Took a CBR500R for a test ride.

It's everything a CBR-R shouldn't be, flat, unresponsive, dull. But the biggest problem by a long way is the engine, that needs a special mention. How Honda can take a 500cc twin and make it so bad is beyond comprehension. It must have taken some serious effort to make it so bad.

The CBR500-R is the modern day CB250, just packaged up as a sports bike. Anyone jumping off this onto something like a CBR600R is in for a shock and I think Honda have made a terrible mistake calling this a CBR never mind a CBR-R. I've ridden 125cc bikes that would destroy this thing.
 
No, the RR bikes are slightly more focussed versions of the R. That's not the issue though. This bike is not even in the same league as say a 90s CBR400. Hell even a 90s 250 baby blade would suck this in its air filter and blow it out as bubbles. They might as well call this a RR.
 
Ignoring the misleading name of the bike. The engine has just got nothing going for it, for what on paper should be at least half decent.
 
It's got very little low down and in the middle of the rev range. At about 6000 rpm it kind of starts to do something and then runs out of steam. For 500cc it's truly appalling considering Honda twins from the past. It could have had a problem, but I didn't notice any signs and it's a Honda twin possibly the most reliable engine known.

It feels to me that Honda had other plans for this bike, but at some point decided to make it a learner bike. Sitting on it, it feels like a proper bike and looks the part, but it very quickly becomes clear it's not a sport bike in any way and in no way should this be confused with a CBR. The CBR branding on the bike is just doesn't make any sense at all. If the bike was a 300cc, 120kg city commuter for £4000~ I could start to understand it.
 
I expected a bike with a little talent, but the CBR500R just a big capacity learner bike with a very flat engine. Just when you expect the engine to wake up it's spent. Really this bike should be a lot better for 5.5k
 
atpbx said:
I think a big problem is for anyone who has ridden a larger or more powerful bike for any length of time, is that the step down to these neutered learner bikes is, surprising to say the least.

Flat, emotionless, undramatic power delivery of their modest BHP, takes a bit of getting used to, and on first impressions for experienced riders is that they are incredibly boring and a bit rubbish.

The fact they are built for middle aged women, spotty oiks who have only just passed their test and people who are scared of their own shadows doesn't seem to register.
It's probably a very capable method of transport that's exiting as it needs to be for its target audience.
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Well just because you have been riding a big bike I don't think you then lose the ability to appreciate a smaller bike. The problem is why call this a CBR500R, use a 500cc twin that outputs 300cc power and make it rev like a single. Then we have have the 5500 price tag, thats way to much for whats on offer. The CBR500R is just a very odd bike.

Dogbreath said:
It's a middleweight commuter bike with a sporty looking fairing. No different to the GSX650F which replaced the 600 Bandit.
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I'm not sure thats a very good comparison.
 
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