Honda CB500 Hornet Review: Does it Belong in the Hive?

Honda's popular CB500F has been restyled and renamed for 2024, taking on the name 'CB500'. We take one for a ride on UK roads to see what's new for '24, and if it lives up to the legendary name!
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You can read the full editorial review of this bike here: www.visordown.com/reviews/fir...
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[@jwemyss66]

Ive bought one and its a brilliant wee bike , dont care what its called , the bike works and is fantastic to ride

[@Random_Tangent]

The problem with the 500s is the gearing, too short in 1st. This facelift looks more conservative, plainer lines, Purists who won't be in the market for this bike will see the Hornet badge as diluting the legacy of the name for smaller engined bikes, purists need their 1000cc+ 4 cylinder bikes with street illegal exhausts. I feel for reviewers like this guy who think engine noise is so important, when the future is parallel twins and alternative power engines. The Hornet 500 makes a nice amount of noise while engine braking, nice crackles that add some character and in the end its the experiences and memories you have with your bike that build the connection to the machine.

[@Iamwhatiam76]

Problem with 500cc bike>Has to adapt to A2 48hp limit ruling…Why dont they make an option of another with 65hp?

[@bulthaosen1169]

Depends on if it has more low rpm torque. Which is more practical than high rpm hp.

[@Iamwhatiam76]

@@bulthaosen1169 those wanna low rpm can opt for the 47hp

[@DrQuiza]

@@Iamwhatiam76 Restricted versions don't get better low end torque.

[@Tonyx.yt.]

the unrestricted Honda 471cc engine has 50.4 hp (sold in south america if im not wrong) btw, not worth the hassle for just 2.5 extra hp

[@ram64man]

Agreed it wouldn't be hard to put a kit for a2 owners and software flash I loved my old cb500 58hp 93 model to get the same now you have to go to a 750 hornet . Which isn't as good for a commuter kit on

[@BikingChap]

"that is... the sound of learning to ride" could a review be more patronising?

[@PeterEllis-fz3lu]

Waiting for a decent comparison of the z500 and the 500 hornet, are you to do one??

[@ragerider6283]

Nice review. Seems a decent offering. It also looks a bit better than the 750 imo too, although not sure how as they're so similar. Really disappointed with the beige vanilla looks of the 750 despite a being a really good, fun & great value bike.

[@slyfox186]

How's this compare with the Triumph Speed 400, similar mpg. Will need to book a test ride.

[@AdamForeman]

The review is a bit harsh for an A2 compliant bike. It's no Ducati Panagale V4S in looks and excitement, but it's a bike cc platform for people to move on to from passing their licence.

[@felipe-nt-d]

Wasn't the original Hornet the Brazilian market CB600F model with a 4 cylinder engine? This is kinda unfortunate. I'd go with a Z500, though.

[@rogerkay8603]

Really? Less power, not as good on fuel, each to their own I guess.

[@jl9161]

The z500 has less power because it weighs so much less it wouldn't be a2 compliant if they gave it the full 35kw.

[@supersprit5733]

They screwed that bike, now it is cbr650f.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

It makes sense for Honda to bring a 500 out., even if it is a done-up F.

[@djrichylaurence8991]

I've got the original 600 version. 105bhp and top speed 150mph. Can't see a twin doing that.

[@nickrider5220]

Did like the comment 'that to me sounds like learning to ride' ! Why is every Kawasaki bike now a ninja ? Now we have Honda calling an A2/commuter bike a Hornet - mosquito or housefly maybe !

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Great little bike. Up there with the best A2 license friendly bikes. A disingenuous and dismissive review in places.

[@supersprit5733]

How fast it is, 0 to 60 ?

[@Iamwhatiam76]

Under 4.4s

[@kirocky9784]

6s

[@supersprit5733]

@@kirocky9784 that's slow Aprilia 457 is faster

[@kirocky9784]

@@supersprit5733 I saw a video on KZbin and it was ~6s. It is only 500cc with 48HP, it is enough I think.

[@supersprit5733]

@@kirocky9784 Aprilia RS457 is 450cc and hits 100km in 4.5sec that's why said it is faster.

[@Bugside]

Hornet used to mean something, now just means honda naked bike

[@FranFyrhart]

So... It still means something?

[@baronarmenian5019]

Says who? It's always meant naked honda.

[@shivamarya5225]

Hornets have always been middle weight nakeds that looks like a hornet from the top, that's it

[@joepotter7763]

Looks like an oversized grom ( which isnt a bad thing) 😂. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder im more of the fan of the single circular headlamp

[@lgwappo]

A Yamaha MT-07 is slightly lighter & has a 270 crank but for the money this is a decent little bike.

[@johnbrando8248]

Not little it s not even close to 125cc

[@chrisdadigger1018]

Why doesn’t the United States get the Honda CB 750 that’s bullshit. We have the biggest roads but they don’t bring that bike over here.

[@ram64man]

I wiah honda webt back to ita old tuen left right button back to the hevole place above the horn

[@domi9577]

I see no reason to buy one of these over a lighter cheaper better looking and better handling Speed 400

[@allwheeldrive]

Maybe two, it you're counting on it daily: 1) fuel economy, 2 ) ultimate reliability.

[@domi9577]

@@allwheeldrive two very boring reasons which are probably untrue anyway

[@DrQuiza]

@@allwheeldrive vastly superior twin cylinder engine.

[@Steve-motorcycles]

It’s a bigger, faster, more reliable and better built bike but yeah, no reason

[@stevenfreeman7798]

It's BORING!!!!!

[@ramzanshaikh1656]

I like boringness.

[@stevenfreeman7798]

Poor you

[@ramzanshaikh1656]

@@stevenfreeman7798 Yeah I am really poor and prefer boring things.

[@nesciusplayground]

You are boring

[@Steve-motorcycles]

So are you

[@abymathew295]

Why dont Honda ever make an exciting bike....they are all bland AF*...😡😡😡😡🥵🥵🥵

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Try the 750 hornet

[@abymathew295]

@@Steve-motorcycles . That thing is hideous AF*

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@abymathew295 🤡