This Bike is especially for the beginners who want to take benefits of track and good rolled average, Honda proposes the Honda CBR500R 2013. Do sporting careenage, half-handlebar and look learnedly studied to play affiliations with more sharpened big sisters, this innovation 2013 seem relevant on paper… but what worth is in the heat of the action? The answer is here.
Adopting in its turn the strategy of new well-known platform in the Japanese constructor – recently on models NC 700, the new CB500F Honda also proposes in two other variations.
A first model called X, kind of road minis-trail to the look of NC700X but also sporting carrying high the glorious denomination racing of the brand: the Honda CBR500R. If the CB500X will be the object of a new presentation running April 2013, small sporting the general public was revealed to us at the same time as the basic roadster last weekend.
Taking into account our program quite charged – we tested two motorcycles in the same day but also of the unfavorable climatic conditions having prevented Honda from taking along us on track – the time spent on the saddle of most sporting of the new Honda 500 was short… but intense! Of what already to draw from invaluable lesson of this first tests Honda CBR500R 2013, which we deliver to you as of now.
Cut for the small gauges
Let us not beat about the bush, even if this one is magnificently carried out in its white color sport way HRC replica. Insofar as the Honda CBR500R 2013 is a CB500F equipped with a careen-age, one thus finds here the same height of saddle (790 mm) returning this sporting of pocket quite as accessible as the basic roadster. However, behind the head of fork to the design nicely carried out, the orders differ.
Exit the flat handlebar and places this time at half-handlebars installed on a new higher t-piece. Low of 49 mm than on the version F, more curved also about forty millimeters, they induce a position of control more rocked forwards. But the sporting one remaining quite as compact as the roadster, few possibilities are offered to the pilots of large gauge to move back itself.
Also, in configuration sport, the footrests which we find slightly too high and too behind on the model F, appear to us now not moved back enough on the “R”. “To discover the universe of the sporting motorcycle”, dixit the Honda press kit, it is largely sufficient, certainly. But for really filing rest-foot “one track”, a small budget equipment will be thus to envisage to perfect the position of control and/or the ground clearance.
Perfectible protection
The track is not however with the agenda since it is on road that we test the news Honda CBR500R 2013. Launched on the Spanish Main roads swept by strong winds, we can from the start mention the protection offered by the careen-age. If its drawing is as pretty as its finally effective sides, one cannot say as much the too small bubble of it, more especially as large gauges cannot be moved back too much on the saddle to lean ahead and to better shelter.
Thus Without surprise, the head and high of the body undergo the pressure of the air. Nevertheless, the addition of a higher bubble to unearth in the Honda catalog, or of a reference to S curve in a recognized accessories supplier, should allow stage this tare and transform this pretty motorcycle into pleasant and devoted road.
Easy!
Because it’s with flexible fork and its very progressive shock absorber, the Honda CBR500R 2013 plays the card of comfort indeed. And as the Honda motor mechanic equipped this machine with a not very greedy twin-cylinder online while carburizing, the 400 kilometers of autonomy promised by the data sheet are of good omen to travel in all quietude, even with the long course.
Only or to two besides, because for a motorcycle of this category the reception of the passenger is rather good, thanks to the footrests positioned low, base not too narrow and the broad handles.
On the dynamic level, one finds obviously qualities and the defects of the Honda CB500F. In addition to its catch in easy hand and its weight contained (194 kg all full facts, according to the manufacturer), Honda CBR500R 2013 as homogeneous as is balanced for a daily use. Admittedly, its driving character is less lucid than on late the old (and become mythical) CB 500, however the services are honest for one firstly-reaching.
Not really torque, the engine is characterized more by its broad beach from exploitation. With more supports on the half-handlebars than on F, the fork plunges a little too much on supported breaking. The placement in curve is however easy and the heading hold on the good angle.
Assessment: More road than sporting
More than one real sporting, Honda CBR500R 2013 is general-purpose road intended for reaching for the A2 category of the new motorbike license European.
With its handlebar, the latter will feel a great confidence and will be able to sharpen their style of piloting on a simple, fine and light motorcycle, forgiving much. Without showing itself very rigorous, its cycle part appears reassuring, Honda proposing even braking ABS of series for even more serenity.
The whole with a rate of 5,990 € appearing to us interesting for a machine with the look and the remarkable manufacturing. Because even if there exists a CBR250R (sold 3,990 €) to initiate itself with the sport spirit, on the Honda CB500R the upgrading capabilities are vaster and the transport of an easier passenger.
