Review of the Honda CB500 1993-2003

[@VaderWhoop]

183kg dry 57bhp. Honda designating PC26 , manufactured in Japan. Later bikes 97 onward were designated PC32 and no longer manufactured in Japan.

[@AlexPtc89]

pc32 is a "facelift" of pc26. One major difference is the disc brake instead of drum

[@harrienelle6471]

@@AlexPtc89 Yes, and made in Italy, still very good though.

[@JeiBeeBee]

I got that bike since 1994 (with drum brakes), and I love it with all my heart. I have 4 bikes now, a Honda VFR800X, a Suzuki V-Strom 650 (2nd gen from 2013), and a BMW K1200KT (my rolling sofa). Believe me or not, but my super reliable CB is the most fun in urban / commuting use. 😍👍

[@erniethecat198]

Great informative video, I have owned and ridden a cb500s for 10 years with no problems at all, soon after I bought it I changed the exhaust system for a stainless steel one, changed the brake lines for stainless and replaced the horn for a louder car unit . I will probably keep this machine for ever .

[@litek5665]

Just upgraded to stainless brake lines. Huge difference from my old ones. Thanks for watching!

[@erniethecat198]

@@litek5665 during the lock down I changed the fork springs to a progressive set.... you don’t realise how soft the original Honda ones are until the change, much better feeling over rough road surface. Don’t take this as a criticism of Honda it was just an obvious update while doing some maintenance.

[@bardslee]

I thinking of buying an old one tomorrow, anything I should look out for?

[@erniethecat198]

@@bardslee look for tired rear shocks, make sure the forks are not pitted or leaking, I prefer the s model as it offers good weather protection. Obviously check everything electric works, exhaust front pipes tend to rust unless they are stainless steel, service wise mine has only had oil changes and filters and one set of plugs all carried out by my self and eleven years on its still sweet, tyres last about 8/9thousand miles on the bt 45, s if your a steady rider. Fuel wise I get 228 miles on a full tank before switching to reserve which gives a further 20. I likes my machine to be pristine and it shows but tatty one's with high miles on the clock are just as reliable, I have seen some with over 100,000 miles still performing strongly. The lacquer one the engine cases peels but its fine and engine mounting bolts can seize but that's only a problem if you want to remove the engine, in short if you love your bike it will love you back. There are plenty of helpful tips on the owners forum. Enjoy.

[@SuperVivisektor]

Hey Li Tek , I bought tis bike 29.12.20....I am very hapy with. Many thanks for your video!

[@litek5665]

nice

[@mementomori4972]

I replaced my handlebar for a wider one (750mm) which makes a huge (positive) difference in handling,...but I also had too replace the throttle cables, the clutch cable and the choke cable, for longer ones in order to make it work (The cables from the CB sevenfifty are longer and would fit even wider bars). I also had to replace the brake hose for a slightly longer one, which was OK because I wanted an upgrade to a steel hose anyways. What transformed the bike completely was an suspension upgrade! I now have Wilbers springs in the front and IKON shocks in the rear. In combination with the wider bars, it moves like a different bike! (same setup as schaaf's CB). It's so much more stable and agile in the corners and so much more fun to ride. I don't believe that i will need too upgrade to a "better" bike for a long time. the only thing it lacks in my opinion, is torque in the lower rpm's,...but hey it's just a 500cc. When I'm riding with my buddy, who has an MT07 and wayyyy more riding experience than me (It's my first season), he definitely has an advantage when accelerating out of the kurve or in a straight line (just normal touring, not racing!!!). I sometimes have to rev pretty high to keep up. The upgrade (bars, cables, hoses, suspension) was around 700 Euros (I installed everything myself) and It's worth every cent!

[@bardslee]

I'm buying a cb500 anything I should be looking out for?

[@bardslee]

I'm buying a cb500 anything I should be looking out for

[@stephentaylor1476]

I have had mine for twenty one years have covered 138000 miles and believe it or not have replaced hardly anything. Still has original original clutch, silencer, front forks etc. It is the s model by the way.

[@doconwheels-c5m]

Great review, I have one and have been surprised at how good it is

[@arthurrheel]

Very nice video, I am looking for the generation of CB500 in France. Hard to find

[@tymIII]

nice bike. i m so glad that i bought one.

[@landyandy83]

Nice video. Good camera angle. Great little bikes the cb500

[@litek5665]

Thank you!

[@dannybruff]

I can't wait to get mine running...

[@riverthecat]

I enjoyed this vid l am going to look at 1999 cb500 on Monday...if buy it l have long drive to get it home 250miles..really exited...the bike is in great shape..yayyy..!!!!

[@garethlewis3743]

Thanks for posting video, I’m interested in buying a bike like this.

[@SuperChelinho]

Porque siempre metes el dedo en el intermitente?

[@sonoildelegato]

Congratulations for the video! I’m looking for one but the main problem I found it’s that most of them are full of kilometers. In your opinion as a owner with how many kilometers would you buy one of this Hondas?

[@jamesodonovan2867]

Great video I bought a cb500s 2002 two months ago and I'm loving it. It's got just enough power to be fun while being a low and light enough bike for my first "big bike" can I ask what exhaust you used because I bought a used slip on can to give it a better sound but the new exhaust is obnoxious and far to loud. I like loud bikes but not stupidity loud. Thanks again and keep up the videos

[@litek5665]

I have used the delkevic 350MM STAINLESS OVAL SILENCER. But it is a bit too loud for me tough. They sell silencers that is quieter on their website.

[@mementomori4972]

Hey Li Tek, I just bought a CB500 the other day and Im really unsatisfied with the low handlebars. Can you recommend a handlebar?,...and do I need to change something else in order to make it work? Also the plastics (buttons, chocke) and grips on my bike (which is otherwise beautiful) look old and faded out and I was thinking of replacing them, but have a difficult time finding new replacement parts. Yours look beautiful, even though your bike has higher milage. I also noticed that you changed your levers to adjustable ones. Are they good? (which ones did you use?) I have rather small hands and adjustable levers would be a great upgrade for me, especially as a beginner. Thanks allot in advance!!!!

[@litek5665]

I would buy some handlebar risers if I were you, but you could also buy a generic honda handlebar on ebay. I did that because my original handlebars were bent by the previous owner. Just watch out for cable lenght. The levers are also from ebay. I just searched for honda cb 500 1994 levers and found levers made for the bike from china. Delivery time is negative tough. The reason my plastics are as good as they are is because I have used some turtle wax plastic renew on them. There are also other ways to renew faded plastics.

[@mementomori4972]

@@litek5665 Thank you!, I unfortunately can't use "no name cheap aluminium" levers here in Austria,...everything has to be certified and listed, otherwise, you can walk home just after your first police stop situation. they are very strict here,...I was looking for some quality ones,...thanks anyways!

[@grossi46]

The cbf500 handlebars fit this bike and they are more upright

[@mementomori4972]

@@grossi46 There are allot of certified handlebars that would fit,...no issue there anymore. Adjustible leavers would be nice to have.

[@grossi46]

@@mementomori4972I have adjustable levers on mine. Got them off ebay a few years back and had no issues mechanically

[@blawkenmusic]

Great video. Im thinking about buying one. I want to bike that will be good for everyday use and for some long touring (like 300-500km) I have A2 licence and i just wonder if cb 500 will be a good touring bike for 178cm man.

[@litek5665]

I think it will! :)

[@litek5665]

But wind can be an issue if its cold

[@BenColletti]

I also live in Norway, and am looking to buy my first bike. I've been looking at a couple bikes, the cb500 and the sv650 is two of em, my budget is only 30000 NOK, and these bikes seem to be much more expensive here in Norway. Also, since it's generally cold in norway, and also since it's my first bike, do you recommend buying the slightly newer ones with fuel injection? (2003 and up sv650 and 2004 and up cb500).

[@litek5665]

It is not a problem with the carbs, but fuel injection is better. If something goes wrong with fuel injection, it is more expensive. The CB 500 in the video was bought for 14 800. Pruting er lurt :)

[@nulla9601]

Have you already bought a bike? If so, which one did you go with?

[@gonzalvezalvez6572]

You cant go wrong with a RC36II VFR750F (94-97), had for 15 years and I'll get another for sure soon, just waiting for the right one...previous model its also very good (RC36)...no one needs more than that...and, for the standards and for the year it was made does well on the fuel consumption(at least compared to my 2001 injected blade...never did less than 12liters per 100km) 7lts/100km.

[@eyemallears2647]

Cheers from Northern Ireland

[@riverthecat]

Is the cluch lefer heavy..?

[@gonzalvezalvez6572]

Well, sorry, just got carried away by the VFR...daydreaming...Thank you for the video, I am actually going to test ride a pc32 soon so I can decide either it or an NTV650

[@danshorthouse]

Hey i have recently brought a Honda CB500 1999 with 16kmiles. Anyway i have many bike but nothing like this and i have noticed that if you let the bike tick over for 15-20mins the temperature will reach half and the fan with come on as normal.but when im riding it the temperature is low around 20% up from the bottom. Is this normal? Thanks in advance 🇬🇧

[@Derpderpson123]

Yes it is, actually now that you say it, I've never heard the fan kick in unless I'm in traffic

[@micastillodearena6038]

Can you get your hands on a CBF 500? And if so, you could a comparison of this vs her father, the cb500 :)

[@litek5665]

That would be cool

[@micastillodearena6038]

@@litek5665 it would definitely be the first one on the internet, I've looking for one for a year now haha

[@jamesnurgle6368]

I had my CBF 500 stolen recently and picked up a 1994 cb500. I honestly want to shake the thieves hands at this point, it's a much lighter and funner bike even if it's much less comfortable on longer trips with the vibrations.

[@dannyjonze]

Good idea, surprised how there is so little on KZbin about this well loved and popular bike. I've just been given a 98 cb500s, can't wait to start riding it. Was lucky I think that this particular bike came to me because I knew nothing about which bike would be suitable

[@darkolazarevski4434]

I am 193cm/6'.4'', which bike you suggest for my first (500cc or bellow) used bike?

[@litek5665]

Honda Varadero 125! :)

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

I called my 500 "Jeb" (it stood for Just Enough Bike). After a couple of years I found I was caning it everywhere, and kind of not really enjoying it. Seat to pegs is a bit cramped and the seat itself isn't that comfy. I'm 5' 11". Linear power, neutral handling, reliable - but also somewhat gutless, bland and uninspiring. Arguably the best "first big bike" - even now.

[@TomBartram-b1c]

So 125mph top speed won't get you into too much trouble? Wow. I wish we in Britain had your speed limits!

[@hni7458]

"Bland at first sight"??? What the *** {{{ && ))) Haven't heard anything similar - she's a queen for fuck's sake!