Honda CB500 Hornet

The Honda CB500 Hornet looks like a more tamed and approachable version of the CB1000 Hornet. It is not the flashiest or loudest in its segment, but it still carries a strong personality on the road. It delivers great illumination and visibility at night thanks to its twin LED headlights along with a pair of turn indicators. On the sides, its sharp-looking naked-bike design is very noticeable. Its sporty silhouette is enhanced by a mix of blacked-out finishes and metal features.  

Meanwhile, its Hornet DNA is very evident at the back courtesy of a sharp rear illuminated by an LED tail light. In terms of comfort, its saddle provides good cushioning and support for both the rider and pillion even on long-distance trips. Riders have access to a full-colour 5-inch TFT meter display, which is equipped with a Honda RoadSync with an on-screen turn-by-turn navigation system. 

In terms of dimensions, the Honda CB500 Hornet measures 2,081 mm in length, 798 mm in width, and 1,059 mm in height. It has a 1,409 mm wheelbase and a 144 mm ground clearance. This naked bike runs on a pair of 17-inch wheels. Its low seat height is very advantageous for the average Filipino rider (under 6ft). 

The Honda CB500 Hornet utilizes Showa 41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks at the front and a Prolink Mono with a 5-Stage Pre-Load Adjuster and a Steel Hollow Cross Swingarm at the rear. This naked bike delivers impressive handling on winding roads even at high speeds. You’ll be able to confidently hit turns or corners with this bike. In the city, it is also very agile to maneuver even through bumper-to-bumper traffic and has good road bump absorption. Overall, the CB500 Hornet delivers a comfortable and very stable cruising experience for you and your pillion.

The Honda CB500 Hornet is powered by a 471 cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC parallel twin engine that produces a maximum power output of 37.1 kW and a maximum torque of 44.7 Nm. It runs on a 6-speed manual transmission.

This street fighter has enough power and torque to allow riders to overtake slower vehicles on the highway. It runs smoothly and efficiently in the city courtesy of its responsive manual transmission system and impressive fuel economy. However, unlike its bigger and more powerful cousin, the CB1000 Hornet, this bike’s engine has a tendency to struggle if you will be tackling higher RPMs out on the open road. But, overall, it can still run like a proper Hornet off the line.

The Honda CB500 Hornet comes with a Honda Ignition Security System, which is the brand’s electronic anti-theft device. Its braking setup is also supported by a 2-channel anti-lock braking system. This street fighter utilizes dual 296 mm x 4mm disc with Nissin Radial-Mount 4-piston calipers for front braking, while a single 240 mm x 5 mm disc with a single-piston caliper for the rear. This setup delivers a very grippy and responsive stopping force, which is very ideal for spirited riders. 

The Honda CB500 Hornet is a great option for discerned buyers who are in the market to buy their first naked or midweight high-performance bike. This streetfighter is very novice-friendly, well-equipped, and highway capable. In my opinion, this bike has the right amount of everything.