Honda CB 500 F

Built:2013-24201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024

Photos: Motorradtest.de

There are people who want one thing above all else in life: not to have trouble. For this and all beginners and newcomers, Honda has been building the CB 500 for 27 years, making the ultimate promise not to put stress on its owner. What else can the Honda do?

Small, but not easy

It is now there: it is rather small, but not very light (189 kilos). The CB 500 has been with the dealer for 27 years, and since 2013 with the addition F. The last modernization dates back to 2019 and brought a modern design in addition to a small technical revision. Also new: The LC display, which could be more contrasting for our taste and better to read overall.

A lot of electronics Honda does not give the machine with A2 compliant 48 hp on the way, except for an ABS there are no helpers. Is this the right decision for a beginner's motorcycle?

Everything works as expected

A motorcycle, which is also ridden by newcomers or beginners, must not be one thing: complicated. Their operation, as the Honda makes immediately clear, is immediately understandable even by tech amateurs. Not that there is much to use, but what is there is easy and with clearly defined functions. Thus, the hands fall as if by themselves on the wide handlebar, which ensures a pleasantly upright sitting position. We had mentioned the low seat height, the tank shape guarantees a good knee closure. The seating comfort in row two was comparatively good. There are some bikes, bigger, much more uncomfortable.

The clutch operation also succeeds with two fingers, the anti-hopping clutch itself is fine like the gearbox gradation. Nothing to complain about here.

The driving behaviour is very positive: she is of almost playful talent, enormous as she lays down in curves without being unstable. The feedback from the substructure is transparent – you always know exactly what the Honda will do. The basic tuning is rather comfortable. If you take them very hard, there is a slight restlessness in the chassis, but then you move in slanted positions, which beginners are not likely to visit. For this, there is no setting-up torque when braking in inclined positions.

The engine is a pleasant companion. Of course, the brutal use of force is not enough, whoever needs it must look elsewhere. But the 48 hp are quite lively, even a certain joy of turning can not be denied to the Twin. On the other hand, it tolerates low speeds without grumbling or even chain-slapping. Switching remains without consequences.

The biggest surprise, however, is the brakes. Despite the single disc, the pure braking performance as well as the dosing ability are very satisfactory. However, in an emergency, the operating forces are high until the full braking force is reached. But what is already all about criticism, what the stoppers have to put in.