Honda CB500F Bike Overview
This bike is engaging and fun to ride, as well as being quite easy to ride over all – which makes it a good first-time bike. Having said this, many experienced riders still have this bike in their collections for a ride out every now and again!
You really feel in charge of this bike when you are on it. It has wider bars and a more upright riding position which helps you to feel in control. It is also more responsive to inputs through the bars. The suspension feels solid and safe, which is reassuring. The 47bhp engine provides enough go to get you up to speed fairly quickly. You’ll get a top speed of around 112mph and not too much vibration from this, which is good. This bike has also received some improvements to the air flow which makes it far more efficient.
The CB500F has the Honda build quality you would expect, despite being built in China. Parts are easy to get hold of and it is a fairly easy bike to maintain. You can pick this one up for around £5000, only £100 cheaper than Yamaha’s 74bhp MT-07. But this bike is a good to ride so for the extra money, we think it is worth it.
Honda CB500F Bike Spec
- Top speed112mph
- Weight190kg
- Capacity471cc
- Seat height784mm
- EngineFour stroke, liquid cooled, DOHC
Honda CB500F Bike Insurance
Honda CB500F Bike Gallery
Owner Reviews
Pros
Running costs very low
Cons
The Headlight Beam
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One of the most comfortable saddles I have ever sat on , Handlebars not too low you can ride for many hours without fatigue
It's a Honda! So it goes without saying very very reliable, excellent build quality.
Nissan Brake system with ABS..I have installed. EBC Brake pads that have improved the feel and performance of the single Disc Brake.
Very Smooth for a 500cc Twin, not a Heavy Bike. Solid on Corners.
Very good performance for a 500cc Twin. Plenty of low down Torque.
This is the best thing about my Honda CB500F .Regularly getting 70mpg, cheaper insurance ( via Devitt) and lower Road Tax.
Pros
Does exactly what I want. Commuting in traffic and fun when the roads are quiet too. Excellent every day bike for all weather, looks great. Will definitely buy another one.
Cons
A bit more power would be good.
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Handles local roads very well
As it's also aimed at A2 licenses, it's slightly de-tuned. Could do with a bit more power.
A bit more power would be good.
Excellent Honda quality
Excellent, and ABS too.
Pros
an excellent 500cc bike and will suit an average height person, great acceleration and will always keep you out of trouble.
Cons
changing spark plugs is quite difficult as the ECM is in the way
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changing spark plugs is quite difficult as the ECM is in the way
Pros
Economical and inexpensive to run. Quick enough for London commuting and the odd trip out and about. Even used it to tour the south of Ireland. A peppy, comfortable and economical motorcycle. Not just for beginners, the handling can surprise and it more than up to the job on track.
Cons
Fuel economy.
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Comfortable enough. Handled surprisingly well on track as well.
Peppy and economical. More than the required power for the needs of a city commuter.
Fuel economy.
Downpipes and the front engine bolt are susceptible to seizing up. Rear caliper the same. They need to be stripped and lubed twice a year to ensure no issues.
Fair enough. Rear brake needs rebuild once a year and front ones must be stripped and cleaned every 4 months, in other words, routine maintenance should not be skipped!
Pros
Fun - a perfect balance for enjoyable biking.
Cons
It should have a good biking weather lever for sunshine whenever I go out...
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Light but quick, smooth but nippy
Fast enough but lethal
It should have a good biking weather lever for sunshine whenever I go out...
No bother
Good brakes with good tyres
Pros
Nice riding position, accelerates well, well built, easy to throw about
Cons
Not great for long runs in the wind
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Lightweight, easy to filter through traffic & nice round corners
It's a 500 so not the quickest bike around as stated earlier, its got enough poke to get away from traffic in town & enough to cope on a motorway
It's a Honda, great build quality
ABS front and rear. Stops on a penny.
Pros
Perfect for my 5”2’, 100lbs stature (after a lowering kit, and lowered front forks) out of all the 500s I test rode, THIS is the one I fell in love with, and can barely fault it. Light, nimble, fast. PERFECT first big bike; big enough to keep you happy for a few years!
Cons
Lack of a screen. It gets goddamned windy up here! … although obviously I could fix that if it bothered me that much…
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Very quiet (perhaps too much so), and doesn’t vibrate too much right up until 90-95mph in top gear – it doesn’t seem to take too much effort to cruise at above-motorway speeds (especially considering it’s only a 500cc!)
I’ve never experienced better from any 500cc – a nice level of torque, more than keeps up with traffic, and very nimble – easy to swerve out of harms way and around potholes etc.
Costs £10 to fill up, and lasts 200+ miles, even at stupid-for-500cc speeds. I’m not sure how much a rider’s weight would affect this, but I’m 100lbs, so a big bloke may not get the same level of economy?
I’ve never had a problem with it!
ABS grip has saved my life a few times. Can’t fault it.
Pros
Can't pick just one best thing, it's really the performance for value . Excellent overall bike. Absolutely love the bike. Was looking at the new rebel, but this caught my eye and offered a much lower price, much shorter lead time, and better overall riding experience. Great for someone who's torn between different style bikes, as it's a Jack of all trades.
Cons
Gear change indicator would be handy on the digital display.
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Very light, handles well
For a 500 it is decent, would want a bit more for long journeys/ motorways
Cheap insurance, good fuel economy, services 8k miles apart, so very cheap to run.
Honda, say no more.
Perfect
Pros
The looks - I love the red and silver colour scheme and the two white stripes across the fuel tank. The body lines and overall geometry makes it look very sporty too regardless of it being a naked.
Cons
A gear indicator would make things a little easier but it is worth mentioning that the new models now have it
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The clutch is very forgiving and so it is very hard to stall. Pushing the bike is easy enough and it isn't as heavy as I initially thought it would be. Same goes for cornering - very nimble.
The engine produces 47hp which is right at the A2 licence limit which makes it a good beginner bike. There isn't as much torque as I would like but it is still fun regardless.
This bike is great for fuel - moving up from a 125 which could run a whole week with a fivers worth of petrol in it I was afraid the new bigger bike would be more rough on fuel but I was wrong. Normal riding averages around 60 mpg. Being a 471cc it also isn't too bad on road tax - around £60 a year.
The build quality exceeds expectations for the price and everything seems to fit really well. It is also worth mentioning that the plastics are high quality and do not make much noise.
The bike is equipped with ABS. It has a single disc front and rear. The front brake comes with an adjustable lever stock which is really nice. As for the performance of the brakes, the front works just fine. However, the rear brake is a little too mushy than I would like. I thought it could be a bleeding issue when I first got the bike but it turned out that the rear caliper was bled just fine.