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2015 Honda CBR500R Review
2015 Honda CBR500R on www.Totalmotorcycle.com
Middleweight. Never Middle Of The Pack…
Honda boldly redefines the middleweight class and infuses a whole new level of excitement for sport riders in search of superior value, along with great fun.
The CBR500R delivers plenty of performance to sport riders, with its thoroughly modern, torquey 471cc P-twin DOHC engine wrapped in a great-handling chassis and featuring a full fairing spawned from Honda’s much-acclaimed CBR600RR and CBR1000RR sportbikes.
The CBR500R features a full bodywork cowl and a 31-inch seat height. It’s an excellent choice for riders ready to move up a displacement class, or for any rider who’s looking for a light, sporting, do-it-all street machine.
CBR500R – Let’s dance
Sport bikes are meant to excite, but the thrill doesn’t have to come from huge horsepower or radical geometry, it can just as easily be achieved with light weight, a responsive chassis and a willing engine. The CBR500R is the perfect example of this philosophy. Light and compact with a short wheelbase and sport spec 17” wheels, the CBR is an absolute joy to run through your favourite twisty back road. The enthusiastic 470 cc parallel twin engine plays its part too, hustling you along with authority, providing excellent roll-on power exiting turns. And if your preferred squiggly line on the map is some distance away, you’ll appreciate the relaxed seating position, the protection from the aerodynamic full-fairing and the miserly fuel economy. Luckily, these same attributes make the CBR500R an excellent choice for a commuter, so spend the weekend scratching with your buddies, then weekdays nimbly negotiating the urban gridlock.
Options & Pricing
Like the machines that made Honda famous throughout the U.S., its two-cylinder parallel-twin layout provides a wide powerband and plenty of torque, while a counterbalancer keeps things running smooth. Special touches like the CBR500R sport seating position, lower handlebars and minimal bodywork make it a great choice for someone who likes the lithe, athletic touches of a sportbike but wants something more versatile than a race replica. Available ABS on the CBR500R helps you make smoother, more controlled stops under less-than-ideal conditions.
CBR500R
•471cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-twin
•Supersport styling
•Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
•Pro-Link Rear Suspension
2015 Honda CBR500R www.Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
•The DOHC liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine uses a square bore & stroke of 67 mm x 66.8 mm for an optimum combination of strong low-end torque and horsepower and excellent top-end performance.
•The lightweight diamond-shaped steel frame was designed to allow a certain degree of yield, which enables it to better respond to changes in the road surface and to transmit just the right amount of feedback to the rider.
•The rear section of the frame was designed to facilitate a seat height of 785 mm, which allows most riders to easily plant their feet on the ground when stopped.
•The CB500R features a full sport fairing designed to be both protective and aerodynamic.
Enough Engine For Everything
Choosing a 500 isn’t a compromise, especially when it’s a powerplant with as much development behind it as Honda’s parallel twins. Liquid-cooling, double overhead cams and bulletproof reliability make this a great all-around powerplant for any kind of riding you have in mind.
Sporting Heritage
The CBR500R offers a riding position that’s a touch more sporty, but not too aggressive, whether you’re commuting or carving the canyons.
Practicality was never so much fun.
Its combination of lightweight and rider-friendly engine makes the CBR500R a great choice for commuting, weekend rides, or just getting out and having fun. Plus, its lower seat height makes it easier to get your feet on the ground when you stop.
Accessorize Your Style
The CBR500R has a full line of available Honda Genuine Accessories including a sport screen, color-matched passenger seat cowl, and carbon-look accents.
2015 Honda CBR500R www.Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
Leading The Way Through Innovation.
Like the machines that made Honda famous throughout the U.S., its two-cylinder parallel-twin layout provides a wide powerband and plenty of torque, while a counterbalancer keeps things running smooth. Special touches like the CBR500R sport seating position, lower handlebars and minimal bodywork make it a great choice for someone who likes the lithe, athletic touches of a sportbike but wants something more versatile than a race replica.
Halogen Headlights
Twin 55-watt H7 halogen headlights and multi-facet reflectors on the CBR500R give the front end a unique look and also project plenty of light on the road for visibility.
Digital Instrumentation
A full LCD screen features a digital speedometer and tachometer and more, including a clock, odometer, trip meter, real-time and average fuel consumption meters and illuminated engine diagnostic indicators.
Supersport Styling
This aerodynamic bodywork also provides significant advantages in air management for added rider comfort, along with a low drag coefficient and effective cooling.
Disc Brakes
The front 320mm wave-style disc brake and 240mm rear provide strong stopping power.
DOHC Twin-Cylinder Engine
Honda twins are famous for their versatility, and the CBR500R engine is one of our best ever. Using the same piston bore size as our CBR600RR sportbike, the parallel-twin engine offers accessible performance across all RPM ranges.
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) continuously monitors several variables to ensure the correct fuel mixture is delivered for the existing riding and atmospheric conditions, ensuring a crisp throttle response throughout a wide variety of riding.
Steel-Tube Frame
A motorcycle’s frame is the basis for its handling. A take on a classic construction, the CBR500R’s diamond-shaped 35mm steel-tube mainframe ties to the engine with four mounts, offering a rock-solid foundation for a superior ride and handling.
Step Seat
The CBR500R offers a stepped two-piece seat with a low height. Perfect for around-town riding or winding roads, it also offers plenty of room for a passenger and is specially designed to fit a wide range of riders.
Pro-Link Rear Suspension
A sophisticated chassis with Honda Pro-Link rear suspension, nine-stage preload and 4.7 travel gives you a comfortable ride over small bumps, while capably absorbing bigger bumps to increase riding comfort and handling.
Cast Wheels
Strong and stylish, the CBR500R’s aluminum 12-spoke cast wheels are easy to keep clean, look great and are another feature that just makes sense.
Stainless Steel Exhaust
Beautifully polished stainless steel exhaust is integrated with the rear footpeg set for clean, functional design.
Rear Grips
Sturdy rear passenger grips offer a firm handhold for your passenger or tie-down points for smaller items.
Engine/Drivetrain
The DOHC liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine uses a square bore & stroke of 67 mm x 66.8 mm for an optimum combination of strong low-end torque and horsepower and excellent top-end performance..
The 67 mm bore size is the same as used on the CBR600RRA..
Engine vibration is kept to a minimum by using crank pins phased at 180 degrees and a balancer shaft behind the cylinders, which also contributes to the engine’s compact size..
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection keeps the engine running efficiently in all conditions and ensures crisp throttle response..
Careful flow analysis of the cooling system resulted in a water pump that’s small and lightweight, yet still more than capable of keeping the engine running its best at high output levels..
In order to maximize air-intake and exhaust efficiency, the profile from the air cleaner through the intake ports to the exhaust pipe was made as straight as possible..
The four valves in each of the DOHC cylinder heads have narrow stems, thereby reducing weight and friction and increasing efficiency..
A light and compact roller-rocker-arm assembly and shim-type valve adjustment allows a lower valve-spring load for reduced friction and a compact cylinder head..
The pins in the silent cam chain have been treated with vanadium, which both reduces friction and improves durability..
The lightweight pistons use the same advanced manufacturing process as those found in the CBR600RRA..
To ensure precise cylinder shape, the engine uses the same centrifugal-cast thin-wall sleeves as found in the CBR600RRA..
The oil pump’s internal relief structure uses the same design as found in the CBR1000RR, which reduces friction, improves aeration performance and simplifies the shape of the oil pan..
Chassis/Suspension
The lightweight diamond-shaped steel frame was designed to allow a certain degree of yield, which enables it to better respond to changes in the road surface and to transmit just the right amount of feedback to the rider..
The Pro-Link rear suspension with preload-adjustable shock and the conventional 41 mm telescopic fork are calibrated for a comfortable but sporty ride..
The rear section of the frame was designed to facilitate a seat height of 785 mm, which allows most riders to easily plant their feet on the ground when stopped..
Lightweight cast aluminum wheels with Y-shaped spokes not only look trick, they also contribute to the bike’s excellent manoeuvrability..
Wave brake rotors with superlative heat-dissipating qualities are lighter than conventional discs of the same diameter, which help to further reduce the bike’s unsprung weight..
Triple-piston brake calipers up front and a single-piston caliper at the back provide strong but easily controlled stopping power..
Additional Features
Ergonomics were carefully configured to ensure an unrestricted riding position that allows easy manoeuvring in town, an easy reach to the ground, as well as excellent comfort during long-distance highway trips..
While the fuel tank on the CBR500R looks sleek and sporty, it can still hold a generous 15.5 litres. Combined with the engine’s fuel-efficient performance, this translates into excellent range..
A utility space under the seat accommodates a U-lock, wet weather gear or other items..
The CB500R features a full sport fairing designed to be both protective and aerodynamic..
2015 Honda CBR500R – www.Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ USD
ENGINE
Engine Type
471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin
Bore And Stroke
67.0mm x 66.8mm
Induction
PGM-FI with 34mm throttle bodies
Ignition
Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Valve Train
DOHC; four valves per cylinder
DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission
Six-speed
Final Drive
O-ring-sealed chain
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Front Suspension
41mm fork; 4.3 inches travel
Rear Suspension
Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability; 4.7 inches travel
Front Brake
Twin-piston caliper with single 320mm wave disc
Rear Brake
Single-caliper 240mm wave disc
Front Tire
120/70-17
Rear Tire
160/60-17
DIMENSIONS
Rake
25.5 degrees
Trail
103mm (4.05 inches)
Wheelbase
55.5 inches
Seat Height
30.9 inches
Curb Weight
425 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel-ready to ride)
Fuel Capacity
4.1 gallons
Miles Per Gallon
TBD*
OTHER
Model Id
CBR500R
Emissions
Meets current EPA standards. California version meets current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.
Available Colors
Black, Silver Metallic
FACTORY WARRANTY INFORMATION
One Year
Transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.
2015 Honda CBR500R – www.Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $ CDN
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled parallel-twin
Displacement
471 cc
Bore & Stroke
67 mm x 66.8 mm
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Valve Train
Chain-driven DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Transmission
Six-speed
Final Drive
O-ring-sealed chain
Front Suspension
41 mm telescopic fork; 109 mm (4.3 in.) travel
Rear Suspension
Pro-Link single shock with spring preload adjustment; 119 mm (4.7 in.) travel
Tires
120/70 – 17 front; 160/60 – 17 rear
Brakes
Front 320 mm wave disc with double-piston caliper; rear 240 mm wave disc with single-piston caliper.
Seat Height
785 mm (30.9 in.)
Wheelbase
1,409 mm (55.5 in.)
Curb Weight
193 kg (425 lb) including required fluids and full tank of gas – ready to ride
Fuel Capacity
15.5 litres
Colour
Millenium Red, Seal Silver Metallic
Warranty
12 months, unlimited mileage, freely transferable warranty; extended coverage available with Honda Plus
2015 Honda CBR500R – www.Totalmotorcycle.com European/UK Specifications/Technical Details
UK/European MSRP Price: £ GBP (On The Road).
All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.
# Please note that the figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.
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