The r model fairing and headlights remind me a lot of my late 900rr, that said, the R and the F would warrant a look. That last one, not so much. The price tag would determine the intensity of the look. When a 600 supersport is as expensive as they are, if the 500 isn't at least 4k cheaper I'll keep looking at older models.
A stripped down 1500 wing will put all kinds of smiles on your face for less.
In reply to Spinout007:
How about $6k cheaper than a CBR600?
CBR500R and CB500X are $5,999, the F is 5,499
ABS is another $500.
EDIT: The CBR600RR is $11,499
For me, I'd rather have a bike that is good for going to work, school, the store, etc. Doing that on a 600 supersport is like using a Lotus 7 for Home Depot trips.
I think the point of the X model (and the NC700X that Honda released a year or two ago) is just to find a marketing message that sells for a bike with comfortable upright ergonomics, some wind/weather protection, and not a ton of power.
pres589 wrote: The CB1100 sounded like *the* bike to me. Then it showed up... what's with the rear fender sourced from BSA? What's with the tiny tank? What's with the power levels, I don't think this has big-Harley torque and gas mileage and my 780cc VFR has more HP. So the numbers don't make a lot of sense to me really; 68 ft/lb of torque isn't bad but at 5k rpm, it's still spinning a bit. What I had hoped for was a gentleman's CB919, Z1000 or ZRX1200 replacement and it didn't happen.
The 919 and Z1000 are hoon bikes, I wouldn't trade my Z1K for any bike out. What exactly would make those two bike "Gentleman" like? Just wondering
ShadowSix wrote: pres589: Are you saying that these 500's won't be capable of interstate travel? That's the big flaw with my XT225, I was really hoping something like this would cure the problem...
I think he's saying they'd make you rather unhappy for extended travel at speed if the bike were wearing hard bags.
I don't have experience with recent Hondas in this segment, but I'm pretty happy on a coworker's CBR250 at 65. Bit high strung over that, but it'll do it. An additional cylinder and roughly twice the HP means the 500 triplets should be plenty happy for highway use, just not chuffed about wearing hard side cases unless they're especially slim, not quite enough heft and wind protection there.
Time will tell once they're for sale and owners farkle the bejeesus out of them.:)
I was thinking something with good torque / good power all around the dial, tallish gearing for good mileage on the highway and a smoother feel to highway traveling, and a bit longer wheelbase for something a bit more stable. Like if you crossed the 919 with the old 1000ccc Concours. Or like an RC46 VFR with another 300cc's (and more gear driven cams but keep the VTEC). Give it an optional fairing that's good for touring but otherwise style it much like the 919, just a bit bigger in every dimension.
I guess the VFR1200 is the closest Honda to what I'm talking about but that bike came out kind of screwed up, with worse gas mileage AND a much smaller tank vs. the previous gen VFR. And there's some goofball torque management based on gear that sounds like it's no fun to deal with. And it's too heavy. And costs too much.
As for a 500cc CB on the interstate, you could do it, but I wouldn't want to throw side cases on and try to maintain 70mph, it just doesn't quite have the guts does it? A two-lane tour might not be so bad though.
pres589 wrote: As for a 500cc CB on the interstate, you could do it, but I wouldn't want to throw side cases on and try to maintain 70mph, it just doesn't quite have the guts does it? A two-lane tour might not be so bad though.
Yup, looks like it could do it, but with a LOT more throttle than you'd want to maintain. I see elsewhere the CB/CBR500 lay down 43whp pretty consistently. Don't think it'll be very happy at 70+ with hard bags, particularly the naked CB.
That's kind of a disappointment. Things are way from settled, but I'm hoping to be in the market for a bike capable of high-mpg 10 hr. trips on I-70 next winter and I thought these would be the ticket. Maybe the NC700X?
I put 500+ miles on a CM200T in a daylong ride to the Mississippi River last summer. It was pinned the whole time. I ride to work in the upper 1/4 of the RPM range. You get used to it. I can see how that could feel uncomfortable coming from bikes that will do 80 in first gear or can roll away from a stop in second.
In reply to ShadowSix:
10 hours on I-70 in the winter? What?
I kind of like the look of this, but I don't know what you consider "high-mpg";
http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/suzuki/sv650
In reply to pres589:
Heck, my GT380 will run comfortably on the interstate. At 70 my GT380 is at about 5500 or so in 6th gear. If the old GT can do it the 500 can do it.
I do hate riding on interstates, even on my 750 Katana. I hate being on a bike when semis are around.
From my (possibly misguided) position, the problem with $5000 beginner bikes is $1500 used beginner bikes.
My late-'80s EX500 has been fine so far, and when I upgrade, it'll probably be to something more exciting.
OTOH, motorcycles aren't only for people who are okay with doing a little fettling, and someone had to buy this EX500 new; I imagine it wasn't too far from the same inflation-adjusted price as these Hondas.
I guess it's just a priority thing. I'm also much more likely to spend $4k on a Duc Supersport than $12k on a new sportbike, and expect to be at least as happy as I'd be with the new bike.
EDIT: to the OP, I do dig the R and F, and if I hit the lottery tomorrow and wanted to finish out my self-inflicted "learner bike" days on something spiffier than my EX, I'd be looking at these... I'd love to see a smaller bike styled like the CB1100, too... Another CB750 in that vein.
In reply to ransom:
More exciting is in the eye of the beholder. My 750 Katana is much faster than my GT380, but my GT is much more exciting on back road twisties. The Katana will accelerate quickly with the flick of my wrist, its suspension provides good handling and its tires have more grip than I can use. The GT is much more thrilling when ridden hard. I liken the two bikes to a pervious generation jet fighter versus a WWI biplane fighter.
The Katana is fast, handles great, reliable and does everything I ask with ease. The GT380 has a sound from another era, skinny tires, no fairings or windscreen. Like an old biplane fighter there is even oil flying around. There is nothing quite like riding an old bike quickly on twisties.
I can tell you that riding an XT225 on the interstate is pretty exciting. 
pres589: I meant that next winter I hope to be in the position to buy another bike and that said new-to-me bike should be capable of 10-hour interstate trips. Sorry for the disastrous sentence structure.
Before the recent spate of new Hondas I was pretty settled on a Wee-Strom or SV650. I don't think I'll like the cruiser riding position and I can't put a lot of weight on my wrist for any length of time so my options are limited.
ZOMBIE THREAD:
Some fairly detailed reviews on the CBR500R and CB500F, it sounds very promising. (rideapart.com is the renamed hellforleather.com, or something like that))
http://rideapart.com/2013/05/rideapart-review-2013-honda-cbr500r/
http://rideapart.com/2013/05/rideapart-review-2013-honda-cb500f/
pres589 wrote: I was thinking something with good torque / good power all around the dial, tallish gearing for good mileage on the highway and a smoother feel to highway traveling, and a bit longer wheelbase for something a bit more stable. Like if you crossed the 919 with the old 1000ccc Concours. Or like an RC46 VFR with another 300cc's (and more gear driven cams but keep the VTEC). Give it an optional fairing that's good for touring but otherwise style it much like the 919, just a bit bigger in every dimension. I guess the VFR1200 is the closest Honda to what I'm talking about but that bike came out kind of screwed up, with worse gas mileage AND a much smaller tank vs. the previous gen VFR. And there's some goofball torque management based on gear that sounds like it's no fun to deal with. And it's too heavy. And costs too much. As for a 500cc CB on the interstate, you could do it, but I wouldn't want to throw side cases on and try to maintain 70mph, it just doesn't quite have the guts does it? A two-lane tour might not be so bad though.
See, for me the CB1100 is the newer, updated version of my CB750 Nighthawk. I love my NH, I just hate the carbs, the cold natured starts, the mediocre brakes and the lack of a center stand. It's been dead nuts reliable for 15 years with next to no needed maitenance (oil changes, tires, chain, plugs and gas) and is more than fun enough. Highway slogs at 70+mph suck though as it's spinning at 5k+ to keep up with traffic.
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