Contents: Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications
Contents: Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications
2023 Honda CBR500R: RACING DNA INSIDE.
Introducing the 2023 Honda CBR500R…
The CBR500R has become a staple for riders looking for the excitement of a sportbike in a smaller package. Featuring aggressive CBR styling and a snappy, parallel-twin-cylinder engine, the lightweight CBR500R is a sensible fit for everyone from beginners looking for their first bike to veteran riders seeking a fun ride, as it delivers unmatched fun at an affordable price.
Sportbikes don’t have to cost five figures. At least not when you’re talking about a 2023 Honda CBR500R. Its twin-cylinder engine revs freely and produces plenty of torque, and it lets us keep the bike narrow and nimble too. The full-coverage bodywork looks like something right off the racetrack, and the suspension is top notch. Anti-lock brakes are standard, and so is some pretty impressive fuel efficiency. Best of all, the CBR500R is just plain fun to ride, whether you’re using it around town or carving up the canyons on the weekends.
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.
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.
2023 Honda CBR500R Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
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.
2023 Honda CBR500R Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
HISTORY
Fast, frugal, affordable and—most importantly—fun, Honda’s full-fairing CBR500R was originally launched in 2013, injecting a genuine sporting energy to its twin-cylinder “light middleweight” engine platform. Hugely popular with younger riders (often looking to move up from a smaller machine), the model instilled the excitement of sport-bike ownership into every ride yet also delivered sensible running costs, making it a great bike to commute through the working week and then enjoy on 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 sport 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.
Having proved its undoubted star quality, the CBR500R received additional improvements for the 2022 model year and is back again for 2023.
DESIGN / STYLING
The CBR500R gets its aggressive form from straight, wedge-like feature lines and extended lower fairings that emphasize a true sense of speed. The rider’s seat pad and seat unit—plus the upper and side fairings—are narrow to improve ergonomics and movement. Sharply chiseled dual LED headlights stare menacingly ahead, completing the all-LED look.
The view forward from the CBR500R’s cockpit is pure sport. The handlebars clip on beneath the new top triple clamp, resulting in a sporty riding position; the fairing is also set low in keeping with the “Total Control” design philosophy, a fundamental concept for Honda’s CBR range.
LCD instruments feature a Gear Position and Shift Up indicator; this is set to a default 8,750 rpm but can be adjusted in 250 rpm increments between 5,000 and 8,750 rpm.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
As before, the CBR500R’s light, strong 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, keep vibration to a minimum.
Maximizing all-around handling performance is a Showa 41mm inverted Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) fork with 4.7 inches of cushion stroke, held by new upper and lower triple clamps. By dividing the functions—Big Piston pressure separation damper in one leg, spring mechanism in the other—reaction and ride quality are optimized. (The four-cylinder CBR650R uses the same setup.)
The single-tube shock absorber (as found on larger-capacity sport bikes) has a large-diameter piston that ensures excellent response and temperature management; it features five-stage preload adjustment with an optimized spring rate and damping settings to match the fork. Rear-wheel travel is 4.7 inches.
The CBR500R features light wheels with five Y-shaped spokes. The front-wheel width is 3.5 inches with a 120/70-ZR17 tire, and the rear is 4.5 inches with a 160/60-ZR17 tire.
The swingarm is constructed from 2mm steel (rather than 2.3mm) and employs a hollow cross member. Stiff rotationally but flexible laterally, the swingarm delivers excellent handling.
Dual 296mm petal-style rotors and radial-mounted Nissin four-piston calipers are standard. The required lever pressure when braking is minimized, but the small disc size keeps weight low.
The CBR500R’s curb weight is 423 pounds (with all fluids and a full tank of fuel), and the 50.7/49.3 front/rear bias percentage promotes nimble handling and excellent front-end grip. Wheelbase is 55.5 inches, with rake and trail of 25.5°/4.0 inches (102mm).
Nimble responsiveness is what the CBR500R is all about, so the view forward from the cockpit is pure sports. The handlebars clip on beneath the top triple clamp, so the riding position is unmistakably aggressive; the fairing is also set low. Purposeful aluminum footpegs replace the previous rubberized parts, saving 3.7 ounces and offering maximum support for spirited riding. The compact front fender is taken from the CBR650R.
Sharply chiseled dual LED headlights, also inherited from the CBR650R, stare menacingly ahead with a wide volume of light emission, matching by LED indicators. LCD instruments feature a Gear Position and Shift Up indicator; this is set to a default 8,750 rpm but can be adjusted in 250 rpm increments between 5,000 and 8,750rpm.
Seat height is low at 31.1 inches, making the CBR500R very easy to manage, and its riding position comfortably accommodates riders of any height. Overall dimensions are 81.9 inches long x 30.1 inches wide x 45.1 inches high, with 5.1 inches ground clearance. The fuel tank holds 4.5 gallons, including reserve.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The CBR500R’s 471cc, eight-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 zippy top end. The engine’s overall performance and character belie its relatively small capacity. Acceleration is impressive, due to good low-to-midrange power and torque in the 3,000 to 7,000 rpm range.
Feeding the PGM-FI fuel injection is a relatively straight shot of airflow through the airbox and throttle bodies, and settings optimize torque feel and character without compromising performance. The exhaust muffler features dual exit pipes, giving a sporting edge to each pulse, as well as a rasping high-rpm howl.
Bore and stroke are set at 67mm x 66.8mm, with a compression ratio of 10.7:1; the crankshaft pins are phased at 180°, and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s center 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 hangers on the cylinder head. Internally, the 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, while exhaust-valve diameter is 21.5mm.
The piston shape is carefully designed to reduce noise at high rpm. Friction is minimized by striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area and introduces gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication). The “triangle” proportion of crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft is efficiently compact. The crankcases use 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 3.2 liters. The slick-shifting six-speed transmission is managed by an assist/slipper clutch.
One-year, transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with Honda Protection Plan.
Meets current EPA and CARB standards
California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment
PERFORMANCE
DOHC TWIN-CYLINDER ENGINE
Honda twins are famous for their versatility, and the CBR500R’s engine is one of our best. With good low-end horsepower and torque, the parallel twin offers accessible performance across a wide RPM range.
PROGRAMMED FUEL INJECTION (PGM-FI)
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. Programed fuel injectors increase power and torque in the midrange.
STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST
With a dual-outlet muffler that you need to hear for yourself, this beautifully polished stainless-steel exhaust is integrated with the rear footpeg set for clean, functional design. The exhaust tucks in tight for better mass centralization (and consequently better handling).
STYLE
SUPERSPORT STYLING
The CBR500R’s aggressive styling comes with two great color options (Grand Prix Red and Sword Silver Metallic), that keep it right at the front of the pack in terms of eye-appeal. The aerodynamic bodywork also provides significant advantages in air management for added rider comfort, along with a low drag coefficient and effective cooling.
ENGINEERING
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
Standard equipment on every 2023 CBR500R, anti-lock brakes (ABS) help you make confident stops under less-than-ideal conditions.
DIGITAL INSTRUMENTATION
An 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.
DISC BRAKES
The CBR500R features twin front disc brakes so you get strong, predictable stopping power. The front-brake lever is also adjustable for a perfect fit.
LED HEADLIGHTS
The CBR500R sports a pair of powerful LED headlights. They’re small and light, throw out an amazing amount of illumination, and feature a stylish shape. The design also increases the engine’s intake airflow.
SLIPPER/ASSIST CLUTCH
The slipper/assist clutch lets us lighten up the clutch-lever effort by 45 percent compared to previous systems, but automatically locks up tight when you release it.
SMOOTHER TRANSMISSION
Our engineers profiled the shift dogs in the transmission to help you get smoother shifts every time. You’ll never see these parts, but you’ll feel their effects.
LIGHT SWINGARM CONSTRUCTION
The CBR500R uses a swingarm that’s over two pounds lighter than the previous design, but is just as strong. It’s one of the reasons the entire Honda 500 family handles so well.
HANDLING
STEEL-TUBE FRAME
A motorcycle’s frame is the basis for its handling. The CBR500R’s diamond-shaped steel-tube mainframe connects to the engine with four mounts, offering a rock-solid foundation for a superior ride and handling.
UPSIDE-DOWN FORK
The CBR500R features an inverted-fork design that makes the front end much more rigid, for more precise steering input and feedback. The fork itself is a Showa Separate Function Fork–Big Piston (SFF-BP) design—one of the best in its class.
CAST WHEELS
Strong and stylish, the CBR500R’s aluminum wheels feature a five-spoke design. The light wheels improve handling and lessen wheel inertia too.
PRO-LINK® REAR SUSPENSION
The CBR500R features special shock settings for improved ride comfort. Its sophisticated chassis uses Honda Pro-Link® rear suspension to increase riding comfort and handling.
COMFORT
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 room for a passenger and is specially designed to fit a wide range of riders.
2023 Honda CBR500R – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $7,299 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $9,179 CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £6,599 GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
ENGINE
Engine Type 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke
Bore And Stroke 67.0mm x 66.8mm
Compression Ratio 10.7:1
Valve Train DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction PGM-FI with 34mm throttle bodies
DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission Six-speed
Final Drive O-ring-sealed chain; 15T/41T
CHASSIS SUSPENSION BRAKES
Front Suspension 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork; 4.3-inch travel
Rear Suspension Pro-Link® single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability; 4.7-inch travel
Front Brake Dual 295mm discs with four-piston calipers; ABS
Rear Brake Single 240mm disc, ABS
Front Tire 120/70R-17
Rear Tire 160/60-17
DIMENSIONS
Rake (Caster Angle) 25.5°
Trail 4.0 inches
Wheelbase 55.5 inches
Seat Height 31.1 inches
Curb Weight 423 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel)
Fuel Capacity 4.5 gallons
Miles Per Gallon
72 MPG – Honda fuel economy estimates are based on EPA exhaust emission
measurement test procedures and are intended for comparison purposes only. Your
actual mileage will 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.
OTHER
Model ID CBR500RA
Emissions Meets current EPA standards. California version meets current CARB standards and
may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.
Available Colors Grand Prix Red, Sword Silver Metallic
FACTORY WARRANTY INFORMATION
One Year Included Transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty
Optional Extended Extended coverage available with a HondaCare® Protection Plan
2023 Honda CBR500R – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details
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 DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery PGM-FI electronic fuel injection with 34 mm throttle bodies
Transmission Six-speed
Final Drive #520 chain (15T/41T)
Chassis & Suspension
Front Suspension 41 mm Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function- Big Piston front Fork) inverted fork; 108 mm (4.3 in) travel
Rear Suspension Pro-Link® single shock with spring preload adjustability; 119 mm ( 4.7 in.) travel
Additional Information
Tires Front: 120/70ZR-17
Rear: 160/60ZR-17
Brakes Front: Twin four-piston calipers with 296 mm discs
Rear: 240 mm disc
ABS System 2- channel
Seat Height 785 mm (30.9 in.)
Wheelbase 1,410 mm (55.5 in.)
Curb Weight 191 kg (421 lb.)
Fuel Capacity 17.1 litres
Colour Sword Silver Metallic
Warranty 12 months, unlimited mileage, freely transferable warranty; extended coverage available with Honda Plus
Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
