The 500cc iteration of Honda’s CBR range is coming in for a host of improvements for the 2016 model year. Honda is making a big push for new riders with the mini-Blade, angling it firmly at the sub-21-year-old market and trying get more bums on seats, and thus increase the pool of riders on the road.
The 500, the third in the capacity line behind the CBR600RR and 1000RR is powered by the same 471cc parallel twin four-stroke as before, however comes with a new, lighter muffler to aid mass centralization and take advantage of the 500’s low weight and nimble handling.
The 500 had been criticized in the past for being too basic in the suspension department, so the Big H has fitted preload adjustment on the fork – whether that’s enough to keep riders happy remains to be seen.
There’s new colors and the bodywork has been restyled and is now fitted with LED head and taillights sitting in a sharper rear seat design that’s reminiscent of the CBR600RR. Other changes include an adjustable span front brake lever, revised gearshift mechanism for smoother shifting and feel and a larger reshaped fuel tank.
Honda hasn’t released final pricing yet but expect the machine to be on sale in the first quarter of 2016.
