Cheap motoring or actual fun? 2024 Honda CB500 Hornet review

[@ronlysons6750]

I've just bought one of these, moved on from a CB300R. Once you get used to the weight, it is actually easier to ride than the CB300R. I'm 70 and only past my test in Feb and it’s perfect for me. So smooth, I'm no hooligan, I ride it pretty much the same as I drive my car. Boring? maybe but at my age, discretion in the the better part of valour.

[@jamesballard6564]

I've read a couple of other comments saying 500 is easier than 300 to drive once under speed. Looks like I'll start my journey on a 500.

[@drewmorg.]

Had a CB500F. Ridden plenty of dual sports, had a Yamaha R6... the Honda was the most enjoyable to ride. Short seat height and easy to get both feet on ground with 32" inseam. About 45mpg. The seat is huge and provides multiple riding positions for long highway hauls. By the way the "slow" bike can easily do 80mph all day long without being totally out of breath or feeling like it's redlined. Minimal vibrations. It is just fun to constantly rip around town at full throttle without going to jail.

[@SuzSV650]

How about suspension and pillion?

[@drewmorg.]

@@SuzSV650 Suspension was plush, it was a high mileage bike but it ate up speedbumps and pot holes. Very comfortable. It did not dive badly under heavy brakes, just overall a nice "neutral" style suspension and confident. Pillion was generous compared to a sportbike but I don't think a passenger would love it. I had a large top box on its own rail behind the pillion seat that I'm sure someone could lean back on and feel cozy but it wasn't that type of bike.

[@nickclarkuk]

Yes the ability to rip it everywhere makes this fun and in such comfort.

[@alankeni]

Best review of this bike yet, nice! I’m selling my 125cc to get this bike, I have only 2 months of experience with the 125cc..But I think that this bike will be manageable for me and fun when I get used to it 😁

[@Ikarus_Riding]

Just bought a Benelli BN 125 Green and it's amazing but the highway lack of speed is killing me... looking for this bike as it has a low fuel consumption for the power It delivers

[@alankeni]

@@Ikarus_Riding I ended up getting a Kawasaki z500 SE 😎 fits me better than the hornet

[@The.JZA.]

Honda are smashing it with these updates BUT they need to put cruise control on these bikes or at least the more expensive ones. Like there's no mention of cruise control on the CB1000 Hornet and it doesn't even have a 6 axis IMU with lean angle sensitive traction/abs which. Even the MT09 SP has a 6 axis IMU and cruise control and it's cheaper (or it least from my check of prices). Yes the MT09 has ~30hp less but it does look like it is better equipped. Also I wish Honda would hire some better graphic designers and give us some decent graphics on the displays. They look so budget. Even a Duke 390 has a way cooler looking dash than any of the Hornets. Even the MT07 has way cooler dashboard graphics. The graphics/UI on the Hornets look like they really just did the minimum and then called it a day. C'mon Honda, you can do it! We believe in you!

[@G-Man01]

The suspension is adjustable

[@julianwinn4502]

Enjoyed the video. Probably the bike many people actually need.

[@PierricDescamps]

I suppose the difference in fuel consumption (not necessarily from a financial perspective but rather from an environmental one) is an argument in favour of the 500 over the 750.

[@MartinRea-m6h]

I have a CB500F and fuel economy is something you get used to and take for granted. Whenever I look at the specs of possible replacement bikes, the fuel consumption quickly becomes very apparent. Surprisingly, the Triumph Speed Twin 900 has similar fuel economy.

[@143580BUD]

I’ve just passed my test and had a go on one of these at the weekend. I was pretty adamant that I was going to buy a cb650r. I’m now in two minds if I should buy one of these to get some experience before buying a cbr in a couple of years

[@jamesballard6564]

Smart. Lower insurance as well.

[@143580BUD]

@ I went for the cb in the end as I think I would have got bored of the hornet. £200 difference for the insurance so I can live with that

[@jamesballard6564]

@143580BUD fair enough. If you keep the 650 for several years, you will recoup the initial investment.

[@143580BUD]

@ I plan to keep it until August 27 then buy the CBR600RR. There’s a lot to learn and this will be a good way to start it I think

[@goowy1256]

I love my CB500 hornet!!!

[@jamesballard6564]

What's your favorite and least favorite aspects? I'm considering this model as my first bike.

[@graemetaylor629]

didn'tknow you reviewed bikes as well as cars I really enjoyed your review thanks

[@timrodierides]

Cheers Graeme! I’ve been doing both for a while - I’d say cars are the day job, bikes are the passion!

[@garysouthwell5762]

Sweet machine and Great Review!

[@jimmartin8586]

Having a 30 mile round trip, in all weathers, on a 2023 CB500F, I'd say "cheap motoring"! They are OK bikes, but this is my fourth model with this engine in, and it's the roughest of them all. 95 mpg is easy even though I do thrash mine a bit. Not many contenders, so it dominates this sector of the Market. Engine is at it's best if you spin it up to the higher revs, where it is at its smoothest.

[@hectorshouse7348]

Good review…thank you 👍

[@svenskdod]

I’m looking at this bike, as I want to get a bike again after being out of the game for a good decade. I’m torn between this one and the 750.

[@adam346]

no idea what insurance is like in the UK but where I am, paying for the bike is usually the cheaper side of things, insurance can cost twice as much per month than the bike itself... and a 90hp wheelie machine will undoubtedly cost more than this.. tame (using a kind word) 500.

[@jamesballard6564]

I've heard the same. Once you cross 600cc , insurance skyrockets.

[@soulrebelno1]

I felt safer on a Honda CB650R, than my little Honda CB125R, when I was doing my training. The CB650R nearly ripped my face off, and nearly threw me off the back when I first opened it up, but I felt safer. 😁

[@theonlyredspecial]

Really good bike. Not sure I’ll be selling my Goldwing to get one mind you but good commuter bike and cheap way to get into a different sector from a small engine 👍🏻

[@technohamster4783]

I passed my test on a cb500 however thats where me getting on with honda stops 😂

[@specialcircs]

Would love to see this kind of bike tested against CF Moto's new lineup, incredible value.

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Past my test on a cb500. It didn’t look like that though 😂

[@mrcintheuk4641]

それはとても茶色だねティム Yes, with the pricing I'm not sure why anyone would opt for this and not the 750. However, the 750 can't have a centre stand and doesn't have the tank range, although my 750 can return 60+ mpg.

[@michaelcrouch5708]

There's only around a thousand quid between the 500 and the 750, the bigger bike has a big power advantage too.

[@indiamelia639]

I'd love to know what new road bike doesn't come with a fuel gauge in 2024?

[@hunterm8297]

Have a look at Tim's BMW R12 video.

[@G-Man01]

It does have a fuel gauge

[@owenparkerjr.6588]

Stunned I would be should this bike be offered across the pond. CB500Cl, 2024 is nowhere to be found.

[@shortblokeonabike]

6200 is a little too close for comfort to the 750 in my eyes. The 750 is hardly a bad bike to learn your craft on.

[@timrodierides]

@@shortblokeonabike agreed!

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@shortblokeonabike the 750 gives up nothing as a commuter either and offers a bit more fun on the way home.

[@Dan-56]

Being more than just a little color blind, I don’t care what colors you mix 🤪! Sometimes when I’m headed out the door my wife looks at me and isn’t sure if she should laugh or ask me to do a wardrobe “do over” 😆😆😆.

[@cbjgdicad1]

MT 10?

[@SonriseSunset]

CB500 is the only "Hornet" we can get in the US! 🤥 Not sure why they haven't brought the new 750 here or even a mention of when they might bring to our mkt? Meanwhile the new GSX8R is taking most of their future sales

[@hectorshouse7348]

Centre stand NOT standard

[@timrodierides]

My mistake: it’s a £160 option

[@davidnunnerley9084]

What’s not to like? I would however prefer the 750 but could quite happily live with this. Throw your leg over and go. Oh and wear a Black jacket maybe.

[@specialcircs]

Do influencers just assume we all know it's 3 years for PCP deals (rather than 4 or more?), because they never mention it, only ever tell you the monthly price which is meaningless if you don't know how long the deal is for. Also, not that you respond or read them, それはとても茶色です

[@jamesballard6564]

PCP?

[@hectorshouse7348]

Very awkward to fill with fuel…how come NOBODY tells you!

[@BanzoUnchained]

03:09 that does not look comfortable 😅

[@philt5455]

can you shave a lobster?

[@timrodierides]

Someone here has got to have tried it. Probably need quite a bit of shaving foam

[@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555]

I can believe it's a great bike but it's mindnumbingly dismal to look at. I'd happily have one as a rental bike on holiday but l'd never hand over my own £ for something so dull.

[@56floorer]

"black and brown makes you frown" although I did see somewhere you can challenge it if you're feeling really edgy lol you might have to get some women on here doing bikini hauls or something to get your subs up, got me stuffed why they're not higher