Photo: Hona

Honda's driver's license-friendly 500cc trio in A2 format will receive strong, performance-oriented updates for the 2022 model year.

• Honda's 500cc trio, the CB500F, CBR500R and CB500X, has been updated for 2022.
• The chassis upgrade includes the Showa 41mm SFF BP USD fork, a new, lighter swingarm, lighter wheels and new 296mm dual brake discs at the front.
• New fuel injection settings improve torque character and feel
• Updated styling with new colors and graphics.

Honda's hugely popular trio OF CB500F, CBR500R and CB500X will receive new engines and chassis for the 2022 model year, further increasing its popularity among both novice and experienced drivers.

Showa's new $41mm fork, adopted from the four-cylinder CB650R and CBR650R middleweights, is the highlight of the new front suspensions. It ensures improved handling and handling.

The CB500F and CBR500R are equipped with lighter Y-spoke alloy wheels equipped with new 296mm front discs and Nissin calipers. The adventure-oriented CB500X features the same new brakes and suspensions as its siblings, as well as longer front travel and a lighter, larger 19-inch front wheel.

All three economical machines have a new, lighter swingarm that is stiffer in rotation, but offers better handling through more flexibility and improves cornering. The powerful 500 cc engine, the heart of every machine, still delivers the maximum permissible power of 35 kW matching the A2 driving licence class, but has new PGM-FI settings for 2022 that further improve the torque feeling and overall character.

For 2022, the naked CB500F is available in three new bright colors:

Pearl Smoky Gray

Mat Axis Gray Metallic

Pearl Dusk Yellow

The sporty CBR500R comes in the new color Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic.

The CB500X Adventure machine will receive two new colors for 2022:

Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic

Pearl Organic Green

All three bikes will also be available in Honda's classic Grand Prix Red.

The compact bikes are easy to handle. They are super easy to drive and ideal for novice drivers. The trio is also a real driving pleasure for those who climb from a 125, descend from a larger machine or are re-entrants.

Honda has sold over 106,000 CBs and CBRs across Europe since its launch in 2013. Each of them has its own place in its own world within Honda's extensive product range. The CB500F "Roadster" accounts for almost half of the sales, the "racing" representative CBR500R 18% and the adventure world CB500X 35% of the total.

Surveys show the popularity of the three machines among different driver groups. 45% of CB500F and 37% of CBR500R owners are novice drivers, while 45% and 60% respectively are under the age of 34. This shows how much the bikes have helped to inspire new young riders for the world of two-wheelers.

75% of CB500X owners are experienced motorcyclists, and another 15% have been drawn back to motorcycling by the all-round appeal of the compact machine with robust design, long suspension and upright seating position.