Riders who like the thrill of a sports bike but need something more manageable often choose the CBR500R. The lightweight CBR500R is an intelligent choice for anybody looking for a fun ride, from novices searching for their first bike to seasoned riders wanting something new. It has an aggressive CBR style and a quick, parallel-twin-cylinder engine.
It’s not necessary to spend a grand on a sports bike. Not if you own a 2023 Honda CBR500R, anyhow. The bike is small and agile because of its twin-cylinder engine, which revs effortlessly and generates much power. The full-coverage bodywork and high-quality suspension make it appear like it came straight off the track. Standard features include anti-lock brakes and respectable gas mileage. And whether you’re zipping about town or tearing through the canyons on the weekend, the CBR500R is a blast to ride.
Why race? We may make progress. It is standard procedure for us. The CBR500R is an A2 motorbike, but it is also a CBR in every respect. The fresh and aggressive aesthetic is sure to get your pulse racing. Confidence-inspiring suspension and braking upgrades complement a powerful twin-cylinder engine that revs at your command. If you’re ready to experience actual race-bred performance, here is where it all begins to heat up.
2023 Honda CBR500R Sports Motorcycle – Features and Specs
History
Honda’s full-fairing CBR500R was first introduced in 2013, bringing speed, efficiency, affordability, and pleasure to the company’s twin-cylinder “light middleweight” engine architecture. Younger riders (often upgrading from a smaller machine) loved this model because it brought the thrill of sport bike ownership to every ride while still providing reasonable operating expenses, making it ideal for both weekday commuting and weekend fun.
The CBR500R received an aggressive makeover in 2019 with a redesigned body and riding posture that highlighted a keener sport purpose, adding to the 2016 refresh that included sharper aesthetics and LED lighting along with improved front suspension. Improvements were also made to the engine, resulting in more powerful acceleration from a stop, a more noticeable surge from idle to redline, and a more prominent exhaust scream.
The CBR500R has returned for the 2023 model year with even more refinements since it debuted in 2022 and demonstrated its undeniable star status.
Design / Styling
Straight, wedge-like feature lines and expanded lower fairings give the CBR500R an aggressive appearance that conveys a genuine sensation of speed. The seat pad and unit, as well as top and side fairings, are slimmed down for better ergonomics and maneuverability. The piercing gaze of the twin LED headlights finishes off the all-LED design.
The perspective in the cockpit of the CBR500R is all about the sport. The “Total Control” design philosophy is central to Honda’s CBR line, and this is reflected in the bike’s low-mounted fairing and clip-on handlebars, which provide a dynamic riding posture.
The LCD gauges show the current gear and whether or not it is time to shift up; the indication starts at 8,750 rpm and may be changed in 250 rpm increments from 5,000 rpm to 8,750 rpm.
Chassis / Suspension
The CBR500R retains the previous model’s light and robust 35mm diameter steel diamond-tube mainframe, which has a calibrated degree of yield to provide enough input to the rider on the effects of varying road conditions. The frame’s stiffness balance, together with the engine mounts’ design and placement, help to reduce vibration to a minimum.
Showa’s 41mm inverted Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) fork including 4.7 inches of cushion stroke is kept in place by all new upper and lower triple clamps, resulting in optimal handling performance. With the Big Piston pressure separation damper in one leg and the spring mechanism in the other, the response time and comfort of the ride can be fine-tuned. (The CBR650R, with its four cylinders, employs the identical system.)
The single-tube shock absorber (typical of larger-capacity sport bikes) offers five-stage preload adjustment with spring rate and damping settings tuned to fit the fork. This design allows for good responsiveness and temperature control. Our rear wheels have 4.7 inches of travel.
The wheels of the CBR500R are lightweight and have five Y-shaped spokes. With a 120/70-ZR17 tire on the front wheels and a 160/60-ZR17 tire on the back, the front and rear wheel widths are 3.5 and 4.5 inches, respectively.
The hollow cross member and thinner 2mm steel provide for a lighter swing arm. The swing arm’s combination of rotational rigidity and lateral pliability makes for responsive steering.
Brake rotors are a standard 296 millimeters across, and four-piston calipers made by Nissin are placed radially. The compact disc size reduces the force needed to apply the brakes.
A 50.7/49.3 front/rear bias % encourages agile handling and excellent front-end grip on the CBR500R, which has a curb weight of 423 pounds (with all fluids and a full petrol tank). The wheelbase is 55.5 inches, the rake is 25.5 degrees, and the tail is 4 inches (102 millimeters).
With its focus on quick reactions, the CBR500R’s cockpit provides an authentic sports experience. The low placement of the fairing and clip-on handlebars give an aggressive riding stance. The rubberized foot pegs have been replaced with lightweight aluminum foot pegs, resulting in a weight savings of 3.7 ounces while still providing enough support for aggressive riding. The CBR650R is the source for the tiny front fender.
Dual LED headlights, also borrowed from the CBR650R, provide a menacing glow in front of the bike and are matched by LED turn signals. Gear Position and Shift Up indicators are available on LCD instruments, with a default of 8,750 rpm and a range of 5,000 to 8,750 rpm, adjustable in 250 rpm increments.
The CBR500R’s 31.1-inch seat height makes it extremely simple to control, and the bike’s standard riding posture suits riders of varying sizes. It is 81.9 inches in length, 30.1 inches in width, and 45.1 inches in height, and it has a ground clearance of 5.1 inches. There is a reserve capacity of 0.5 gallons in the gasoline tank.
Engine / Drivetrain
The CBR500R’s 471cc, eight-valve, liquid-cooled, parallel twin-cylinder layout strikes a nice mix between compact dimensions and a satisfying power level thanks to its lively, high-revving personality and brisk top end. The engine’s personality and performance are surprisingly robust, given its slight displacement. Low-to-midrange power and torque between 3,000 and 7,000 rpm contribute significantly to the excellent acceleration.
Settings enhance torque feel and character without sacrificing performance, and airflow is sent relatively directly to the PGM-FI fuel injection system through the air box and throttle bodies. The two exit pipes on the exhaust muffler provide a sporty note to every thump and produce a raspy high-rpm scream.
The bike features a compression ratio of 10.7:1, a bore and stroke of 67mm and 66.8mm, a crankshaft with pins phased at 180°, and a main couple-balancer behind the cylinders and near the bike’s center of gravity. The scissor gears used in the primary and balancer reduce vibration and noise. The engine can spin more freely and with less inertia thanks to the crank counterweight, which is lightweight and contoured for balance.
The engine’s four cylinder-head hangers perform the function of a stressed element, increasing the overall stiffness of the frame. The roller rocker arms used within the head are light thanks to the shim-type valve adjustment; this results in a decreased strain on the valve springs and less drag.
Vanadium coats the pins of a silent (SV Chain) cam chain, making it more resistant to wear and minimizing friction. Exhaust valves are 21.5mm in diameter, and inlet valves are 26.0mm.
High-speed operation is much quieter thanks to the specially shaped-piston. The piston skirt has been striated (a finish that improves surface area and provides holes through which oil may flow for improved lubrication) to reduce friction. The crankshaft, main shaft, and countershaft form an efficient “triangle” size. The crankcases include thin-walled sleeves cast in a centrifugal process to mitigate pumping losses caused by a 180° phased firing sequence. The oil volume is 3.2 liters, and a deep sump helps contain it during sharp turns and stops. An assist/slipper clutch controls the six-speed gearbox with smooth shifts.
2023 Honda CBR500R Sports Motorcycle – Price
The new 2023 Honda CBR500R Sports Motorcycle is available at $7,299.
2023 Honda CBR500R Sports Motorcycle – Technical Specifications
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 solo shock including 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 |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.5 gallons |
| Miles Per Gallon | 72 |
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 is available including a HondaCare Protection Plan |
