2016 Honda CB500F Review (Impression)

Pros

fun to ride on backroads

Cons

high frequency engine vibrations over 6000 rpm, a bit of wallowing after hitting bumps in the road

Comments

The 2016 Honda CB500F that I test rode had about 5600 km on it. I only had the bike for a short time and rode it about 70 km, so this can't be considered a full review of the bike, but I'll give you my impressions of it anyway.

Fit and finish is pretty good for an entry level motorcycle. It's not as good as the more premium bikes in Honda's lineup, but that's expected. The styling is like many other current naked sport bikes - not really my cup of tea, but looks are subjective. I don't particularly like that the passenger seat is high up with a large gap between the rear tire and tail section.

There is adequate power for solo touring, but you may want more power if you ride two-up in the highway. Gear changes were smooth, but I thought that the clutch lever effort was a bit high for a small bike; the 2019 and newer models use a slipper clutch which reduces clutch lever effort. Fueling was ok; on/off throttle transitions were typical of a lot of fuel injected bikes: a bit abrupt at low speeds.

The handling and suspension were ok, but I detected a very slight amount of wallowing when hitting bumps in corners; it wasn’t terrible, though. The brakes offered good feel.

Below about 6000 rpm the engine is relatively smooth, but above that it’s really buzzy (high frequency vibrations). At an indicated speed of 100 kph in top gear the engine is spinning about 4900 rpm, so vibrations at that speed aren't really an issue. However, you're going to have to venture into the higher rev range for freeway riding, down shifting to pass on the highway or possibly to maintain speed on steep inclines at higher elevations or under heavy load. Plus, when you're accelerating just to get up to cruising speed or for more spirited riding, then you're going to be spending time in the upper rev range, and means dealing with the tingling vibrations the motor in this motorcycle produces. It's something to consider.

The original Honda 500 range was updated again in 2022 with inverted forks and twin front disk brakes. There were some other small changes too. The seat on the 2023 CB500X seat is 45 mm (1.8 in) taller and the bike weighs 8 kg (23 lbs) more than the CB500F. There are some things that I like more about the CB500X: it has a fairing, a 19-inch front wheel (the CB500F has a 17-inch) and more front suspension travel. The CB500X is more suitable for touring and gravel road use. In 2023 in Canada, the MSRP for the CB500F is $8790 (including $899 in fees), and the MSRP for the CB500X is $9250 (including $899 in fees).

Last Words

The Honda CB500F is a nice little bike that's fun to ride on the backroads. For me personally, I would want a bit more power and some wind protection. I also really don't like the amount of high frequency vibrations this bike produces over 6000 rpm. If I was going to buy a Honda 500, I would choose the CB500X over the CB500F. I think that the Honda 500s are worth considering if you're looking at bikes in this size and price range. For 2024, the CB500F, CB500X and CBR500R get some updates (and some name changes).

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