CB500 (1994 - 2003) review

This Honda CB500 review is taken from the Honda press pack. From 2003.

Totally European, this slim and sporty fun bike was designed to provide a big blast of Super Sport riding excitement in a compact and lightweight configuration. The Honda CB500 gets its power from an excitable little 499cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that revs like a racer. Good thing, too, since the CB500 has grown to be a popular figure on racing circuits across the Continent and beyond, scratching and scrambling with the best of the breed in one-make races and other funfilled amateur events that serve as action-packed and economical ways to experience the thrills of motorcycle competition. With its responsive power and sporty handling, the CB500 is just as quick and lively on the streets as it is on the circuits, and makes quick, easy work of the most frustrating inner city traffic conditions. All in all, the CB500 is a superb choice for a wide range of motorcycling enjoyment.

Colours
• Moody Blue Metallic
• Rich Red Metallic
• Black

2001 Press Info

Designed exclusively for European riders, Honda’s lightweight and nimble CB500 combines simple yet distinctive styling with the responsive performance of a slim and powerful liquid-cooled parallel twin engine in a chassis that delivers quick and
sporty handling for virtually every kind of riding from commuting to club racing. All these features have been carefully blended to offer a broad range of appeal that has
proven popular with riders of all ages and levels of experience.

For 2001, the CB500 streaks through Europe’s streets in the same three attractive colours that have defined its mix of style and performance for the last year.

These include a dark metallic blue that subtly accentuates the CB500’s modern lines while disguising its sporty disposition, a brilliant metallic red that provides a foretaste of exhilarating performance to come, and a seething solid black that leaves no mistaking its endurance, strength and desire to be ridden hard.

Richly complementing these colours are bright gold-coloured cast aluminium wheels, black sidecovers and an aggressive-looking solid black 2-into-1 canister-style exhaust system
that looks like it’s come straight from the circuit.

200 Press Info

Honda’s exclusive European CB500 combines distinctive styling with the responsive performance of a compact and powerful liquid-cooled parallel twin engine and the quick, agile handling of a lightweight chassis and modern suspension system. All these features blend perfectly together in a sporty, highly enjoyable middleweight offering wide-ranging appeal that has proven popular with riders of all ages and levels of experience.

Over the years, the CB500 has proven to be a model of homogeneity and dependability. Tested in the Japanese factory over 300,000km, its engine has also demonstrated on the road that, even when handled roughly, it could last for well over 500,000km.

The CB500 is a versatile bike that is used by racers, long distance enthusiasts, beginners, or really serious riders alike. Powerful, easy to manoeuvre, stable, agile, economical, comfortable, with good braking and a superb finish, the CB500 has confirmed itself as a point of reference in the average cylinder category since its appearance.

Moreover, since its introduction the CB500 Cup (the CB500’s accessible race version) has been leading a new revival in amateur motorcycle racing that has allowed European riders to enjoy all the thrills of the racing experience without incurring the high
costs often associated with racing in other classes. Because of this, the Cup Races have quickly become the most popular motorcycle racing events. For the first time in history
a 24 hour cup race has been held on the Le Mans circuit with 41 teams participating. All teams finished without a glitch, which goes to show the innate quality of the CB500 concept.

This Honda CB500 review is taken from the Honda press pack. From 2003.

Totally European, this slim and sporty fun bike was designed to provide a big blast of Super Sport riding excitement in a compact and lightweight configuration. The Honda CB500 gets its power from an excitable little 499cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that revs like a racer. Good thing, too, since the CB500 has grown to be a popular figure on racing circuits across the Continent and beyond, scratching and scrambling with the best of the breed in one-make races and other funfilled amateur events that serve as action-packed and economical ways to experience the thrills of motorcycle competition. With its responsive power and sporty handling, the CB500 is just as quick and lively on the streets as it is on the circuits, and makes quick, easy work of the most frustrating inner city traffic conditions. All in all, the CB500 is a superb choice for a wide range of motorcycling enjoyment.

Colours
• Moody Blue Metallic
• Rich Red Metallic
• Black

2001 Press Info

Designed exclusively for European riders, Honda’s lightweight and nimble CB500 combines simple yet distinctive styling with the responsive performance of a slim and powerful liquid-cooled parallel twin engine in a chassis that delivers quick and
sporty handling for virtually every kind of riding from commuting to club racing. All these features have been carefully blended to offer a broad range of appeal that has
proven popular with riders of all ages and levels of experience.

For 2001, the CB500 streaks through Europe’s streets in the same three attractive colours that have defined its mix of style and performance for the last year.

These include a dark metallic blue that subtly accentuates the CB500’s modern lines while disguising its sporty disposition, a brilliant metallic red that provides a foretaste of exhilarating performance to come, and a seething solid black that leaves no mistaking its endurance, strength and desire to be ridden hard.

Richly complementing these colours are bright gold-coloured cast aluminium wheels, black sidecovers and an aggressive-looking solid black 2-into-1 canister-style exhaust system
that looks like it’s come straight from the circuit.

200 Press Info

Honda’s exclusive European CB500 combines distinctive styling with the responsive performance of a compact and powerful liquid-cooled parallel twin engine and the quick, agile handling of a lightweight chassis and modern suspension system. All these features blend perfectly together in a sporty, highly enjoyable middleweight offering wide-ranging appeal that has proven popular with riders of all ages and levels of experience.

Over the years, the CB500 has proven to be a model of homogeneity and dependability. Tested in the Japanese factory over 300,000km, its engine has also demonstrated on the road that, even when handled roughly, it could last for well over 500,000km.

The CB500 is a versatile bike that is used by racers, long distance enthusiasts, beginners, or really serious riders alike. Powerful, easy to manoeuvre, stable, agile, economical, comfortable, with good braking and a superb finish, the CB500 has confirmed itself as a point of reference in the average cylinder category since its appearance.

Moreover, since its introduction the CB500 Cup (the CB500’s accessible race version) has been leading a new revival in amateur motorcycle racing that has allowed European riders to enjoy all the thrills of the racing experience without incurring the high
costs often associated with racing in other classes. Because of this, the Cup Races have quickly become the most popular motorcycle racing events. For the first time in history
a 24 hour cup race has been held on the Le Mans circuit with 41 teams participating. All teams finished without a glitch, which goes to show the innate quality of the CB500 concept.

Specifications CB500 (IT-type)
Engine Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin
Bore × Stroke 73 × 59.6mm
Displacement 499cm3
Compression Ratio 10.5 : 1
Carburettors 34mm slanted flat-slide VP-type × 2
Max. Power Output 42kW/9,500min-1 (95/1/EC)
Max. Torque 46Nm/8,000min-1 (95/1/EC)
Ignition Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic
advance
Starter Electric
Transmission 6-speed
Final Drive ‘O’-ring sealed chain
Dimensions (L×W×H) 2,090 × 720 × 1,050mm
Wheelbase 1,430mm
Seat Height 775mm
Ground Clearance 145mm
Fuel Capacity 18 litres (including 2.5-litre reserve)
Wheels Front 17 × MT2.50 ‘U’-section 6-spoke cast aluminium
Rear 17 × MT3.50 ‘U’-section 6-spoke cast aluminium
Tyres Front 110/80–17 57H
Rear 130/80–17 65H
Suspension Front 37mm telescopic fork, 115mm axle travel
Rear Dual conventional dampers with 5-step adjustable spring preload,
117mm axle travel
Brakes Front 296mm hydraulic disc with dual-piston calliper and
asbestos-free resin mould pads
Rear 240mm hydraulic disc with single-piston calliper and resin mould
pads
Dry Weight 173kg