Honda CB500 series bikes Unveiled at EICMA

Honda has finally showcased its newly developed 500cc series bikes at 2012 EICMA; there are three bikes in the series, which includes Honda CBR500R, CB500F and CB500X. The CBR500R is stretched up version of the Honda CBR250R and it will bridge the space in between CBR600rr and CBR250R. The other bike CB500F is the naked version of the similar bike, while the CB500X is the middleweight version of the Honda NC700X. Lets have a look at these bikes that what they got and what they miss.

Honda CBR500R:

Honda CBR500R is Honda’s attempt to recreate the magic that they are doing with the CBR250R. The CBR250R was launched against Kawasaki Ninja 250R, which was ruling the entry level segment, but CBR250R has changed everything. And now when Kawasaki has announced its plans to introduce new bikes in middle-weight bike segment, Kawasaki Ninja 300R and 400R, Honda introduce this middleweight bike to rival these.

The 2013 Honda CBR500 R is powered by an all-new, liquid-cooled, 500cc parallel-twin DOHC engine that features Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and a counter-balancer. The engine, which is hooked to a six-speed transmission, will also power two other new 2013 models - the standard CB500F and the adventure CB500X. The bike features a steel-tube frame, with a 41mm front fork and a Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability out back. Stopping the 2013 CBR 500 R, which rolls on 17-inch rims, is a single 320mm disc squeezed by a twin-piston caliper up front, and a single 240mm disc out back squeezed by a single-piston caliper. We are expecting this bike in India by early 2013 with a price tag of Rs. 3 lakh.

Honda CB500F Naked:

Honda CB500F is the naked version of the Honda CBR500R, the bike is meant to rival other naked bikes like the F6, Kawasaki 650, the bike is not that big though it nicely fits into modern naked bikes category. The bike shares most of its technology with CBR500R. Honda starts with a DOHC parallel twin with Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) for crisp throttle response in all weather conditions. To provide smoothness, Honda has also used a counter-balancer as its twin.

The suspension system of the CB500F uses a larger, 41mm fork that provides for a comfortable 4.3 inches travel. Out pack the CB500F absorbs the road through a Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring-preload adjustability, the setup providing 4.7 inches of travel. Honda kept things simple with wheel choices, also, providing a set of 17-inch rims that take easy-to-find tires (120/17 17 up front, 160/60 17 out back). Braking system of the 2013 CB500F features a single 320mm wave disc up front squeezed by a twin-piston caliper, and a single 240mm wave disc squeezed by a single-piston caliper. And like Honda's other new 500cc motorcycles, ABS is optional. And besides the looks of a naked standard, and the modest 30.9-inch seat height, the design naturally lends itself to lightness - the CB500F has a wet, ready-to-ride weight of 190kg, or 192kg with ABS. We are expecting this bike in India as it is more affordable and will come with a decent price tag of around Rs. 2.5 lakh.

Honda CB500X:

The most versatile among these three bikes is the CB500X, which is a smaller sibling of the already famous NC700X adventure bike. The Honda CB500X has been derived straight from the new and successful 700X and we are expecting it to be equally exciting as 700X. European market is slowly drifting for small-displacement bikes, the 2013 Honda CB500X aims to please the new customers looking for more affordable machines with better mileage.

The 2013 Honda CB500X is developed on the similar 500cc platform, with a fuel-injected parallel-twin engine, hopefully sporting the same legendary reliability of dual-purpose Honda bikes (the Transalp 600 and CRF off-road machines). We're not sure that how people would respond towards this machine, whether it will come to India or not is again a mystery. But the street-oriented bike comes with some light trail capabilities, and the 17” wheels just scream it. However, the 2013 Honda CB500X is better prepared for asphalt than the older bikes, and we're looking at the ABS, cast lightweight wheels, or adjustable windshield. The prices haven’t been announced yet.