Honda CB500 Hornet

In terms of dimensions, the Honda CB500 Hornet measures 2,081 mm in length, 798 mm in width, 1,059 mm in overall height, and 789 mm in seat height. This naked bike also has a wheelbase of 1,409 mm and a ground clearance of 144 mm.

Sharp contours and muscular fairings define the CB500 Hornet’s naked design. It features a confident-looking fascia, enhanced by an imposing twin LED headlamp assembly with a diamond-like shape. It also comes with convex mirrors and a pair of signal lights. Underneath, its front fender is finished in gloss black. 

Its aggressive-looking side profile displays a combination of blacked-out finishes and aluminium elements. Its sporty silhouette is complemented by a pair of 17-inch wheels wrapped in tubeless tyres. Additionally, its exhaust pipe with a shiny silver tip adds more detail to its overall appearance on the road. Meanwhile, its sharp rear end is illuminated by a modern-looking LED tail lamp and another pair of sturdy signal lights.

The Honda CB500 Hornet features a 5-inch TFT instrument display that offers a navigation system and supports Honda’s RoadSync app for better control and convenience. The rider’s seat is plush and very ergonomic, while the pillion seat delivers decent cushioning for individuals with the average Filipino height. This naked bike also comes with metal foot pegs and pillion foot rests, making low-speed traffic filtering more tolerable.

In terms of suspension, the Honda CB500 Hornet is equipped with 41-mm Showa USD Forks at the front and a Pro-Link Mono Shock Absorber with a 5-stage pre-load adjuster and a Steel Hollow Cross Swingarm at the rear. This advanced suspension setup contributes to this naked bike’s confident and precise handling on sharp turns and challenging twisty roads in the provinces. While it may look muscular and brutish, the CB500 Hornet is actually quite agile to maneuver through tight traffic and crowded urban areas. That said, this naked bike is capable of delivering a supple ride even when covering long distances.

Powering the Honda CB500 Hornet is a 471cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, parallel twin engine that delivers 37.1 kW (50 hp) of maximum power and 44.7 Nm of maximum torque. This naked bike comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. 

On the open road, the CB500 Hornet delivers enthusiastic performance without overwhelming the rider. It feels punchy at high speeds, yet remains refined in stop-and-go traffic. Its manual transmission system is also simplified by Honda’s E-Clutch technology, enhancing the rider’s overall performance both in the city and on the highway. And, on top of this, it delivers great efficiency for its class, offering a WMTC fuel consumption of 30.5km/L. That said, the Honda CB500 Hornet is a feasible ride for your daily commute within the Metro.

The Honda CB500 Hornet comes with dual disc brakes with Nissin radial-mounted four-piston calipers at the front and a single disc brake with a single-piston caliper at the rear. Its braking setup is supported by a dual-channel anti-lock braking system. In terms of safety, this naked bike is also equipped with a Honda Ignition Security System (HISS) and a Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which ensures top-notch rear grip management on different road conditions. 

In my opinion, the Honda CB500 is a near-perfect middleweight naked bike that delivers in all the significant areas that make each ride enjoyable and memorable. It is definitely worth every peso, to say the least.