The recently unveiled Honda CBR500R has to be one of the most highly awaited bikes of the year. The CBR500R has surely become the talk of the town and now, we post full details of the new bike and try of find out if the bike deserves all this hype that it has generated.
As we have been saying, the Honda CBR500R is more of a bigger CBR250R than a smaller CBR600 and will bridge the gap between the entry level 250 and the middle of the road 600s. Also, the new bike will be the logical rival to the Kawasaki Ninja 400R that sits above the Ninja 250R entry level sportsbike. While Honda CBR500R does looks a lot like the bigger and meaner Honda CBR1000RR, the new bike is much more than being an impractical replica. The new bike has enough space for two and has large grab rails for the pillion.
The 2013 Honda CBR500R will soon hit the US market with a price tag of approx. INR 3 lakhs. At this price point, the bike already seems to have won half the battle and should make it to the top of wish-list of those willing to upgrade from their 250s. As is the norm these days, the bike provides an option of ABS to those wanting more confident braking power. Talking of brakes, the bike is equipped with petal disc brakes on both the wheels.
Powering the 2013 Honda CBR500R is a 54 bhp parallel twin 500cc engine (47 bhp for tiered license countries) which makes the new bike twice as powerful as the single cylinder Honda CBR250R. Suspension duties are courtesy a set of telescopic front forks and a mono at the rear.
The Honda CBR500R has high chances of making it to our rapidly developing bike market and at a price point of about INR 3.5 lakhs, will make for an interesting alternative to the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja 300R and the KTM Duke 390. Indian bike aficionados look all set for a treat.
Honda CBR500R Specifications
| ENGINE | |
| Engine Type | 500cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin |
| Bore And Stroke | 67.0mm x 66.8mm |
| Induction | PGM-FI with 34mm throttle bodies |
| Ignition | Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance |
| Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Valve Train | DOHC; four valves per cylinder |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Transmission | Six-speed |
| Final Drive | O-ring-sealed chain |
| CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES | |
| Front Suspension | 41mm fork; 4.8 inches travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability; 4.1 inches travel |
| Front Brake | Twin-piston caliper with single 320mm wave disc |
| Rear Brake | Single-caliper 240mm wave disc |
| Front Tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear Tire | 160/60-17 |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Rake | 25.5 degrees |
| Trail | 103mm (4.05 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 55.5 inches |
| Seat Height | 30.9 inches |
| Curb Weight | 428 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel, & ready to ride) |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.1 gallons including 0.7-gallon reserve |
| Miles Per Gallon | TBD* |
| Available Colors | Black, Pearl White/Blue/Red, Red |
Availability?
CBX price?
CBX price?