Photo: Florin Profir
Honda's 2016 half-liter streetfighter was only announced days before EICMA 2015, and the house of Tokyo only teased the machine, showing us the bike's profile in a dark studio and a headlight detail. However, the info that surfaced alongside those two photos did not include any major upgrades that the 2016 Honda CB500F was about to receive.
Seeing the bike in the flesh, we can verify that the aesthetics department received the most changes, at least those that are easier to spot.
The machine doesn't stray from Honda's classic design cues of late and is still rather deep in "Transformers territory." This might be both a good and a bad thing, depending on whom you ask. We bet the younger demographic, which represents a hefty chunk of the 2016 Honda CB500F target, will favor the design. Older riders may have had it with the modern Japanese sportbike styling and look for something else.
Styling aside, the bike looks comfy for more than urban commuting, and an optional soft luggage system will certainly look great on it when leaving for an overnight (or longer) trip. It also appears that the new CB500F also borrows some attitude from the CB500X.
In the tech department, the biggest change is the introduction of preload-adjustable forks. With this setup, the 2016 Honda CB500F gets closer to the big bike class, boasting a better road stance and being able to provide optimal feel for riders of different weights and with different riding styles.
Honda also says they reworked the silencer to reduce its weight while avoiding a reduction of power and torque. The 2016 version has a weight advantage of 5.6 pounds, despite the slightly larger fuel tank. And because we're in Europe, ABS is standard, of course.
The machine doesn't stray from Honda's classic design cues of late and is still rather deep in "Transformers territory." This might be both a good and a bad thing, depending on whom you ask. We bet the younger demographic, which represents a hefty chunk of the 2016 Honda CB500F target, will favor the design. Older riders may have had it with the modern Japanese sportbike styling and look for something else.
Styling aside, the bike looks comfy for more than urban commuting, and an optional soft luggage system will certainly look great on it when leaving for an overnight (or longer) trip. It also appears that the new CB500F also borrows some attitude from the CB500X.
Adjustable forks and front brake lever complement the slightly bigger tank
The 2016 Honda CB500F has gained a bigger tank that can now hold 16.7 liters (4.4 US gal) of fuel and the extended range is obviously a solid plus. An adjustable front brake lever is now part of the standard trim, as well as the LED tail and headlights.In the tech department, the biggest change is the introduction of preload-adjustable forks. With this setup, the 2016 Honda CB500F gets closer to the big bike class, boasting a better road stance and being able to provide optimal feel for riders of different weights and with different riding styles.
Honda also says they reworked the silencer to reduce its weight while avoiding a reduction of power and torque. The 2016 version has a weight advantage of 5.6 pounds, despite the slightly larger fuel tank. And because we're in Europe, ABS is standard, of course.
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