The sporty CBR500R
Above the CBR 500R, right the CB500F, main picture CB500X
slimmer, it also felt a bit more agile – these will make excellent commuters. The differences with the CB500X are subtle but well thought out. It gets a manually adjustable (by 40mm) screen, which the other bikes don’t have, a 10mm longer wheelbase (1420mm instead of 1410mm), and a 25mm higher seat than its siblings (810mm compared to 785mm).
It also gets an expected higher 170mm ground clearance (the R is 30mm lower while the F is 15mm lower).
At 196kg claimed kerb weight the X is two kilos heavier than the CBR-R and four kilos heavier than the CB-F, although this isn’t noticeable.
The X also gets a more touring appropriate 1.6 litres extra capacity, thanks to a larger 17.3 litre tank, which Honda says is
good for over a 290-mile range. Out on the snaking roads, the wide, unbraced, fairly spindly handlebars and the 20mm longer travel suspension lets you hurl the X comfortably into corners, and soaks up everything well on standard settings.
The more upright riding position is the most relaxed (and comfortable) out of the three 500s, and the X’s overall larger dimensions make it a decent choice for taller, larger riders, while the reasonable 810mm seat height still makes the bike accessible to shorter riders too. Top speed is the same as the
other 500s – around 115mph – but the taller screen makes higher speeds much more tolerable.
The X also has one degree more rake and 6mm more trail than its siblings, which translates to reassuring, stable handling -
The naked CBR500F
out of the three, the X feels the most substantial yet compact at the same time.
These new 500s hit the mark: they’re easy to ride yet still
enjoyable, practical, frugal, well priced, decent looking and should appeal to a big cross- section of riders after a true middleweight machine.
The ROAD 31
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