Honda CB500 twin
 | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1993 onwards |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | Four stroke 500 cc (31 cu in) nominal. water cooled in-line twin |
Honda CB500 twins are a family of medium sized standard motorcycles produced by Honda from 1993 onwards. Because of their low cost, reliability, and good handling they are popular with commuters, and couriers. They have the additional advantage that their engine power and cubic capacity meet the European driving licence A2 requirements making them ideal for riding schools and younger new riders progressing to a larger machine. They are also raced in the United Kingdom in the Honda CB500 Cup. The Suzuki GS500 and Kawasaki ER-5 are comparable motorcycles.
The half-faired Honda CB500S was introduced in 1998. Production of the first CB500 twin range ceased in 2003 as the engines could not meet Euro 2 emission regulations. Honda announced a completely new global family of 500 cc twin motorcycles as a replacement in 2013, initially comprising three variants: CBR500R, CB500F, CB500X.
CB500 (1993 through 2003)
According to Honda engineers, the 499 cc parallel twin DOHC engine was designed to last for 300,000 km (190,000 miles). One motorcycle was tested by Moto Revue from 1993 through 1996. Dismantled at 50,000 km (31,000 miles), the engine was in perfect condition. At 100,000 km (62,000 miles) only the cam chain and the pistons were replaced, although, in the tester's opinion, it could have run with the original parts for longer with no problems.[1]
Model History
1994: CB500R naked version launched. Rear drum brake. Nissin front disk brake. Made in Japan.
1995: No change
1996: CB500T. No significant changes. Some CB500Ts made in Italy.
1996, November: CB500V. Brakes changed to Brembo. Rear drum brake changed to disk. Silver wheels. CB500 cup race series introduced. Special silver model with cup logo introduced. Production moved to Italy.
1998: CB500W naked version. CB500SW 'sport' half-faired version with new headlight introduced. New instruments and handlebar layout.
1998, December: CB500X, CB500SX. No technical changes.
2000 through 2003: CB500Y, CB500SY. No technical changes.
Specification (CB500Y 2003)
| Engine type | Four stroke, aluminum, in-line with balance shaft, 180 degree crankshaft |
|---|---|
| Engine cooling | Liquid |
| Number of cylinders | 2 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Valve actuation | Double overhead cam |
| Cam drive | Chain |
| Capacity | 499 cc |
| Bore x stroke | 73 mm × 59.5 mm (2.87 in × 2.34 in) |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Max rpm | |
| Fueling | 2 of 34mm flat-slide Keihin VPs carburetors |
| Ignition | Digital transistorised |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate |
| Gearbox | 6 speed sychromesh |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fuel capacity | 18l |
| Frame | Steel tubular cradle |
| Suspension | Front: conventional forks, preload. Rear: swinging arm, twin shock absorbers |
| Tyres | Front: 110/80-17" 57H. Rear: 130/80-17 65H |
| Brakes | Brembo Front: 296 mm single disk. Rear: 240 mm single disk |
| Dimensions | Length: 2,090mm. Width: 720mm. Height: 1,050mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,430mm |
| Rake_trail | 27°20', 113 mm |
| seat_height | 775 mm |
| Weight (dry) | 173 kg [2] |
CB500 family (2013 onwards)
At the 2012 EICMA show in Milan, Honda announced a new global family of twin 500 cc motorcycles: CB500F (naked), CBR500R (sport- faring), CB500X (adventure-style)[3] The power output and cubic capacity meets the European driving licence A2 requirements, although Honda maintains the same power output for all markets.[4] ABS braking is available as an option on all three models. The CB500X has slightly longer front suspension travel and a slightly larger fuel tank. All the other differences between the models are in the riding position and bodywork.
| Engine type | Four stroke, aluminum, in-line with balance shaft |
|---|---|
| Engine cooling | Liquid |
| Number of cylinders | 2 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Valve actuation | Double overhead cam |
| Cam drive | Chain |
| Capacity | 471 cc |
| Bore x stroke | 67 mm × 66.8 mm (2.64 in × 2.63 in) |
| Compression ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Max rpm | 9100 |
| Fueling | PGM FI |
| Ignition | TBD |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate |
| Gearbox | 6 speed sychromesh |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fuel capacity | 15.7l |
| Frame | Steel diamond |
| Suspension | Front: Conventional telescopic forks, 41mm. Rear: Prolink mono shock absorber with 9-stage pre-load adjuster, steel square pipe swingarm. |
| Tyres | Front: 120-70-17. Rear: 160-60-17 |
| Brakes | Front: Single wavy disk, 320mm, 2 pot caliper. Rear: Single wavy disk, 240mm, 1 pot caliper |
| Wheels | Front: Multi-spoke cast aluminum, 17 x MT3.5. Rear: Multi-Spoke cast aluminum, 17 x MT4.5. |
| Dimensions | Length: 2,075 mm. Width: 780 mm. Height: 1,060 mm. |
| Ground Clearance | 155 mm |
| Caster Angle | 25.5 deg |
| Wheelbase | 1,410 mm |
| Rake_trail | 102.6 mm |
| seat_height | 790 mm |
| Weight (dry) | 183 kg [5] |
References
- ↑ Moto Revue article
- ↑ http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/searchresults/bike-reviews/honda/honda-cb500-1994--2003/
- ↑ Honda Announces Completion of 2013 Line-up with Six New Machines
- ↑ http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/comparisons/122_1307_honda_cbr500r_vs_kawasaki_ninja_300/viewall.html
- ↑ http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/searchresults/bike-reviews/honda/honda-cbf500-2004---current-/
