether the stoppers will also survive in the “European Junior Cup”, which this year will be held on a modified CBR 500 R. In addition, it is still unclear whether Honda will deactivate ABS for the junior cup. In any case, the system regulates early on for use on the race. For rides on the country road, however, it works great. So, enough of the little sweeps! Dear Honda people: When will the new Blade finally come??

Dates and judgment

Data

Drive:
Two-cylinder in-line engine, 4 valves / cylinder, 35 kW (48 hp) at 8500 rpm *, 43 Nm at 7000 rpm *, 471 cm3, bore / stroke: 67.0 / 66.8 mm, compression: 10.7: 1, ignition / injection system, 34 mm throttle valves, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, chain.

Landing gear:
Steel bridge frame, steering head angle: 64.5 degrees, caster: 102 mm, wheelbase: 1410 mm, inner fork tube Ø: 41 mm, spring travel v / h: 108/119 mm.

Wheels and brakes:
Cast light alloy wheels, 3.50 x 17 / 4.50 x 17, front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 160/60 ZR 17, 320 mm single-disc-
Brake with two-piston floating caliper at the front, 240 mm single disc with single-piston floating caliper at the rear.

Weight (full tank):
194 kg * [192 kg *], tank capacity 15.7 liters Super.

Base price:
5990 Euro [5490 Euro] (plus ancillary costs) *

* Manufacturer information

PS judgment
With the CB models, Honda created the second series especially for the 48 hp class after the NC versions. This means that the manufacturer is positioned like no other in this segment. Too much exercise should
you don’t expect from the CBs. But for the declared target group – beginners and re-entrants – they are a fair offer.

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