Honda CBR500R

With its large dimensions and aggressive bodywork, the Honda CBR500R has got a proper big bike stance just like any other 500cc motorcycle. With this update, the CBR500R has only become sharper in appearance.

The front fairing now boasts more aggressive creases and looks much sharper than before, thanks to a new angular design for the full LED headlights. The long vertical black garnish at the centre of the fairing gives the front fascia of the CBR500R some character.

The side portion of the full fairing is designed with sharper ends which makes it look very sporty. The big looking fuel tank shared with the previous generation CBR 650F gives it some visual bulk. Like on the front, Honda has made minor changes on the tailpiece as well, which now gets a new small clear lens LED taillamp. Honda has retained the 12-spoke alloy wheels from the previous generation model. However, the single 2-into-1 exhaust pipe has been redesigned as well.

Another area where the Honda CBR500R has witnessed a massive change is the rider’s cockpit, with the welcoming addition of an all-new fully digital instrument console as well as new low-positioned clip-on handlebars. Shared with the bigger CB 650R, the new instrument console looks concept-like and showcases speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip meters, gear indicator, clock and fuel gauge.

Under the skin, the CBR500R pretty much remains a simply engineered fully faired motorcycle which intends to offer the best of both the worlds of touring and sport.  The Honda CBR500R has been equipped with 41mm pre-load adjustable hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and a pro-link monoshock with 9-stage preload adjuster with steel square pipe swingarm at the rear. Like its overall styling character, the riding dynamics, as well as ergonomics of the CBR500R too, are somewhere in the middle ground with a perfect balance between a touring motorcycle and a supersport.

To differentiate it from the bigger CBR 650R available worldwide, Honda has given the CBR500R a two-cylinder layout. In the process, the CBR500R gets a four-stroke parallel twin fuel injected 471cc motor that produces 47 PS of maximum power and 43 Nm of peak torque. The engine has been coupled with a 6-speed gearbox, which has got slightly taller ratios to match the wide torque band of the engine. Thanks to this, the engine feels lively across the entire rev range, giving it perfect touring credentials.

To aid in stopping the motorcycle, the CBR500R comes fitted with a single 320mm petal disc brake at the front and a single 240mm petal disc brake at the rear. In order to keep costs in check and give the rider a no-nonsense riding experience, Honda has skipped out in equipping the CBR500R with many modern day electronic riding aids. However, as a compulsory measure, the motorcycle has been blessed with a dual channel ABS.

The CBR500R manages to give the riders a perfect balance between an entry-level quarter-litre sports bike and a powerful middleweight supersport. This balance makes the CBR500R one of the most practical middleweight motorcycle that has ever gone on sale. Thanks to the new minor updates like the new LED headlamps and a redesigned tailpiece, it looks better than before as well. The performance might not entice seasoned riders much, however, it is a good step-up for those who want to upgrade from a smaller quarter-litre motorcycle to a bigger one.