PERFORMANCE. VALUE. VERSATILITY.

2018 Honda CB500F ABS Review on Total Motorcycle:

It’s our mission to connect riders with the right bike. And the Honda CB500F is a favorite of a wide range of riders—newbies included. It sports minimal bodywork, a classic riding position, a 30.9-inch seat height and a powerful, smooth twin-cylinder engine. The CB500F embraces the best of motorcycling, and delivers performance and versatility at a great price. Get on one and you’ll quickly discover that in the world of mid-sized streetbikes it doesn’t get much better than this.

Wanna Start Riding?

If you’re ready to get a bike, our Learn To Ride site is a great resource. We’re here for you every step of the way—and will help you locate and schedule training, find the right gear, and determine which bike is right for you. We’ll even let you know what to expect at the dealership.

Positioned For Success

The CB500F’s classic riding position lets you sit up straighter, without your weight on your arms, so it gives you a great field of vision when you’re riding around town or commuting. (You can always tuck in tighter when desired.) Plus, it delivers a comfortable ride for passengers, too.

Modern Style

The CB500F is designed to be timeliness yet forward-thinking, with a LED headlight and minimal bodywork. The result is a bike that looks exactly like a modern motorcycle should.

Perfection Is In The Details

The CB500F is all about the basics done perfectly. Just check out the adjustable front-brake lever, great shift feel, and crisp exhaust note.

CB500F

Features & Options
471cc Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin
Naked Sportbike Styling
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Pro-Link® Rear Suspension

CB500F ABS

Features & Options
471cc Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin
Naked Sportbike Styling
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Pro-Link® Rear Suspension
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

2018 Honda CB500F ABS Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

Low-end torque & top-end performance

The DOHC liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine uses a square bore & stroke of 67 mm x 66.8 mm for an optimum

Powerfully engineered

The 67 mm bore size is the same as used on the CBR600RR.

Compact engine, minimal vibration

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.

Crisp throttle response

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection keeps the engine running efficiently in all conditions and ensures crisp throttle response.

Runs smoothly at high output levels

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.

Maximized air-intake

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.

Excellent efficiency

The four valves in each of the DOHC cylinder heads have narrow stems, thereby reducing weight and friction and increasing efficiency.

Reduced friction

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 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.

Smooth shifting

The design of the shifting mechanism in the six-speed gearbox results in smooth, precise shifting.

The sound of power

The internal structure of the CB500F’s muffler helps produce an authoritative exhaust note and improves the bike’s mass centralization.

Improved durability

The pins in the silent cam chain have been treated with vanadium, which both reduces friction and improves durability. Lightweight pistons use an advanced manufacturing process for enhanced durability and performance.

Designed for rider feedback

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.

Comfortable & sporty ride

The Pro-Link® rear suspension with preload-adjustable shock and the conventional 41 mm telescopic fork are calibrated for a comfortable but sporty ride.

Adjustable fork

The front fork offers spring-preload adjustment so you can tailor the ride just the way you want it.

Good rider balance at stops

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 wheels

Lightweight cast aluminum wheels with Y-shaped spokes not only look trick, they also contribute to the bike’s excellent manoeuvrability.

Reduced unsprung weight

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.

ABS braking control

A dual-piston brake caliper 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.

Designed for city & highway rides

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.

Aggressive look

Sleek bodywork incorporates an LED headlight and taillight, and leaves more of the engine exposed for an aggressive, streetfighter look.

Fuel efficient & increased range

The CB500F boasts a large fuel tank, which combined with the fuel-efficient engine, means excellent range for plenty of riding fun between fill-ups.

Convenient under-seat storage

A utility space under the seat accommodates a U-lock, wet weather gear or other items.

Brake lever and wave key

Adjustable brake lever and wave-style ignition key add to the CB500F’s long list of premium features.

Get blown away – but not by the wind

The CB500F’s compact handlebar-mounted wind deflector contributes to its bold “naked” styling, which leaves the beautifully crafted engine out in full view.

2018 Honda CB500F ABS Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Engine/Drivetrain

• Liquid-cooled 471cc DOHC parallel-twin engine has good torque and a broad spread of power for maximum versatility.
• Four-valve cylinder head design incorporates a roller rocker arm for a compact layout along with minimal friction.
• Short muffler allows mass centralization and has a healthy exhaust note.
• Smooth-shifting six-speed transmission.
• Shim-type valve-adjustment system allows incorporation of a light rocker-arm setup that in turn allows for a low valve-spring load to further reduce power losses through engine friction.
• Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) continuously monitors several variables to ensure the correct fuel mixture is delivered for the existing riding and atmospheric conditions for crisp throttle response throughout a wide variety of riding conditions.
• Engine counterbalancer and 180-degree crankpin reduce engine vibration for superior rider comfort.
• Preloaded, scissors-type gears for the primary drive and engine counterbalancer gears help reduce engine noise.

Chassis/Suspension

• Neutral riding position makes for easy maneuvering and keeps the rider comfortable.
• Aggressive bodywork creates a sharp, edgy character.
• LED headlights and taillight have a unique look and provide great visibility.
• User-friendly hinged fuel cap.
• Die-cast aluminum passenger foot pegs for a sporty feel.
• Front-brake lever has a five-step adjustment mechanism to suit rider preference.
• Fork has an external preload adjuster to allow adaptation to the situation (i.e., riding with passenger, cargo).
• Diamond-shaped 35mm steel tube frame is lightweight and rigid for responsive sport handling.
• Big 41mm front fork with 4.3 inches of travel returns a plush yet controlled ride.
• Sophisticated Pro-Link^® single-shock rear suspension offers nine-stage spring preload adjustability and 4.7 inches of controlled travel.
• Lightweight cast-aluminum wheels, 120/70-17 in front and 160/60-17 rear, return sporting feel and handling traits.
• Front 320mm wave-style disc brake and 240mm rear provide strong stopping power.
• ABS version available for enhanced braking characteristics in less-than-ideal conditions.
• Blue-tinted instrument display features speedometer, tachometer, odometer/A&B trip meters, fuel gauge, clock, real-time and average fuel consumption.
• Low seat height helps build rider confidence.

One-year, transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

• Meets current EPA and CARB standards
• California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment

2018 Honda CB500F ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $6399 USD

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride
Meets current EPA standards
Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment
Specifications subject to change

2018 Honda CB500F ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $6999 CDN

Engine & Drivetrain

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

#520 O-ring-sealed chain

Chassis & Suspension

Front Suspension

41 mm telescopic fork with spring preload adjustment; 108 mm (4.3 in.) travel

Rear Suspension

Pro-Link® single shock with spring preload adjustment; 119 mm (4.7 in.) travel

Additional Information

Tires

Front: 120/70ZR-17 Rear: 160/60ZR-17

Brakes

Front: 320 mm single wavy hydraulic disc with two-piston caliper with 2-channel ABS Rear: 240 mm single wavy hydraulic disc with single-piston caliper with 2-channel ABS

Seat Height

785 mm (30.9 in.)

Wheelbase

1,410 mm (55.5 in.)

Curb Weight

192 kg (423 lbs.) including required fluids and full tank of gas—ready to ride

Fuel Capacity

16.7 Litres

Colour

Chromosphere Red, Matte Gunpowder Black

Warranty

12 months, unlimited mileage, freely transferable warranty; extended coverage available with Honda Plus

2018 Honda CB500F ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

TBA

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).