Honda CBR500R (2013-current) - Review & Buying Guide

The Honda CBR500R was released in 2013 with the intention of providing a steppingstone for riders who were looking at progressing up from the CBR125R or were simply after a great-looking lightweight sportsbike with a bargain price tag. Powered by Honda’s evergreen parallel-twin engine and A2 legal, the CBR500R is one of those understated machines that hits the mark in every way and as well as being incredibly frugal to run, it looks like a mini-Fireblade (from a distance) and has more than enough performance to keep up with modern traffic. Far from cramped, the CBR manages to feel considerably more robust and substantial than most A2-legal sporty rivals, giving it a pleasingly high level of practicality. If you are after a cool-looking A2-legal runabout, the CBR500R is hard to beat.

Pros & Cons

Honda CBR500R (2013-current) - Price

While not the cheapest A2-legal sportsbike, the CBR’s original price tag of £4950 in 2013 was far from unreasonable. Nowadays this has crept up to a bit more wallet-busting £6699, however when you consider its spec, that’s still pretty acceptable. In the used market you can pick up an early CBR for around £2500, but it will probably have seen some action. Aim to pay closer to £3000 and you will get a much nicer example. If you want the updated 2022 model with its inverted forks and twin discs, you need to budget closer to £4500-£5000, which is far from unreasonable. However, at this price, it might be worth checking out if any dealers are selling pre-registered, ex-demo or discounted 2024 models. There are a few on sale for £5500 or just above and you will get a longer warranty and possibly even a low-rate finance package, not to mention brand new tyres, etc.

Honda CBR500R (2013-current) - Engine & Performance

Honda’s CB500 parallel-twin engine has been around for donkey’s years and while it did receive a few small updates as the CBR matured (mainly in 2020 where it got a bit more bottom-end), none of them affected its peak power or torque figures. A thoroughly tried and tested engine, some may argue it lacks a bit of spice however that does it a disservice, it isn’t bland, it is just incredibly effective at its role in life.

Effortlessly smooth from very low in the rev range, it will merrily sit in its midrange on a motorway at 70mph (roughly 6000rpm) with hardly a vibration and only sipping fuel. But get it away from the straight lines, allow it to rev a bit (peak power is at 8500rpm) and it is surprisingly sprightly. You can happily keep bigger bikes well within eyesight if you are prepared to keep the motor spinning, which isn’t a major drama as the gearbox is lovely and slick. And when you get into town, you will discover the clutch’s action s feather-light and the low-speed fuelling near perfect. It’s just a lovely engine to use that even those more used to larger capacity models can’t help but be won over by its charming and easy-going nature. And it is also very, very reliable.

As long as the previous owner has kept to Honda’s service schedule (4000-mile intervals, valve-clearances checked at 16,000 miles), it is highly unlikely the parallel-twin will have any problems at all. There are no major mechanical issues reported on the CBR forums (ignore chat about rocker arm bolts, that was a very small number of bikes) and the only things to be wary of are fault codes hinting that an electrical item has failed or neglect by the previous owner. As the CBR is generally used as a cheap form of transport, a lot of owners do their own maintenance. While this isn’t an issue as parts are cheap (a complete service kit is just £50), things like sump bungs and oil filters can be over-tightened, spark plugs not torqued in correctly, fairing panels broken etc, which is why dealer-serviced bikes are generally a better buy.

Honda CBR500R (2013-current) - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

The first thing to know about the CBR’s chassis is the fact it was updated in 2022. While the frame remained largely unaltered, the early bike’s telescopic forks were upgraded to Showa Big Piston inverted items and its singe wave disc replaced by a twin disc set-up that boasts four-piston radial calipers where the older model only has a two-piston sliding caliper. There was also a small update in 2016 to the CBR but that was limited to fork internals and styling while a 2020 tweak was also mainly visual updates.

While the upgrades to the 2022 model make a fairly noticeable difference to how it both stops and handles, delivering a far less wooden feel at the brake lever and a higher quality to the suspension’s damping, don’t let that put you off an older model. Yes, the 2013-2021 bike has much more basic-looking suspension but it still does its job and while the ride quality isn’t as plush as on the 2022-onwards bike, it is still acceptable and the CBR’s handling is just as nimble and fun – which is key to the enjoyment of this bike.

Out on B-roads, the CBR500R is a delight. Light, quick to respond and very stable, the CBR is thoroughly enjoyable to zip down a twisty road on and while its shock isn’t the best in the world (on any generation...), as long as you keep the pace brisk but not ridiculous, all is well. A machine you can really learn how to ride a bike properly on, it is the ideal steppingstone to a bigger, faster, sportsbike. Or, if you have no interest in getting a bigger bike, it delivers more than enough handling performance to keep you satisfied.

When buying used, give the fairing a very close inspection. Not only are you looking for any signs of crash damage but also broken lugs. There are quite a few tags that help the fairing secure together and these are very easy to accidentally snap off, leaving the fit of the fairing compromised. If all appears well, check the brake system not only for any signs of corrosion on the caliper/s (the two-piston caliper is quite prone to sticking on its slider) but also the condition of the ABS sensor ring. It’s not uncommon for corrosion or even damage to cause the ABS system to miss-read the sensor, which can throw up an ABS fault code on the dash. Ensure the brake fluid is nice and clear, a sign that the bike has been serviced regularly by someone who knows their stuff (it should be changed every two years), and check consumable items such as bearings, chain and sprockets, tyres etc. Some owners really rate the finish on the CBR (which is built in Thailand, not Japan) while others complain about corrosion on the fasteners, it seems a bit of a mixed bag and is likely down to how carefully the previous owners looks after it and cleans it. Keep on top of the fasteners and all should be well. Like the engine, the CBR’s chassis is robust and any issues are generally down to crash damage or neglect.

Honda CBR500R (2013-current)- Comfort & Economy

The CBR might be billed as a sportsbike but it is far from cramped to ride. Big and more than roomy enough for anyone over six-feet tall, the Honda feels more like a sports tourer in its stance and you can buy the R with its protective fairing over the naked version with no worries about comfort levels. And it is also incredibly economical.

Even when worked hard the CBR will deliver over 70mpg, usually around 75mpg. That’s simply amazing for a small capacity model that tends to be revved quite hard and gives it a very handy tank range of over 250 miles.

Honda CBR500R (2013-current)- Equipment

The first generation of CBR500R (2013-2021) has an immobiliser as standard as well as ABS and while the 2022-2023 bike looks more modern, it was only on the 2024-current generation that traction control (HSTC) arrived alongside a dash with inbuilt connectivity.

Honda do sell a range of accessories for the CBR but owners tend to limit themselves to heated grips, taller screens, crash protection and luggage in the form of a top box. A few fit aftermarket exhausts, but this is often after the OE unit has been damaged in a spill so be wary of a bike with one fitted.

Honda CBR500R (2013-current) - Rivals

There are a few A2-legal sporty options but the CBR500R is the most popular.

KTM RC390 (2014-current) | Approx Price: £2000-£5000

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Power/Torque

44bhp / 26lb-ft

Weight

157kg

Yamaha R3 (2015-current) | Approx Price: £2300-£5000

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Power/Torque

41bhp / 21lb

Weight

169kg

Kawasaki Ninja 400 (2018-2021) | Approx Price: £3000-£5000

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Power/Torque

44bhp / 28lb-ft

Weight

169kg

Honda CBR500R (2013-current) - Verdict

The CBR500R is a brilliant option for anyone looking at buying an A2-legal bike. Incredibly frugal to run and with a bulletproof engine, the CBR not only looks fantastic (especially later models) it won’t let you down. A popular bike, the used market is fairly full of good examples and while they tend to hold their value well, that’s actually a pleasing sign as it means you shouldn’t lose too much when it comes to resale. The suspension could certainly be improved upon, but that’s a small criticism (which is easily fixed) about what is otherwise a fantastic machine.

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Honda CBR500R (2013-current) - Technical Specification