Honda CBR500R Review

The all new Honda CBR500R has just been released (November 2012) and makes a surprisingly quiet entrance to the world motorcycle market.  It headlines the new series of three 500cc motorcycles release for world wide market. Unfortunately I have not received the full specifications yet – as the engine is tuned for each market and the Australian CBR500R has not exactly for sale until May 2013 – although I did check it out at the motorcycle show.

The CBR500R is essentially a commuter in the shape of a sports bike. Imagine the now superseded CBR600F but will less engine tech and you have a suitable description of this motorcycle. The CBR500R has clearly been designed to be cheap to maintain and to meet LAMS and learner motorcycle rules here and around the world. As a result it’s no road rocket but a reasonably zippy commuter with the size of a bigger motorcycle. The CBR500R will be joined by the technically related CB500F and CB500X in the show room.

Although I initially thought there would be no competition in the class however I noticed the just released Kawasaki Ninja 300. Since each has  250 versions already I can only assume that the Ninja 300 and the CBR500R will go head to head. Prices haven’t been announced but since Honda these days are priced very well I suspect that the 500 will be no different.

More details to be updated on this page as they arrive.