A Test Ride On The Honda CB 500F

[Captain_Slash]

The worst of the three colours available imho but as it was only the demo bike who cares

Could this be the bike for a key rideasia member?

I was very impressed with this naked F model and took it for a long ride around some narrow twisty lanes where it performed faultlessly, one of the nicest things about it was how I always felt that I was going faster than I really was and each glance down at the speedo brought a smile to my face.
There was no noticeable wind noise unlike on the X model.
I returned to the shop and took the X model out but quickly decided the F model is more to my liking and I noticed I was always going about 20-25 kph faster on the X to get the same speed sensations as on the F.
Sadly there was only one model still for sale, a white one which although more pleasing to my eye than black still isnt the one I want so its a wait until a new batch are delivered and then hopefully I can buy a red one.
Hopefully my Harley sportster will be sold by then.
I enquired about the servicing intervals and its at 600 miles/1000 km where the valve clearances are checked then the next service is at 8000 miles/12800 km so a decent service interval on this bike.
Also only ordinary 10/30 semi synthetic oil is required not like some of the stories I hear about special expensive oil being needed

 

[KTMphil]

Could this be the bike for a key rideasia member?

Colin ...was there a noticeable difference in riding position between the F and X (semi sports bike v's touring bike position)?

 

[Captain_Slash]

Yes Phil the X has a noticeably more upright riding position and I would possibly look into changing the bars to those of the X

 

[KTMphil]

Yes Phil the X has a noticeably more upright riding position and I would possibly look into changing the bars to those of the X

Sounds like thats the way to go with this model

 

[Changnoi1]

I was told by the Honda dealer in Udon that swapping the handle-bar + cables from the X to the F is an easy and cheap job.

I have my Kawasaki Versys for sale and want to down-grade and considering the Honda CB500F or an modified Kawasaki Dtracker-250.

Chang Noi

 

[WarProfiteer]

I liked the way the F looked, but I found the seat wasnt as comfy for me as the X... felt the same about the bar swap as everyone, it seems... nice little bike and absolutely great for getting around town, working one's way through traffic.

 

[Thump]

I changed handle bars on a few bikes and am always surprised at how much difference just half an inch makes!

Before spending money on bars and cables maybe trying bar-backs would be a good idea; you can always change back.

Oil changes are every 12,000 km? Does any oil really last that long?

 

[Captain_Slash]

Mine will be having its oil changed by myself at half that mileage, what are bar-backs?

 

[Thump]

I came across those smart things in the US. Maybe you know them under a different name.

Use original handle bars; even a small rise makes quite a difference.

 

[Captain_Slash]

Interesting, thanks for sharing that Klaus

 

[Thump]

I don't know where to get them or who makes them, all I remember was that I saw a price once and they weren't cheap.

They're milled aluminum, don't think a corner shop in Thailand can make them.

I like that you can use them for commuting and when you go on a trip you simply take them out; just loosen six bolts, bingo.

If you have several bikes you can swap them around to see how it feels or how much rise you need if you're considering a new bar.

 

[buksida]

Mine will be having its oil changed by myself at half that mileage, what are bar-backs?

Will be doing that also at 6k - took it to Bangkok for the 1k service last month ... lovin it ... shot from a ride I did yesterday.



Interesting on the raised bars, coming from a CBR250 I like the bars as they are.

 

[Thump]

.
It's surprising that the manufacturer, who usually plays it safe, recommends 12,000 km oil change intervals.

How does that compare to other bikes, what does Kawasaki recommend?

I can't imagine any oil lasting that long. Lots of people ride less than 12K a year.

 

[Lone Rider]

I don't know where to get them or who makes them, all I remember was that I saw a price once and they weren't cheap.

They're milled aluminum, don't think a corner shop in Thailand can make them.

I like that you can use them for commuting and when you go on a trip you simply take them out; just loosen six bolts, bingo.

If you have several bikes you can swap them around to see how it feels or how much rise you need if you're considering a new bar.

Not sure if these are the same but if you Google Motorcycle Bar Backs there are plenty suppliers - not cheap though. There is a Handle Bar Riser Buying Guide on eBay which might be handy to see what is possible/available - Motorcycle Handlebar Risers Buying Guide | eBay

 

[Thump]

There are all sorts of bar backs and risers out there, but if you use risers you usually need to change the cables.

I installed a drag bar on my 1400 Intruder using risers and kept the cables because the position of the grips didn't change much.

It was more cosmetics to get rid of those stupid buck-horn pull backs.

Bar backs set the bars just a bit higher and more back which makes quite a difference.

I like that they're easy to install and to take off.

 

[Loop]

I have "riser" handle bars,made by Helibars,on my VFR,about 1" higher,1 1/2" back,with the original throttle cable,hydraulic brake and clutch lines on it.

 

[lakota]

.
It's surprising that the manufacturer, who usually plays it safe, recommends 12,000 km oil change intervals.

How does that compare to other bikes, what does Kawasaki recommend?

I can't imagine any oil lasting that long. Lots of people ride less than 12K a year.

The Bike takes 3L of Oil which I believe is a bit more than most of a similar Size. That's probably one reason and the Synthetic base Oil should last a long long time. It's not affected as much as a mineral Oil by the carbon that it picks up during combustion apparently. I'm going to change at 6K anyway to be on the safe side but I'll probably pick up some synthetic Oil from a Kawa Dealer rather than the Honda stuff which seems to be twice the price.

 

[Captain_Slash]

Its ordinary 10/30 semi synthetic oil recommended for them here in the UK not that expensive fully synthetic stuff

 

[Thump]

I haven't followed service manuals in decades because almost all bikes I bought were used, some came without a manual.

I just changed oil when it looked black or when I knew it was in there for 3,000 miles or so.

Were 12,000 km changes always the norm? As far as I remember 6,000 was recommended by most manufacturers in the 80s and 90s.

I'm too busy these days to google and do some research on that. Final exams are coming up but in October I will RIDE...

 

[Thump]

The Bike takes 3L of Oil which I believe is a bit more than most of a similar Size. That's probably one reason and the Synthetic base Oil should last a long long time. It's not affected as much as a mineral Oil by the carbon that it picks up during combustion apparently. I'm going to change at 6K anyway to be on the safe side but I'll probably pick up some synthetic Oil from a Kawa Dealer rather than the Honda stuff which seems to be twice the price.

My 250 takes only 1,8L total and has the same intervals.

6,000 sounds about right to me, too. I'll stick with the cheap Honda oil, 138 baht a liter.

 

[Changnoi1]

FYI the English manual of the CB500FA TH and THII (Thailand models) recommends oil change every 6.000 km.
But the manual of the CB500FA E, F, U, ED (Europe & Australia) recommends oil change every 12.000 km.

I just bought my CB500F this week and enjoy riding it. I did ride a Versys for 3 years (almost 40.000km) and it is amazing that although there is not much weight difference (193 vs 209) the CB500F feels so nimble and light. Probably because of the low centre-weight. First I though the brakes are a bit weak, but the soft breaking & good working ABS just saved my ass today when a moron thought that motorbikes have to fuck off when he makes a u-turn. I saw myself approaching the car and though "O fuck I am going to crash into that fucker" (at reasonable low speed but still very shitty). While braking hard I managed to go around the car that was at that moment across the all road in front of me.

The one thing that really surprises me about a naked bike is how much influence the wind has on my helmet. I wear the same jacket, same helmet as on the Versys, but I have much more helmet-noise and much more wind in my helmet. So a wind-screen would be nice!

I did not like the non-adjustable brake & clutch lever so I replaced them. Much better now.
And I think I would like to rise (not extend) the mirrors. I think they are too low on the handle-bar.

First I had been thinking to replace the handle-bar with the one from the X but first of all it is too high. And you will have to replace all cables.
So maybe I will use a handle-bar riser of 1 inch. People say you can do that with the standard cables.

O yes, the horn is really shitty dangerous! Must be replaced by a Stiebel air-horn from a truck.

Next week the first service-check.

 

[brake034]

Hi Changnoi, I believe the Thai models suggest changing oil every 6.000 KM's but the oil filter every 12.000 KM's?
This is the same with my Thai Honda Jazz.

Interested by your remark about low centre of gravity, need to look into that.