2024 Honda CB500 Hornet | First Ride Review

[@marcvanartevelde5586]

Been on a full license for 30 years, rode mostly litre bikes and for many years didn't even own a car. In a day and age everyone seems to be going mad it's good to have something simple, no nonsense and reliable in your life like a Honda 471cc. Always puts a smile on my face and you really don't need anything more. Fully agree with the "riding a slow bike fast" sentiment as well. 500s used to be the grown up bikes, 750s and 1000s were the halo models...

[@hk74654]

5:05 Since I had a Kawasaki (button in the middle) in driving school last year and now own a Honda (CB125F), I'd just like to give my 2p on indicator button placement: I think it's way more comfortable having the button lower down, thus not having to work my thumb as much against the glove material especially since I almost exclusively ride city traffic with many, many turns and roundabouts.

[@-Eternal-Damnation-]

Love the random 40k mention. Now that you mentioned it, it does have a bit of Tau look to it 😅. Great review as always.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Thanks, got to love the Tau!

[@icouldntthinkofagoodname7216]

This one right here Inquisitor. The xeno enjoyers ready to recieve their dose of Repentance.

[@rogerkay8603]

Just done 300 miles on mine in 2 weeks and hard to see how it could be better as a commuter/first big bike - did 70 mpg on the commute home on the M25/M23 at 75/80 mph today. Ultimate Add Ons heated grips are also nice. Only bad point is mirrors full of elbows.

[@arcthum]

Bar end mirrors are a good solution for that

[@rogerkay8603]

@@arcthum not for filtering

[@mehsomething]

​@@rogerkay8603They make lanesplitting bar ends for this exact reason. Not ideal, but they do exist.

[@booster330]

Can u tour on it, date trips?

[@stevej4061]

I like how the speedometer was agreeing with you about the fork diameter.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Haha nice!

[@-Eternal-Damnation-]

Great first bike by the looks of it. Honda have got this figured out by now.

[@Jimo368]

I agree with you about the red, and Honda seems to have an endless supply of it.

[@warhobbit7951]

I’m sitting my full license soon but this is the bike I’ve got my eye on once I’ve passed

[@G-Man01]

Seems a really charming bike. Home run. Mine comes next week.

[@CharloBagis]

I like the design of this one better than the CB750 Hornet

[@juefis]

Absolutely agree. Seems like Honda was a bit lazy with the design of the 750 hornet. Much rather prefer the 500 hornet design wise.

[@Bob-ts2tu]

sorry, as someone who looked at both and plumped for the 750, my opinion is that looks, size, weight and ergonomics wise they are reasonably similar, but you get so much more with the 750, and when i bought it got a cracking deal that made it a no brainer for the extra cash. It's all subjective of course, but performance wise m8's said id regret not going for the bigger bike with twice the BHP, and that's exactly how i feel, i love it and can't see me needing any more for a long time. GL

[@JohnEdmondMillares]

I 200% agree.

[@nigelfisher3756]

@@Bob-ts2tu Can’t disagree, but this little 500 is still a good ‘un. Never rode the Hornet 750, but my mates Suzy GSX-8S is a peach, that I can tell you.

[@Bob-ts2tu]

​@@nigelfisher3756 i would agree with you, all the bikes running 500cc engine are great, after all it is a honda lol, and it was a close call as to which i would get. but you pay's your money and makes your choice, even though the insurance is much more, and if i had chosen the 500, (either the new hornet or outgoing cb500f) i reckon i would still have been happy. btw i looked at the sukuki, but the hornet was cheaper with more bhp & better performance, and being a honda fan i didnt see anything to make me want it more, but again it is a superb machine, and don't think would have been disappointed with that either had i got one instead. GL

[@JohnSmith-sm6oy]

From canada well again ..good job.😊

[@The.JZA.]

Can't wait to see the CB1000 Hornet in January. I'm a little bit disappointed that they didn't put cruise control on it though. All bikes should have cruise control because even if it is a sports bike, you still need to ride on a motorway sometimes and it really takes the stress out of it. I rode 3.5 hours each way to a racetrack on my CB650R recently and I would have loved to have cruise control for some of it so I could rest my wrist.

[@robshaw2319]

Great review as always - Which do you prefer, Honda Hornet 500 or Triumph Speed 400?

[@nigelfisher3756]

Honda 500

[@siulingleung4039]

Returning my speed 400 due to a host of electrical issues. Beware buying one until Triumph fix this known issue, potentially with the next update due end of June. I'm going to look at getting the hornet 500 now.

[@Stinkyfish723]

Obviously 95% of reviewers LOVE the Triumphs. It has nothing to do with incentivisation. Isn’t it funny there is so much praise being thrown at the triumphs when they are basically a 390 Duke from several years ago?.Clearly Truimph knows how to do marketing and wrangle journalists.

[@domi9577]

The 750 hornet is 18 kilos lighter than the old CB650F. There really is no excuse for this 500 hornet to be almost identical in weight to the CB500F. They should have redesigned it to get it closer to the weight of the Speed 400. 175kg would have been great.

[@G-Man01]

Can't exceed a certain power to weight ratio on beginner bikes....

[@domi9577]

@G-Man01 link to that please. The law is 35 KWs. Where does it mention minimum weight? It would be a stupid law if bikes had to be heavy to make them slower.

[@jamesballard6564]

True. The 500 is also cheaper than the 750. It's a compromise ​@@G-Man01

[@danielcalafateanu633]

Love your videos, glad to see you're also a warhammer fan. Cheers from Italy🇮🇹

[@Englishbikerdan]

Thanks! I used to have an Iron Warrior army!

[@eddm4c]

I am relatively new rider and after having watched all your latest review videos. Would you recommend this CB500 Hornet 2024 over the CBR500R. 2024 Both look great and all reviews I’ve watched rate them highly. Suppose is testament to Honda. Thanks.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Hi and welcome. Thanks for watching my videos. Personally, I prefer the upright seating position of the Hornet over the CBR and I feel as a new rider, it would be better for slower speed handling and learning. Both bikes are awesome though, and I'm sure either will give you many miles of fun! Cheers, Dan.

[@eddm4c]

@@Englishbikerdan Thanks Dan, appreciate the reply. I will definitely look into both. The CBR is a looker though. Haha, Tough choice. Thanks again and All the Best for Xmas & New Year 👍

[@martinehulme8743]

I had the 500f after a bit of an incident, great confidence builder Fab bikes.. I will purchase a hornet 750 next year ❤

[@BirdArvid]

Other than a new dash (which it needed!) and some new design features, it's exactly the same as my 2023 CB500F. They are great little bikes with nothing really to fault, considering the pros and the cost.

[@RICHRIDEZ]

Hi Dan, another great review. Watched all you clips now and have to say thank you, I have been inspired by you to pass my full test, cbt back in December and passed mod2 last month. I started riding in 2010 cbf125 on a cbt and had experience on the original cb500 twin. Passed on the 660 tridant. But it's a honda I want again, wish I could test ride one but dealers won't allow that until 1yr post passing so your videos are vital information for us guys that aren't allowed to test ride. Are the upgraded brakes screen tyres suspension etc worth paying for new vs maybe 5 Yr old model? Thanks again Dan you are with out doubt my fave tuber 🏍️

[@dougsmith7580]

Reminds me of a Gladius I had. I liked that bike, there is nothing like that SV vee twin.

[@oooooooffff]

Sitting my a2 this month and going to slap a deposit on one of these at the end of the week. :)

[@Englishbikerdan]

Good luck with your test!

[@zakhey]

I was aiming for the Hornet 750 once i got my full license, but that center stand has got me sold! 😂

[@JEmmertz]

Always nice to see someone have an actual decent run on a bike and get to feel it properly. 👍 Is this one manual only, or does it come with DCT as an option?

[@WeaselKonig]

I think in the future it will have the new electric clutch as an option but it is not currently available with the DCT.

[@sissydreams7494]

I'm very interested in this bike. Definitely in my top three!!! But, what a beautiful road you were driving on!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@crackdofus]

mate do yourself a favour and just go for the 750 hornet, almost the same price and you get much more of a bike, if you live in europe and have only the A2 license, just buy the restricted 35kW one, it still gets that lovely torque on low rpm

[@FraserWest-um4ue]

a quick question for you regarding the Honda CB500 and the the Aprila RS457 they are similar bikes and price and very similar pricing. But have tested the Aprila RS457 the reason for asking is that it came out this year and it costs about 6000 thousand pounds but it’s the same design as the RS660 and the engine sounds exactly the same it might be worth looking into at some point

[@Englishbikerdan]

Aprilia do make some beautiful and fun bikes for sure. Downsides are potential reliability issues and woeful dealer network. They are well priced though! Thanks!

[@peterwilson8039]

When I first saw the 750 Hornet, I wanted one, but then I realized that with 90 hp, it actually is just a bit too spicy for me. The idea of a 500 Hornet seemed very attractive, and of course, as we see here, it was possible to do it using pre-existing technology. The one thing they would have needed to do is to price it a bit more competitively with the Triumph 400 Speed. They didn't do that so I'd be more likely to go for the Speed if I were looking for a bike in this size range. The other, and probably the most attractive option for me is to keep the bike I already own

[@Stinkyfish723]

The Hornet has an extra 70cc and an extra cylinder. I own the hornet 500 which I am currently touring in SEA. It is a capable small/medium motorcycle just like the CB500 was. The speed 400 is a toy bike designed to look pretty and get new riders into a premium brand (even though they are riding a Bajaj). I suspect Triumph has some kind of embargo on comparison reviews or some other restriction on reviews as none of these guys seem capable of admitting the speed is basically competing with the Svartpillen and 390 duke and is nothing special over those bikes. The hornet 500 is miles ahead of the new Triumphs.

[@thisismyaccount456]

im cursed with the fact i love the way a lot of the newer naked and sports bike are looking, problem is im nearly 6ft5 and i dont look good on them lol. i went with a tuono 660, but still doesnt look quite right when i can flat foot it with a very considerable bend at the knee

[@Irfan87]

The headlights look good head on, but meh frm the side. First thing id do for this or the 750 is to swap the lights out.

[@petrovski1948]

Great review. I noticed that the bike being reviewed has a centre stand when you used your hand to spin the back wheel. Is the main stand an optional extra? Thanks.

[@ronlysons6750]

Yes it is.

[@captricharddee3634]

How does this compare to the CB300R you tested?

[@mahdavimail]

This is the best 500 in the market imo. Specifically for NA.

[@majordelays4909]

Perfect Noob bikes, easy to handle, hard to drop. Inexpensive. Horn on Hondas is in wrong place 😂 I miss mine, would have been a good winter hack

[@jonathanmellish4439]

Perhaps a good dispatchers bike if the NC wasn’t also in the mix.

[@sergioromeropt]

In terms of performance, is this Hornet slower than the CBR 500 r ? Is there any difference at all? Thanks for the review!

[@ronlysons6750]

If it had a round headlamp I would buy one tomorrow.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Maybe aftermarket options?

[@ronlysons6750]

@@Englishbikerdan seriously, are they available?

[@ronlysons6750]

I bought one anyway and it's brilliant.

[@AzCcc]

Hi Dan, how about a review of the latest iteration of the Yamaha MT-10. I know not much has changes since your last review 5 years ago. However, it'd be interesting to see how it compares to the latest bikes you've reviewed.

[@caoimhin7122]

Is the same bike as the 2024 CB500F in the USA? I'm not familiar with the name "Hornet".

[@Englishbikerdan]

Yeah basically the same. Just a new name.

[@caoimhin7122]

@@Englishbikerdan I like the name. I wonder why they aren’t using it here?

[@G-Man01]

The new model is the CB500 Hornet (Not the CB500F).

[@mraidymaddful]

Being an original Hornet 600 owner, I don't see these new twin cylinders as living up to the Hornets name. The CB650R to me, would be the true successor to the Hornet name and the sound is almost identical to the original 600 too...........

[@Englishbikerdan]

I've owned every generation of Hornet 600 from the very first to last model. Personally, I have no issues with this bike using the Hornet name. It follows the ethos of the original Hornet. Make a cheap, fun naked bike that appeals to many. Back when the Hornet came out, IL4 engines were the most popular. Nowadays it's the P-Twin. Times change and manufacturers have to adapt or die. Yeah, the CB650R is more of a spiritual successor to the OG Hornet, but this bike is acutally way more fun! I also owned a CB650R and had this Hornet for 12 months. As always, my opinion.

[@DEINVATERDERADLER]

​@@Englishbikerdan great facted answer

[@arnoutvanwijk4916]

"It's just you and the bike and your right hand"... Ehh, look It's a cute bike but that just sounds wrong 😂 9:30

[@Englishbikerdan]

Don't forget the lube!

[@Bbbuddy]

I think the center stand is an extra cost item.

[@Englishbikerdan]

It might be! Handy for sure.

[@JaySilva88]

Honda insists on the ugly headlamp: WHY!? (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

[@nickhamby2774]

Does that front tyre look backwards?

[@Englishbikerdan]

The treat pattern will be, as the front deals with most of the braking forces. This was something that changed some time ago with front tyre patterns.

[@FraserWest-um4ue]

Just to let you know that Honda has built the hornet 1000 the same engine as Honda CBR1000R but it’s a bit cheaper to buy now

[@paulfowler6665]

I own a 750 hornet which was £6999 and now you can get it for about 6.5 grand. So why would you buy this as it's hardly any cheaper and half the power? Unless your licence forces you too I guess but then there are better cheaper options like the 390duke or the new Triumph 400s

[@peterwilson8039]

You make a very good point sir.

[@davidmatthews3093]

Sometimes more power is not necessarily a good thing. I own a 500X and when the Transalp came out I thought I would have to have one but at the end of the day the 500 does everything I want and having downsized to the 500 I just didn’t need the extra power of the 750.

[@peterwilson8039]

@@davidmatthews3093 My feeling about the Honda 500 is that it’s a good motorcycle, but over priced.

[@johnbrando8248]

The handle bar is short

[@Englishbikerdan]

So am I.

[@Stinkyfish723]

I just did a 345 km day in SEA with a few 5-minute breaks on the Hornet. Freeways, ascending and descending mountains and city traffic. Handled like a dream and always had enough power. It is a very good bike but unremarkable, so it isn’t getting anywhere near the amount of hype of the new triumph single cylinder buzz boxes. Are people like yourself being incentivised to crow on about the new triumph 400s?

[@nicobillones7498]

The out going cb500f looks better than this hornet 500 and the hornet 750 😂. Design of cb500f with a hornet 750 engine would be sweet 👌🤌🤙

[@adunford2664]

It’s time Honda produced a classic design, like an Enfield, but with a cb500/750 engine. Lots of chrome etc

[@florme6494]

Make a bigger version of the monkey.

[@davidmatthews3093]

Please no.

[@method341]

Cl500

[@marinusk67]

The golden forks and engine covers of the previous one looked much better. This look just boring

[@FourIntoOne]

Its a very worthy bike but Honda really need to reconfigure the engine - for way to long now its been a 180 degree crank offering but a 270 degree crank would make it a little bit more interesting to ride -its peppy enough and all that but it is utterly soulless.

[@jimmyjam8795]

I used to agree about the engine, but now on the fourth cb I've had, I've got to the point that I actually like the 180 character and see why honda doesn't want to change it.

[@martinrea8548]

@@jimmyjam8795 You've had four CB500Fs? I can understand why. I'm still on my first and I find it very hard to see why I should change it.

[@JamesMurphy-ry2mx]

Is it more comfortable than a SV 650 ? And while I’m here. Slava Ukraine! 🇺🇦

[@Englishbikerdan]

Yes, the stock SV650 seat is woeful.

[@JamesMurphy-ry2mx]

@@Englishbikerdan Thanks!

[@pappi3]

Box type Swingarm is low quality for the price tbh.

[@ricardini9560]

I love 500cc category but they're damn ugly for at least 15 years! No transformers design for me! They're already dated right now so imagine these bikes looks in 10/15 years! No No No...