Honda's mid-range CBR500R last saw a fairly major update just last year for MY22, and before that in 2018, so it's no surprise that the factory decided to just roll it over into 2023. You could call this a tier-2 bike in that its engine is large enough to serve as someone's first upgrade from their trainer bike, or maybe as a trainer itself for experienced riders looking to switch to sportbikes from some other genre.
Sleek, aerodynamically-tuned bodywork houses a plucky parallel-twin engine and upgraded suspension goodies along with an even more aggressive riding posture due to revised clip-on handlebars and triple clamps. The update in '18 added a slip-and-assist clutch which persists to this day while new-in-'22, the CBR500R receives dual front brakes and radial-mount calipers for greater safety, and lightweight wheels for reduced inertia and gyroscopic effect which aids in overall handling and cornering behavior.
Honda's CBR-R family started back in 1983 while the “500” model first saw light thirty years later in 2013. It is a worthy opponent to the domestic foes, the Ninjas, and YZFs with which it shares the market.
2023 Honda CBR500R
- Model
- CBR500R
- Engine:
- 471 cc Parallel-Twin
- Power Output
- 46.9 HP
- Torque
- 31.7 LB-FT
- Transmission
- 6-Speed Manual
- Driveline
- Chain Drive
- MSRP
- $7,299
- Powerful, Fast, And Nimble
- Comfortably Narrow Waist
- Effective Weight Savings Making It Light
- Limited Color Selection
- Could Use Traction Control And Other Ride-Control Electronics
- Outdated Instrumentation
2023 Honda CBR500R Performance And Capability
Honda powers the CBR500R with a 471 cc parallel-twin engine that comes with liquid cooling for thermal stability, especially in warm weather conditions and slow traffic. Dual over-head cams time the 8-valve head for efficient aspiration through the 34 mm throttle bodies and 26 mm intake valves, then out of the 21.5 mm exhaust poppet.
Vanadium-coated pins in the timing chain minimize both wear and noise. Specially-designed pistons also do their part to attenuate the usual noise associated with high-RPM operation. They come with striations that minimize cylinder-to-piston contact and carry oil to aid in cylinder lubrication. The layout is almost square with a 67 mm bore and 66.8 mm stroke which gives it a middling 10.7-to-1 compression ratio.
The 2023 Honda CBR500R produces 46.9 horsepower and 31.7 pound-feet of torque. This is plenty of power for an exciting top end that maxes out at 8,600 rpm, but the torque maxes out at 6,500 rpm with significant grunt available much lower down in the rev range. That pulls you out of the hole and delivers a solid roll-on starting as low as 3,000 RPM.
The crankshaft pins are set 180-out from one another with a primary balancer that helps mitigate the rocking couple inherent in such designs. A slip-and-assist clutch adds some anti-backtorque protection. It delivers a light lever pull and rider-friendly friction zone that'll improve your control without taxing that left hand too much. The top speed is right around the 115 MPH mark.
Design
Wedge-like lines and sharp angles dominate the look with none of the boxiness associated with some of the earlier model family members. The front fender pulls triple duty as fling containment, with spoiler-type uprights. The uprights shunt wind pressure outboard and into laminar flow with the engine cowling while the upper surface of the fender pulls cooling air downward into the radiator.
Chiseled double headlights come down from the CBR650R version with LED projectors for effective two-way visibility day and night. The LED blinkers make your intentions known under any lighting conditions. The sporty cockpit sports an LCD screen that handles all the pertinent metrics along with all the usual idiot lights to complete the instrumentation and keep the cockpit looking clean.
A 4.5-gallon fuel tank gives the “500” some legs. It leaves room for the most aggressive racer's tuck with a narrow waist for extreme body English if you have the nerve for it. The narrow pilot's seat widens toward the rear for comfort. Out back, a narrow pillion pad joins with subframe-mount, fold-up footpegs to accommodate a passenger right off the showroom floor.
More LED yummygoodness is in the taillight at the tip of the tail, and in blinkers down on the rear mudguard assembly. The bodywork is sleek with speed in mind. It has a definite sportbike bent that blends in with the crowd and is fitting for someone bound for larger sport machines.
Specs & Dimensions
Length | 81.9 in |
Width | 30.1 in |
Height | 45.1 in |
Seat Height | 31.1 in |
Wheelbase | 55.5 in |
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in |
Fuel Capacity | 4.5 gals |
Curb Weight | 423 lbs |
Chassis
The CBR500R relies on the strength of the 35 mm steel tubing in its diamond-tube mainframe for most of the structure. The stressed-engine design completes the assembly to make it meet its final rigidity. The steering head sets a 25.5-degree angle of rake with four inches of trail to give the “500” proper sportbike handling in keeping with its looks.
New for last year, the 41 mm Showa SFF-BP forks float the front end while out back, a monoshock takes care of business with adjustable preload on board. The swingarm is lighter. It's now made from 2 mm material, down from 2.3 mm, for reduced unsprung weight and better suspension performance. It has 4.7 inches of travel at both ends, which is plenty for rough roads and extreme racing-style maneuvers.
Lightened wheels round out the rolling chassis, so they also contribute less to the unsprung weight, all to the benefit of the suspension response. The 17-inch wheels have five Y-spokes as opposed to six from the previous gen with a 120/70 ahead of a 160/60, all in race-rated rubber that'll take everything you and the “500” can throw at it. Now with dual front brakes, the twin-piston binders work with 296 mm, petal-cut discs, and a 240 mm disc and single-piston anchor slows the rear. This is all under the protection of the stock ABS feature.
Chassis & Suspension
Front Suspension/ Travel | 41 mm Showa SFF-BP inverted telescopic fork/ 4.7 in |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | Pro-Link® singler shock w/ nine-position sprong preload adjustability/ 4.7 in |
Rake | 25.5° |
Trail | 4.0 in |
Front Tire | 120/70R-17 |
Rear Tire | 160/60-17 |
Front Brake | Dual 286 mm petal-type disc, 2-piston calipers; ABS |
Rear Brake | 240 mm petal-type disc |
2023 Honda CBR500R Price And Availability
MSRP on the 2023 Honda CBR500R starts at $7,299. It comes in a choice between Grand Prix Red and Sword Silver Metallic for the time being.
Pricing & Features
Model ID | CBR500RA |
Warranty | One-Year Transferable, Unlimited-Mileage Limited Warranty |
Colors | Grand Prix Red, Sword Silver Metallic |
Price | |
└ 2022 | $7,199 |
└ 2023 | $7,299 |
Competitors
Honda runs in an unusual displacement range with the CBR500R kind of stuck in between the usual cubage breaks. I went looking for something else that could appeal to the same sort of rider who may be looking for the first upgrade from their learner's machine and I found Kawasaki's Ninja 400.
Kawasaki Ninja 400
Right out of the gate, it's clear that Kawi looks to challenge the CBR-R with its Ninja lineup with similar bodywork that suggests a similar level of engineering and wind-tunnel testing. The handlebars, lifted a bit for comfort, are still pretty aggressive with plenty of room to tuck in.
A slipper clutch and ABS are the only high-end goodies, but that too breaks even with the Honda. Kawi's engine produces 44.8 horsepower and 27 pound-feet of torque against 46.9/31.7 for almost the same output. The Ninja 400 ABS starts at $5,699 to leave quite a wide gulf between the two, and I reckon this makes the Ninja particularly competitive against CBR-R.
He Said
“The CBR500R has come a long way and is entirely modern in its build and engineering. This is a good candidate as both a stepping stone and as a destination bike for those whom 115 MPH is all the faster you ever plan on going.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,
“The update last year gave this little Fireblade trainer a new feel and improved performance with new suspension and new engine mapping. Braking feels good. As I said last year, my only complaints are the LCD display and the mirrors. I'd like to see an updated instrument display, and the mirrors are such that you need to bob your head to look around your elbows to actually see behind you. For the price, though, it's a well-put-together bike and does a good job in this particular displacement.”
FAQ
Q: How much horsepower does a CBR500R have?
With the 471 cc parallel-twin engine, the CBR500R produces 47 horsepower at 8,600 RPM and 31.7 pound-feet at 6,500 RPM.
Q: How many miles per gallon does a cb500r get?
Honda claims 72 MPG for the CBR500R. That gives the "500" a range of about 300 miles.
Q: How fast can a CBR500R go?
The CBR500R's top speed is about 115 MPH.
Q: Is the CBR500R a good beginner bike?
As long as you aren't a daredevil, the CBR500R is a capable sportbike trainer. It has enough power to get you into trouble, but if you respect the machine while developing your skillset, it'll be a fun ride. The rider triangle isn't extreme, so you aren't committed to the 'Superman' riding position, which can be intimidating for new riders.