Honda CBR500R (2024) - Review

Price: £6,699 | Power: 46.9bhp | Weight: 191kg | Overall BikeSocial Rating: 3/5

All the Fireblade looks but with everyday useability and less than a quarter of the CBR1000RR-R SP’s maximum power, the CBR500R is very much a ‘baby blade’ to look at. This is an instrument more suited to develop your riding skills every day as opposed to sharpen them.

First released in 2013 as a fully faired choice for A2 licence holders and fans of small capacity ‘sports’ bikes - the CBR500R was also the choice for the European Junior Cup, a single make race series designed to showcase young riding talent at selected rounds of the World Superbike championship.
The CBR500R had styling tweaks on its next incarnation and then 2019 saw a big overhaul with 4% more grunt, a 3kg weight loss and MotoGP style winglets to go with a more sporty ride, with improved suspension, a more focussed riding position and a slipper clutch. In 2022 it received Showa big piston forks, dual front discs and radial calipers, a lighter swingarm and a bit more power.

For 2024 and with the competition chasing it hard, the popular Honda has received another refresh, cosmetically and technically. The sharper bodywork is even closer to the look of the Fireblade and that also comes with new, dual LED headlights and new 5-inch TFT screen. While power and torque remain unchanged at 35kW and 43Nm, an ECU update improves acceleration feel and Honda Selectable Torque Control is now standard.

2024 Honda CBR500R Price

How much does the 2024 Honda CBR500R cost? For 6,699 of your British pounds you can have a brand spanking new Honda CBR500R in either Grand Prix Red (as tested) or Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic (only the bodywork changes, frame and wheels are in black on both models). The red is simply stunning and aligns with the current crop of Honda’s on road sports bikes and race machines, so that’s nice. But in the flesh (less so photos), the black looks stealthy and mean (in a good way).

The ‘Comfort Pack’ gets you a three litre Tank Bag and attachment, Heated Grips (we had these on test - very warming if not immediately intuitive to use) and a 12v Accessory Socket (really handy) for an additional £475. The ‘Racing Pack - Red’ for £305 brings you a Rear Seat Cowl, Tank Pad Kit, High Windscreen (essential!) and a Wheel Stripe Kit.

In reality, the essential items you’ll want if this is your daily ride are the High Windscreen (£66) and Heated Grips with attachment at an eye-watering £310 all in and seamlessly integrated. With those added on a PCP, it comes in at £7,141 cash or with a PCP, a deposit of £1,124.38 with monthly payments of £113.15 and a total amount payable of £8,519.85 over 37 months if you do 4000 miles a year. Without those essential accessories, the PCP deal on a standard bike remains with the same deposit but monthly payments of £99 and a total amount payable of £8010.35.

2024 Honda CBR500R Engine & Performance

Somehow, those amazing engineers at Honda have managed to make a parallel twin engine have all the characteristics of an inline four but without any noticeable spikes in performance across the rev range. For really experienced riders, it’s six gears of smooth but unexciting delivery; it’s like there’s no crank inertia, so revs rise and fall quickly. If you’re stuck behind a car doing 60 and you want to do 70mph, you’ll wait a while for any progress if winding on in top gear and you’ll downshift more gears than expected to make the pass.

For new riders, the 471cc engine will be a comfortable introduction to more go than a 125cc and will feel a load better than something well used. Although the Honda boasts 47bhp, if you’re looking for excitement from a similar-sized engine, you need to check out the Kawasaki Ninja 500 (less power at 45bhp) or CF Moto 450SR S (46.3bhp) - these at least sound a bit angrier and with a defined kick in the mid-range performance.

Noise wise, my 71-year old father who only rides, doesn’t drive and owns a loud-piped KTM 390 DUKE said “it sounds nice” when sitting on it and giving it some revs. I disagree.

The six-speed gearbox is smooth and we didn’t miss a shift on the test. Best of all, it has an assist/slipper clutch if you bang it down too many gears by mistake and is actuated by an incredibly light, cable clutch.

2024 Honda CBR500R Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight & Brakes)

Neutral. That’s the best way to describe the CBR500R’s handling. It’s not nervous or a slouch to hustle around and, once that engine is spinning and you don’t have to back off for anything, it's a lot of fun on twisty roads and trying to keep the momentum going. Forget the knee sliders, but there’s still plenty of ground clearance to crank it over on the very capable Michelin Road 6 tyres.

However, I’m not sure the people who worked on the front end of the bike are the same folk who looked after the rear. Up front are twin, radial-mount Nissin four-piston calipers biting down on a pair of 296mm discs and ABS, of course. In comparison, that’s double the discs of the Ninja 500 and four times the amount of braking pistons. It’s a little over-braked, complained nobody. And the span ratio brake lever is a great addition. The Showa 41mm big piston forks are also well capable of handling that braking performance and bumpy roads with 74kg of me (without riding gear) on it.

But let’s talk about that preload adjustable only rear shock. With the same me on it (which is 10kg less than the average UK male) it does feel soft and with little in the way of rebound damping, so it can get a wallow on after a series of bumps. It never bottomed out, just something to be wary of after a good Christmas or if ‘Big Drew’ wants to ride pillion. Commuting and plodding about, it’s fine. But a better shock would transform this bike.

2024 Honda CBR500R Comfort & Economy

The ergonomics feel right for 5’8” of me; the bars are higher (90cm from the floor) than you’d expect looking at this and I’m feet planted either side and not too cramped on the move. And much like the Ninja 500, I don’t think it will be as pleasurable an experience for taller people. You’ll only know if you take a test ride.

Fortunately, it stayed dry when we rode the CBR500R, but I don’t believe the gesture of a screen and top fairing will do much for weather protection. Even as a relatively shorty, I wanted a taller screen. Honda offers one for £66.

The seat is plush for long runs and I expect the CBR500R will be bought by people who this is their main form of transport. So don’t be afraid to tackle a big mile adventure on this bike (once that screen is fitted…).

Economy wise, we saw a worst of 50.34mpg and a best of 70mpg. Can you guess which one of these was a long stint on the motorway and which was thrashing it to and for the pictures? On the very similar CB500 Hornet, we saw 235 miles when the fuel light came on, some way short of Honda’s claimed range of 303 miles from the 17.1 litre tank.

2024 Honda CBR500R Equipment

Remember, this bike is aimed at more of the budget end of first ‘big’ motorcycling, so bringing it across the finish line to a digestible price means Honda not throwing the kitchen sink (and a better rear shock) at it. Consequently, there is only one model but you can spec it in the choice of two colours, two accessory packs or freestyle the various official accessories.

The LED headlights are stylish and, more importantly, super powerful at night and being noticed by other motorists. The 5” TFT screen is super clear to view and navigate with the backlit, left bar-mounted switch cube and there’s the ability to have smartphone connectivity with Honda RoadSync. Not sure how essential the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) is, but for those cold, wet rides on tyres way past being replaced, it will be a blessing combined with the excellent ABS. I turned it off.

There’s no keyless ignition but I did enjoy the pull-out loops under the pillion seat to help make attaching a tail pack (as I did) or other luggage a lot easier. The metal tank keeps the tank bag options open, and I used a small Oxford Products item. A span adjustable brake lever and tyres you’ve heard of before are usually the first things to go to keep costs down, thankfully the CBR500R does neither of these things.

2024 Honda CBR500R Rivals

If you’re in the market for a slick-looking, brand new sportsbike with around a 500cc engine then what a time to be alive! This year has seen Kawasaki ramp it up with their Ninja 500, KTM give the RC390 a serious revamp (although a different execution to the Honda, being a single-cylinder) and the wildcard CF Moto 450 SR. Yamaha’s R3 is another parallel twin but with considerably less capacity and power.

It might come down to how close your nearest dealer is, what the deal is like and what your favourite colour is. Either way, if any of these are your first big bike or first new bike, you’re going to be a very happy rider indeed.

Kawasaki Ninja 500 | Price: £5999 / £6499 (SE)

Read more

Power/Torque

45bhp / 31.4lb-ft

Weight

171kg

KTM RC390 | Price: £5,899

Read more

Power/Torque

44bhp / 27.3lb-ft

Weight

155kg

CF Moto 450SR S| Price: £6,499

Read more

Power/Torque

46.3bhp / 29lb-ft

Weight

179kg

2024 Honda CBR500R Verdict

Looks are subjective, but the CBR500R is a handsome machine and - with even more than a passing glance - it looks like a proper superbike or supersport machine. And in many ways, it is a super thing. There’s the confidence of the Honda wing of reliability and build quality, a country filled with dealers so you’re never too far from one, great residual values no doubt and some truly excellent features.

For most riders, a taller screen would make this far better for longer trips and riding in all weathers. Or if you’re simply taller than 5’6”. The rear shock is a little basic if you’ve been spoilt by better kit or if you’re riding hard.

As for the engine, I know that parallel twins can be fun - even with modern regulations - so that lack of ‘spirit’ was the big downer for me as a very experienced rider. But as a relative newbie, the CBR500R’s power delivery is easy, smooth and comforting.

If you’re a relatively new or a returning rider in the market for a new sub-500cc sportsbike and want something that looks fabulous, has a quality finish, great spec and rides well, it really is between this and the Kawasaki Ninja 500. If you’re a vastly experienced rider looking to go back down the capacity charts while still retaining a sportsbike look, this isn’t for you. Try the CBR650R instead and you’ll have a great time and be able to do more than you expected.

If you’d like to chat about this article or anything else biking related, join us and thousands of other riders at the Bennetts BikeSocial Facebook page.

2024 Honda CBR500R - Technical Specification

Looking for motorcycle insurance? Get a quote for this motorbike with Bennetts bike insurance

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard

• An ignition immobiliser system

• A vehicle marking system

• An alarm system

• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.