There may be a couple of days left till Honda lets the covers off their new upcoming 2013 500cc line-up that will be CBR500R, CB500R and CB500X that’ll use a 496cc parallel-twin motor – meant for the budget oriented rider – providing about 54bhp and the next step-up for CBR250R riders.
The CBR500R will be wrapped fully by a fairing that highly resembles their CBR600RR and CBR1000RR and will also have a sportbike riding position that keeps the rider balanced on a seat that’s 30.9” high to help build rider confidence.
Inside the engine, there’s going to be four-valves per cylinder head, which utilizes lightweight rocker-arm valve actuation with shim-type valve adjustment. Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) will continuously monitor several variables to ensure correct fuel mixture delivery for crisp throttle response and a preloaded, scissors-type gears for the primary drive and engine counter-balancer gears will help reduce engine noise along with a diamond-shaped 35mm steel tube frame that’s lightweight and rigid for responsive sport handling.
The front-end gets 41mm front forks with 4.3” of travel for some comfort and the rear gets a Pro-Link single-shock suspension that will provide nine-stages of spring preload adjustability and 4.7” of controlled travel. And the CBR500R’s wheels will be made of lightweight cast aluminium wheels, 120/70-17 in front and 160/60-17 rear. Stopping power comes in the form of a front 320mm wave-style disc brake and 240mm rear – ABS will be an added option.
Honda’s making the CBR500R available in Black, Pearl White/Blue/Red or Red (ABS model only)
2013 SPECIFICATIONS
Model: CBR500R / CBR500RA
Engine Type: 500cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin
Bore and Stroke: 67.0mm x 66.8mm
Compression ratio: 10.7:1
Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction: PGM-FI with 34mm throttle bodies
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain
Suspension
Front: 41mm fork; 4.3 inches travel
Rear: Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability; 4.7 inches travel
Brakes
Front: Twin-piston caliper with single 320mm wave disc
Rear: Single-caliper 240mm wave disc
Optional Honda ABS
Tires
Front: 120/70-17
Rear: 160/60-17
Wheelbase: 55.5 inches
Rake (Caster Angle): 25¯ 5′
Trail: 103mm (4.05 inches)
Seat Height: 30.9 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.1 gallons including 0.7-gallon reserve
Colours:
CBR500R: Black, Pearl White/Blue/Red, Red
CBR500RA: Red
Dry Weight*: 193kg (CBR500R) / 195kg (CBR500RA)