More news on the 2013 Honda CBR500R, as details about Honda’s 498cc paralle-twin budget sport bike continue to unfold. A part of a larger effort to saturate the markets with 500cc-class motorcycles for the price sensitive, we can now confirm that the Honda CBR500R is one of three bikes (checkout the Honda CB500F & Honda CB500X) in the genre that will be coming to the USA next year.
Based around a modest liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, DOHC, 180° crank, 54 rwhp, parallel-twin motor for the US market (tiered-license countries will see a 47hp machine), the Honda CBR500R is a sporty-styled no thrills sort of motorcycle. A graduation step from the Honda CBR250R, it makes sense then that the CBR500R has twice the cylinders, and thus twice the displacement — but it doesn’t come with twice the price tag.
At $5,999 for the American market, the 2013 Honda CBR500R commands less than a $2,000 premium over the $4,199 CBR250R. That price will go up to $6,499 though if you want the optional ABS package (and we know you do). Click after the jump for full tech specs.
Of note is the fact the the Honda CBR500R has the same cylinder bore size as the Honda CBR600RR (67mm), though features a much longer stroke (66.8mm), making for a very square cylinder architecture. This should mean that while the CBR500R won’t be blowing doors off with its peak power figures, the 428 lbs (curb with a full tank of fuel) bike should have some good drive out of the corners.
With Pro-Link rear suspension in the rear, hardcore riders will be disappointed with the 2013 Honda CBR500R’s preload-only rear shock, and sealed 41mm forks, but then again…this isn’t a motorcycle for the hardcore. A sole 320mm wave-style brake disc is up front, and is mated to a twin-piston Nissin caliper.
With a seat height of 30.9 inches, the Honda CBR500R should fit most sizes, and you can get it in Red, Black, or the HRC White/Blue/Red scheme — the ABS model is Honda Red only. Expect it at your Honda dealership in April of 2013.
2013 Honda CBR500R Technical Specifications:
| ENGINE | |
| Engine Type | 500cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin |
| Bore And Stroke | 67.0mm x 66.8mm |
| Induction | PGM-FI with 34mm throttle bodies |
| Ignition | Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance |
| Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Valve Train | DOHC; four valves per cylinder |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Transmission | Six-speed |
| Final Drive | O-ring-sealed chain |
| CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES | |
| Front Suspension | 41mm fork; 4.8 inches travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability; 4.1 inches travel |
| Front Brake | Twin-piston caliper with single 320mm wave disc |
| Rear Brake | Single-caliper 240mm wave disc |
| Front Tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear Tire | 160/60-17 |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Rake | 25.5 degrees |
| Trail | 103mm (4.05 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 55.5 inches |
| Seat Height | 30.9 inches |
| Curb Weight | 428 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel, & ready to ride) |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.1 gallons including 0.7-gallon reserve |
| Miles Per Gallon | TBD* |
| OTHER | |
| Model Id | CBR500R |
| Emissions | Meets current EPA standards. California version meets current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment. |
| Available Colors | Black, Pearl White/Blue/Red, Red |
| WARRANTY | |
| One Year | Transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan. |
Source: American Honda
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