2025 Honda CB500F Hornet Review | LAMS Motorcycle ...

Honda CB500F Hornet Overview

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 tested again in mid-2023 (crikey time flies!).

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

• A refined however efficient styling replace for extra aggressive appears to be like and higher aerodynamics
• Introduction of the brand new five-inch TFT display screen with Honda’s Flip By Flip Nav and Bluetooth connectivity through an app
• Up to date switch-gear together with the introduction of TC through 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 previous mannequin. I’d have to run them again to again and even then I think 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 actually vouch for the truth that fuelling stays fairly effectively spot on. Energy is clean and inspiring. Doesn’t appear to have any dips or noticeable flat spots. The group have accomplished a great job right here.

The truth is. When speaking the bike over with Rob on the shoot, it turned apparent that this bike jogged my memory a whole lot of some Hondas of previous. In a great way. An effective way even.

I’ll throw my hand within the air and be the primary to confess I might 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 motorcycle 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 most recent Hornet. The bike lives as much as what I count on from a Honda. It’s bloody good at all the things. Not essentially with a selected standout characteristic, 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 previous CBR600F4i actually wasn’t the sharpest Supersport on the time, however it was an epically good highway bike. And arrange effectively, 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 usually Honda firm-from-new however will little question 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 Massive 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 basically properly balanced entrance to rear and ever-so-easy to trip.

Tremendous confidence-inspiring, intuitive dealing with proper within the goldilocks zone. Not too gradual or too sharp. Not too agency or too gentle. It feels sorted. I reckon they’ve received 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 positively appears to be like extra polished. Less complicated. Sharper. Extra outlined. A bit of 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’ll be able to 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 traces of the bike. Like a whole lot of features 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 counsel, which tells me that the bike holds its weight fairly centrally.

In amongst the morning grind to work, it slices by means of site visitors just like the cliched scorching 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 positive, however that’s not the intent right here.

The updates to the sprint and switch-gear are in keeping 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 motorcycle with slightly below 50 horsepower to be honest.

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

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

These smaller capability avenue bikes are so good in that regard. Nice as an entry stage bike for a newbie, simply pretty much 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 complete phase is operating scorching proper now. This one is certainly up there with the perfect.

Sub ten grand trip 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 out there just like the display screen, 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. Wonderful.

Honda CB500 Hornet Hits:

• That little 471 cc twin cylinder engine is as charming as ever.
• The brand new styling actually hits the mark, easier, extra fashionable, barely extra aggressive.
• Exceptional worth at below ten grand for this construct high quality.

Honda CB500 Hornet Misses:

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

Head to the Honda Motorcycles Australia website to search out your native vendor, or localised pricing.

Honda CB500 Hornet Specs

Honda CB500 Hornet Pictures