Review of Honda CBF 500 - a very average road bike

Bike features

Here are the main features of the model:

• one brake disc each at the rear and front, the latter is a minus;
• a typical appearance for the class without any design bells and whistles;
• comfortable fit compared to many other bikes.

The car as a whole is well suited for driving in the city and on country roads, but the lack of a second brake disc at the front is a clear omission on Honda's part. However, if you purchase the version with ABS, the problem will not be so serious.

Honda CBF 500 is a road motorcycle that is not so often found on Russian roads. Despite the fact that in terms of engine capacity it is closer to 400 cc motorcycles, in terms of characteristics it surpasses some of them, although it does not have any very significant differences. However, the noticeably higher price on the secondary market compared to the “four hundred” made the Honda CBF500 not so popular. The leader in popularity among medium-sized models of this company is still firmly held by the road veteran Honda CB 400 , and lovers of larger cubic capacity look towards the Honda CB 1000 and Honda CB 1300 .
The engine of the motorcycle was a 499 cc liquid-cooled in-line “four”, which has four valves per cylinder and works with carburetors and a 6-speed gearbox, which, by the way, works perfectly clearly and silently, as, indeed, on most motorcycles “ Honda." The rest of the design of the Honda CBF 500 is also simple and familiar - a spatial steel frame, light and durable, a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock absorber at the rear.

The technical characteristics of the CBF 500 are comparable to those of the aforementioned CB 400, Honda Cb-1 or, for example, the Suzuki SV 400. In numbers, this means that the motorcycle engine produces 57 forces at 9500 rpm and 45 Newton-meters of torque at at 8000 rpm. Nothing extraordinary, of course, but the motorcycle will definitely not lag behind its classmates and competitors, and besides, computer ignition control contributes to a pleasant, smooth ride.

The 41-mm Honda CBF 500 fork, inclined at an angle of 26 degrees, has a free travel of 12 centimeters, but, unfortunately, it does not have any adjustments.
But the rear monoshock absorber with a free stroke of 12.5 centimeters has as many as seven degrees of preload adjustment. In fact, the CBF 500 suspension turns out to be quite soft and pleasant; it regularly absorbs asphalt unevenness, but does not cause either delight or dissatisfaction. She just is, that's all. I had similar impressions of the suspension after driving a Honda CB 750 . There is one brake disc on the rear wheel of the motorcycle, and another on the front wheel. What prevented you from putting a second one? The motorcycle weighs about 190 kilograms, accelerates quickly, so why save so much on the braking system? Even the old Yamaha XJR 400 has two discs in front. However, the situation is partially corrected by the fact that the ABS system is offered as an additional option on the Honda CBF 500.

Honda CBF 500 is positioned as a mid-sized road motorcycle, ideal for everyday riding. It copes with this task well; moreover, fairly soft suspension, a comfortable driving position and a 19-liter gas tank allow you to make long trips without fatigue and refueling. True, after about 120 km/h the motorcyclist begins to be annoyed by the headwind, because the CBF 500 is completely devoid of wind protection. Installing a windshield will help solve this problem.

Not very different from 400 cc motorcycles in terms of characteristics, this bike is, in fact, their analogue. Even though there is nothing outstanding about the Honda CBF 500, this balanced and, according to the owners’ reviews, reliable motorcycle is a good alternative to the old 400.

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Engine

The Honda CBF 500 does not shine with either speed or acceleration: the maximum value to which it can accelerate is 179 km/h, while it will take 4.3 seconds to reach a hundred. The engine here is in-line, four-stroke and two-cylinder. Effective volume 499 cm³.

The maximum torque is 45 Nm, while the power at its maximum will be 57 hp. The unit is cooled using liquid. The engine has good performance, but there is nothing outstanding about it.

Honda CBF 500

Brief review of Honda CBF 500

The Honda CBF 500 motorcycle, intended for the European market, was produced for only a few years, and in fact was a slightly modernized Honda CB 500, discontinued due to non-compliance with stricter environmental standards. Aimed at a wide range of buyers, including beginner motorcyclists, the Honda CBF 500 had an easy-going character and balanced characteristics, almost identical to domestic Japanese 400 cc motorcycles of the same class.

Throughout its short production, the motorcycle did not undergo any technical changes, except for the optionally installed ABS system. As an engine, the Honda CBF 500 received a derated in-line “two” with smooth power and torque graphs. The motorcycle smoothly picks up speed in any gear, without suffering from a lack of traction at low speeds, like sports bikes with a forced internal combustion engine similar in engine displacement.

While not overpowering, the Honda CBF 500 is nevertheless a fairly well-balanced motorcycle in all respects, and is excellent both as a learning machine for beginners and for more experienced riders who want an inexpensive, reliable and economical motorcycle for everyday use. ride. For urban conditions, the capabilities of the Honda CBF 500 are more than enough, and on the highway with a moderate driving style there is no lack of power.

Similar motorcycles:

• Honda CB 500
• Honda CB 500F
• Kawasaki ER-5
• Suzuki GS 500

Technical characteristics of Honda CBF 500

• Years of production: 2004-2008
• Class: road
• Frame: spatial steel
• Engine: 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, in-line
• Engine capacity, cubic meters see: 499
• Cooling: liquid
• Valves per cylinder: 4
• Fuel supply: 2 carburetors
• Power: 57 hp (at 9500 rpm)
• Torque: 47 Nm (at 8000 rpm)
• Maximum speed, km/h: 180
• Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 4.3 seconds
• Transmission: 6-speed
• Wheel drive: chain
• Front tire: 120/70-17
• Rear tire: 160/60-17
• Front brakes: 1 disc 296 mm, 2-piston caliper, ABS as an extra. options
• Rear brakes: 1 disc 240 mm, 1-piston caliper, ABS as an extra. options
• Front suspension: telescopic fork
• Rear suspension: Progressive monoshock with preload adjustment
• Gas tank volume, liters: 19
• Fuel consumption at 110 km/h, liters: ~4.5
• Dry weight, kg: 186 (189 kg - version with ABS)

Pros and advantages of Honda CBF 500

• Low price on the secondary market
• Balanced technical characteristics
• Reliability and maintainability
• Good dynamics
• Capacious gas tank

Pros and cons of the Honda CBF 500

• Weak brakes
• Weak headlight light
• Lack of wind protection

Dimensions and weight

The model reaches 2159 mm in length, 768 mm in width, and 1108 mm in height. The CBF 500 has a wheelbase of 1480 mm and a seat height of 770 mm. The motorcycle weighs 190 kg, and its tank volume is 19 liters. Taking into account the approximate average gasoline consumption of 5 liters per hundred kilometers, this is quite enough.

Characteristics:

Technical characteristics of Honda CBF 500:

Chassis and brakes

The frame is made of steel, and its type is spatial. The wheels are alloy, the steering wheel is typical. The exterior corresponds to an ordinary modern road motorcycle, which does not pretend to be original in design.

The suspension at the rear is a progressive monoshock, while at the front it is a 41mm telescopic fork. The rear brake is a 240 mm disc along with a single-piston caliper, and the front also uses only one disc, but 296 mm along with a two-piston caliper. ABS may be available.

Brief history of the model

2004 - start of production and sales of Honda CBF500. Model: Honda CBF500, Honda CBF500A (Europe). Frame number: ZDCPC39A04F4F000001 - ZDCPC39A04F4F099999, ZDCPC39B04F4F000001 - ZDCPC39B04F4F099999, ZDCPC39C04F4F000001 - ZDCPC39C04F4F099999, ZDCPC39D04F4F 000001 - ZDCPC39D04F4F099999. Model code: CBF5004, CBF500A4.

2005 - model not produced. 2006 - no significant changes. Model: Honda CBF500, Honda CBF500A (Europe). Frame number: ZDCPC39A06F6F030001 - ZDCPC39A06F6F999999, ZDCPC39B06F6F030001 - ZDCPC39B06F6F999999, ZDCPC39C06F6F030001 - ZDCPC39C06F6F999999, ZDCPC39D06F6F 030001 - ZDCPC39D06F6F999999. Model code: CBF5004, CBF500A4.

2007 is the last year of sales of the model.