The Honda CBR500R brings genuine sports bike style to the A2 licence class, complete with aerodynamic winglets borrowed straight from the flagship CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. Where its CB500 Hornet stablemate goes naked, the CBR500R wraps the same underpinnings in a full sports fairing for a distinctly race-inspired stance that would not look out of place on a track day grid. It gives learner and A2 riders access to genuine sports bike theatre that was, until recently, reserved for much larger and far more expensive machines.
Its 471cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin, with a 67 x 66.8mm bore and stroke and 10.7:1 compression, produces 35kW at 8,600rpm and 43Nm of torque at 6,500rpm through a six-speed gearbox tuned for strong, accessible acceleration right through the rev range. An assisted slipper clutch smooths downshifts under braking, and Honda’s E-Clutch system is available for clutch-lever-free riding while keeping full manual control, useful when concentrating hard through a fast sequence of bends and not wanting one more thing to think about.
A steel diamond frame carries Showa 41mm SFF-BP upside-down forks and a Prolink monoshock with five-stage preload adjustment, while dual 296mm front discs with Nissin radial-mount four-piston calipers and a 240mm rear disc give sports bike-level stopping power well beyond what the class typically offers. With 130mm of ground clearance, a 1,410mm wheelbase, a kerb weight of 194kg and a 785mm seat height, it handles with the poise of a genuine sports machine rather than a learner-friendly compromise, tipping into corners with real precision. A slightly forward-leaning riding position over the tank adds to the sense of occasion without ever tipping into genuine discomfort on a longer ride.
A full colour TFT display with Honda RoadSync connectivity and HSTC traction control add real everyday usability alongside the track-day looks, while sharp, race-inspired bodywork and a 17.1 litre tank round out a package that looks every bit as serious as it rides. The CBR500R suits newer riders wanting genuine sports bike looks and performance within their licence limits, with room to grow as their skills develop. Available now at GT Motorcycles, your Honda dealer in Plymouth. We serve riders across Devon and Cornwall, with finance and test rides available.
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