2022 Honda CBR500R ABS Guide

2022 Honda CBR500R ABS: RACING DNA INSIDE.

Introducing the 2022 Honda CBR500R ABS…

Why race? To improve. It’s what we’ve always done. And this is why; the CBR500R is an A2 motorcycle – but also every square millimetre a CBR. Aggressive styling and new graphics lift heartbeats. A twin-cylinder engine that spins hard at your command and upgraded suspension and brakes that will fill you with confidence. If you’re ready to step up to real race-bred performance, the adrenaline rush starts here.

Honda’s pocket rocket receives major performance-focussed improvements led by Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks, dual disc front brakes and radial-mount calipers. Front tyre grip is heightened with more forward weight bias; handling is further improved by the new swingarm, which is lighter with more lateral flex. The rear shock has new settings to complement the new forks. Redesigned wheels and a lighter radiator save more weight and new fuel injection settings improve engine character. More powerful headlight LEDs offer greater visibility.

Fast, frugal, affordable and – most importantly – fun, Honda’s fully-faired CBR500R, launched in 2013 alongside the naked CB500F and adventure-styled CB500X, injects a genuine sporting energy to its twin-cylinder ‘light middleweight’ trio.

Hugely popular with younger riders looking to move up from a smaller machine with more than 50% of owners under the age of 30, the CBR500R instils the excitement of sports bike ownership into every ride yet also delivers sensible running costs, making it a great bike to both commute through the working week and enjoy at the weekend.

In 2016 the CBR500R assumed sharper styling and LED lighting to go with updated front suspension; in 2019 it got an even more aggressive makeover, with a new form and riding position that outlined a keener sporting intent. Developments were also applied to the engine for stronger performance off the bottom, a distinctive surge through the rev range to the redline and more distinctive exhaust howl. It gained EURO5 compliance in 2020.

Having proved its undoubted star quality alongside its siblings, for its 2022 year model it receives a major suspension upgrade in the form of high-quality Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks, plus dual front discs, new lightweight wheels and swingarm and other detail updates including a striking new colour.

Alongside engine changes such as revised fuel injection settings and a new lighter radiator,  the chassis benefits from the addition of Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks, dual Nissin radial mount two-piston calipers biting 296mm discs, lighter-weight 5-spoke wheels and redesigned swingarm – for improved high-speed handling and braking. Weight bias also moves fractionally forward for enhanced front tyre grip and feel.

Styling is updated with a new front mudguard, inherited from the CBR650R, and sporty aluminium footpegs are also now standard fit. As before, LCD instruments feature a Shift Up and Gear Position function and all lighting is premium LED; the new headlight, also inherited from the CBR650R, now spreads a broader beam.

The 2022 CBR500R will be available in the following colour options:

Grand Prix Red

Matt Gunpower Black Metallic **NEW for 2022**

2022 Honda CBR500R ABS Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

• New 41mm Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks
• New dual 296mm discs matched to Nissin radial mount two-piston calipers
• Lighter weight wheels and swingarm, plus aluminium footpegs
• Weight bias further forward for enhanced front end grip
• New headlight inherited from the CBR650R
• Lively twin-cylinder powerplant delivers usable power and torque across the rev-range, plus sporty sound from its dual-exit muffler
• New PGM-FI settings improve torque feel and character
• New radiator design more stylish and lighter
• Assist/slipper clutch eases upshifts and manages downshifts
• Homologated for EURO5

New Lightweight Wheels & Swingarm
New wheels now use a 5-spoke pattern and save un-sprung weight – which makes for razor-fast side-to-side steering – while the swingarm is also a new, lighter weight high-performance design.

Thrillng Twin-Cylinder Power
This engine is born to perform. With optimised ECU settings it offers responsive mid-range torque for impressive acceleration out of corners, and a rush to the redline guaranteed to excite.

Sporty LCD Instrument Display
For spirited riding the negative LCD dash presents the information you need instantly, and includes Gear Position and customisable Shift Up indicators.

Aggressive Super Sports Styling & New Graphics
Have no doubt. The CBR500R is sharp. Drawn heavily from our racing DNA, the aggressive fairing incorporates aerodynamic winglets and wears new, race-inspired colours and graphics.

New Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD Forks
We’ve given the CBR500R a major upgrade. New Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork-Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks provide excellent control and feel for sports riding, especially on turn-in and braking from high speeds.

New Dual Front Disc Brakes With Radial Mount Calipers
New, dual 296mm discs and two-piston Nissin radial mount calipers deliver strong, progressive braking power with no more inertia than a single disc – so you can manoeuvre faster.

New Lightweight Wheels & Swingarm
New wheels now use a 5-spoke pattern and save un-sprung weight – which makes for razor-fast side-to-side steering – while the swingarm is also a new, lighter weight high-performance design.

Thrillng Twin-Cylinder Power
This engine is born to perform. With optimised ECU settings it offers responsive mid-range torque for impressive acceleration out of corners, and a rush to the redline guaranteed to excite.

Sporty LCD Instrument Display
For spirited riding the negative LCD dash presents the information you need instantly, and includes Gear Position and customisable Shift Up indicators.

Aggressive Super Sports Styling & New Graphics
Have no doubt. The CBR500R is sharp. Drawn heavily from our racing DNA, the aggressive fairing incorporates aerodynamic winglets and wears new, race-inspired colours and graphics.

New Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD Forks
We’ve given the CBR500R a major upgrade. New Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork-Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks provide excellent control and feel for sports riding, especially on turn-in and braking from high speeds.

New Dual Front Disc Brakes With Radial Mount Calipers
New, dual 296mm discs and two-piston Nissin radial mount calipers deliver strong, progressive braking power with no more inertia than a single disc – so you can manoeuvre faster.

MOVING UP
Maybe this is your first sports bike. Or perhaps you’re an expert rider looking for the focused thrill of a smaller machine. Either way, the CBR500R opens up possibilities. It unlocks the city with its compact size and shows true sporting edge on twisting back roads. And it responds, always instantly to every steering input and twist of throttle. Live life in the moment for the moment. This is the CBR500R.

A CBR Is Always Something Special
CBR. Three very special letters. They’re not merely applied, either. They have to be earned. Which the CBR500R does, thanks to the sports-focused design which incorporates fairing winglets to improve high-speed aerodynamics. The riding position is aggressive, with handlebars clipped-on below the top yoke and new aluminium rear-set footpegs that put you effortlessly in a racing tuck. If it looks fast, it is fast, they say. And looking at the CBR500R, with its stunning new paint and graphics, we couldn’t agree more.

Explore Incredible Handling Precision
That set of twisties ahead? Own them. All of them. Own every late turn-in point, apex and corner exit. New Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks separate damping from spring and give supple response, especially braking from speed with fingertip feel for front tyre grip. The Showa rear shock has revised damping to match, while new lightweight wheels and swingarm – plus more forward-set weight bias – sharpen handling even further.

Enjoy Every Twist Of The Throttle
If this is your first A2 motorcycle what a place to start. The 8-valve, liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine produces 35kW @ 8,600rpm with peak torque of 43Nm @ 6,500rpm. It’s free-spinning, hugely enjoyable, very addictive and comes complete with a thrilling howl through the exhaust as you chase redline. And, just like its larger CBR siblings, an Assist/Slipper clutch eases upshifts through the six-speed gearbox and manages rear wheel lock-up on hard down changes.

For A High Quality Ride
The CBR500R draws attention, wherever it goes. Chiselled dual LED headlights stare menacingly and throw out a wider volume of light, opening up vision at night. They’re matched by LED indicators and tail light. Negative LCD instruments feature a speedo, bar graph rev-counter, dual trip meters, fuel level/consumption gauge and Gear Position indicator. There’s also a Shift Up indicator, which is set to 8,750rpm, but ­can be adjusted in 250rpm increments.

2022 Honda CBR500R ABS Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Chassis & Styling

Light, strong and unchanged for 2022 the 35mm diameter steel diamond-tube mainframe has a tuned degree of yield that gives plenty of feedback to the rider as road surfaces change. The shape and position of the engine mounts, plus the frame’s rigidity balance, also keep vibration to a minimum.

Immediately obvious is a brand-new front end set-up. With the aim to heighten sports handling performance the 41mm telescopic forks of the previous design have been replaced by Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks, clamped by new top and bottom yokes. By dividing the functions – Big Piston pressure separation damper in one leg, spring mechanism in the other – reaction and ride quality are both improved. The four-cylinder CBR650R wears the exact same set-up.

In a further effort to improve the ride quality, the 22YM CBR500R features new lighter wheels with 5 Y-shaped spokes rather than the 6 of the previous model. The front wheel width remains 3.5inch with a 120/70-ZR17 tyre and the rear 4.5inch with 160/60-ZR17 tyre.

A redesigned swingarm also shaves grams; it’s now constructed from 2mm steel (rather than 2.3mm) and employs a hollow cross member and crisply redesigned chain guard. Stiffer rotationally, the new swingarm is also more flexible laterally to improve handling. The single-tube rear shock absorber (as found on larger capacity sports bikes) with its large-diameter piston ensures excellent response and temperature management; it features 5-stage preload adjustment with spring rate and damping settings optimised to match the forks.

In line with the dynamic improvements to the chassis and suspension, the braking performance has also been improved. The single 320mm and two-piston caliper front brake from the previous model has been replaced by dual 296mm discs and Nissin radial-mount, two-piston calipers. The introduction of the smaller discs not only keeps any additional weight gain to a minimum, but also reduces the required pressure on the lever when braking.

The new CBR500R weighs in at 192kg and places slightly more weight on the front wheel to promote more nimble handling and improve front end grip: front/rear bias percentage is now 50.7/49.3, compared to 50.1/49.9 of the previous version. Wheelbase remains 1410mm with rake and trail of 25.5°/102mm.

And nimble responsiveness is what the CBR500R is all about. The view forward from the cockpit is pure sports. The handlebars clip on beneath the top yoke and as a result the riding position is unmistakably aggressive; the fairing is also set low. Purposeful aluminium footpegs replace the previous rubberised parts; between the pair they save 104g and offer maximum support for more spirited riding. The compact front mudguard is drawn from the CBR650R.

New sharply-chiselled dual LED headlights, inherited from the CBR650R, stare menacingly ahead with a wider volume of light emission, matching by LED indicators. LCD instruments feature a Gear Position and Shift Up indicator; this is set to a default 8,750rpm but can be adjusted in 250rpm increments between 5-8,750rpm.

Seat height is low at 785mm, making the CBR500R very easy to manage and its riding position comfortably accommodates riders of any height. Overall dimensions are 2080mm x 760mm x 1145mm, with 130mm ground clearance.

The fuel tank holds 17.1L including reserve and combined with the engine’s excellent 3.5L/100km (28.6km/litre) fuel economy, gives a range of over 485km.

Engine

The 22YM CBR500R’s A2-licence friendly 471cc, 8-valve liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder layout offers a well-proportioned balance of physical size and willing, enjoyable power output, with an energetic, high-revving character and zappy top end. The 2019 upgrades created faster acceleration through a 4% boost in low-to-mid-range power and torque in the 3-7,000rpm range. It’s very much an engine whose overall performance and character belie its relatively small capacity. Peak power of 35kW arrives at 8,600rpm, with 43Nm torque delivered at 6,500rpm.

Feeding the PGM-FI fuel injection is a more-or-less straight shot of airflow through the airbox and throttle bodies and for the 2022 year model, new settings improve torque feel and character without compromising performance. The exhaust muffler features dual exit pipes, giving a sporting edge to each pulse, and a rasping high-rpm howl. A new more aesthetically pleasing radiator design contributes a 100g weight saving, with no loss of cooling efficiency.

Bore and stroke are set at 67mm x 66.8mm and compression ratio is 10.7:1; the crankshaft pins are phased at 180° and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s centre of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia.

Acting as a stressed member, the engine complements the frame’s rigidity with four frame hangers on the cylinder head. Internally the cylinder head uses roller rocker arms; shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, for lower valve-spring load and reduced friction.

A silent (SV Chain) cam chain has the surface of its pins treated with Vanadium, reducing friction with increased protection against wear. Inlet valve diameter is 26.0mm with exhaust valve diameter of 21.5mm.

Piston shape is carefully designed to reduce piston ‘noise’ at high rpm. Friction is reduced by striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area, introducing gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication). The ‘triangle’ proportion of crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft is efficiently compact. The crankcases uses centrifugally cast thin-walled sleeves; their internal design reduces the ‘pumping’ losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. A deep sump reduces oil movement under hard cornering and braking; oil capacity is 3.2L.The slick-changing six-speed gearbox is managed by an assist/slipper clutch.

Accessories

A range of Genuine Honda Accessories are available for the CBR500R. They include:

35L top box

Rear carrier

Tank bag

Seat bag

High smoke windscreen

Heated grips

12V/USB Type-C sockets

Seat Cowl

Wheel Stripes

Tank Pad

2022 Honda CBR500R ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: from $ USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £  GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

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2022 Honda CBR500R ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

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2022 Honda CBR500R ABS – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details

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