For 2019 Honda’s highly successful CBR500R gets a make-over with a fresh set of sleeker clothes along with some meaningful mechanical updates for the new model year.
The eight-valve parallel twin has altered cam timing and more lift on the valves which Honda claims translates to a 4 per cent boost in mid-range power and torque from 3000-7000 rpm.
Also new for 2019 is a slip-assist clutch which comes with the dual benefits of a lighter clutch pull combined with a slipper function on decelearation.
A repositioned battery has allowed for a straight intake tract for the PGM-FI fuel-injection system.
At the other end the exhaust system now features dual exits in the single high-rise muffler.
2019 will be the seventh year in production for the CBR500R and Honda has given the model a more lithe but at the same time more muscular look to the comfortable learner legal machine.
The clip-on bars now sit lower and the riding position is canted a little more forward, while the seat itself is a little slimmer than before but retains the low 785 mm seat height.
New LCD instrumentation adds an upshift indicator light along with a gear position indicator. The shift-light is factory set at 8,750 rpm but can be adjusted in 250 rpm increments for the boy/girl racers.
Indicators are now LED to match the rest of the lighting package.
A new single-tube rear shock with larger diameter piston promises improved damping control and is nine-stage preload adjustable. Forks are as before, 41mm, and offer 120mm of travel.
Honda claim a range of up to 480 km from the 17.1-litre fuel cell.
As for when it arrives, it seems sometime early in 2019 is about as close a date as we can predict for now.
Image Gallery |
ENGINE | |
Type | Liquid cooled, parallel twin |
Displacement | 471 cc |
No of Valves per Cylinder | 4 |
Bore & Stroke | 67 mm x 66.8 mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 |
Max. Power Output | 35kW (47 hp) @ 8600 rpm |
Max. Torque | 43Nm @ 6500 rpm |
Oil Capacity | 3.2 L |
FUEL SYSTEM | |
Carburation | PGM FI |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 litres |
Fuel Consumption (WMTC) | 29.4 km/litre |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
Battery Capacity | 12V 7.4AH |
ACG Output | 25A/2000rpm |
DRIVETRAIN | |
Clutch Type | Wet multi-plate |
Transmission Type | 6 speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
FRAME | |
Type | Steel diamond |
CHASSIS | |
Dimensions (L ́W ́H) | 2080 mm x 755 mm x 1145 mm |
Wheelbase | 1410 mm |
Caster Angle | 25.5 degrees |
Trail | 102 mm |
Seat Height | 785 mm |
Ground Clearance | 130 mm |
Kerb Weight | 192 kg |
SUSPENSION | |
Type Front | Conventional telescopic front forks, 41mm, preload adjustable |
Type Rear | Prolink mono with 5-stage preload adjuster, steel square pipe swingarm |
WHEELS | |
Type Front | Multi-spoke cast aluminium |
Type Rear | Multi-spoke cast aluminium |
Rim Size Front | 17 x MT3.5 |
Rim Size Rear | 17 x MT4.5 |
Tyres Front | 120/70ZR – 17M/C |
Tyres Rear | 160/60ZR – 17M/C |
BRAKES | |
ABS System Type | 2 channel |
Type Front | Single wavy disk, 320 mm, 2 piston caliper |
Type Rear | Single wavy disk, 240 mm, 1 piston caliper |
INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
Instruments | Digital speedometer, digital bar graph tachometer, dual trip meters, digital fuel level gauge & fuel consumption gauge, digital clock, gear position indicator |
Security System | HISS (Honda Intelligent Security System) |
Headlight | Low 13W. Hi. 12.8W |