Honda CB500 > Reviews > An absolutely cracking allrounder!

Author's product rating:   

Comfort	Good
Handling	Excellent
Looks	Excellent
Features	Good
Fuel consumption	Excellent

Advantages:	Cost, flexibility, reliability
Disadvantages:	None really !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

If you're looking at a bike like this then chances are, you want something which is an all-rounder, cheap and reliable. Well - congratulations, you've found it!

The CB500 is a cracking "little big" bike, which although down on power on most of its more modern bretheren is still quite able, in the right hands, of keeping up with most modern 600s - certainly on normal roads. It handles really well (it still has its own race series, the CB500 cup), is light, comfy, economical, and will bumble along as an economical commuter giving 65mpg and 200+ miles to the tank at lower revs, or become a great little throw-around scratcher if you buzz it up to its real powerband of 7-10k.

Thin enough to filter through traffic with ease,and with a nicely slightly-canted riding position which is a comfy compromise between l sports and upright , it's also got a low seat height for the shorties but isn't too cramped if you're bigger (I'm 6'1" with a bad knee and I can ride it for a couple of hours at a stretch).

I've had mine (a 2000 "S" model with the half fairing - well worth having) for 3 years now and she's never missed a beat commuting daily, rain and shine, summer and winter. The only time she hasn't fired up first time was after I had left her in the garage for 2 months after having had a back operation - and although she took a lot of turning over (wow what a battery!) she still caught eventually

I have also taken my wife touring on her, and although 2 people and full luggage is asking a lot of the suspension, she still goes pretty well even when heavily loaded. Bridgestone BT45s last for ages (8-10k rear, 15k front) and give loads of grip wet or dry.

I've thought about trading up for something with more punch but every time I just keep thinking what a great all-round compromise she is - anything else may be better in one department but is always noticeable worse somewhere else if so. She's cheap to maintain too and easy for DIY.

Drop any prejudices you might have about it being a "learner" bike - it is forgiving for new riders, certainly, but also a great fun ride fo rthe more experienced.