The Forthcoming CB500 triplets

What does everybody think of the new:

CBR500R

CB500F &

CB500X?

Has Honda suddenly gotten serious about attracting new riders?
Are these going to be any good?
Last I checked the average crotch rocket guy was recommending an R6 as the perfect beginner bike, did 600cc all-out race replicas just get too expensive?
If people start buying reasonable bikes to learn on is the supply of idiots-dropping-sportbikes videos on youtube going to dry up?

I dig the F model. As a bigger sized guy, I wonder if the chassis will be big enough for me, or many american riders. I was fairly fit when I owned my Hawk GT, and it was a bit on the small side for me. It definitely wasn't designed for 6 footers.

I like the R.

Honda has recognized the realization by many riders that the alternatives of cruisers, crotch rockets and motards do not adequately fill the current market interests. They're dipping their toe back into the utilitarian street market. Good on 'em as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not sure I think the motard is the third big market segment, but as far as breaking out of the Harley/Cruiser vs. Crotch Rocket mold this is a move in that direction too:

CB1100:

Although, honestly, that will be called a "cruiser" at my local dealer, I still think of it as a standard or a UJM.

stroker wrote: Honda has recognized the realization by many riders that the alternatives of cruisers, crotch rockets and motards do not adequately fill the current market interests. They're dipping their toe back into the utilitarian street market. Good on 'em as far as I'm concerned.

Wait, is 'motard' what we're calling V-Strom/Versys/Triumph Tiger/Supere Tenere/BMW GS-type things? That actually might be the third big market segment. The neighbors will still call them crotch rockets though.

That segment has blown up in the last few years. The local bike place has as much space dedicated to them as to dirt bikes.

ShadowSix wrote:

stroker wrote: Honda has recognized the realization by many riders that the alternatives of cruisers, crotch rockets and motards do not adequately fill the current market interests. They're dipping their toe back into the utilitarian street market. Good on 'em as far as I'm concerned.

Wait, is 'motard' what we're calling V-Strom/Versys/Triumph Tiger/Supere Tenere/BMW GS-type things? That actually might be the third big market segment. The neighbors will still call them crotch rockets though. That segment has blown up in the last few years. The local bike place has as much space dedicated to them as to dirt bikes.

Call 'em what you want. The "adventurer/motard" thing is all the same to me. IMHO the classification that's significantly missing from all the marketing plans is the UJM or commuter bikes. They need a small one like a 500 Twin (which I think is the market Honda is after) but I think the GS500 and SV650 used to pretty well fill that bill.

Yeah, I realized my definition of motard pre-dates these V-Strom-ish things (e.g. DRZ400SM). I think the CB500F (middle photo) is supposed to be a standard in the SV650 vein. Just with "modern" styling.

HappyAndy: I looked at the Hawk GT and the CB500F on cycle-ergo.com, I'd say the CB is a little bit roomier, might work out for you.

Honda needed bikes like the 500 family years ago. Kawasaki was pretty much dominating the entry level class with it's Ninja 250/500/650 twins. Now, they have some good competition and everyone is the better for it.

Even though the new CB500 comes in three different styles, they are the same bike with differences in cosmetics and little else. I'll take mine in R-flavor because I prefer a little more wind protection and it's more sport oriented appearance.

Too bad Suzuki and Yamaha don't have the financial ability or corporate will to join the party.

Want, want, want. But I'm waiting to read some reviews and probably the second year bikes. Why? Old pilot saying: "Never fly the A model of anything."

oldsaw wrote: Honda needed bikes like the 500 family years ago. Kawasaki was pretty much dominating the entry level class with it's Ninja 250/500/650 twins. Now, they have some good competition and everyone is the better for it. Even though the new CB500 comes in three different styles, they are the same bike with differences in cosmetics and little else. I'll take mine in R-flavor because I prefer a little more wind protection and it's more sport oriented appearance. Too bad Suzuki and Yamaha don't have the financial ability or corporate will to join the party.

Yeah, there seems to be a gap here. Lots of 200-300cc (Ninjette, CBR250R, TU250X, a bunch of dual sports based on '80's designs) stuff that really isn't comfortable on the highway with an adult rider and some luggage, then... a gap. These new Hondas (like the Kawi's you mentioned, and the SV650 a few years ago) fill the big-and-powerful-enough-for-the-highway-but-still-beginner-friendly niche.

Before these guys and the NC700X (which i think the jury is still out on, to some extent), where did you go if you had a CBR250R but wanted to upgrade? A CBR600RR is $12k and makes pretty compromised commuter/tourer. Maybe that's why metric cruisers got so popular? I think I probably see five or ten Honda Shadows for every CBR around here (central Ohio, not far from where the Goldwing was made for decades).

I would personally be interested in seeing this new 500cc vertical twin in something styled like the CB1100.

In reply to ShadowSix:

It IS as UJM and a very nice one at that. Not a liter-bike fan, but offer a 500cc to 750cc size and it would be difficult for me to say no.

Reviews I've read say that they are... pretty much what they look like: basic, practical bikes. But they also say that they lack that "something special". They are Honda's attempt at a city appliance bike. Of course, an appliance bike is still way more fun than an appliance car. If you are looking for a toy to carve mountain roads in style, this won't be great. If you are looking for an affordable and efficient way to get through city congestion to work and maybe enjoy the journey some, there is not a better value out there in the new bike market.

In reply to Beer Baron:

I can see that, though there is a fair bit of daylight between my motorcycling values and those of the average moto-journo... I imagine riding around racetracks on 200 hp sport bikes all the time makes it hard to get excited about something like these little 500cc bikes.

I was looking around the net I found a couple looong threads on the other worthwhile forum I know of, advrider.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?s=49c4f5203265c28658b5deb13bf65bba&t=840842&page=24

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=825933&page=37

Beer Baron wrote: But they also say that they lack that "something special".

You know, I've seen that criticism directed at Honda for years, in every segment. I have learned to interpret it as, "This bike will start, every morning, without a fuss. It will ALWAYS get you home. We don't like that in an motorcycle."

Flynlow wrote:

Beer Baron wrote: But they also say that they lack that "something special".

You know, I've seen that criticism directed at Honda for years, in every segment. I have learned to interpret it as, "This bike will start, every morning, without a fuss. It will ALWAYS get you home. We don't like that in an motorcycle."

Exactly. If I end up buying a motorcycle, these are going to be high on my list to check out.

I would love to take the 500 for a spin, But I don't care for any recent model Honda. The new Cb1100 does make me want to test ride one, I really love the way it looks, But I know the motor will be a let down

As I understand they are tuned for lower RPM grunt and fuel efficiency over screaming power. So, it really depends on what your goal for the bike is. If I were looking to navigate around a city, this bike would be awesome.

Or if you're coming from a 12hp TwinStar, these will feel like rocket ships.

They also have the CTX:

Automatic transmission, good looks, touring gear, and sub $9K entry price. I'd say they are going after new riders.

And they still have this for me...

The CB1100 sounded like the bike to me. Then it showed up... what's with the rear fender sourced from BSA? What's with the tiny tank? What's with the power levels, I don't think this has big-Harley torque and gas mileage and my 780cc VFR has more HP. So the numbers don't make a lot of sense to me really; 68 ft/lb of torque isn't bad but at 5k rpm, it's still spinning a bit.

What I had hoped for was a gentleman's CB919, Z1000 or ZRX1200 replacement and it didn't happen.

Onto the little bikes above, the CB500F does sound like a fun bike, not a fan of the headlight but most all new standard bikes look a bit like this. Nice to see Honda remembering that not everyone wants a 'RR sportbike. Could quick disconnect side cases or a nice top case and that'd be a super usable way to get around or go on trips that don't involve the interstate.

Beer Baron wrote: If you are looking for an affordable and efficient way to get through city congestion to work and maybe enjoy the journey some, there is not a better value out there in the new bike market.

I bet this guy agrees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaC_HMK6Jdc

Cliff's notes, someone rides his new CB500 into the congested bowels of Amsterdam.

In reply to oldsaw:

Wow, that dude... can you get away with that in Amsterdam?

pinchvalve: I saw a guy while I was out riding last night on a brand new FB6 (I think that's what the new Goldwing/cruiser thing up there is called) it looks really good in person and the guy on it looked happy as a kid in a candy store.

pres589: Are you saying that these 500's won't be capable of interstate travel? That's the big flaw with my XT225, I was really hoping something like this would cure the problem...

In reply to Ranger50:

I like this.

""The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" - Ronald Reagan. The real problem with the US economy in 3 words or less: MADE IN CHINA."