Honda CBR500R
2026 Honda CBR500R: 47.6 hp A2 sports bike, 191 kg, €6,799, optional E-Clutch. Full specs, press reviews, generations and rivals.
At a glance
The 2026 Honda CBR500R is a 47.6 hp twin-cylinder sports bike built for the A2 licence, with Fireblade-inspired styling. Priced at €6,799, it gains the optional Honda E-Clutch this year (€7,299). Reviewers praise its smoothness, ease of use and finish, but criticise a characterless engine and its weight compared with the Kawasaki Ninja 500.
World press review
Meta-score
5 sources
Press ratings
Versatile, very smooth and solid, almost a small sport-tourer; the engine is unrewarding at high revs and it is heavier than the Ninja 500.
Very agile, excellent brake feel, powerful yet smooth engine and very user-friendly; rear-set footpegs, cramped for tall riders.
A solid but unexciting choice: smooth engine, effective brakes and chassis; heavy, limited ground clearance, only rear preload is adjustable.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
The current CBR500R scores 3/5 from Bennetts BikeSocial. MCN gave it 4/5 in 2022, with the same chassis. Visordown, RevZilla Common Tread and 1000PS tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: the smooth, easy engine, agility, brake feel, the Showa fork, the Fireblade styling, Honda’s finish, the long range and the lower price.
What they criticise: a characterless engine that is unrewarding at high revs, its weight compared with the Kawasaki Ninja 500, a basic shock, limited ground clearance, poor wind protection and a cramped position for tall riders.
Key quotes
"Well equipped for its category and now priced more competitively, the Honda CBR500R is worth a second look. It would make a good choice for a new rider moving up from a first bike."
"If you're a relatively new or a returning rider in the market for a new sub-500cc sportsbike and want something that looks fabulous, has a quality finish, great spec and rides well, it really is between this and the Kawasaki Ninja 500."
"The bike doesn't do anything that will wow you, but that said, it doesn't need to, instead, one of its biggest selling points is that it does everything well and is a very user-friendly bike."
"The result is a welcoming little pocket rocket that combines exotic superbike styling with everyday usability to create the ideal introduction to sportsbikes for the learner rider."
Pros
- Very smooth, easy engine, ideal for the A2 licence
- Agile, with good brakes
- Fireblade-inspired styling, quality finish
- Low fuel consumption and long range
- Optional E-Clutch
Cons
- Characterless engine at high revs
- Heavier than the Kawasaki Ninja 500
- Basic rear shock
- Limited ground clearance
- No cruise control
Our review
What’s new on the 2026 CBR500R?
The CBR500R gains the optional Honda E-Clutch, already offered on the CB500 Hornet and NX500, which share its engine. An electronic actuator handles the clutch when pulling away, stopping and shifting gear, without the rider touching the lever, which can still be used at any time. A new Matt Black colour joins the Grand Prix Red Tricolour.
The last major update came in 2024: CBR1000RR-R Fireblade-inspired styling with winglets built into the fairing, twin LED headlights, a 5-inch TFT with Honda RoadSync and HSTC torque control as standard.
How much does it cost?
Honda France lists the CBR500R at €6,799 and the CBR500R E-Clutch at €7,299. With 35 kW as standard, it is A2-licence compliant without any restriction kit.
How good is the engine?
The 471 cc 180-degree parallel twin (67 x 66.8 mm) makes 47.6 hp at 8,600 rpm and 43 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Honda quotes a top speed of 176 km/h. Reviewers find it very smooth and easy:
- RevZilla calls it one of the smoother parallel twins it has ridden;
- BikeSocial finds it reassuring for a newer rider.
On the other hand, BikeSocial criticises its lack of character, and RevZilla and 1000PS find it unrewarding at high revs.
How does it ride?
Since 2022, the CBR500R has had a 41 mm Showa SFF-BP USD fork and twin 296 mm discs gripped by radial Nissin calipers. Visordown finds it very agile, with excellent brake feel. RevZilla praises the compliant, effective fork and the overall feeling of solidity.
The reservations concern:
- its 191 kg weight, more than the Ninja 500 (RevZilla, 1000PS);
- a basic, bouncy rear shock (BikeSocial);
- limited ground clearance (1000PS);
- rear-set footpegs that cramp tall riders (Visordown);
- poor wind protection (BikeSocial).
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Honda quotes 3.5 L/100 km on the WMTC cycle and a range of over 485 km from the 17.1-litre tank. Tests record 3.7 to 5.6 L/100 km depending on pace. 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 affects the current generation (2024-2026), in France or the United States. Some 2019 CBR500Rs were recalled in Europe for excess grease in the ABS modulator.
Specifications
| Displacement | 471 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 47.6 hp (35 kW) @ 8,600 rpm |
| Torque | 43 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| Weight | 191 kg (kerb weight); 194 kg with E-Clutch |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4.01 |
| 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 | €6,799 |
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 | 8600 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 6500 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5 |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | 35 mm steel tube diamond frame, steel swingarm |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 25.5 ° |
| Trail | 101 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1410 mm |
| Ground clearance | 130 mm |
| Front suspension | 41 mm Showa SFF-BP USD fork, non-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Showa 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 | Switchable HSTC torque control, Optional Honda E-Clutch: pulling away, stopping and gear changes without the clutch lever, Assist and slipper clutch, No riding modes, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), HISS immobiliser, Full LED lighting, Optional 12 V socket |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Moderately sporty: clip-ons below the top yoke, slight forward lean |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Limited (low screen) |
| Payload | 182 kg |
The CBR500R has a moderately sporty riding position: the clip-ons sit below the top yoke, but the upper body stays fairly upright. The 785 mm seat is low. Visordown finds the footpegs rear-set and the position cramped for tall riders, and BikeSocial rates wind protection as poor. The owner’s manual limits the load (rider, passenger and luggage) to 182 kg.
Ownership & maintenance
3.7-5.6 L/100 km (tests: RevZilla ≈ 3.7 L, BikeSocial ≈ 4.0-5.6 L depending on pace)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~400 km (estimated: 17.1 L tank / 4.3 L/100 km); Honda claims over 485 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 (520 chain) |
Warranty
2 years / Unlimited mileage; extendable year by year 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, oil filter, air filter and spark plug replacement every 24,000 km, and a valve clearance check every 24,000 km. Coolant is replaced every 3 years and brake fluid every 2 years; the chain should be checked and lubricated every 1,000 km. Honda France provides a 2-year unlimited-mileage warranty, extendable year by year up to 6 years if the bike is serviced by the Honda network.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CBR500R | €6,799 | 47.6 hp (35 kW) @ 8,600 rpm | 191 kg (kerb weight); 194 kg with E-Clutch |
| Kawasaki Ninja 5002026 | €6,599 | 45 hp | 171 kg (wet) |
| Aprilia RS 4572026 | €7,300 | 47.6 hp | 175 kg (kerb weight) |
| Yamaha R32026 | €6,999 | 42 hp | 169 kg (wet) |
Generations
- CBR500R (1re génération)2013 – 2015
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 194 kg (road-ready)
Launch of the 471 cc A2 twin sports bike alongside the CB500F and CB500X, with ABS as standard.
- CBR500R (2e génération)2016 – 2018
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 194 kg (road-ready)
Sharper styling, LED lighting, larger 16.7 L tank, preload-adjustable fork; Euro 4 for 2017.
- CBR500R (3e génération)2019 – 2021
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 192 kg (road-ready)
Aerodynamic redesign, racier riding position, stronger low-to-mid range, assist/slipper clutch; Euro 5 for 2021.
- CBR500R (4e génération)2022 – 2023
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 192 kg (road-ready)
Showa 41 mm SFF-BP USD fork, dual 296 mm discs with radial calipers, lighter wheels and swingarm.
- CBR500R (5e génération)2024 – today
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 191 kg (road-ready)
Fireblade-inspired styling, twin LED headlights, 5-inch TFT with RoadSync, HSTC torque control; optional E-Clutch for 2026.
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBR500R (1re génération)2013 – 2015 Launch of the 471 cc A2 twin sports bike alongside the CB500F and CB500X, with ABS as standard. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 194 kg road-ready |
| CBR500R (2e génération)2016 – 2018 Sharper styling, LED lighting, larger 16.7 L tank, preload-adjustable fork; Euro 4 for 2017. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 194 kg road-ready |
| CBR500R (3e génération)2019 – 2021 Aerodynamic redesign, racier riding position, stronger low-to-mid range, assist/slipper clutch; Euro 5 for 2021. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 192 kg road-ready |
| CBR500R (4e génération)2022 – 2023 Showa 41 mm SFF-BP USD fork, dual 296 mm discs with radial calipers, lighter wheels and swingarm. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 192 kg road-ready |
| CBR500R (5e génération)2024 – today Fireblade-inspired styling, twin LED headlights, 5-inch TFT with RoadSync, HSTC torque control; optional E-Clutch for 2026. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 191 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.