2025 Honda CB500F Hornet Evaluation | LAMS Motorbike Take a look at

Honda CB500F Hornet Evaluation

Fairly the little charmer this one. The CB500F has lengthy been a favorite right here amongst all of us at MCNews.com.au. And now its continued evolution sees it be part of the Hornet household, alongside the terrific CB750 Hornet we examined again in mid-2023 (crikey time flies!).

The headline story with the transfer to the ‘Hornet’ household for the CB500 will be summarised as follows:

• A delicate however efficient styling replace for extra aggressive appears and higher aerodynamics
• Introduction of the brand new five-inch TFT display with Honda’s Flip By Flip Nav and Bluetooth connectivity by way of an app
• Up to date switch-gear together with the introduction of TC by way of Honda’s ‘Selectable Torque Management’
• Some tweaks to the mapping for improved acceleration

Now at 47 horsepower or 35 kw relying on which language you favor, I’m not capable of name out a noticeable distinction in efficiency over the outdated mannequin. I’d have to run them again to again and even then I believe I’d be struggling. However what I can inform you is that the little 471 cc parallel-twin stays simply as endearing and prepared as ever.

The fuelling tweaks apparently open up the underside finish slightly extra whereas additionally permitting it to rev extra freely all through the rev vary. I can definitely vouch for the truth that fuelling stays fairly nicely spot on. Energy is clean and inspiring. Doesn’t appear to have any dips or noticeable flat spots. The staff have achieved a great job right here.

Actually. When speaking the bike over with Rob on the shoot, it turned apparent that this bike jogged my memory lots of some Hondas of outdated. In a great way. A good way even.

I’ll throw my hand within the air and be the primary to confess I will be fairly choosy at instances on something that I see as ‘not-quite-finished’. Or a bit underdone in some areas. It frustrates me after I see a motorbike that’s 95 per cent nice, solely to be then let down by one or two apparent shortcomings. Suspension that’s underdone or mapping that’s not fairly proper, for instance.

Not so within the case of the latest Hornet. The bike lives as much as what I anticipate from a Honda. It’s bloody good at every thing. Not essentially with a selected standout function, simply… actually properly designed with a construct high quality to match.

A few of my very own favorite bikes have fallen into that bucket. My outdated CBR600F4i definitely wasn’t the sharpest Supersport on the time, however it was an epically good highway bike. And arrange nicely, with a spirited rider, they might be punted alongside greater than rapidly sufficient for the highway. I made some distinctive reminiscences on that bike.

However let’s get again onto the little 500 earlier than I get carried away reminiscing.

So the engine is a pearler. The gearbox, is often Honda firm-from-new however will little doubt loosen up properly over time. Shifts cleanly and I had no missed gears in any respect. The slipper clutch being available to assist preserve issues sorted when banging down cogs with some enthusiasm.

Dealing with too stays a powerful level. It carries over the identical 41 mm USD Huge Piston forks from Showa that had been up to date a few years again, which stay glorious for this variant. Along with the preload adjustable rear shock the bike is de facto properly balanced entrance to rear and ever-so-easy to experience.

Tremendous confidence-inspiring, intuitive dealing with proper within the goldilocks zone. Not too gradual or too sharp. Not too agency or too mushy. It feels sorted. I reckon they’ve acquired this one about bang on.

Styling-wise I feel the brand new updates work rather well too. I didn’t thoughts the outgoing styling however the newest replace undoubtedly appears extra polished. Less complicated. Sharper. Extra outlined. Just a little sportier.

These stacked LED headlights are fairly rattling good too. Excessive beam will get my ‘that’s a ok unfold to identify roos’ tick of approval.

You possibly can even see the work that was put into the OEM equipment with the rear baggage rack for instance. The way in which that tube runs up and matches the strains of the bike. Like lots of elements on this bike, it’s simply… good.

Consolation-wise the CB500 feels noticeably lighter when lifting off the facet stand in comparison with the CB650R I simply dropped again. That shocked me truly because it’s fairly noticeable. With a kerb weight of 188 kg versus the E-clutch fitted CB650R at 207 kg – that distinction felt even bigger than these numbers recommend, which tells me that the bike holds its weight fairly centrally.

In amongst the morning grind to work, it slices by way of site visitors just like the cliched sizzling knife. Filtering between lanes with ease and confidence. And out on the open highway it doesn’t really feel misplaced both. The seating place is pretty impartial and relaxed with wind directed at your chest so there aren’t any buffeting points available.

The seat is cozy too – my 90-odd minute commute is completed simply sufficient with out getting a sore freckle. However just like the final one, I dunno if most riders would wish to be spending six hour days touring. Doable I’m certain, however that’s not the intent right here.

The updates to the sprint and switch-gear are in step with the remainder of the present CB line-up and are a noticeable step ahead from the outgoing mannequin switch-gear that on reflection appears slightly chunky. And now the bike has a pleasant little TC on/off button. Nonetheless, I’m unsure how a lot use that may get on a motorbike with slightly below 50 horsepower to be truthful.

The brand new sprint is simple to make use of and permits Bluetooth integration and switch by flip Nav, although I wasn’t capable of set the readout to point out distance to empty reasonably than journey meter (as I might on the CB650R).

I used to be capable of get nicely over 400 km out of the 17.1 L tank although, that engine is definitely frugal. Which might be the opposite key callout right here. Low value of possession.

These smaller capability road bikes are so good in that regard. Nice as an entry degree bike for a newbie, simply nearly as good as a ‘second’ bike alongside a sportsbike or journey bike – one thing to make use of as a commuter or all-rounder.

There’s a good bit to love actually. Which is why this entire phase is operating sizzling proper now. This one is unquestionably up there with the perfect.

Sub ten grand experience away represents glorious worth, even more-so with the anticipated typical Honda construct high quality. Add to that an entire bunch of fine high quality equipment obtainable just like the display, tank bag and rear baggage as proven right here and its an awesome proposition.

I feel that is nonetheless my favorite of the present LAMS Hondas. Glorious.

Honda CB500 Hornet Hits:

• That little 471 cc twin cylinder engine is as charming as ever.
• The brand new styling actually hits the mark, less complicated, extra trendy, barely extra aggressive.
• Outstanding worth at beneath ten grand for this construct high quality.

Honda CB500 Hornet Misses:

• Distance to empty on the sprint can be good.
• Nope. That’s it. I wouldn’t change a factor. Not for sub ten huge ones.’

Head to the Honda Bikes Australia web site to search out your native vendor, or localised pricing.

Honda CB500 Hornet Specs

Honda CB500 Hornet Photographs