At Honda, which does not launch in 2013 less than three motorcycles of 500 Cm3, the true rolled averages are of return! First variation with the test on bikescatalog the Honda CB500F, replacing popular CB 500. Will look of CB 1000 R, engine cut for the licenses A2, the roadster allure the new arrivals on the segment motorcycle? Does it share the DNA of the old CB 500? All our answers are here!
“We wish you a happy year … and safe day”! Thus Paul Mowers, from staff Honda Motor Europe, concluded the press conference preceding our first gallop by test to the handlebar by the news Honda CB500F 2013. It should be said that the climate which reigns in the north of Spain is not with the party this weekend.
The sun is with us, it is already that, but the freezing temperatures, snow-covered precipitations fallen before the day and the glaze obliged the Japanese manufacturer to modify his plans for the presentation of its new roadster of rolled average. The new Honda CB 500 intended for the beginners wants to be very easy and also equipped with ABS in series, but it does not matter: Maximum security announces the manufacturer! As a result, not of large strolls in the heights of the Catalan area, as envisaged. Direction the road of the seaside, between Tarragona and Barcelona, a route where the quality of the bitumen is remarkable and the small turns legions.
The paradise of the two-wheeled vehicles to some extent! Yes, except that the tortuous layout also allures the not-motorized two-wheeled vehicles, “curiously” come of number in this beginning Sunday day! To bring back beautiful photographs for you, to slalom between our friendly cyclists and the few cars wedged behind cotton is thus announced!
A catch in obvious hand
Here is for the little story, which is not without us to distress somewhat before our departure, let us concede it. Fortunately, it is an announced motorcycle as particularly reassuring that Honda reveals today. Because the old such Honda CB 500, Honda CB500F the year 2013 is addressed directly to the young licenses.
And to allure the award-winnings of the new motorbike license European, famous A2, in addition to the fact of having equipped the roadster of a mechanics developing the maximum power with 35 kW (that is to say 48 horses, the maximum authorized by the new legislation), Honda also endeavored to return its catch in obvious hand. Installed on the comfortable saddle of our model of test, not very high (it is placed at 790 mm of the ground) and indented well at its base, it is easy to note that the manufacturer respected these specifications perfectly.
Admittedly, one finds levers (non adjustable) a little too moved away, but the handlebar is located at a good height and the position of control of most natural than it is. On board this Honda CB500F, all the gauges are welcome, however in the presence of footrests placed slightly behind and a tiny bit too high with our taste, with in more impossibility of moving back itself well on the saddle, the pilots of more than 1,80m (such your servant) will feel a little with narrow on this motorcycle with the compact gauge.
Nobody will be surprised!
Nostalgia when you hold us! Motorcycle of the license for some, contestant sharpened for others, the evocation of the old Honda CB 500 wakes up a certain tenderness on behalf of those which already had its handlebar between the hands. Known for its reliability like its economic aspects, the CB 500 of the Nineties ‘ S often remembers to us for his lucid side, a specific characteristic to its mechanics “punchy” of 58 horses (with 9,500 tr/min).
While making “crack” the new Honda CB500F 2013, monotonous chant of the fixed twin-cylinder with 180° obliges, the sound resemblance to the old one is in statics of most pleasant with the ear. Limps show smoothness and the selection of precision. The answer to the accelerator is immediate and the delivered power in a progressive way, nobody will be surprised. Contrary to the twin-cylinder of 700 Cm3 equipping the triplets with NC 700, the couple is less, but the beach of larger use.
Downtown, the new Honda line entry evolves without jolts, since the bar of the 3,000 turns is crossed. Ultra linear, the engine tames down quickly, a positive point even if one feels some unpleasant vibrations to the level of the saddle when ` it titillates the 7,000 tr/min. Insofar as one is generally located on intermediate modes in urban environment that is hardly awkward.
On the other hand, when one evolves on the motorway axes to 130 km/h (on the 6th report the engine precisely turns to 7,000 tr/min), these vibrations prove to be tiring on the long run. Passed this course, they disappear, then making it possible to benefit from reasonable lengthening-piece. We record a speed before interrupter (with 9,300 tr/min) of 185 km/h meter.
You will have understood it; new block 500 of the Honda manufacturer is less conclusive than its predecessor. Is the CB 500 version 2013 for less pleasant controlling as much? The most irritated among us will answer by the positive one, perhaps, but the sporting character of the basic model does not do all.
The Honda CB500F has many arguments indeed, in phase with its time. Already, this new version remains always also homogeneous and balanced well. Although rather flexible, in particular of front, its suspensions are of good invoice and ensure much progressiveness, therefore comfort. On supported breaking, the fork is inserted reasonably, the motorcycle remaining perfectly online. Its handling and its stability are strong points, of what always to feel at ease on its wheels and this some is the level of piloting.
Allied of the daily newspaper, because of its weight and its compactness, the Honda CB500F 2013 shines for its handiness at low speed, then its agility and its ease to change angle on minor sinuous roads. In this case of figure, we also appreciated the feeling offered by its goes up pneumatic, Metzeler Z8 Interact, of the envelopes which were pointed out besides at the time of our comparative last tire on the category sport GT
Line entry equipped well
Destiny initially to allure the new arrivals, the news Honda CB500F also makes headlight flashes with most pragmatic and sparing “rolls-always”. Impossible to check it for the moment, but Honda announces reliability comparable with that of the old CB500. And an extremely interesting sobriety! With 3.7 l/100 km in mode WMTC, and an average of 4.3 l/100 km announced by the computer of edge at the end of our day of test, the new Honda CB500F 2013 is indeed little greedy while carburizing and proves less harmful as a result towards the environment.
As regards equipment, it has other arguments. Its compact digital meter is readable, even in its upper part devoted to the driving mode. Equipped with a clock and a computer of edge informing amongst other things about average consumption, its practical aspects are not in rest.
ABS is provided of series. Under the saddle passenger there is place for a theft protection device U of small size. With the right control unit, hazard lights are actuated of a fast flick of the inch. The passenger, as for him, has broad handles and against the flight, the new Honda CB500F is equipped with a key with transponder. Only finally the deployment of its side crutch appeared not very practical to us.
Note that our motorcycles of test were equipped with the new heating handles Honda. Thicker from only 1 mm compared to the handles of origin, they have a button of setting in motion directly installed on the left handle. Practical, yes but not given: The kit of fixing and the beam, take into account a little more than 400 €.
Assessment: Announced success!
To make its Honda CB500F the “first large motorcycle” of the award-winning to the new motorbike license A2, Honda proposes with final machine which seems it answers the expectations of the market. Such late the old CB500, it is economic, reassuring in dynamics and presents remarkably well. With its beautiful manufacturing and its look of “baby CB1000R”, recognizable with its preparing of headlight, its scoops or the line of the back part, the Honda CB500F 2013 is indeed well far from making motorcycle with the discount.
It is heard, because of its driving character, it is shown less amusing that old the 500. Nevertheless, on this crenel which it gives to the last style, that of the true rolled averages, the CB500F does not miss qualities. It also has a rate which, if it is not “to fall” – in the presence of the NC 700, one imagined the ticket of entry on range 500 lower than 5,000 €) – does not remain gravitational about it with 5,590 €, ABS understood. Not bad!
