A 250 too small but 600cc a bit much? Honda answers the call with an all-new 2013 threesome of budget-friendly 500s. And the CBR600RR receives more than a drastic facelift.
A more upright riding position and a streetfighter attitude comes with the CB500F
Fresh on the scene for 2013...
Fresh on the scene for 2013 is Honda's CBR500R (ABS model shown here). Perfect for first-time riders, cash-strapped commuters or those moving up from a 250.
Big Red flexed its muscle and made it clear they are not content sitting on the sidelines with just bold new graphics for its 2013 lineup after unveiling brand new 500cc options and a next gen. CBR600RR. The release of these new bikes points toward a more aggressive direction for Honda, a company always considered reliable but too vanilla at times.
The big news is the faired CBR500R and naked CB500F (an adventure version is also available). It marks a new entry-level option that is easy on the wallet but capable as a commuter or agile canyon carver. Each version of this bike is basically the same with tweaks to the ergos and look. To keep costs down, Honda ditched all the frills, like a second front rotor, and dialed in the 500cc parallel-twin engine, diamond-shaped steel tube frame and adjustable Pro-Link single-shock with 41mm front fork. Available in April, the 500R will cost $5,999 while the streetfighter-style 500F is $5,499. Tack on an additional $500 to either if you want the safer-stopping ABS option.
For middleweight fans, the 2013 CBR600RR went under the knife and came out with a fresh look derived from knowledge gained from the ultra-aerodynamic Honda RC212V MotoGP race program. In person the 600 in either the new HRC (white/red/blue) or Repsol colorway is a stand out. Past the visual changes is new front suspension featuring Honda’s 41mm Showa “Big Piston” fork for improved handling, to go along with a redesigned, centrally located ram-air intake system and more responsive ECU settings that deliver more power in the midrange and enhanced throttle response in the high RPM range as claimed by Honda. We anxiously await testing these claims in a middleweight field now comprised of more than just 600cc. Available colors include red, Repsol Edition, or HRC. The C-ABS model is only available in red. MSRP TBA. Available March 2013.
Wondering about changes to the 2013 CBR1000RR? It remains unchanged apart from bold new graphics that include red, Repsol Edition and HRC. C-ABS model available in black.