2023 Honda CB500F Review: The Perfect First Big Bike?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- In today's video, James is reviewing his first motorbike - a Honda CB500F!
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The CB500 is considered by many to be a great first "big bike", a reputation held by both this new A2 iteration and its predecessor. I have fond memories of riding one years ago, but after a break from biking - how does this new generation fare?
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On camera today: James Martin
Behind Camera: Ant
Editing: James Martin
JayEmm & Friends was borne of two other TH-cam channels, @JayEmmOnCars and @sportzntouring - check them out if you want more motoring content!
#Honda #CB500F #bigbike
Chapter Listing:
0:00 Welcome
2:45 The CB500F
11:00 The Ride & Conclusion - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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As a biker that’s been up and down the HP ladder a few times, you learn that you have far more fun getting 90% out of a bike like this than 30% out of a bike like the KTM. That said, I understand the temptation for the big cc’s and have fallen for it myself many times!
The gt86 of motorcycles
I had a new Suzuki V-Strom 1000. I had the chance to ride a 500F and quickly realized I had made a mistake. The 500F was delightful and effortless in the twisties, which is my favourite kind of riding; which the bigger bike simply wasn't and I've been riding since 1968. If you value handling and pure riding pleasure at sane speeds, the 500F is stellar. If gearing is an issue, bump up the primary a tooth.
Bought a 23 last year as my first bike and i absolutely love it so far. Lots of compliments too
Congratulations on the first press bike and the first sponsor James. Lucky bastard. I’m jealous of you AGAIN. Bit of a theme there. Been proud of you and proudly jealous since that first exige pickup video from ages ago. Well done.
These CB500 models have fun, usability and reliability written all over them.
I spent three months last summer touring Scandinavia and Europe on a CB500x model. I did 13,500 miles, and other than oil and tyre changes the bike was faultless.
Much enjoyed the video, thumbs up !
Great review and a pleasure to see your effortless transition from four to two wheel reviews. I am sure sure this channel will grow and grow. Good luck.
Excellent review, James. You're smashing it on two wheels as well as four! 👍
Thanks for mentioning your height/inseam. Many don't during reviews which gives no indication of the bikes size.
It's awesome seeing you have fun. Keep it going.
Good job. I appreciate you being yourself and keeping things nice and simple. I have subscribed. Good luck 👍
A nicely pitched review that was easy go watch. Thanks, as the 500f is on my shortlist when I get my MOD2 shortly. Returning to biking afyer a long time. Cheers 👍
Loving the bike content. New to riding so these video are very enjoyable.
Yaaaay! JayEmm's doing bike reviews. Excellent!
One of the best Motorcycle reviews Ive ever seen and Ive seen many from all over the world!
Love the bike review, cracking content I’m looking forward to watching many more
I have a cb125f but doing my mod 1 and 2 next week so this bike would naturally be the progression to a big bike for me. Currently in the minefield of what to get as my first big bike. Great review and you have a new subscriber here.
Yes!!! All in to see more bike reviews!!!
Great review and nice production. I am returning after 30 years away from bikes, I have a full A so I am now looking a the CBR650R. Seems to be a good fit. I have a 28" inside leg and found the CBR650R was actually good for my footing, so seat height isn't everything as I initially dismissed it as too tall. Keep them up.
Love the video, great honest review, also love the original top gear esque music. Given up biking now due to injury...... but would love to experience the ktm. My type of bike.
Absolutely brilliant review for a person new to the biking world!
I enjoyed your review, You ticked all the boxes about relevant info, I have had a CRF 1000 since 2017, and so far this year I haven't tooted my indicators :) .. I did notice a huge grin on your face when you rolled into shot for the riding impressions .. I've not noticed this before when your review cars .. If fancy reviewing older future classics in future, I'd watch that as well .. rather like your car channel, you can't beat a little nostalgia ..
Looking forward to more of these videos. 👍🏻
Keep up the good work on two wheels, this appeals to me a lot more than the big bike stuff as id like to do my cbt again and if i still enjoyed riding i wouldnt know where to turn after that 👍🏻
Loved the first bike review James... Keep them coming.
Thanks!
Happy to see you back on 2 wheels Jay, there’s a lot to be said about cars but riding sure is a more involving experience than driving. I had a 15 year lay off while the kids grew up & rewarded myself for working straight through Covid with a triumph street triple 675 & I absolutely love it. It took a while to get comfortable again on a bike & the ktm is way too much for you right now but you’ll get there in a season or two - I’m looking forward to seeing you progress mate. Enjoy & ride safe!
I literally sat on one of these today, 2023 model and once you get it off the stand it feels immaculately balanced and light. I ride a cb300r and am looking for my first "big bike" so to speak.
Loving the bike content
Great bike to cover for your initial bike review
I had one of these as a loaner when my blade was in for a service. It felt a bit asthmatic but it was actually a lot of fun and I was tempted to get one for commuting.
honestly the cb500f is a great bike, i've had it for more then two years, after installing a quickshifter it really woke up the bike. and became way faster in acceleration.
Interested to see your take on bikes. Ive enjoyed your car content and could always feel your enthusiasm, like a less grumpy clarkson 😂
Great to see you venturing into the world of 2 wheels. Nice review of a crackin bike. Decent bike to remove your retunee's rust before you get to unleash The Beast!!
Nice one James. Shiney side up mate.
Thanks Dave, it has been an exciting time already and I look forward to getting back on two wheels when the sun reappears this year
This really is a good review and a very welcome addition to the motorcycle content currently on You Tube thanks to your own unique style of presentation. Please commit to motorcycles if you can; what we need is ‘Jayemm on Bikes’. I appreciate the cars are your bread and better but if you can get a video out a week I’m sure the channel will soon gain a foothold and start to grow. As I said this really was very good, the seventeen minutes flew by, and it would be a shame if the content gets ‘lost’ for want of a better word on this Friends channel which is so variable on the topics covered.
My dad had an old Dürkopp, that sorta came with the workshop that he rented. It had sat there mostly untouched behind a big air compressor for about 40 years. He recently got it running in one afternoon of work and sold it, much to my disappointment. I had planned to make it roadworthy myself again, but leave it unrestored and keep the patina. That bike was older than my grandfather, I would've absolutely loved for that to be my first bike. Can't get into much trouble if you only have 7 hp to work with.
I’ve owned & thrashed a range of bikes from 125cc two stroke twin up to a 1400cc four stroke four. Ok, I didn’t thrash the GSX1400. You can’t, really, on the road. The most pleasurable rides, hands down, are on my 1977 Suzuki GT380B, because it’s a beautifully set-up example in every department (I’ve owned it since 1978), has a perfect gearbox and ratios and because the throttle response from just off-idle and town work to mid-to-wide open at all engine speeds. Being low powered, you can thrash the pants off it and never go much faster than the national speed limit. Rural roads in Kent are where it’s at home, and on a sunny afternoon, I’ve experienced peak bike riding very often. Oh, and it’s much less easy to get myself into an imminently lethal situation. The GSX was so easy to put into suicide-like behaviour and situations. Beautiful sports touring machine, way more powerful than its chassis and the brain of the rider.
Enjoy & do ride defensively.
Totally agree James the CB500F is the perfect bike. Looks good, is very economical and has good performance.
Great review & much better than the other Utubers who have moved from cars, who turn up on a brand new BMW or the like that the manufacturers have loaned them for a year to convince their follows it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
Keep up the top work on real world reviews 👍😎
When I pass my MOD2 in Feb I am picking my CB500F up and trading in my CB125F in against it. Mine is a 2022 with 628 miles (first service) and I have added the "comfort" pack inc windscreen. Great review and looking forward to your next.
Yesterday I got this bike after two days of IBT training. It was very easy to ride home, even while I was a bit uneasy because it was my first day riding a motorbike on my own. I made the mistake of getting into town and some pedestrians stepped onto the road while the light was green for me. That prompted a quick stop on my part, which was poorly executed and led to me dropping it. Fortunately nothing got damaged, except for my ego, a slightly bent gear shifter and a chipped clutch lever. I rode to the shop and they fixed it for me in five minutes. This thing is about as much motorcycle as I would want to start with. More would be too much. My advice to anyone starting on such a big bike would be to get all the full body armour plus extra protective pads. The PPE made the tarmac feel like a mattress upon falling from my bike.
The engine in this bike is actually very good. I really like the new NX500 (replacing the CB500X) and yet I ride a GSX 8S. You don’t need massive power on the road to enjoy motorcycling.
Replacing the 500X was insanely stupid .
Excelent review. I had an Coge 500R this year, tahat I sold brand new because the noise of the exaust was killing high. My question for you, is if you, besides of sound tone preferences, found if as high as I did in the voge. Thank you.
Top job and great review. Can I suggest one? KTM SMT 890. I’ve just brought one ( after two 990superdukes and a 990smt). My friends don’t get it as it’s not an Adventure, sports or naked but I think it is more fun and real world capable than their “normal “ bikes. Keep up the good work!!
A Kawasaki Z400 has 2hp less but weighs 24kg lighter which is a massive amount. Also comes in at 200 British Pesos cheaper...
And has a tiny tank, tiny breaks and no USD forks.
Great video
Hi James. Hope your doing well.
I like that bike. Too bad Honda didn't give it a windscreen and analog guages.
I loved the video.
Stay safe and take care.
Love the old-Top Gear influenced music!
If you are between 140-160 this bike will be sprung perfect for you. The motorcycle is way more capable than people think it is you can push that motorcycle surprisingly hard.
Had one as a rental on Gran Canaria last summer and it was brilliant fun on the small twisty island roads, only really exposed as lacking power on a short run on the motorway, great bike though.
Great review James! And thanks for proving I’m not too much of a Wally for hitting the horn 😂
Hope your bike review goes well, my own bike video had a slow start but gained traction a few weeks in and has now found a new audience, will you be keeping the bike videos coming ?
Great to see you reviewing bikes now as well as cars… might be good to include servicing intervals and average service costs of bikes you’re reviewing so that people can see the overall running costs 👍
I got the rebel cmx last July new , this bike has replaced my heavy virago 750 , I have put a all in one seat on it and forward controls and bar risers , this bike has gave me the confidence to keep on riding as I have a disability, it’s been a brilliant bike so fare and I have done 2625 miles on it and hopefully as I am 67 years old, this is probably my last bike .
As someone who moved up to the CBR500R I couldn't agree more, don't want to take a stab at Jame's age but my 22 year old eyes even thought the display was pretty good! Great point about the CB650, my reasoning for settling on the 500 was that I wanted to be able to use and enjoy the entirety of the bike instead of paying the premium and not even being able to use all of the power, plus the price to upgrade is near enough what I was paying to bloody insure it!
Not only the first,....i am 68 and bought one as my 12 th ( and probably last) bike.....47 hp that are "really " usable....
Hope you get to try all Honda 500s and given us a detailed comparison.
Good video
I borrowed one while the Tiger was getting a service, rode lovely even the short blast on the motorway, but yeah, the horn got pressed a few times.
Are those polish plates on that Honda commercial? They look like CB from Bydgoszcz
Does this thing sit you upright like the cb500x? So as to be good for travel?
I am a new follower of your channel Greetings from Türkiye 😊
You should start considering to do a review of the cb750 hornet (the new one)☝️🙏🙏👏
look beautiful !
Not gonna lie, even though I'm only a casual bike fan I'd love to see more bike review from you. If your car review is anything to go by, it would be rather enjoyable.
It sounds better stock imo, it never sounds great no matter the volume, but in stock form you hear the induction noise and that makes the whole experience much better & improves the overall sound considerably
How good a motorcycle do you think the Honda CB 500 F would be to practice low speed maneuvers? Thank you.
Will you be reviewing the CB500 Hornet that came out this year in 2024? Is that the replacement for the CB500F?
Mate not sure what’s going on with this channel but I’m subscribed and I’m not seeing these videos. Great to see the bike reviews though… great stuff!
Turn notifications on.
The reason is that this was only published today, but was set to "unlisted" prior to that... That makes it viewable with the link. It also makes it viewable if added to a playlist before it's officially published. That's why you could see this a month ago
At 11:02 I thought Jessica by the Allman Brothers was coming up
I recently bought one after a 30 year abstinence of motorcycling. Yes, it is not a crotch rocket. Yes it is one of the heavier bikes in its class. BUT the handling is very good, smooth, neutral and predictable. The road 5 tyres provides very good feedback too. I am a 60kg 5' 7'' runt, size and weight wise it fits me really well.
Two things I would like to change, swap out the front sprocket to a 16T (half of my commuting trip to work is on the highway) and to get rid of the sewing machine sounding exhaust. I'll consider the heated grips option maybe at a later stage.
I am a returning biker (I hope!) and I have been seriously considering this bike. I can't decide which one would be better though, the Rebel (low seat height, but 'orrible forward footpegs), the scrambler, although the seat height is not as low, or the CBR which is astonishingly good looking! But, seat height again. As it's only a 500 and I'm not interested in speed anymore, maybe this CB would be just the ticket. I always used to ride unfaired bikes ("naked bikes" as they are now called). But seat height again. Trouble is I'm only 5'1" with a 25" inseam. I always used to ride standard height bikes, but I'm just so sick of having to work round my lack of leg length. I also get numb fingers from leaning on the bars now, after only about 15 minutes. But with short legs, I've also got short arms which puts me in a semi-racing position even on 'upright' bikes. Getting old and fat is a drag! I hear lots of videos saying that the 47 Hp is a bit dis-appointing on this bike, but your conclusion that nevertheless it feels plenty powerful enough does give me hope that it would be. 'Spose I'll have to test ride one for myself. See how it compares to the Ninja 650 I've previously tested.
Excellent video. Great you're doing bike vids now as well as the cars (love the car vids too!). When you consider how people would fit on bikes, please don't forget about us short arses? Definitely subscribing.
Started on a 2019, loved this bike. Doesn't feel like a bike that weighs over 400LBS, slow speed maneuvering was a breeze. I loved the low 60's MPG's, I miss this bike.
Great review. Perhaps change the intro music from the stereotypical guitar/rock theme
You probably did your test on a PC26/32 CB500. I have one with 89,000 miles on it. I hand it a little more sympathy nowadays, but they are a very different thing (certainly motor wise) than this current one. I wish you all the best with the big KTM, if it makes you smile, enjoy it. If you want to ride a still, fully strong 'full power😅' CB500 thats been around the block, feel free to give me a shout.
Get on it & ride is the advice I’d give you mate. I ride in the dry & drive my car in the wet, I enjoy both equally. There’s something to be said for the added involvement with riding & I think you’ll develop a deeper connection with your bike once you’re confident riding than you feel with a car (I don’t own a Ferrari & most of us dont either so I could stand corrected!), it’s a man & his horse thing I reckon. Glad you’ve got back on 2 wheels & im looking forward to watching you progress your journey on a sensible bike, keep that ktm for special days & stay respectful, there’s always the car fleet for inclement weather eh!
Looking forward to seeing you review the Hayabusa some time!
Nothing like watching a video on debut day and seeing all the comments from months ago 😂
Dear JayEmm! I always enjoy your reviews. But the music on this episode is way too loud in comparison to your voice. It unnecessarily takes away the pleasure of watching this video.
Great review. My first bike was a CBR500R which rI ode for several years. It was brilliant first big bike and for me first bike. Loved it. Sips fuel, smooth fuelling, great gear box and is quick enough for everyday use. Arguably all you ever need. As you said, an advantage of the limited power is that you can push the bike hard over winding roads without going too fast. Suspension is a bit soft but was not scary on back roads.
I now ride a GSX 8S. Preferred it to the Hornet.
Happy with your new Suzuki?
Yes it’s brilliant. Smooth and predictable. I love the torque and tend to short shift up around town which is smooth as butter with the quick shift. Lots of go on the open road if you push on a bit and very stable in corners. I have got used to the looks. Mine is black with a belly pan and Suzuki fly catcher screen. I have added a top box to hold my gear when I go to meetings or shopping when I want to pick up a few things. Great for collecting takeaways as I can park outside.
@@paulconnell1309 That all sounds great. I have an eye on it as a possible move up from my Cb500f. I think it looks good too. Happy riding 🏍👍
Great big learner or commuter .
I am 5.9' with 28' leg . I don't usually let seat height bother me to much. usally find a work around.
I have the KTM 2090 eve and set to low height but its only lowers seat height so effects handling and I set the short key setting to standard height for out of slow town riding .makes a different .
Motorcycles! I’m in 👍
Hi more clips of road and engine sounds and performance
Thank you
As someone who started on this bike (a 2015 model), I agree wholeheartedly with almost every point made in the video; however, I would *never* recommend this CB. It largely comes down to the weight. With all of its competitors having similar power to weight ratios (which I agree is all you’ll really ever need), the main differentiating factor to me is that this bike weighs in at 35 to 50 pounds (~15 to ~20 kg) more than the competition. Moreover, on completely flat pavement with nothing to prop it up against, this bike can be nigh on impossible to pick up by yourself. You see, the problem is that even though it’s far lighter than many much larger bikes, when it does tip (which I’ve managed to do twice by hitting the low-hanging foot pegs while practicing low speed maneuvers) it rests, not parallel to the ground, but with the wheels pointed slightly up. Then, when using the standard bike-lifting technique (which applies a slight backwards force to the bike that should press the tires to the ground, helping to lift the bike) it simply slides back until you run into an imperfection in the surface of the road or a curb, at which point it’ll stop sliding and is fairly easy to lift (ignoring the size class). This is opposed to a larger, heavier bike, like an XSR900, which I have never really struggled to lift on my own.
I can echo the experience of the horribly placed horn button which has resulted in many accidental presses (especially after getting off any other bike). And while I do agree that it doesn’t need traction or wheelie control, I would remind any new riders that even small bikes are capable of lifting the front wheel or spinning the rear (both of which I have done by letting the clutch out too fast, foolishly trying to keep up with bigger bikes. I am pleased to note that it felt natural and progressive during both of the maneuvers, and neither startled me. I love to see that they greatly upgraded the front braking system, as the earlier, single disk set up wasn’t confidence inspiring while riding, even only fairly aggressively, with faster and more capable bikes.
I found the engine character to be quite boring (in both power delivery and sound), but the transmission’s short ratios are a joy to use around town. However, James is spot on for wanting a taller sixth gear (or the addition of a seventh) for Highway use.
If you’re looking for a bike in this class, it seems the competitors simply offer a better experience. If you’re looking for: reliability, a z400 or z500 will do great; a premium experience, a duke or svart/vitpilen will be fantastic; or more character, a CFMoto 450NK should be lovely. To top it all off, as of right now in the U.S., the CB500F retails for more than any of these bikes, while being beat at everything that matters to me, so while I have enjoyed mine, I would point any rider (new or old) to anything else.
The honda cb500 was beaten by the Chinese CF Moto 450 in everyones comparison on you tube . Happy to hear your back riding again. Euro brands are the best now but to lose a comparison to a chinese bike is a bit of a shock.
The CF moto 450 is a joke. Service intervals out of hell.
I think the hornet makes more sense for most people. Kawasaki have just updated the 400cc based bikes to 500cc, they could also be worth a look. This Honda is 189kg, the Kawasaki is 172kg. Something to think about. Great review, looking forward to the bikes you look at in the future.
Simply, compact, economic, Nice and the Color is Nice, typicall Honda 😊
I went the sv650 for my first bigger bike but this and the er500 were my other options.
Being a Suzuki guy the SV 650 was the first bike I checked out when I wanted to go smaller. Love that motor. Trouble is at six-four and 240 lbs I didn't fit. Not even close. I did fit comfortably on the Honda CB500F. Go figure.
Sv far better
I’m 6’2 225 pounds in this a good first bike for me or should I get something smaller ? Anyone? I’m also 24 with 2 kids no interested in going too fast or anything manly just wanna go to work and the weekend ride maybe
The CB650R is way more expensive than the 500F here , like 40% more .
I prefer the way Honda do the indicators and horn compared to other brands.
When I'm manoeuvring that is where my thumb is to keep a grip of the bar and use the clutch.
It's easier to indicate than having to have my thumb high up and struggling to grip the bar with the palm of my hand.
Honda have it right in my opinion as it's better ergonomics, but everyone seems to complain.
Do you complain the same about different cars having the same switches in different places or operate the same things in different ways or just accept it and adapt?
subscribed :)
You have to make a Jayemm on bikes channel
Glad to see you are getting back into it sensibly - ignore my warnings from the previous ep🤐isode!
I suspect the CB/CBR650R could be a future classic. A inline 4 650…almost certainly the last 650 inline 4 ever to be made. This CB500 is a decent looking bike. I prefer the CL or the Rebel in the 500 family appearance wise but for the period I had a 500F I liked the looks, made some mods like removing some of the black cladding by the seat and removed the big chunky “wing boxes” or whatever by the front shocks and replaced them when a tank colored block off plate and between those two bits it was much cleaner looking for my tastes.
I really wish some of these bike reviews realized that not everyone are on their way up the HP ladder and are instead looking to downsize.
Did you try any of the 95bhp middleweights? KTM 790, Honda CB750 Hornet, Suzuki GSX 8S? Would have thought these would be more interesting for you than the 500.
CB650R beats them all with the best sounding engine
Would you say its a good bike for someone who's done Direct Access to A2? Haven't passed it yet, I'm just doing my research in thorough
A great bike
Traded up from a grom. Daily rider to work and i havent even wrung it out completely, yet still feels like it has juice. Best decision i ever made.
Is it much more difficult to ride than the Grom? I'm currently back a Monkey after being away from biking for 10 years. I had a SV650 and ER6n which I loved (SV especially). As much as I love the Monkey, a little more power would be nice on occasion.
@@iansimpson8309
The 500f is equally as nimble as the grom with more juice. Its longer than the grom so it feels much bigger but your experience riding a 650 will melt that feeling away. Ive gone on the freeway in cali a few times now and can see why people want bigger than the 500f
Thanks, that gives me confidence that the step up to the CB500F shouldn't feel too big of a jump up.@@donsalizar4037
Well my 1st bigger bike will be either a Royal Enfield classic 350 or scram 411. Hopefully this summer 😊
Tonight on JayEmm rides bikes....... The Honda cb500......