Honda CBR500R Review | One Year of Ownership 

I own this bike also and everything this guy has said is exactly my thoughts.

"An oversized, powerful sewing machine" omg that killed me 😂 😂 thanks for the review!

By far the best review I've see. Keep up the great work!!!!

Love this guys reviews. Well done mate, respect from Brighton, England.

Love your laid back attitude and informative comments. Great video mate.

I really appreciate you taking the time to make this video. I was hesitant out of fear starting on a 500 rather than a 300, but you have helped me understand this bike is a little tamer than the 650 options out there. It sounds exactly what I am looking for.

I got the 2013 CBR500R as my first bike about 3 months ago, and I’d say it’s an amazing beginner bike. As he said it’s an extremely forgiving engine, it’s lightweight so I’m not ever scared I’ll drop it. And performance wise it has plenty of power to keep you entertained. When I bought mine it already had a Leo Vince exhaust system on it, but the exhaust still isn’t too terribly loud.

Good review! Also, love the username! "It's songs for the deaf, you can't even hear it!" My favorite rock album of all time.

I own the exact same bike in a different color and I agree with EVERYTHING you said (good and bad). This is a 2nd bike for me. When I visit family in Chicago, IL USA, I have this bike in brother's garage and we go riding and it's good for just getting around. Your review is 100 percent accurate. I wanted a zippy, maneuverable bike for downtown Chicago traffic and this thing fits the bill. Funny you mention trying out a Ninja 650r. I own one of those to where I live in FL and it's way faster. The extra 150cc's make a HUGE difference. That said, I got that bike to open up. I got the Honda for getting around. They both do what they were designed to do with aplomb. The only thing I would add to your review is this: The clutch on the Honda is SOOOOO smooth! Love shifting this thing! Great review! Thanks!

Very informative, great review mate. Thanks for pointing out the little details like a gear indicator, good to know

best review i've seen on a bike

I love the review, informative and relevant at the same time. Thanks.

Ah miss you man, still hope to see some more content one of these days. You're spot on though - this is one of the best learner bikes in Australia, because it's designed perfectly to fit the very similar A2 restrictions in europe. Yes, it doesn't make a lot of power, but you're only buying this if you're restricted to lams bikes anyway, and you're just not allowed any more power. It's not a big heavy tourer that's been neutered like most of the 650 class bikes, and it's not a my first supersport that has no torque down low. It's a great every day street bike, which is what you really need in a lams bike unless you live where the roads stop, and then just get a DRZ like everyone else. In my opinion it might be a better second lams bike for some if you got into riding on the smaller 125's/250's which are a tad easier to learn on for your first 6 months - 1 year, but yeah no reason you couldn't have this bike all the way through, and it's cheap!

Great review. Thorough, concise, informative and good mix of objective and subjective comments.

Great review I have just purchased the CBR500r & pick it up on Saturday. Can't wait. Thanks. Garry🇦🇺

Thank you for your FANTASTIC review. it is one of the best reviews i have watched on any bike. Thank you

Thinking about buying this bike thanks for the review

Thanks man, great video. I've been considering lately to purchase a bike and I really like the Honda CBR500R. Thanks again.

Top video mate. It's nice to see Australian contents on you tube.

Nice video buddy! I'm getting a CBR500 in a few months time as a beginner, keep up the good work with the videos!

Thanks mate, that was just what I was looking for, a clearly presented appraisal of an honest bike. Honda would be pleased too :+)

I've had my 2014 CBR 500R for 6 years now. I agree with this review 100%. You will find if you replace your brake pads with good high performance pads your braking is very noticeably improved! I love the feel of the hi-po pads. Ive also upgraded the tires and find this bike to be a great handler. Not a race bike but back-road fun. Absolutely nothing has broken on my bike in the 16000 MI I've owned i (26000 km). Though I also own a new thruxton r, the cbr is still a great bike.

awesome review,had mine for about half a year and its an amazing bike,do sometimes feel like id want more power but its such a great commuter bike and makes me want to keep it

Nice review man, i'm thinking about this bike about out of several, thanks man.

Good Review Mate! I think you covered everything at 100% or the things that are important in having a bike. How about a review of the Yamaha R3

That would have to be Mccarrs Creek road on the northern beaches Great to see an Aussie doing a review Keep up the good work mate

I'm probably gonna buy this as my first bike tomorrow! I drove CB500F while being in a driving school and I got comfy with it. Good to know that these are almost exactly same bikes, but the model is just different. (I like the sporty look so that's why I want CBR500R.) Thanks for this review! Now I'm even more sure I want this bike :)

Brilliant review mate. This video has almost stopped me buying a 125 and going for my licence. Cheers bro.

This was really helpful, Cheers

good and accurate review. i bought one and love it.

Been thinking about getting this as my first bike

considering this bike myself. they look really nice and from most of the reviews on here they seem the sensible choice for a new older driver. I'm 46 and am a late starter. not passed my test but have just started my direct access learning on a 600cc I was looking at gsxr600 and cbr600rr but they just seem very scary. enjoyed your video. thanks for sharing

Nice review. Thank you.

Excellent vid 👍

I actually prefer the quiet exhaust as I don't like to disturb my neighbours with early morning starts and if I fancy a late evening ride. I will check out the reviews on the 2016 model to see of the exhaust is still quiet and if it has a gear indicator. This model is adequate for me and its something I will definately consider. Thanks for the review

very good review, informative

thanks for the review and for not trashing the bike! some people want 0-100 under 3 seconds on any bike, regarless of ccs! and that is stupid! So thanks for all the details you put in the video.

I remember and a miss all those Aussie trips. From the good old days and of course Hong Kong back in the good old days as well. Even the old Ki tec airport and the checkerboard visual approaches with the old DC-8's. Oh the good old days. First road bike was a cb250 Honda. First dirt bike as a kid I earn the money from my paper route money was a Honda 50 mini trail 49cc back in the 60's. I think I like this CBR 500 to get back into it as a recurrent training bike. And at least the 650 nighthawk with the shaft drive had a gear shift indicator. Amongst the lot of things being one of the lightest production bikes that you in that weight class CC class.

Well done!

Very nice review

have this exact bike but w quite a few upgrades. summed up, it ain't a crotch rocket. BUT, it's an absolutely phenomenal bike for daily riding with plenty of power for both the twists and the freeway. I can hold 95-105mph fine. seating position is comfortable, mpg is amazing, and the riding is so fun.

Thanks for the review brother. I have a 1985 or 86 nighthawk 650 shaft drive. I love that bike. But I live in Florida and I parked it outside the house near my shed undercover bad move in Florida humidity and corrosion. It's a project bike now every bit of fluid needs to be changed in those carburetors need to be polished out again. But I didn't want to wait until I got time for that project. So I bought a Harley Ultra Classic. And if you knew about the light weight of the 650 nighthawk you'd understand why I bought a CBR 500 today. It's been a good 10 years since I rode. To this 500 is a good startup machine again it's 67 that's my age. Some think I'm in my fifties but I'm not. I bought this thing today in Tampa Florida it's got less than 6000 miles on it. And after driving around the block. I said yeah this is my third bike now but I currently am and it's the one I'm going to be using a lot before I jump on the Harley Ultra Classic which happens to way over a thousand pounds. This is a good bike to get recurrent on. For a retired 747 cargo pilot

Having owned 6 Honda's over a period of 43 years started with an XR-75, CR-125, CR-250, CB-500/4, 900-F2B finishing on a VF1000R also owned 2 x Z900 1976 models and a ZIR MkI so I have had the fast the good the bad. As for the Honda's I have never had a problem with any of them their finish & build quality have always been to me excellent. So 4 months ago my son brought brand new the Honda 250 R/T bike I was there and saw a Blue Super Blackbird XX for sale a 2003 mod with 42,000 on the clock went for a quick spin came back & said to the wife its mine thanks very much. I am to old for the fast/furious style been there done that on the 900's/1000's so I am not talking out of some pipe or reading from a book. I convinced my wife to get into motor cycle riding as a family she has never wanted one and lacks a bit of confidence but she has ridden on the back of the Bird so is sorta jelling to the idea.(Bit hard to control the Rt hand but do not want to scare her) Now she has never ridden a bike at all and was nervous but I convinced her that the CBR-500R would suit her as the 300R would struggle at highway speeds I know my sons 250 is revving its box off at 110kph. So we brought the CBR-500R candy orange 2017 model which I will be picking up tomorrow and when the 2 sena's arrive will start lessons me guiding her on riding, I have the experience having completed novice & advanced riding courses myself. The only bug I picked up was the indicator switch position won't be a prob for my wife she has small hands the other one I cannot fathom is why Honda went back to a cabled clutch. I looked at getting a new 2017 CBR-1000R but 2 things put it off for me the cabled clutch and the $23,000 +ONC of the bike besides I am over going fast not much of a future in it I was lucky to survive my apprenticeship with speed. So will tag this and try to add a perspective on whether Honda listens to its consumers about how to improve their products.

Excellent review - so many m/c reviews are very ordinary

I just got my motorcycle license about 3 weeks ago and bought this bike right away. I do have to say it is very easy to ride and handle for a beginner street rider. Being as ive raced dirtbikes most of my life i get bored of it after a while and want something with a bit more power. Ill definitely be picking up a cbr600rr next year. I picked up a two brothers exhaust for the 500 and i highly recommend you look into it. Adds about 3hp and knocks 5 pounds off the bike. Sounds great too

Beautiful country and a great bike!

One of the other thing I dislike about it is the lack of temperature gauge. That may not be a big deal for people who live in colder climates but it does give people who live in hotter climates a very useful insight in the condition of the engine, especially for bikes who are getting older and which are probably less than ideally maintained in that area. By the way, I drive a CB 500XA, so we probably share the same dashboard. My CBR150R (already sold) used to have an engine temperature gauge.

Really appreciate the review, nice and thorough. Really keen on this for my second bike, a nice upgrade from an R15 but not too much that the sudden jump in power wont leave me crashing straight off the lot. One question which wasn't mentioned on the vid, how's the seat comfort? I do lots of longer (100km+) rides and seat comfort and leg comfort is something worth considering, especially as the R15 is brutal on the legs and back after an hour.

Hey man! you should show us a cam angle where we can see you sitting on the bike! i am exactly your height and would love to see how i would fit if i see you!! Cheers!

great video! you should do a test of the new 2017 look and do a comparison!

It's so weird watching someone riding on the left side of the road.

Think that's down near Akuna bay? Such a great road for a cruise 👌🏻. 👊🏻➖👊🏻

The bike lasted about 12 months for me. Never had a problem even though I rode her hhhhhhhhhard! Never took it to a dragstrip though; if i had only ever used the bike for commuting and only commuting i'd probably still be on the old girl! More fuel efficient than the SV650, though not by much! maybe 0.5 L/100km difference at most (really impressed with the SV's efficiency despite being older tech and bigger capacity) And that SMSP clip though! it feels much faster than it looks from the sidelines XD Mine never had ABS. There's a video of me locking up the rear MAAAAJOR on one of the last corners at eastern creek, wouldn't have happened with ABS! Then again if i'd not been a noob it wouldn't have happened either, the non-ABS CBR has some rear brake bite to it :P BTW I believe the bike is actually 195kg wet :O that can be helped with a li-ion battery and a tidy lightweight zorst. you definitely notice the reduction in kilograms. i even removed the pillion pegs.

Will be getting one in the new year and cant wait! Just wondering are all these models ABS from 2013 up?

I'm taking my test in a couple of days and looking to get the 2016 model soon after. The new models look awesome. Will have to get a custom exhaust on it though. Intend to keep it for a couple of years to build up no claims and experience, then look to trade in for something else. Been doing my lessons on a 650 Gladius though, so maybe the drop in power will be too much. Will have to see I guess.

can u purchase fairings to make it look better from the front view?

Great video. I'd hate to cycle up that road 😂

Is a 2013 cbr500r which has 9k miles for $2500 worth it? Is there any other reliable bike that looks better like the r6 in that price range?

I am thinking of buying one of these for $4000 used, it is in immaculate condition and it has arrow installed muffler so when i was test riding it, it had a wonderful deep note to the exhaust sound much like a sports bike, it also has upgraded adjustable leavers, for me I am upgrading from a KTM 200 duke, so do you think this bike is a good upgrade from what I just said.

yeah i think it is a perfect first bike and/or daily commuter

Is this bike capable of extended highway driving? Are there aftermarket exhausts available?

I've the same bike and I've got a couple of questions. Looks like this one except for the various aftermarket mods, that is. 1. Does anyone have a fix for the fuel cap? It *is* kind of a bummer. I never know what to do with it when I'm filling up. 2. I'm thinking of installing an aftermarket gear indicator. What are your comments? Already swapped out the muffler for a loud slip-on, so that one's covered. Haha On a side note, 500 is feeling a little small after a few months, so maybe I will look at the MTs. Either that or downgrade right back to a C70. Love those little cubs.

came from ridebyben :)

in response to the sound issue, throw a mivv ghibli on it and take the baffle out, sound is perfect. haven't had any issues in traffic or intersections since installing it.

Great video! I have a question for you. I'm coming from a ninja 300, would this bike be a good upgrade? I'm definitely ready for something bigger but I still want the commuter bike feel, i.e. Light in weight, lower seat height etc.

Hey! I recently bought a 2015 model. I really like the bike, but the thing i noticed that is kind of a huge problem for me is that it feels really stiff, like when i try to lean in corners the bike just wants to stay up it feels like.. Is that a known ''problem'' or should I get it checked?

Good review man. Those roads look sweet!

Great video. Very informative. I've never ridden a bike before but I would love to learn. I'm just wondering where the location was in the video? Looks like a great spot.

I usually hang my gas cap on the front brake lever with the loop on my key

By the way where was the video shot? Was it in Sydney?

on long rides does your right leg ever get warm? i've got a 2017 CBR 500R and i've found it runs a bit hotter than my last Honda 125R when the 500, in theory, run smoother... you and "2wheelpersuit" both say the GPI and exhaust are blemishes on this bike, i'm going to change mine out since the sound is pretty underwhelming. love the review!

Can you do a comparison between the ninja 650 and the CBR? Great vid :)

I've played forza horizon 3, and I could never get used to driving on the left 😂

I was thinking about getting a Honda 500 CBR but I end up getting a Kawasaki 400 and I think I made the right choice

what about the air protection?

Great review. Do you run 91 or 95 octane in the CBR500R?

Think someone of my size 6'2 250lbs would be able to fit on this bike and not look silly?

My first bike was a ninja 250. I wish I would've got this bike instead. My ninja was like a glorified dirt bike. This bike is a lot more fun and good for commuting.

Hi! Thanks for the review, it's helpful! I'm considering to buy it as a beginner (while having ridden a Vespa for 8 years haha) for my daily commute which is a total of 50 km on the highway (max 120 kph). I live in the Alps and would do some weekend rides. I'm not the kind of guy that will go as fast as possible, I'm quite careful. Also, my height is normal (182 cm). Would you recommend it for me? Thanks in advance :)

I'm planning on getting my license soon (In Holland that means I'm getting my A2 license, which limits me to 35kw and lower bikes). I am looking at a few options, CBR500r, Ducati Monster 699, that kind of stuff... But I want a nice sounding bike, not an overpowered scooter sound... Is it possible to give the CBR500r a better sound with a different exhaust?

Mate, carefull with long music intro's. I was kinding thinking it was a music montage. Grreat one-year review though

Curious about you saying it isn't a track bike, people love taking ninja 250s, 300s etc to the track. Is there any reason the honda would be worse off than those bikes? Not trying to have a go, genuinely curious about your view on this

Love the review but the mileage conversion is wrong, 9:30 you say you get 25km/l and in the bottom right you state that equals to 70mpg but its closer to 58 or 60 mpg, Other than that the review was great and just reassured me this is a good choice for my first bike

The horn and the indicator switch are the wrong way round.

No, I disagree. After 120 kph, it does have a bit more torque but not much more. It will maintain what you gave it from the previous gear providing you don't start up hill. 120 kph is at the bottom of 4th gear. You can achieve 160 in 5th gear (which is the last gear) but then the power levels off and it takes effort to maintain that speed. Grant it, these bikes aren't the most powerful but they can still give you more than adequate twist, good for one rider. Yes, I do agree with him in saying they can be good beginner bikes. I prefer beginners use CB300's (a bit lighter in weight) than 500's but those would be okay.

would this be a good bike for someone who is short and weighs around 225/230ish pounds. I recently got the idea of getting a motorcycle for a while and at first I was looking at dirtbikes then I thought about the grom and was like naw I'd destroy that tiny thing. anyone got any advice on which bike would be perfect. and how much would it cost to finance this bike in America for a 19 year old and how much I should be looking at for insurance

this or the naked version, which is more comfortable and also which is better for long travels,cant decide

Hi mate, nice review. How tall are you? I'm 6'6 and read that this bike is good for taller riders. Thanks!

What year is your bike in this video?

What happens when it rains or t-storms and your bike is your only means of transportation? That's what I worry about when deciding whether or not I should take the plunge. I've been into bikes for quite a while, but certain factors such as that and the number of severe accidents that happen to people on bikes, prevent me from diving in.

If you take off the filter it's 2x louder. That's my plan when I get one. I did the same on my dirt bike and you could hear me a mile away so it would definitely help in this situation about the exhaust sound

CBR500R or SV650 for 48 year old new rider? BTW another familiar road.

How good are the lights?

Getting this as my begginer bike, I'm 5'7 , only ridden 50cc automatic before. Really nervous

Hand my mind set on getting a Ninja 300 as my first bike until I started watching reviews of the CBR500-R. Now I'm so confused. Why must you guys do this to me?

GF wants this as her first bike, would you guys think its a fine bike?

Great review! As a potential new rider, can anyone tell me some alternatives to this bike? I see the Kawasaki Ninja is very popular.

Just sold my ninja 300 (profile pic lol) would this be an upgrade? Or nah?

KTM RC390 or the CBR500r ?

i cant get my cbr 500r started after a year