January
8th,
2013.
Honda
Powersports US is bringing three new middleweight models to their
production lineup; the sporty CBR500R, the naked CB500F, and the
adventure-styled CB500X. Honda is hoping that riders looking for an
entry-level or intermediate level motorcycle will associate their new offerings with the larger, advanced-level bikes in their lineup. With a new engine, new frame design, and striking looks, these three new bikes are making a splash in the press and on riding forums around the internet. But how do they compare? Let's take a look.
First up, the
fully faired CBR500R takes the styling of Honda's top-of-the-line
4-cylinder supersport CBR600RR and CBR1000RR and wraps it around a
beginner-friendly parallel-twin engine. As an accessible sportbike marketed with an emphasis on agility over power, this bike is definitely aimed
at a rider looking for something in between an entry-level 250 and a
twitchy supersport.
Mid-sized naked standards have been making an overdue appearance on many manufacturer lineups and the new Honda CB500F fits right into this trend. Honda would like you to notice how
similar this bike looks to their twice-as-big CB1000R. The CB500F is
marketed as a versatile commuter or all-purpose bike with enough
power to get around on the freeway.
Adventure
bikes are another category increasing in popularity lately and Honda
is hoping to cash in with its new CB500X. Honda is labeling the
CB500X and its big brother, the NC700X, as “adventure-styled.” While I wouldn't necessarily want to attempt to ride a CB500X off
the pavement, the lengthened front forks, widened handlebars, and
increased suspension travel should increase rider confidence on long trips and poor road conditions.
To
keep costs down, all three of these new bikes share the same engine
and frame. The engine is a 500cc parallel-twin that can essentially
be described as a detuned version of the new motor that made a splash
debuting in Honda's NC700X a few short months ago. This new engine
took a very different approach in its engineering, with a heavy
emphasis on fuel economy and low end torque. The engine features
roller rocker arm dual overhead camshafts, an engine counterbalancer,
preloaded scissor gears, and many other details that add up to a fuel
efficient engine that doesn't lack for power. This engine is bolted
to a diamond-shaped 35mm steel tube frame, providing additional
rigidity and allowing for a much lighter overall design.
All
three bikes have the same single-shock rear suspension system, cast
aluminum wheels, and wave-style disc brakes with twin piston calipers. The CBR500R and CB500F
share a lot of the same specs, with 55.5” wheelbases, 25.5 degrees
of steering rake, 4.3” of fork travel, and 30.9” seat heights.
However, the adventure-styled CB500X needed to sit a bit taller, and
thus boasts a 55.9” wheelbase, 26.5 degrees of steering rake, 4.9”
of fork travel, and a seat height of 31.9”.
From
the looks of things, Honda is definitely aiming at the half-liter
niche recently abandoned by the venerable Suzuki GS500 and Kawasaki
Ninja 500, and they're doing so with a fresh marketing strategy aimed
squarely at newer riders, emphasizing reliability, accessibility, and
fuel economy over 0-60 times and top speeds. Bike history buffs may
recall that this is not the first time Honda used a strategy of
reframing the US motorcycle market by doing something entirely
different. Back in the 1960's, Honda marketed its new Cub to mobile,
active youngsters, and by doing so, was able to gain a strong
foothold in a market completely dominated by American makes. It seems
Honda may be looking for a chance to repeat history.
