2022 Honda CBR500R Assessment [17 Fast Facts]

Now in its tenth 12 months, the Honda CBR500R faired semi-upright sportbike will get a brand new entrance finish to boost its popularity—a significant brake replace, a brand new Showa inverted fork, and a lighter general package deal. We’ve seen these updates within the newest bare CB500F and journey CB500X bikes, and have been anxious to expertise how they play out with the sportiest of Honda’s 500 twins, the 2022 Honda CBR500R.

1. At 423 kilos ready-to-ride, the CBR500R isn’t bodily overwhelming. A brand new, lighter swingarm, plus new, lighter five-spoke forged aluminum wheels, assist offset the extra weight from the additional brake rotor and caliper, permitting the CB500R to take care of its manageable weight. This retains the dealing with gentle and agile, with none sense of nervousness. Moreover, the slim physique and the seated-in driving place make you the grasp of the bike, whether or not slaloming via canyons or making slow-speed maneuvers in a car parking zone. This isn’t a motorcycle that can trigger stress.

2. The CBR500R is a wonderful platform for creating your sport driving expertise. With a full fairing, low-rise clip-on handlebars, and semi-aggressive ergonomics, you’re feeling the half as quickly as you agree into the saddle. Thankfully, the driving place isn’t excessive—that is an entry-level sport bike, in any case. There are two seating positions—ahead in a little bit of a bucket that retains you fairly upright, and scooted again to the motive force’s seat cease for extra of a supersport stance. The grips are above the highest triple-clamp, the footpegs should not excessively excessive or rearward, and the 31.1-inch seat peak is comparatively low for a sport bike. The bottom will likely be accessible to the boots of numerous riders. Additionally, with a 423-pound curb weight with the beneficiant 4.5-gallon gasoline tank topped off, that is supersport-style driving with out intimidation.

3. The brand new entrance finish of the 2022 Honda CBR500R utterly transforms the driving expertise. We didn’t really feel that the standard fork and single disc have been missing on the outdated CBR500R. Nonetheless, from the primary journey on the brand new model with the Showa SFF-BP 41mm inverted fork and twin 296mm disc brakes with radially mounted Nissin calipers, it was abundantly evident that the brand new CBR500R’s chassis is much extra sporting.

4. Driving a sportbike aggressively within the canyons is usually about front-end confidence, and the brand new CBR500R delivers. You wouldn’t anticipate to have the ability to push an entry-level sportbike as onerous as you may the CBR500R with out getting a bit nervous, as flex within the entrance suspension makes the sensation obscure lengthy earlier than you attain its limits. Studying riders can discover the boundaries of their talents with far superior suggestions with the Showa SFF-BP fork, because it helps the extremely regarded Michelin Highway 5 tires grip the highway with authority. Though agile and best-suited to tighter roads, the chassis feels good at sweepers knocking on the door of 100 mph. The distinction between the brand new R and the outdated one is putting.
5. The benefit of the inverted Showa fork isn’t simply its stability—the motion can be completely matched to its goal. Just like the shock, which is mated through linkage to a brand new lighter-weight swingarm, the fork has tender springing and reasonable damping. It settles properly into corners on the speeds a CBR500R rider will ship it. This provides to the soundness and predictability of the bike. Impressively, even on canyon roads which are cracked and bumpy, the chassis doesn’t get unduly upset. It’s factor that Honda set the suspension up correctly, as there aren’t any damping changes available.

6. The brand new entrance braking system is beginner-friendly, with room to develop. Whereas the one 320mm and two-piston caliper by no means felt missing, the dual 296mm discs and the radially mounted four-piston calipers are on a complete ’nother degree. Engagement is tender initially, remaining so via a lot of the lever sweep. Nonetheless, because the lever will get close to the tip of its sweep and also you add extra strain, the braking turns into more and more progressive with out shedding any of its smoothness. It’s simple to really feel that the brand new CBR500R is under-braked, till you get on the binders aggressively—you then discover out that they may gradual you down with authority. I discovered supplementing with the rear brake useful in slowing rapidly from excessive speeds, as the load switch isn’t so extreme that the rear tire lifts.

7. The non-adjustable ABS does a powerful job. Even when working that aggressive finish of the braking arc on deep dives into corners, the ABS didn’t kick in. The smoothness of the engagement is a part of the equation, with the remaining added by the ample traction the Michelin Highway 5 tires provide. The rear brake additionally has tender engagement, so it may be used as a complement to the entrance binders with out worrying about prematurely triggering the rear wheel’s ABS. These brakes is not going to spook a novice, but nonetheless fulfill the calls for of sooner, extra skilled riders.

8. The entrance finish’s grasp on the pavement is essential as a result of the 471cc parallel twin is not any ripsnorter. The ever-so-slightly oversquare powerplant contains a flat torque curve and completely linear energy. Whereas the mill doesn’t lack energy—it indicators off north of 40 horsepower on the high—it takes its time getting there. That is nice on the 2 Hondas that share the engine—the CB500X journey bike and CB500F bare upright. Nonetheless, it feels lackluster when matched with the brand new chassis, which might deal with a extra invigorating energy supply.

9. To maintain issues thrilling, you need to maintain the motor nicely into the top-end, from 7k to 9k, the place the rev limiter steps in gently as issues get buzzy. Fortunately, the transmission is a slick shifter, so you may click on via the gearbox ratios confidently. The highest velocity is round 110 mph, however you should be affected person and tucked in to get there. Don’t fear; the chassis is steady at full tilt on an honest highway.

10. Whereas not a primary selection for commuting duties, the Honda CBR500R will get the job executed. Ergonomics are the limiting issue relating to commuting on the CBR500R. The forward-leaning physique place isn’t superb for maintaining a tally of the erratic four-wheeled commuters in a busy city setting, neither is it as snug as a extra upright stance in case your commute consists of droning alongside for a lot of miles. You’ll virtually actually scoot up, as having your tailbone in opposition to the seat cease will get outdated quick on the freeway. The bike is an honest lane-splitter, however you have to thoughts the broad fairing-mounted mirrors.

11. The CBR500R holds its personal on Los Angeles’ busy freeways. Sure, the mid-size engine is satisfactory for battling aggressive commuter visitors. You’ll be working the bike a bit greater than you’d a bigger engine if you wish to make quick overtakes—a fast downshift and twist of the throttle will reward you with the wanted acceleration as much as about 90 mph, which isn’t as quick as you assume on cutthroat LA freeways. The engine response is extra in tune with commuting than pure sport driving. The suspension that feels good within the corners can be properly compliant on the bumpiest of LA freeways—not a straightforward accomplishment. Additionally, the Michelin Highway 5 tread sample handles the rain grooves like a champ.

12. The CBR500R additionally works nicely for around-town errands. An sudden journey to the dentist not too long ago discovered me battling busy afternoon visitors from the San Fernando Valley via a busy canyon to Beverly Hills. Waze informed me I’d be quarter-hour late—not good! Thankfully, the CBR500R is sort of able to slicing via congestion. The facility supply is predictable and drama-free. The flat torque curve means you’ve obtained pull throughout a broad vary, and the ultra-light torque-assisted clutch pull eliminates hand fatigue. I accelerated aggressively, making the most of a number of alternatives to cross slower-moving automobiles and cut up lanes to the top of the queue at crimson lights. After slipping previous the gate into the parking storage—an accepted LA apply—I arrived at my appointment with a minute to spare.

13. A brilliant thrifty gas-sipper means the $7199 2022 Honda CBR500R will match anybody’s price range. Though the estimated 72 mpg determine is for “comparability functions solely,” in keeping with Honda, the nifty LCD sprint stories that I routinely get a median of 65 mpg, even when driving the CBR500R onerous and at excessive speeds. As you may think about, a lot of the miles I placed on the 500R weren’t superb situations for extending the mileage—excessive speeds and aggressive throttle within the mountains. With the 4.5-gallon tank, extra wise driving will get you an unimaginable 300 miles between visits to the filling station.

14. The accessibility of the CBR500R is considered one of its greatest options. Its dimensions and energy are suited to an viewers various in measurement and expertise. The R will likely be liked by new riders, whereas entertaining these with many miles beneath their boots. The mid-size twin is supremely sensible and succesful, not simply of getting you from right here to there, however of placing a smile in your face whereas doing so.

15. Styling is spot-on—the CBR500R delivers an genuine sportbike look that doesn’t learn as an entry-level bike. Honda did a terrific job with the graphics and styling. Obtainable in two colorways—Sword Silver Metallic and the Grand Prix Pink we examined, which seems to be notably upscale in particular person. In fact, I wouldn’t complain if Honda supplied a model in Repsol livery.

16. Honda’s 500-class parallel twins have been round for a decade, and it’s a properly developed steady of dependable ponies—every able to numerous duties, but targeted on a special main goal. The CB500X is the adventure-capable mannequin that is also a terrific commuter. The bare upright CB500F guidelines the city jungle, and is a blast within the canyons. The 2022 Honda CBR500R is for riders getting ready for undiluted supersport bikes, but nonetheless need one thing usable round city and able to commuting. The selection between the trio comes all the way down to how the rider will spend essentially the most time within the saddle, in addition to aesthetics and ergonomic concerns, although it’s onerous to go fallacious with any of this set of fraternal triplets. Getting into a special route, should you just like the motor and need to go cruising, you may all the time decide up the utterly completely different Insurgent 500.

17. Honda up to date the CB500X and CB500F with the identical entrance finish because the CBR500R, however the distinction is much extra obvious with the R. Whereas we gently appreciated the beefier entrance finish on the X and F, the best way the R is ridden highlighted the change extra sharply. The 2022 Honda CBR500R is a big improve from its predecessor and an simple cut price for a budding superport rider who wants or appreciates a succesful and versatile bike.

Pictures by Don WilliamsRIDING STYLE2022 Honda CBR500R ABS SpecsENGINE

• Kind: Parallel twin
• Displacement: 471cc
• Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 66.8mm
• Compression ratio: 10.7:1
• Fueling: EFI w/ 34mm throttle our bodies
• Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
• Transmission: 6-speed
• Clutch: Moist multiplate w/ help and slipper capabilities
• Closing drive: O-ring chain

CHASSIS

• Body: Diamond-shaped metal tube
• Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable Showa SFF-BP 41mm inverted fork; 4.3 inches
• Rear suspension: Linkage-assisted, spring-preload adjustable shock; 4.7 inches
• Wheels: 5-spoke aluminum
• Tires: Michelin Highway 5
• Entrance tire: 120/70 x 17
• Rear tire: 160/60 x 17
• Entrance brakes: 296mm discs w/ 4-piston radially mounted Nissin calipers
• Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
• ABS: Customary

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES

• Wheelbase: 55.5 inches
• Rake: 25.5 levels
• Path: 4.0 inches
• Seat peak: 31.1 inches
• Gas capability: 4.5 gallons
• Curb weight: 423 kilos
• Colours: Grand Prix Pink; Sword Silver Metallic

2022 Honda CBR500R ABS Worth: $7199

2022 Honda CBR500R Assessment Photograph Gallery