Comments on: CBR500R Leads Charge as Honda Announces Three New 500s (Bike Reports) (News)

By: zx7Ramsay

zx7Ramsay — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:34:07 +0000

Honda always uses real weight (Battery, oil, full tank of fuel).

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 01:39:20 +0000

You’re right, it’s more like 65% that results in ~20% more power. I didn’t spent any time on the math- Whatever.. It’s still a $6k bike compared to a sub-$5k bike. Not the same ball park even if a similar game. The Ninja’s sales future is secure.

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By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:34:50 +0000

So you think it is worth the money? I’ll wait until I see it in person and hopefully ride it. But yes, looking at it on “paper” I do think it is a bit pricy for what you get. We’ll see though when it shows up…

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By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:30:44 +0000

300cc +20% is only 360cc…

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By: mike

mike — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 15:00:57 +0000

I have long thought that if the 1100 came, I would buy it. But thinking hard about these 500s–what a nice bike for the real world. yes, that statement is a cliche, but a nice smooth Honda engine in a rational, Goldilocks size . . . I think this bike will be a huge seller. I will likely take the R.

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By: Z1

Z1 — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 16:32:11 +0000

“Everything Old is New Again”

This reminds me of the ’60s, when Honda took one basic engine and platform (the 305cc twin) and made 3 top-selling models out of it. The CA77 Tourer, CB77 Super Sport and CL77 Scrambler.

It worked great then, but things were much simpler and more innocent in the M/C industry in those days. I hope it will work again, for both Honda’s and the industry’s sake. Something like this is just what has been needed, to bring the stratospheric prices and high-tech overkill back down to earth.

My concern is that the M/C magazines will turn their noses up at these new models, because most of their writers are such hard core high-perfomance enthusiasts (along with having a good helping of Honda-hatred/jealosy).

I think the good reception by the marketplace, and the magazines, of the CBR250R and CRF250L are pretty good indicators for these new 500′s success. In our industry’s dark time, with these new bikes Honda has definitely decided to light a candle instead of curse the darkness. It will be interesting to watch.

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By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 01:46:04 +0000

Only to impress readers. No one has ever ridden a “dry” bike.

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By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:43:07 +0000

425 lbs WET, what is the dry weight? Don’t they usually use dry weight?

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By: Joe Bar

Joe Bar — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:33:52 +0000

Gee, and I thought I was the only one.

These guys did it with the Kawasaki 500 engine, but they want a king’s ransom for one: http://rallytwin.com/

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By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 20:31:27 +0000

The R model will probably sell well. The X model will probably sell decent, and the F model probably won’t sell very well. Personally I like the X the best. But with respect to the three of them, I really like the fact that for a two-cylinder engine in this practical size, you can have it with a counter-balancer. It will likely be an unusually very smooth engine for engines of this size.

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