Very recently, there were some spy pictures floating on the internet of the Honda CB500, the CBR500 and the CB500X in action on some Italian commercial. Now, Honda Motorcycles has set its first targets on the US market with the CBR500R and the motorcycle looks great. Honda has also turned to make its products more value-for-money like its Japanese rival, Kawasaki did some time ago with the launch of the Ninja 300R and ninja 400R with the price range being very modest. The Honda CBR500R that goes on sale will only cost about $1,800 more than its smaller sibling, the CBR250R. So, what this means that for an additional 1 lakh rupees, the US customers will be able to get double the displacement and so double power and torque compared to the CBR250R.
The Honda CBR500R closely resembles the racing lines of the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR motorcycles. Overall, it looks very sporty and aggressive. It is powered by an all-new liquid-cooled parallel-twin DOHC engine. It also gets Honda’s famed Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) that ensures proper fuel mixture delivery through continuous monitoring several parameters and thus ultimately giving you crisp throttle response. The engine churns out close to 54 bhp of power. The engine is of square design with bore X stroke 67.0mmX66.0mm. This makes it more relaxed on the rev range that the CBR250R which sports a short stroke design.
The engine is mated to a 6 speed gearbox. Underneath, you get a diamond-shaped steel tube frame. The chassis is lightweight, yet claimed to be responsive. At the front the bike gets telescopic forks while the rear gets the Pro-link single-shock rear suspension with pre-load adjustable with 4.7 inches of travel. Braking is provided by twin-piston caliper, 320mm disc brake at the front and single caliper, 240mm disc at the rear. It also comes in an ABS version. I sincerely hope Honda brings this bike to the Indian market.
Honda CBR500R Technical Specifications:
Engine: Liquid-cooled 500cc Parallel-twin, DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Bore and Stroke: 67.0 x 66.8mm
Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
Fuel Delivery: PGM-FI with 34 mm throttle response
Clutch: Wet multi-plate clutch; Cable actuation
Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive: O-Ring sealed chain
Frame: Diamond-shaped steel
Front Suspension: 41mm fork, 4.3 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability; 4.7 inches travel
Brakes: Front: Twin-piston caliper with single 320mm wave disc Rear: Single-caliper 240mm wave disc , Optional Honda ABS
Curb Weight: 425 lbs.; 429 lbs. (ABS model)
Wheelbase: 55.5 inches
Front Tyre:120/70-17
Rear Tyre: 160/60-17
Rake: 25.5 deg. Trail: 4.05 inches
Seat Height: 30.9 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.1 gallons
Honda CBR500R Price: $5,999 (~Rs. 3.24 lakhs) in the US.