Eicma 2012 – Honda presents the new CB500F

Ideal for those who wish to switch to a motorbike with a larger displacement and for those who obtain the A2 licence, the new CB500F it is a compact medium-displacement naked bike, very fun, very agile on every route and with super efficient fuel consumption. Perfect for starting to give free rein to your motorcycling passion, the CB500F boasts a brilliant twin-cylinder engine, a solid chassis and a very high level of safety thanks to the standard two-channel ABS.

The design of the new CB500F takes inspiration from the phenomenal four-cylinder CB1000R. The line is streamlined, compact, ideal for moving with incredible ease of handling in the most intense traffic and for having fun on extra-urban routes. The ergonomics are designed to offer abundant space and comfort to riders of all heights and builds, and thanks to the saddle just 790 mm from the ground even the less tall riders will feel comfortable and safe. The in-line twin-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder delivers a maximum power of 48 HP (35 kW), a level specifically chosen by Honda because it guarantees spirited performance and complies with the new value imposed by the A2 licence, ideal for younger riders . But not only! With an exceptional consumption of just 27 km/l (WMTC average cycle) the new CB500F is friendly to the environment and... your wallet!

The diamond-shaped steel frame and high-quality suspension (41 mm telescopic fork and monoshock with Pro-Link progressive linkage) ensure a precise and reliable ride, thanks also to the lightweight 17-inch aluminum wheels on which sports tires are mounted lowered. The powerful daisy-profile disc brakes ensure powerful braking, and with the standard two-channel ABS active safety is also at the highest level.

cycling
The 35 mm diameter steel tube frame with diamond structure is light and strong, calibrated to offer a confident response on any road surface. The shape and position of the engine mounts, combined with the perfect balance between rigidity and flexibility of the frame, also minimizes vibrations, making driving even more comfortable. The wheelbase of 1.410 mm, associated with a steering head inclination of 25,5° and a trail of 102,6 mm, guarantees great agility and at the same time reassuring stability. The centralization of the masses, with the engine positioned close to the center of gravity and therefore to the swingarm pivot, makes even the tightest turns immediate and contributes to the balanced distribution of weight between the front and rear axles, an advantage also in terms of stability. The weight with a full tank of petrol is just 192 kg and thanks to the saddle just 790 mm from the ground and the wide handlebars, not even the tightest parking maneuvers are a problem. Very easy to drive also due to its compact overall dimensions (LxWxH: 2.040x780x1.059 mm) it boasts a large 15,7 liter metal tank, which allows a range of over 420 km on a single tank of petrol! The 41 mm telescopic fork, with 120 mm travel, absorbs every bump without hesitation, giving an excellent feeling on the front wheel. The rear suspension with 9-position preload-adjustable monoshock and Pro-Link progressive linkage offers comfort and stability. The high traction of the new CB500F is also thanks to the long swingarm (564 mm) in boxed steel (70×30 mm).

Taking into account the displacement, weight and spirited performance, Honda designers chose the ideal mix of handling and road holding for the wheels and tyres. In fact, covers in sizes 6/120 and 70/160 are mounted on the light alloy wheels with 60 split spokes, ideal for using a large variety of tyres, from the most profitable in sports driving to the most durable in touring use. And as for the brakes, a sporty look, safety and effectiveness go hand in hand, with wave profile discs gripped by powerful calipers overseen by the effective two-channel ABS system as standard. The completely digital dashboard is very modern and captivating and includes a numeric speedometer, bar rev counter, odometer with two partials, clock, bar fuel level indicator and trip computer for instant and average consumption. The HISS (Honda Intelligent Security System) with coded ignition key is integrated into the fuel system to help reduce the risk of theft.

Finally, excellent visibility and night lighting guaranteed by the front headlight unit, 4/60 W H55 halogen lamp and multi-reflective surface dish. The underseat compartment can accommodate a U-lock and a lightweight rain jacket.

The CB500F will be available in three colors:

• Pearl Himalayas White
• Graphite Black
• Candy Ruby Red

Motor
The CB500F's new generation engine is highly innovative from both a performance and environmental point of view. It is a front-wheel parallel twin-cylinder engine with liquid cooling and twin-cam distribution with 4 valves per cylinder, very light (just 52,7 kg), brilliant, economical in consumption, and for all these characteristics capable of adapting to a large variety of uses, from the purely urban to the more sporting one, passing through tourism, even when fully loaded and over long distances.

The slightly super-square bore and stroke measurements (67×66,8 mm) were chosen because they perfectly mix solid torque delivery with the ability to reach high rotation speeds. The crankshaft timing is 180° and a primary balancer shaft is positioned behind the cylinders, close to the bike's center of gravity. Between the primary and countershaft gears, an intermediate gear drastically reduces noise while the crankshaft cleavers are specially shaped to obtain perfect balance, smooth power delivery and adequate liveliness when revving up. The brilliance of the engine is also guaranteed by the Honda PGM-FI electronic injection fuel system, for a peak power of 48 HP (35 kW) at 8.500 rpm and a maximum torque of 43 Nm at 7.000 rpm. The proportion of triangulation between crankshaft, transmission shaft
primary and countershaft is completely similar to that of the Honda engines of the 4-cylinder supersport RR series, as is the case with the structure of the 6-speed gearbox, thus allowing the creation of a compact engine in the sense of
longitudinal and very light. A deep oil sump reduces the movement of the lubricant inside it and the powerful pump ensures maximum lubrication even during the most sudden accelerations and braking, contributing to the extreme reliability of the engine in all conditions. Maximum attention from Honda engineers also for the cooling system. The analysis of the liquid flows inside the system using CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) made it possible to optimize its efficiency and to use a lighter and smaller water pump.

The double camshaft (DOHC) distribution with 4 valves per cylinder uses efficient roller rocker arms, while the valve register using calibrated pads allows the creation of a light and reliable system, with springs with lower load which contribute to the overall reduction of friction. The same objective is achieved by the silent chain that controls the distribution, which, thanks to the vanadium surface treatment, reaches the maximum in terms of reliability and durability. The intake and exhaust valves have a diameter of 26 and 21,5 mm respectively. Thanks to the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) methodology, the efficiency of the flows has been optimised, making them as straight as possible from the aribox to the exhaust manifolds, also thanks to a bulkhead inside the filter box which divides the incoming air into the two cylinders.

The 67 mm bore is the same as the CBR600RR and the use of CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) has ensured the optimal balance between weight and resistance in the conformation of the pistons, the shape of which is inspired by those of the CBR1000RR. Also in this case, maximum attention was paid to reducing friction, in fact there are striations on the piston skirt which create gaps into which the oil can flow, improving lubrication. Finally, as on the pistons of the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR, after a nitrocarburization treatment the AB1 process is carried out in a salt bath, which creates a protective antioxidant membrane. The crankcase uses cylinder liners with thin walls obtained by centrifugal casting, while the same spacing between the cylinders as the CBR600RR guarantees compactness and lightness. Particular attention was paid to the internal shape of the crankcase, in order to drastically reduce the pumping losses that can occur with the 180° crank mechanism. Thanks to the use of the same type of crankcase structure created for the CBR1000RR, the oil pump benefits from better ventilation and therefore reduced friction, which also benefits the compactness of the deep oil sump.

Inside the diamond-structure chassis, the engine contributes to overall rigidity, and is anchored at the rear and with four front mounts (two on the head and two on the cylinder bank). As on every naked Honda, also on the CB500F the engine contributes to the aesthetic result, in this case also thanks to the 'Matt Axis Grey' metallic finish which gives great depth, integrating perfectly with the design in all three color variants.

Finally, the great efficiency in terms of reducing polluting emissions deserves a mention. This is not only thanks to the very low consumption (27 km/l in the average WMTC cycle) but also to the secondary air injection system in the cylinder head and the lambda sensor, as well as the catalyst on the exhaust system with a 2-in-1 pattern.

Accessories
Numerous accessories are available for the CB500F, including:

• Side cases
• Rear luggage rack
• Rear case
• Windshield nail
• Single seat cover
• Matching undertail
• Front aerodynamic appendage
• Chain guard
• U-shaped mechanical anti-theft device
• Tank pad
• Heated grips
• Motorcycle cover

Technical characteristics Honda CB500F (ED type)
ENGINE
Type Inline twin-cylinder, 8-valve twin camshaft (DOHC), liquid-cooled
Displacement 471 cc
Bore x stroke 67 x 66,8 mm
Compression ratio 10,7: 1
Maximum power 35 kW (48 HP) @ 8.500 rpm (95/1/EC)
Max torque 43 Nm @ 7.000 rpm (95/1/EC)
Total oil capacity 3,2 litres

POWER
Carburetion Honda PGM-FI electronic injection
Tank capacity 15,7 liters (including reserve)
Consumption 27 km / l (average cycle WMTC *)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electric start
Battery capacity 12V 8.6Ah
Alternator power 23.4 A/2.000 rpm
60/55W optical unit
HISS (Honda Intelligent Security System) anti-theft system
Instrumentation Completely digital with LCD screen

TRANSMISSION
Multi-disc clutch in oil bath
6-speed gearbox
Final drive Chain, 520 pitch
CB500F press information

WOOD FRAME
Type Tubular steel, diamond shape

CHASSIS
Dimensions (LxWxH) 2.075 x 780 x 1.060 mm
Wheelbase 1.410 mm
Steering head angle 25,5 °
Trail 102,6 mm
Saddle height 790 mm
Ground clearance 155 mm
Dry weight 175,4 kg
Weight in odm and with full petrol 192 kg

SOSPENSION
Front type: telescopic fork with 41mm stanchions
Rear: boxed steel swingarm with Pro-Link monoshock adjustable in preload to 9 positions

WHEELS
Front type: 12-spoke die-cast aluminium
Rear: 12-spoke die-cast aluminium
Front rim size: 17 x MT3.50
Rear: 17 x MT4.50
Front tire size: 120/70ZR-17M/C
Rear: 160/60ZR-17M/C

BRAKES
Front type: 320 mm wave disc, 2-piston caliper, ABS
Rear: 240 mm wave disc, 1-piston caliper, ABS

*Data obtained by Honda under standard test conditions prescribed by the WMTC methodology. Results may vary depending on driving style, vehicle maintenance status, weather and road conditions, tire pressure and load. The tests were conducted using a basic version of the vehicle, with only the driver on board and without additional optional accessories.