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2015 Honda CBR500RA Review
2015 Honda CBR500RA on www.Totalmotorcycle.com
CBR500RA – 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 CBR500RA 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 CBR500RA an excellent choice for a commuter, so spend the weekend scratching with your buddies, then weekdays nimbly negotiating the urban gridlock. And no matter how you choose to enjoy your CBR500RA, it’s good to know you have the security of Honda’s advanced ABS system if conditions deteriorate.
2015 Honda CBR500RA 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 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.
•Triple-piston brake calipers up front and a single-piston caliper at the back provide strong but easily controlled stopping power. Plus, ABS gives you extra peace of mind on reduced-traction road surfaces. (The CBR500R is also available with non-ABS brakes.)
•The CB500RA features a full sport fairing designed to be both protective and aerodynamic.
2015 Honda CBR500RA www.Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
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. Plus, ABS gives you extra peace of mind on reduced-traction road surfaces. (The CBR500R is also available with non-ABS brakes.).
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 CBR500RA 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 CB500RA features a full sport fairing designed to be both protective and aerodynamic..
2015 Honda CBR500RA – www.Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ USD
2015 Honda CBR500RA – 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; ABS
Seat Height
785 mm (30.9 in.)
Wheelbase
1,409 mm (55.5 in.)
Curb Weight
195 kg (429 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 CBR500RA – 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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