Honda has unveiled the 2019 range of 500 cc motorcycles - the Honda CBR500R, Honda CB500X and the Honda CB500F at the 2018 EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy. The three bikes share the same underpinnings but are very different in purpose and appeal, and have been updated with improved components and styling. The bikes continue to draw power from the 471 cc twin-cylinder engine with 47 bhp on offer, while low and mid-range torque output has improved by 4 per cent, improving acceleration across the range.
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The 2019 Honda CBR 500 cc range get a revised exhaust system, while the distribution and intake have also been improved. The bikes also now comes with an anti-rebound clutch as standard. That said, specific changes are in plenty on each of the motorcycles.
Starting with the 2019 Honda CBR500R, the full-faired offering gets a more angular design language than the current version, while the ergonomics are sportier with lower clip-on handlebars and a sportier trend. The headlamps are now full-LED, while dual-channel ABS is standard as well. The bike gets an LCD instrument console for MY2019 with gait indicator, overspeed warning and a revised rear shock absorber. It still weighs 152 kg, keeping the overall package light.
(The 2019 Honda CB500F gets the same changes as the CBR500R)
The 2019 Honda CB500F is the street-fighter version based on the CBR500R and carries over the same changes as the 2019 CBR500R including the revised rear shocks, LCD console, and a sharper-looking design language. The 2019 CBR500F though gets full LED lighting, intermittent included with a single lens setup.
(The 2019 Honda CB500X gets the bulk of changes including the new Africa Twin design)
Lastly, the 2019 Honda CB500X gets the maximum number of changes over the other two motorcycles. The bike is now designed in-line with the Africa Twin, and now sports improved aerodynamis, a thinner seat and an increase in the radius of gyration by 3-degrees. Like its siblings, the bike gets full LED lights with indicators, improve rear shock absorber, while the suspension on the CB500X has improved with a 10 mm increase in travel in the front forks and an 18 mm increase at the rear. The front tyre is also now larger at 19-inches, up from the current 17-inches.
Honda 2Wheeler India has not announced any plans to bring the CB500 range to the country, but with their easy ride-ability, the bikes will find a lot of appeal here with the right pricing of course.
