Honda CB500 Hornet
2026 Honda CB500 Hornet (ex-CB500F): 47.6 hp, 188 kg, €6,199, A2 licence, optional E-Clutch. Full specs, press reviews and generations.
At a glance
The 2026 Honda CB500 Hornet, successor to the CB500F, is a 47.6 hp twin-cylinder naked designed for the A2 licence. Priced at €6,199, it gains the optional Honda E-Clutch (€6,699). Reviewers praise its reliability, economy and chassis, but find the engine unexciting and the suspension easily overwhelmed.
World press review
Meta-score
6 sources
Press ratings
Agile, reasonably quick, a good balance of comfort and composure and strong brakes; suspension overwhelmed on undulating roads and less stable at high speed.
A mature, stable, well-built naked with excellent brakes; less agile and heavier than the KTM 390 Duke, suspension soon overwhelmed.
Reassuring front end, easy and frugal; perched pillion and soft rear at a fast pace.
More reassuring, more comfortable and more frugal than the CFMoto 450NK; placid engine and a price hard to justify.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
The CB500 Hornet scores 4/5 from Bennetts BikeSocial. MCN also gave 4/5 to the 2022 CB500F, whose chassis it carries over. Visordown, 1000PS, SoyMotero and Le Repaire des Motards rate it positively, without numeric scores.
What reviewers like: reliability and build quality, economy, the brakes, the TFT screen and ease of use.
What they criticise: an unexciting engine, suspension that is soon overwhelmed, more weight than its KTM rivals, and no centre stand or 12 V socket as standard.
Key quotes
"A new name but the same solid, dependable CB500 that will most likely never let you down."
"If you're after a reliable, well-built commuter bike that might get deployed on some weekends for leisure riding, it's hard to do better, and the tweaks that have come with the rebrand have strengthened its position further."
"The Honda CB500 Hornet proves to be a mature and well-balanced naked bike, making it an excellent choice in the A2 class."
"In the end, you buy the Honda, because it is more reassuring, more comfortable and uses less fuel than the 450NK."
Pros
- A2-compliant without restriction
- Reliability and build quality
- Low fuel use and long range
- Radial-caliper brakes
- Optional E-Clutch
Cons
- Unexciting engine
- Suspension soon overwhelmed
- Heavier than its rivals
- No cruise control
- No quickshifter
Our review
CB500F or CB500 Hornet?
It is the same line. Honda renamed the CB500F the “CB500 Hornet” in Europe for the 2024 model year, with new styling, a TFT screen and torque control. The CB500F name is no longer used in France.
What’s new for 2026?
The main novelty is the optional Honda E-Clutch: an electronic actuator handles the clutch when pulling away, stopping and shifting gear, without the rider touching the lever. The bike also moves to Euro 5+ and gets three new colours.
How much does it cost?
Honda France lists the CB500 Hornet at €6,199 and the E-Clutch version at €6,699. In the US it costs $5,899, without E-Clutch.
How good is the engine?
The 471 cc twin (67 x 66.8 mm) with a 180-degree crank makes 35 kW (47.6 hp) at 8,500 rpm and 43 Nm at 6,500 rpm. It meets the A2 licence limit without restriction. Honda quotes 176 km/h. Reviewers find it reliable and vibration-free but unexciting: BikeSocial describes flat power delivery, and Le Repaire des Motards a placid engine.
How does it ride?
At 188 kg kerb weight, with a 41 mm Showa SFF-BP USD fork and twin discs with radial calipers, the chassis is rated highly:
- 1000PS finds it mature and stable, with excellent brakes;
- Visordown praises its agility and balance of comfort and composure;
- SoyMotero likes its front end.
The reservations concern:
- suspension that is soon overwhelmed when ridden hard or on undulating roads (Visordown, 1000PS, BikeSocial, SoyMotero);
- a less agile, heavier bike than the KTM 390 Duke (1000PS);
- an engine that leisure riders may outgrow (Visordown).
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Honda quotes 3.5 L/100 km on the WMTC cycle. Tests record 3.8 to 4.4 L/100 km, and up to 5.6 L when ridden hard (BikeSocial). With 17.1 litres of fuel, range is about 400 km. The 2026 owner’s manual specifies an oil change every 12,000 km or every year and a valve clearance check every 24,000 km.
Recalls
No recall concerns the CB500 Hornet to date.
Specifications
| Displacement | 471 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 47.6 hp (35 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 43 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| Weight | 188 kg (kerb weight); 191 kg with E-Clutch |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3.95 |
| Seat height | 785 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17.1 L |
| Fuel consumption | 3.5 L/100 km (WMTC cycle) — 80 g/km CO2 |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 12,000 km or 1 year — Valves: 24,000 km (2026 Honda owner's manual) |
| Engine type | 180-degree parallel twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8 valves, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, assist-and-slipper clutch (optional E-Clutch) |
| License | A2 |
| MSRP | €6,199 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 67 x 66,8 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 10,7:1 |
| Fuel system | PGM-FI fuel injection |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Max power RPM | 8500 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 6500 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5+ |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Steel diamond frame |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 25.5 ° |
| Trail | 102 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1410 mm |
| Ground clearance | 145 mm |
| Front suspension | 41 mm Showa SFF-BP USD fork |
| Rear suspension | Pro-Link monoshock, 5-step preload adjustment |
| Front brake | Twin 296 mm discs, Nissin radial 4-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | Single 240 mm disc, single-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60 ZR17 |
| ABS system | 2-channel ABS (not lean-sensitive) |
Performance
| Top speed | 176 km/h |
|---|
Electronics & rider aids
| Traction control | Yes |
|---|---|
| Quickshifter | No |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | 5-inch colour TFT |
| Connectivity | Honda RoadSync (navigation, calls, music) |
| Other features | HSTC torque control, Optional Honda E-Clutch: pulling away, stopping and gear changes without the clutch lever, Assist-and-slipper clutch, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), HISS immobiliser, Full LED lighting |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Upright, wide handlebars (naked) |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Minimal (naked) |
The CB500 Hornet offers an upright naked-bike position with a 785 mm seat that makes it accessible. 1000PS notes it may be less comfortable for tall riders, and SoyMotero finds the pillion perched high. Wind protection is that of a naked bike.
Ownership & maintenance
3.8-4.4 L/100 km (tests: SoyMotero 3.8 L, Visordown ≈ 4.4 L); up to 5.6 L when ridden hard
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~400 km (estimated: 17.1 L tank / real-world 4.2 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 12,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 24,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 24,000 km |
| Chain | Check and lubricate every 1,000 km |
Warranty
2 years / Unlimited mileage; extendable up to 6 years with servicing in the Honda network
Honda’s 2026 owner’s manual specifies an oil change every 12,000 km or every year, plus a valve clearance check and spark plug and air filter replacement every 24,000 km. The chain should be checked and lubricated every 1,000 km. Honda France provides a 2-year unlimited-mileage warranty, extendable up to 6 years with servicing in the Honda network.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB500 Hornet | €6,199 | 47.6 hp (35 kW) @ 8,500 rpm | 188 kg (kerb weight); 191 kg with E-Clutch |
| Kawasaki Z5002026 | €6,099 | 45 hp | 167 kg (wet) |
| KTM 390 Duke2026 | €6,299 | 45 hp | 165 kg (full tank) |
| Triumph Speed 4002026 | €5,945 | 40 hp | 170 kg (kerb weight) |
| Husqvarna Svartpilen 4012026 | €6,749 | 45 hp | 159 kg (without fuel) |
Generations
- CB500F2013 – 2015
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 192 kg (road-ready)
Launch of the 471 cc twin designed for the A2 licence, alongside the CBR500R and CB500X (ABS version weight).
- CB500F2016 – 2018
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 190 kg (road-ready)
New styling, LED lighting, 16.7-litre tank, preload-adjustable fork and new silencer.
- CB500F2019 – 2021
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 189 kg (road-ready)
More torque from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm, assist-and-slipper clutch, new shock, new styling.
- CB500F2022 – 2023
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 189 kg (road-ready)
Showa SFF-BP USD fork, twin front discs with radial calipers, lighter wheels and swingarm.
- CB500 Hornet2024 – today
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 188 kg (road-ready)
New name and styling, 5-inch TFT with RoadSync, HSTC torque control; optional E-Clutch and Euro 5+ in 2026 (191 kg with E-Clutch).
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB500F2013 – 2015 Launch of the 471 cc twin designed for the A2 licence, alongside the CBR500R and CB500X (ABS version weight). | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 192 kg road-ready |
| CB500F2016 – 2018 New styling, LED lighting, 16.7-litre tank, preload-adjustable fork and new silencer. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 190 kg road-ready |
| CB500F2019 – 2021 More torque from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm, assist-and-slipper clutch, new shock, new styling. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 189 kg road-ready |
| CB500F2022 – 2023 Showa SFF-BP USD fork, twin front discs with radial calipers, lighter wheels and swingarm. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 189 kg road-ready |
| CB500 Hornet2024 – today New name and styling, 5-inch TFT with RoadSync, HSTC torque control; optional E-Clutch and Euro 5+ in 2026 (191 kg with E-Clutch). | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 188 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
No known recalls for this model.