EICMA 2023: Updated Honda CB500 Hornet, NX500 & CBR500R Unveiled

The CB500 Hornet and NX500 are renamed versions of the CB500F and CB500X for 2024

Honda announced a host of updates to its 2024 lineup at EICMA 2023 and also introduced new motorcycles as well. Here’s a lowdown on them:

Honda CB500 Hornet

The Honda CB500F has been renamed to CB500 Hornet and gets the typical Hornet design (inspired from the CB750 Hornet) to reflect the nameplate. Here’s what it packs:

• 471cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 47PS and 43Nm

• 6-speed gearbox with slipper clutch as standard and quickshifter available as an option

• 41mm Showa SFF-­BP (Separate Function Fork Big Piston) inverted fork and Showa monoshock with 5-step preload adjustability 

• Dual 296mm disc brakes with Nissin axial mounted two piston calipers at the front

• 240mm disc brake with single piston caliper at the rear 

• Steel swingarm

• 17-inch wheels at both ends 

• Kerb Weight: 188kg, Seat Height: 785mm

• New 5-inch TFT instrument console, with Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity

Honda NX500

The Honda CB500X has now been renamed to the Honda NX500 with the CB500X set to be discontinued. It gets a new headlight design and gets other changes in the form of a 3kg kerb weight reduction to 196kg (half of it is because of the new 5-spoke cast aluminium wheels) along with a new 5-inch TFT instrument console. Here are the highlights:

• Gets the same 471cc, parallel-twin engine as the CB500 Hornet with the same power and torque figures

• 6-speed gearbox with slipper clutch and switchable traction control

• Same suspension, brake and swingarm setup as the CB500 Hornet

• 19-inch wheels at the front and 17-inch wheels at the rear

• New 5-inch TFT instrument console with smartphone connectivity

• Kerb Weight: 196kg, Seat Height: 830mm

Honda CBR500R

The Honda CBR500R for 2024 gets new headlight and taillight designs, even winglets, and colour schemes. Highlights:

• Gets the same engine as the CB500 Hornet and the NX500

• 6-speed gearbox with slipper clutch

• Gets the same suspension as the CB500 and the NX500

• 320mm dual disc brakes at the front with two piston caliper

• 240mm disc brake at the rear with single piston caliper

• Steel swingarm

• 17-inch wheels at both ends

• Kerb Weight: 191kg, Seat Height: 785mm, Wheelbase: 1,410mm

• New 5-inch TFT instrument console with smartphone connectivity

Honda offers the CB500X in batches, so expect the Japanese bikemaker to introduce the Honda NX500 in a few months’ time. While the India launch of the 500cc Honda naked bike and supersport has been in the pipeline for quite some time now, we’ll have to see if Honda decides to introduce the CB500 Hornet and the CBR500R here. 

Honda also introduced its E-Clutch technology, a fully automatic clutch and the CBR650R and CB650R are the first motorcycles from the manufacturer to get it. The E-Clutch mechanism consists of two electric motors with dedicated ECUs (Electronic Control Unit) for engaging and disengaging the clutch before and after changing the gears. Expect the India-spec 650s to also be updated some time later, possibly in mid-2024.