Honda 500 twins
 2013 CB500F | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | Thailand |
| Predecessor | CB500 1993-2003 |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | 471cc Liquid-Cooled , parallel twin |
| Bore / stroke | 67mm × 66.8mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Frame type | Steel, diamond |
| Suspension |
front: 41mm telscopic fork rear: Prolink mono |
| Brakes |
front: disk 320mm disk rear: disk 240mm disk |
| Tires |
front: 120/70ZR-17M/C, rear: 160/60ZR-17M/C |
| Rake, trail | 25.5° |
| Wheelbase | 1.410m |
| Dimensions |
L: 2.080m W: 0.790m H: 1.060m |
| Seat height | 785mm |
| Fuel capacity |
2013: 15.7L 2016: 16.7L |
| Fuel consumption | 3.4 l/100km |
 2014 CBR500R | |
| Class | Sports |
|---|---|
| Dimensions |
L: 2.080m W: 0.750m H: 1.145m |
| Seat height | 785mm |
| Weight |
194kg (dry) |
| Fuel capacity |
2013: 15.7L 2016: 16.6L |
| Fuel consumption | 3.4 l/100km |
 2016 CB500X | |
| Class | Adventure |
|---|---|
| Rake, trail | 26.5° |
| Wheelbase | 1.421m |
| Dimensions |
L: 2.095m W: 0.830m H: 1.360m |
| Seat height | 810mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17.5L |
| Fuel consumption | 3.4 l/100km |
The Honda 500 twins are a series of straight-twin motorcycles made by Honda since 2013. They are the CB500F standard/naked bike, the CBR500R sport bike, and the CB500X adventure touring bike. Their introduction coincided with new European licencing regulations establishing a mid-range class of motorcycles of limited power.[4] The new 500 twins are similar to the earlier CB500 parallel-twins discontinued in 2003, but with new engines, frames, and other parts. They are made in Thailand, where Honda had previously only made smaller displacement motorcycles.[5]
All three models used the same 471 cc (29 cu in) twin-cylinder, inline, transversely mounted engine whose power output and cubic capacity were below the European driving licence A2 upper limits.[6] All models also shared the same six-speed gearbox and the majority of cycle parts. The CB500X had a larger fuel tank and longer front suspension travel making it slightly taller.
On its release, the CBR500R powered the European Junior Cup in 2013 and again in 2014.
Model history
The three models were announced on the eve of the November 2012 EICMA show in Milan:
- 2013 April: CBR500R released - a faired sport bike; ABS optional
- 2013 April: CB500F released - a naked or standard; ABS optional
- 2013 July: CB500X released - an adventure-styled multi-purpose bike; ABS optional
- 2016: All models restyled adding LED lamps and ABS as standard on all models; larger fuel tanks on F and R versions
Reactions
Since its launch, the range received many favourable reviews; some preferring the taller X model while the sporty R model was one of Honda's top selling bikes in Canada during 2015 and best selling sports bike in Australia.[7][8][9] Many commentators, especially in off-road and long distance touring, argued the need for such middleweight bikes.[10][11] Perhaps as a consequence, in 2015, RallyRaid, a British after-market specialist, created upgrade kits for the R & F machines and a full adventure conversion kit for the X model.[12]
Specifications
| Specification | CB500F[1] | CBR500R[2] | CB500X[3][13] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | PC46 | ||
| Style | naked | sport bike | adventure |
| Engine & transmission | |||
| Layout | Four stroke, parallel-twin, DOHC, 8 valves | ||
| Capacity | 471cc | ||
| Bore x stroke | 67.0 x 66.8mm | ||
| Compression ratio | 10.7 : 1 | ||
| Cooling system | Liquid cooled 1.4L | ||
| Carburation | PGM-FI with 34mm throttle bodies | ||
| Starter | Electric | ||
| Max power | 35kW @ 8500rpm | ||
| Max torque | 43Nm @7000 rpm | ||
| Transmission | 6 speed 3.285, 2.105, 1.600, 1.300, 1.150, 1.043[13] | ||
| Final drive | O-ring-sealed chain | ||
| Primary/final | 2.029/2.733 | ||
| Cycle parts & suspension | |||
| Frame | 43mm diamond-shaped steel tube | ||
| Front suspension | Conventional telescopic, 41mm, pre-load adjustable | ||
| Front wheel travel | 122mm | ||
| Front tyre | Dunlop 120 70ZR17, radial, tubeless | ||
| Front wheel | multi-spoke, cast aluminium | ||
| Front brakes | Single 320mm wave disc 2 piston calipers | ||
| Rake | 26.5° | 25.5° | |
| Rear suspension | Prolink single shock, 9-position preload, steel square pipe swingarm | ||
| Rear wheel travel | 120mm | 105mm | |
| Rear tyre | Dunlop 160 60ZR17, radial, tubeless | ||
| Rear wheel | multi-spoke, cast aluminium | ||
| Rear brakes | single 240mm wave disc 1 piston caliper | ||
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 2080mm | 2080mm | 2095mm |
| Width | 790mm | 750mm | 830mm |
| Height | 1060mm | 1145mm | 1360mm |
| Seat height | 785mm | 780mm | 810mm |
| Wheelbase | 1410mm | 1410mm | 1420mm |
| Ground clearance | 160mm | 140mm | 170mm |
| Trail | 102mm | 102mm | 109mm |
| Curb weight | 190kg | 194kg | 195kg |
| Max capacity | 185kg | ||
| Fuel | 91RON or better | ||
| Fuel consumption (2016) | 3.4 l/100km[14] | ||
| Fuel tank (2013) | 15.5L | 17.5L | |
| Fuel tank (2016) | 16.7L | 17.5L | |
| Range (2016)[15] | 491km | 515km | |
| Turning circle | 2.8m | ||
Variations:
- CB500X (Korea) curb weight 195kg (1kg less than CB500XA)
- CB500XA (Europe, Australasia) as per main table
References
- 1 2 http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/street/cb500f-2016/specifications.html Honda UK specifications CB500F 2016
- 1 2 http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/super-sport/cbr500r-2016/specifications.html Honda UK specifications CBR00R 2016
- 1 2 http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/adventure/cb500x-2016/specifications.html Honda UK specifications CB500X 2016
- ↑ European driving license 2013 – changes in motorbikes regulations
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/10152808/Honda-CB500F-CB500X-and-CBR500R-review.html "they are produced not in Japan but in Thailand – a first for Hondas of such large capacity"
- ↑ Honda CBR500R vs Kawasaki Ninja 300 Motorcyclist
- ↑ http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/cb500x/2013 Motorcycle News (MCN) CB500X review in 2013
- ↑ http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/honda-canada-2014-sales Honda Reclaims Top Spot in the Canadian Market
- ↑ http://www.mcnews.com.au/2016-motorcycle-sales-figures-first-quarter/ Motorcycle sales during 1st quarter 2016
- ↑ http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/cb500x-adventure-great-bike-for-the-tat "A smaller ADV Bike gives riders greater confidence to explore off the beaten track and to keep going, even when bad weather hits", Jenny Morgan.
- ↑ https://adventure-motorcycling.com/honda-cb500x-rally-raid-5000-mile-review "I’ve long believed a parallel twin of around 500cc makes an optimal do-it-all bike", Chris Scott
- ↑ http://www.therideadvice.com/turn-your-honda-cb500x-into-a-true-adventure-bike/
- 1 2 Owner's Manual CB500XA. Honda. 2015. p. 115.
- ↑ http://moto.honda.fr/motorcycles/range/street/cb500f/specifications.html Honda France
- ↑ computed
