My favorite bike will always be a bike with an inline-4 engine. To me...nothing sounds better than a 4 into 1 pipe. Ride safe everyone. Take care. Cheers from the Colonies.
The public have been telling RE that a 500cc retro single with 45-50bhp is a sweet spot for UK roads for the last few years but they’ve persisted with the 20bhp 350 instead. Honda could be onto something if they go for it. I hope it then nudges RE to follow them.
That’s true, but it’s really a variation of the Super Meteor and Shotgun… I was really meaning a replacement for the old Bullet 500 single.. with maybe 40+bhp..
That’s true too… if only that engine looked a bit more ‘classic’ though… it does look like a modern power plant and probably wouldn’t suit a classic look bike… which Honda’s CB is.
I had a CB5004F that I bought in ‘72 after I got back from the service. Great little 4 cylinder with gorgeous pipes. I have always regretted trading it in for a ‘74 Kaw Z1. The Z proved to be expensive to keep on the road with its shim/rocket valve adjustments, chain maintenance and sprockets. Driving it every day meant the pipes rotted out after a couple of years.
That Royal Enfield Super Meteor is one great retro looking bike, with loads of accessories and a really great entry price here in the states. And plenty enough power for cruising. Will see what Honda may come out with. I have owned 8 Hondas in my life.
A 500 cc mono using the H'ness as a starting platform should be easy. The 350 has 70mmx90.5mm (bore/stroke). Usually enlarging the bore is the easy way to get extra CC's. An 83mm bore piston would provide ~490cc. Being air cooled don't expect much in terms of HP, probably no more than 28hp. The comparison with water cooled engines such a the Triumph 400 or Himalaya 450 does apply not here. Air cooled engines can not meet air pollution laws at high relative HP's, so they have to be detuned. But that's part of the allure of these slow engine, torque down low. Go for it Honda!
The old Yamaha SR500 was 28bhp. Had loadsa character, reportedly. But it was very vibey. Honda's got the vibes under control on the 350 so it just needs scaled up. Go for it Honda.
Royal Enfield has been having fantastic success with their 650cc air/oil cooled twin 'retro' styled motorcycles. I would think Honda would want to take a close look at that market. I love my RE Interceptor but would have gladly paid a bit more if I could have gotten essentially the same bike but with Honda's reputation for impeccable build quality and reliability. Some of the bits on my RE are sub-par in that respect.
If Honda does bring out a 500cc single, I’m all in. I grew up in the 1950s dreaming of 500 single motorcycles and the dream has never dimmed after having multiple smaller singles and larger twins. This Honda would nicely fill the void between my XL350 and Bonneville. Royal Enfield would have my money right now if it had made the Hunter a 500 single, instead, it is another heavy, underpowered 350 of which the company already produces too many versions.
Honda should take a clue on how successful the mini moto retro style bikes are here in the US. A retro style CB500 is really what I wanted when I bought the CL500 which is nothing more than a redesigned Rebel.......
I never knew Harley-Davidson was making bikes in India. Brilliant! That's just what Harley needs to attract new customers! This bike would sell loads in Europe, I reckon they could get lots of buyers in the States with this model and even gain a few customers under the age of 65. Harley had bikes (even of the two-stroke variety) made in Italy back in the 1970's and British designed military bikes from Armstrong with Austrian engines a few years later. Harley-Davidson has an opportunity to reach new customers with a well-made, well-designed and stylish bike, which the 440 is, so bring it on! There is an obsession I think amongst H-D purists that every component of a 'true' Harley needs to originate from the home country and then brought together in Milwaukee. That's never been true. I'm thinking about flying to India, buying a Harley-Davidson 440, riding it home, then rocking up at the local HOG ride-out. That would be fun! Love and peace.
I'm a bit of a Honda fanboy having had so many of their models in my time. Looking to swap my 650 bike for something in the 500 range i did look at the Hondas but decided on a Kawasaki 500 Eliminator because it was lighter, had a sportier engine, midpegs and a low seat. If the CB500 had been on the market i most likely would have gone for that.
I like the idea of a Honda retro-type 500 - but not if it's using the current liquid-cooled 471cc engine they're stuffing into everything. A larger version of the CB350S is what would be desired, air/oil cooled, with a counterbalancer to quell excessive vibes. That is what would compete with the Royal Enfield and Triumph models, but I doubt Honda would do that.
What's missing to my mind is an air cooled 500cc, or better still, a 650cc single on the lines of the GB350. If Honda bring one out I'll be in the queue to buy one.
Since you asked :) ... here is an opinion from someone who did their driving license 25 years ago, but is only now going to buy the first bike. So all I have to form an opinion so far is internet (that will change next year). The 350's from RE and Honda are sweet little bikes, but I just am not sure that that is what I want to be driving on German B-roads with speed limit 100 kmh amd often fast traffic. Then there are the 650 and up bikes - have plenty power, but are also all above 200kg. The only big single maker - the BSA has only 5 or 6 dealers in the whole of Germany, so getting them serviced may be an issue for now. So an air cooled 500 single (I strongly assume, high RPM 2 cylinders are well represented already) would be a very interesting - in particular if it had some classic character and would keep the weight in check and price that would make sense compared to its closest competition. So yeah, from my perspective it would be a great addition. But - reagarding my own tasate - it could look a little more engaging than the GB 350s, which is aimed at RE Hunter quite apparently.
I said it in a few comments when the Meteor 350 came out. RE should reintroduce the aircooled 500 with the new engineering. If they give it closer to 30hp instead of 20, it would be enough to be properly capable of comfortable highway cruising. Ask a current 350 owner if they would like a chunk extra torque and 8-10hp. I bet plenty would bite your hand off.
I am waiting for a 500cc single ...from someone not worried about BHP if its lightweight 30 BHP would be plenty for me iii do like the look of the Honda so a 500cc would be great
The J Series engine increased to 500 cc with 4 valves in the cylinder would be closer to what people want rather than a water cooled engine with a TFT or the round dash that flashes when filmed. The same with the 411 Himalayan I suspect. The owners of the 411s just wanted a bit more power for western roads due to the heavy traffic on them.
Honda should hit that sweet spot 350-500 CC market here in Canada with something other than the Rebel which is a nice bike if you're short. Right now we have the CL500 which is nice and competes with the Eliminator, but there is nothing here save maybe the Speed 400 that competes with Royal Enfield. Honda is missing a huge market not bringing the CB350 here.
I can't see Harley bringing back a retro Shovelhead from the 1970s. But given what Honda and others are doing, this is where Harley could bring in a bike that looks like Bronx with a 500cc engine and say the Bronx9 with the 975cc Revmax. But they won't (it's not going to happen) but even if they did, they would price them so the bikes would be certain to fail.
First off Harley will never make the Bronx, which is the biggest mistake they have ever made. They have come out with the icon edition which dealers over price. They’ll mark them up 5+ grand so you can’t afford to buy one cause they’re $30,000.
Update the XR650L with fuel injection, put on some classy street clothes, bring lots of accessories at introduction, and offer it in 350-500-650 versions. I have an XR650L and an NX650 which I absolutely love the engines in, but the seat heights on both are a real challenge. It actually mystifies me Honda has not offered a option to address this GLARING PROBLEM, especially after 32 YEARS! i swear they would triple sales almost overnight simply by offering a more street oriented version along with the original.
English speakers are fortunate that Mr. Honda didn't command The Imperial Navy in WW II. Retro is good, cause I am retro (old). The looks on the retros. all brands, have an almost visceral feel for a rider who began in '67 on a Yamaha Twin Jet 100.
I think Triumph have it nailed with the 400 singles as they are in a cheaper road tax bracket and have 40bhp performance, If Honda did do a 500 single air-cooled then it would probably produce less bhp than the Triumph, but probably be more expensive to run. I do love the looks of the Honda 350 especially the RS, but the bhp is still only around 20bhp although the top speed isn't restricted like the Royal Enfields. When you think the old air cooled superdream 400 twin could do around 100mph back in the day, then even with current emission regulations surely a manufacture should be able to make a 400cc air-cooled engine with a top speed capable of keeping up with motorway speeds. I think that's what UK buyers would like, but obviously the World market is very different to the UK market so I guess we get what the World wants and hope it's something were going to like.
What could be coming is a competitor to Kawasaki's ZRS bikes with the 470cc parallel twin engine. Better fuel capacity (especially compared to the Z650RS) and economy plus A2 compatibility could be a winner. The old RE 500 only put out 27bhp, so it's unlikely Honda will bring out a 500cc air-cooled single unless it can get a bit more power out of it than that.
Will this make the other 3 Japanese manufacturers follow suit? I know Kwasaki has the W800 and the W230 coming next year. But, do you think this is a retro trend gaining traction?
They also have the Z650RS and Z900RS. With the engines Honda is making right now, a "CB500RS" is more likely, with a modern engine coupled to retro stylings (and some will want an old-fashioned dash as well).
They already have a “CB500”…a whole range of 500 twins!…albeit they’ve decided to rebadge some of those as NX500!….what they don’t have in the range is retro version…ie a CB350 lookalike with the 500 twin engine…..shouldn’t imagine it’s that difficult to fix?!…( now if they decide to make the new 500 a single cylinder then that’s different…absolutely more design and cost implications 👍😎
GB350 is not even a heavy bike. It's considered to be lightweight with 178kg in western markets. With it's 120mm trail, 27° caster, 1440mm wheelbase and 19 inch front wheel it can't even compete in handling with bikes like Triumph Speed 400.
Honda never was really lucky with their retros. The beautiful XBR500 didn’t sell. The lovely CB1100EX? I’ve have not seen a single one in real life here in the Netherlands. Maybe not retro enough. A new air cooled CB750 with a rounded tank would be nice, but I don’t think Honda will take such a risk again.
20 horsepower. So it's definitely made for the indian market matching the royal Enfield 350 20 horsepower. But India considers the royal Enfield a indian bike and they are proud of it
Go on any motorway, your lucky to hit 70 mph, speed cameras, road works or signs telling you 40/50/60,a 350 is more than adequate in the real world, best around town and country lanes but OK on short distance so called faster roads, I've had loads of big bikes up to 1598cc, and being honest you don't need it, I've recently bought a RE classic 350 and it does the job I'm guessing the Honda will be pretty much the same just an 80s looking bike compared to a 50s,its nice to know a bike can do 170mph and 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds but you really can't do those speeds really without losing your licence, there bikes are practical and cheap, so I'm pleased there making them, I'll never go back to big bikes, if I change mine I'll possibly get the 650 classic, just for a bit more umph on motorway so I don't push engine to max
I had never heard of the CB350 till I saw this video and googled it. IMO the RE are cooler bikes with character and though totally different the Triumph 400's look GREAT. After riding the RE Classic 350 and the Triumph I'd be happy with either for different reasons (I hated the Benelli 400). But that CB just looks boring IMO. I'm sure I'm not the intended market/buyer for these new bikes but I see nothing that would make me choose a CB500 over a more interesting RE or Triumph other than the Honda reputation.
Where is the 4-cylinder CBR 400 or v4 VFR 400??? I love my new Kawasaki ZX 4RR and I would buy a new VFR 400 (V4) if produced faster than can type this sentence.
HONDA should come to India with a similar to retro Classic CB1100 EX but with a 500CC capacity single engine, air cooled. The Rebel 500cc is so overpriced. The retro YAMAHA RD350 LT, 2 stroke is a classic that is still restored and sold like hot cakes for no less than 5 Lakhs Indian Rupees; USD-5895 Approx.
Nerd alert. The 350 is actually called the GB 350 (not CB). I think this is to distinguish it as a retro rather than their mainstream model range which has always used the CB prefix.
Honda didn't do well in India with the CB350 series because of multiple reasons - 1. Only available to buy and service at premium Big Wing showrooms which are few and far between. 2. The bike has been recalled 3 times because of QC issues. 3. While chasing RE as their "inspiration" they created an exhaust that just just sounds annoying, nowhere getting close to emulating the so called "thump". In my opinion Honda could have done better if they went back to the CB legacy and gave us an homage to the CB750 or CBX or others instead of trying to copy RE.
CB350 doesn't sell as much as Classic 350 in India because of abysmal decisions from Honda. - Suffers from immense quality control issue, new chassis starts rusting all over under a year along with other issues. Obvious cost cutting going on. - Even with subpar build quality it is priced higher then a 350 with no extra features, maybe a better clutch system. - They are selling them only in "BigWing" stores, which are suposed to offer exclusive experience to customers so normal Honda stores can't sell or even service them. But the reach of these stores is very limited, people living in smaller cities have no option. - Probably most important part, its a direct clone of Classic 350 and lacks any identity for itself, it's mere existence promotes the sales of Classic 350. Everyone will look at CB350 and think wow RE must be so good that Honda made a clone. All of those points and some more makes end buyers frustrated, Honda simply doesn't understand the Indian market.
1) I don't get this - Honda ALREADY makes a CB500(F). Why is this new? 2) "RETRO'' (I despise that hackneyed word) bikes- OF COURSE the Mfrs are headed "back" that way; so many of us older geezers never understood why they ABANDONED those very capable designs. RACE REPLICA supersports became all the rage in the 80's and 90's because MAGAZINES smeared UJM bikes like the Bandit 1200 and ZRX1200's as antiquated.. your DAD'S machinery. Of COURSE they are returning in design.
I have to say motorcycling is doomed, if narrow minded old farts are left in charge . Royal Enfield is making extremely good bikes aimed at older riders, all these retro bikes are aimed at post wheel chair users. Get young people involved in modern bike design, hopefully they will bring back dirty smelly two strokes with a fun factor .....
Don't think young people are all that interested in m/Cs. They see them as expensive fair weather toys, dangerous, and the obligatory helmet ruins the hair doo. And too easily stolen.
Young people have no interest in heavy bikes. Way too expensive to even get a licence and after that a bike. Here in the Netherlands a liter of gas costs more than two euros. And I’m not even mention the costs of living.
Err….the 500X has been around for some time, and is doing pretty reasonable numbers. But anyway, bring back a selection of the 70’s CB range as long as emissions regulations allow it…….CB125, CB200, CB350, CB500, CB750……..built to last and as strong as an Ox. Great styling, fix with a spanner.
The new range of 500 CC motorcycles by Honda is exactly what motorcycling needs right now. Affordable, reliable, capable, and lightweight.
love my CB500 Hornet, great commuterand fun at weekends. Honda alreay have the CB, CL, with a proven frame/engine,
I would love to see an air cooled cb500 single. Needs to be around 40hp
Try the Royal Enfield Guerilla 450. It's a 40bhp barrel of fun.
Better looking then the bikes with huge radiators and loads of plastic/ my bikes where simple all metal
My favorite bike will always be a bike with an inline-4 engine. To me...nothing sounds better than a 4 into 1 pipe. Ride safe everyone. Take care. Cheers from the Colonies.
America hasn't had an under-square 500 single in decades. It's time. I'll buy one.
The public have been telling RE that a 500cc retro single with 45-50bhp is a sweet spot for UK roads for the last few years but they’ve persisted with the 20bhp 350 instead. Honda could be onto something if they go for it. I hope it then nudges RE to follow them.
Royal Enfield released the 650 cc classic recently.
That’s true, but it’s really a variation of the Super Meteor and Shotgun… I was really meaning a replacement for the old Bullet 500 single.. with maybe 40+bhp..
And they've released several versions of a 450.
That’s true too… if only that engine looked a bit more ‘classic’ though… it does look like a modern power plant and probably wouldn’t suit a classic look bike… which Honda’s CB is.
@@duncancleverley6366 I didn’t think the bullet 500 engine could meet euro 5 emissions ?
Honda should relaunch real legacy retro CB series bikes from 1970 to 1980's . CB 250, CB 350, CB 450 and CB 750. Thx
Absolutely agree a 500 cc would be an overall better usable option.. especially if u need to ride the motorways on occasion...Ride Safe 😊
Love it! Would buy Japanese’s build over Indian built any day of the week.
Much harder to work on
@@johnrocker2986 as much heritage as those side burns of yours!
@@_S.E.J_so personal aint ya.
@@johnrocker2986 well when you come on a comment I make and give your 2 bob, don’t expect anything else.
Keep in your own lane
Will probably be built in China.
I had a CB5004F that I bought in ‘72 after I got back from the service. Great little 4 cylinder with gorgeous pipes. I have always regretted trading it in for a ‘74 Kaw Z1. The Z proved to be expensive to keep on the road with its shim/rocket valve adjustments, chain maintenance and sprockets. Driving it every day meant the pipes rotted out after a couple of years.
That Royal Enfield Super Meteor is one great retro looking bike, with loads of accessories and a really great entry price here in the states. And plenty enough power for cruising. Will see what Honda may come out with. I have owned 8 Hondas in my life.
A 500 cc mono using the H'ness as a starting platform should be easy. The 350 has 70mmx90.5mm (bore/stroke). Usually enlarging the bore is the easy way to get extra CC's. An 83mm bore piston would provide ~490cc. Being air cooled don't expect much in terms of HP, probably no more than 28hp. The comparison with water cooled engines such a the Triumph 400 or Himalaya 450 does apply not here. Air cooled engines can not meet air pollution laws at high relative HP's, so they have to be detuned. But that's part of the allure of these slow engine, torque down low.
Go for it Honda!
The old Yamaha SR500 was 28bhp. Had loadsa character, reportedly. But it was very vibey. Honda's got the vibes under control on the 350 so it just needs scaled up.
Go for it Honda.
Royal Enfield has been having fantastic success with their 650cc air/oil cooled twin 'retro' styled motorcycles. I would think Honda would want to take a close look at that market. I love my RE Interceptor but would have gladly paid a bit more if I could have gotten essentially the same bike but with Honda's reputation for impeccable build quality and reliability. Some of the bits on my RE are sub-par in that respect.
If Honda does bring out a 500cc single, I’m all in.
I grew up in the 1950s dreaming of 500 single motorcycles and the dream has never dimmed after having multiple smaller singles and larger twins. This Honda would nicely fill the void between my XL350 and Bonneville.
Royal Enfield would have my money right now if it had made the Hunter a 500 single, instead, it is another heavy, underpowered 350 of which the company already produces too many versions.
Ahhh an XBR 500 reborn!
Ohhh, how I wish!
@@old6681I agree. I owned one for a number of years. They were an excellent bike.
Reteo bikes. Going back to their roots.
Honda should take a clue on how successful the mini moto retro style bikes are here in the US. A retro style CB500 is really what I wanted when I bought the CL500 which is nothing more than a redesigned Rebel.......
I never knew Harley-Davidson was making bikes in India. Brilliant! That's just what Harley needs to attract new customers!
This bike would sell loads in Europe, I reckon they could get lots of buyers in the States with this model and even gain a few customers under the age of 65.
Harley had bikes (even of the two-stroke variety) made in Italy back in the 1970's and British designed military bikes from Armstrong with Austrian engines a few years later.
Harley-Davidson has an opportunity to reach new customers with a well-made, well-designed and stylish bike, which the 440 is, so bring it on!
There is an obsession I think amongst H-D purists that every component of a 'true' Harley needs to originate from the home country and then brought together in Milwaukee.
That's never been true.
I'm thinking about flying to India, buying a Harley-Davidson 440, riding it home, then rocking up at the local HOG ride-out. That would be fun!
Love and peace.
I'm a bit of a Honda fanboy having had so many of their models in my time. Looking to swap my 650 bike for something in the 500 range i did look at the Hondas but decided on a Kawasaki 500 Eliminator because it was lighter, had a sportier engine, midpegs and a low seat. If the CB500 had been on the market i most likely would have gone for that.
Would love to see this here in the US!
Im hoping they'll bring to the US
I like the idea of a Honda retro-type 500 - but not if it's using the current liquid-cooled 471cc engine they're stuffing into everything. A larger version of the CB350S is what would be desired, air/oil cooled, with a counterbalancer to quell excessive vibes. That is what would compete with the Royal Enfield and Triumph models, but I doubt Honda would do that.
What's missing to my mind is an air cooled 500cc, or better still, a 650cc single on the lines of the GB350. If Honda bring one out I'll be in the queue to buy one.
The Honda CB750’s 736cc engine produced around 67 horsepower ❤❤ would love a modern version 67hp is more to my liking 47 not enough USA highways
Since you asked :) ... here is an opinion from someone who did their driving license 25 years ago, but is only now going to buy the first bike. So all I have to form an opinion so far is internet (that will change next year). The 350's from RE and Honda are sweet little bikes, but I just am not sure that that is what I want to be driving on German B-roads with speed limit 100 kmh amd often fast traffic. Then there are the 650 and up bikes - have plenty power, but are also all above 200kg. The only big single maker - the BSA has only 5 or 6 dealers in the whole of Germany, so getting them serviced may be an issue for now. So an air cooled 500 single (I strongly assume, high RPM 2 cylinders are well represented already) would be a very interesting - in particular if it had some classic character and would keep the weight in check and price that would make sense compared to its closest competition. So yeah, from my perspective it would be a great addition. But - reagarding my own tasate - it could look a little more engaging than the GB 350s, which is aimed at RE Hunter quite apparently.
XSR900? Light, fun, great triple engine.............
@ I am more into modern classic bikes
I said it in a few comments when the Meteor 350 came out. RE should reintroduce the aircooled 500 with the new engineering. If they give it closer to 30hp instead of 20, it would be enough to be properly capable of comfortable highway cruising. Ask a current 350 owner if they would like a chunk extra torque and 8-10hp. I bet plenty would bite your hand off.
I am waiting for a 500cc single ...from someone not worried about BHP if its lightweight 30 BHP would be plenty for me iii do like the look of the Honda so a 500cc would be great
I would love a 45-50 hp gb500 with a bench seat. I'd buy one all day and PLEASE send them to the States too, not just India and Europe.
The J Series engine increased to 500 cc with 4 valves in the cylinder would be closer to what people want rather than a water cooled engine with a TFT or the round dash that flashes when filmed. The same with the 411 Himalayan I suspect. The owners of the 411s just wanted a bit more power for western roads due to the heavy traffic on them.
I have seen somewhere that Honda has registered plans for the CB500.. Can't remember where.. But I bet you they will..
I’d buy a CB350 for my wife and a CB500 for myself. Bring them to America!!
Bring it to the US . That would be finally my first bike. Love retro motorcycles but I also want Japanese reliability.
Yes Build it but please give it a nice paint job ( I hate matt black ) give it kerbside appeal and it will sell by the boat load😃
I don’t understand the fascination with black motorcycles.
Honda should hit that sweet spot 350-500 CC market here in Canada with something other than the Rebel which is a nice bike if you're short. Right now we have the CL500 which is nice and competes with the Eliminator, but there is nothing here save maybe the Speed 400 that competes with Royal Enfield. Honda is missing a huge market not bringing the CB350 here.
I would love to see this bike!
I can't see Harley bringing back a retro Shovelhead from the 1970s. But given what Honda and others are doing, this is where Harley could bring in a bike that looks like Bronx with a 500cc engine and say the Bronx9 with the 975cc Revmax. But they won't (it's not going to happen) but even if they did, they would price them so the bikes would be certain to fail.
First off Harley will never make the Bronx, which is the biggest mistake they have ever made. They have come out with the icon edition which dealers over price. They’ll mark them up 5+ grand so you can’t afford to buy one cause they’re $30,000.
Another video mentioned that Royal Enfield sells more bikes in a month that the other British bike maker, Triumph, sells in a year!
A bike that will sale..A retro 550cc low seat. 3 gallon tank. belt drive 50hp
Wish the 350 was a twin. Am I wrong? Love to see Honda remake one of my favorite bikes ever….the GL 1000. I’d run to the dealer.
You know you're doing something right when Honda starts copying you. 👌
Update the XR650L with fuel injection, put on some classy street clothes, bring lots of accessories at introduction, and offer it in 350-500-650 versions. I have an XR650L and an NX650 which I absolutely love the engines in, but the seat heights on both are a real challenge. It actually mystifies me Honda has not offered a option to address this GLARING PROBLEM, especially after 32 YEARS!
i swear they would triple sales almost overnight simply by offering a more street oriented version along with the original.
I have a Honda Monkey and a RE Hunter 350. I would love a Honda CB500 if they build it as an air cooled single cylinder. Bring it to the USA Honda!
Bring out a GB500 two-valve single.
English speakers are fortunate that Mr. Honda didn't command The Imperial Navy in WW II.
Retro is good, cause I am retro (old). The looks on the retros. all brands, have an almost visceral feel for a rider who began in '67 on a Yamaha Twin Jet 100.
I think Triumph have it nailed with the 400 singles as they are in a cheaper road tax bracket and have 40bhp performance, If Honda did do a 500 single air-cooled then it would probably produce less bhp than the Triumph, but probably be more expensive to run. I do love the looks of the Honda 350 especially the RS, but the bhp is still only around 20bhp although the top speed isn't restricted like the Royal Enfields. When you think the old air cooled superdream 400 twin could do around 100mph back in the day, then even with current emission regulations surely a manufacture should be able to make a 400cc air-cooled engine with a top speed capable of keeping up with motorway speeds. I think that's what UK buyers would like, but obviously the World market is very different to the UK market so I guess we get what the World wants and hope it's something were going to like.
What could be coming is a competitor to Kawasaki's ZRS bikes with the 470cc parallel twin engine. Better fuel capacity (especially compared to the Z650RS) and economy plus A2 compatibility could be a winner. The old RE 500 only put out 27bhp, so it's unlikely Honda will bring out a 500cc air-cooled single unless it can get a bit more power out of it than that.
Will this make the other 3 Japanese manufacturers follow suit? I know Kwasaki has the W800 and the W230 coming next year. But, do you think this is a retro trend gaining traction?
They also have the Z650RS and Z900RS. With the engines Honda is making right now, a "CB500RS" is more likely, with a modern engine coupled to retro stylings (and some will want an old-fashioned dash as well).
They already have a “CB500”…a whole range of 500 twins!…albeit they’ve decided to rebadge some of those as NX500!….what they don’t have in the range is retro version…ie a CB350 lookalike with the 500 twin engine…..shouldn’t imagine it’s that difficult to fix?!…( now if they decide to make the new 500 a single cylinder then that’s different…absolutely more design and cost implications 👍😎
CB 500 with 27 bhp and 35 nm torque, but shorter geared towards low end torque would work well but Honda don't care 🤌🏻
Agree on 500, but would like to see a more handling orientated chassis geometry.
The GB350 is already a great handling machine for its weight. Expect the 500 to be similar in handling.
GB350 is not even a heavy bike. It's considered to be lightweight with 178kg in western markets.
With it's 120mm trail, 27° caster, 1440mm wheelbase and 19 inch front wheel it can't even compete in handling with bikes like Triumph Speed 400.
Honda never was really lucky with their retros. The beautiful XBR500 didn’t sell. The lovely CB1100EX? I’ve have not seen a single one in real life here in the Netherlands. Maybe not retro enough. A new air cooled CB750 with a rounded tank would be nice, but I don’t think Honda will take such a risk again.
20 horsepower. So it's definitely made for the indian market matching the royal Enfield 350 20 horsepower. But India considers the royal Enfield a indian bike and they are proud of it
the cb500 hornet priced ar £4999 would win the market...
The 350 RE is about 5 HP too low. 25 HP is about the smallest amount that will take you out on the freeway.
Go on any motorway, your lucky to hit 70 mph, speed cameras, road works or signs telling you 40/50/60,a 350 is more than adequate in the real world, best around town and country lanes but OK on short distance so called faster roads, I've had loads of big bikes up to 1598cc, and being honest you don't need it, I've recently bought a RE classic 350 and it does the job I'm guessing the Honda will be pretty much the same just an 80s looking bike compared to a 50s,its nice to know a bike can do 170mph and 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds but you really can't do those speeds really without losing your licence, there bikes are practical and cheap, so I'm pleased there making them, I'll never go back to big bikes, if I change mine I'll possibly get the 650 classic, just for a bit more umph on motorway so I don't push engine to max
Classic 500 is the bike that globally everyone wants from RE . Instead they fkd up the classic by 650. I hope honda fills that gap
I had never heard of the CB350 till I saw this video and googled it. IMO the RE are cooler bikes with character and though totally different the Triumph 400's look GREAT. After riding the RE Classic 350 and the Triumph I'd be happy with either for different reasons (I hated the Benelli 400). But that CB just looks boring IMO. I'm sure I'm not the intended market/buyer for these new bikes but I see nothing that would make me choose a CB500 over a more interesting RE or Triumph other than the Honda reputation.
The CB350RS is gorgeous but tremendously lacking on power. Would certainly consider buying a CB500 if it came out with around 45hp
Honda have registered the GB500 name.
Where is the 4-cylinder CBR 400 or v4 VFR 400??? I love my new Kawasaki ZX 4RR and I would buy a new VFR 400 (V4) if produced faster than can type this sentence.
The CB350 in India is by far the best looking of the retrobikes, the downfall is the terrible HP and torque.
HONDA should come to India with a similar to retro Classic CB1100 EX but with a 500CC capacity single engine, air cooled. The Rebel 500cc is so overpriced. The retro YAMAHA RD350 LT, 2 stroke is a classic that is still restored and sold like hot cakes for no less than 5 Lakhs Indian Rupees; USD-5895 Approx.
I think 750cc would be a better standard than 500cc. I feel like the 500cc would get boring pretty quickly on the road
Nerd alert. The 350 is actually called the GB 350 (not CB). I think this is to distinguish it as a retro rather than their mainstream model range which has always used the CB prefix.
It's CB in some markets.
I would like a cb500 but fairly price
Honda has been run buy dullards for years now. I don’t think this will be a home run.
Definitely want a smaller bike and simple to work on not all that plastic garbage
Honda should build it in Japan or the USA instead of India or that frenemy peoples republic.
Honda didn't do well in India with the CB350 series because of multiple reasons -
1. Only available to buy and service at premium Big Wing showrooms which are few and far between.
2. The bike has been recalled 3 times because of QC issues.
3. While chasing RE as their "inspiration" they created an exhaust that just just sounds annoying, nowhere getting close to emulating the so called "thump".
In my opinion Honda could have done better if they went back to the CB legacy and gave us an homage to the CB750 or CBX or others instead of trying to copy RE.
You are correct Bro, CB legacy and gave us an homage to the CB750 or CBX or others instead of trying to copy RE.
they needed a 350 with 40 hp and thats all you need no need for a 500 keep it simple
500cc air & oil cooled single...
My ears pricked up.....
CB350 doesn't sell as much as Classic 350 in India because of abysmal decisions from Honda.
- Suffers from immense quality control issue, new chassis starts rusting all over under a year along with other issues. Obvious cost cutting going on.
- Even with subpar build quality it is priced higher then a 350 with no extra features, maybe a better clutch system.
- They are selling them only in "BigWing" stores, which are suposed to offer exclusive experience to customers so normal Honda stores can't sell or even service them. But the reach of these stores is very limited, people living in smaller cities have no option.
- Probably most important part, its a direct clone of Classic 350 and lacks any identity for itself, it's mere existence promotes the sales of Classic 350. Everyone will look at CB350 and think wow RE must be so good that Honda made a clone.
All of those points and some more makes end buyers frustrated, Honda simply doesn't understand the Indian market.
Stop dickin' around and bring back a DOHC CB750 Nighthawk with a six speed and dual front disc brakes, although it can look like a SOHC CB750 K4
500cc is too big for a single cylinder engine, an inline twin would be a winner over Royal Enfield all day long.
Just a rip off of Royal Enfield, that engine is just like the J series on RE.
I expect if they did, it won't be a 4 and it won't be a single. Most likely a boring parra. twin and another fail.
SOOOOO STUPID!WHY ? WHO RUNS THESE POS COMPANIES! WTF !
1) I don't get this - Honda ALREADY makes a CB500(F). Why is this new? 2) "RETRO'' (I despise that hackneyed word) bikes- OF COURSE the Mfrs are headed "back" that way; so many of us older geezers never understood why they ABANDONED those very capable designs. RACE REPLICA supersports became all the rage in the 80's and 90's because MAGAZINES smeared UJM bikes like the Bandit 1200 and ZRX1200's as antiquated.. your DAD'S machinery. Of COURSE they are returning in design.
Awful cheap looking Ebay L.E.D. blinkers MUST GO!
Honda…..too expensive.
I have to say motorcycling is doomed, if narrow minded old farts are left in charge . Royal Enfield is making extremely good bikes aimed at older riders, all these retro bikes are aimed at post wheel chair users. Get young people involved in modern bike design, hopefully they will bring back dirty smelly two strokes with a fun factor .....
Don't think young people are all that interested in m/Cs. They see them as expensive fair weather toys, dangerous, and the obligatory helmet ruins the hair doo. And too easily stolen.
Young people have no interest in heavy bikes. Way too expensive to even get a licence and after that a bike. Here in the Netherlands a liter of gas costs more than two euros. And I’m not even mention the costs of living.
Looks cheap
Err….the 500X has been around for some time, and is doing pretty reasonable numbers. But anyway, bring back a selection of the 70’s CB range as long as emissions regulations allow it…….CB125, CB200, CB350, CB500, CB750……..built to last and as strong as an Ox. Great styling, fix with a spanner.