Honda introduces new 500cc LAMS range

[actungbaby]

Dont see the problem, 192kg isnt THAT heavy, its a power restricted learners style bike, to put it in perspective the old air cooled RD250 series bikes weighed in at around 150 to 165kg depending on version (the cast wheel version being heavier). Too light and it's also got a chance of being more unstable in high winds, and skittish over rough surfaces.

I understand grey wolf i looked kg weight and was like nooo as from design point view esp if you like racing bikes

but you know i guess way i think why have extra weight , u think alot thought been but or care eg cbr 900

or my mazda mx5 it shows alot love hehe

but in real world i look build quality if was chaper option i did this when broght cb 400 n thought just

Was better finished than the suzuki gs 400 of the time .

years later brought a old cruggie gs 400 and love its feel and handling and was well past use by date

Got me down to chch from palmerston north back lovley bike


for sure buddy these real world kgs i guess with fuel and oil air in the tires hehe

And the knockers it have abs too about time honda should be standred on all bikes well at least u chould option of turning it of if you so deem it for racing etc .

make it option only exp can acess

I have opion if ride the bike sir alan chathcart liked it and think ridden a few bikes hehe hasint he

simple if dont like it dont buy one but dont try put people of it before even got here stubid

I tend to agree That Hondas pricing needs be looked at for lower range of bikes to encourage new people take

Up bikes but cost fuel they still make sence of a car if you travelling as one person mostly esp

In town

[Botany Honda]

Nice to ride, price, well you pays yer money and takes your choice,

[Reubix]

IMO

The bike was ok, the brakes were the best part of the whole experience, real nice.

For the price - yeah, nah... I'll save my cash and get a Viffer

[actungbaby]

Well that's a fairly reasonable weight then

Hi I think reality checks in order after
harping on being 12 grand when 2 grand cheaper, oh think other brands
are not apart from Kawasaki, and increased. The price on that, by way love Kawasaki, know to weight issue
most figures at be anyway. The bike mags know it ditto ps power figure
my cbx 400 was 200kg with full tank
ok it was a 4 cylinder bike.
it felt way better than cb400 n
parrell twin, centre gravity.I used go by figures in fact buy bikes without
even test rides. Fact is u can't judge
bike by spec sheet alone.

[pyroguy55]

I test rode the CB500F today.

Loved it.

It was comfortable and smooth... oh so smooth.

The acceleration was great especially if you have only ridden 250's. Even up in top gear at 100kph it had more than enough pull to pass cars without breaking a sweat.

The brakes worked well, the seat was comfortable and the riding position was great.

I wasn't actually expecting to like this bike but after the test ride I am very tempted because in my opinion it is a bike you could just continue to ride long after you get that full license endorsement. Now to decide if I want this or a Kawasaki EX650... decisions decisions.

[Glowerss]

I test rode the CB500F today.

Loved it.

It was comfortable and smooth... oh so smooth.

The acceleration was great especially if you have only ridden 250's. Even up in top gear at 100kph it had more than enough pull to pass cars without breaking a sweat.

The brakes worked well, the seat was comfortable and the riding position was great.

I wasn't actually expecting to like this bike but after the test ride I am very tempted because in my opinion it is a bike you could just continue to ride long after you get that full license endorsement. Now to decide if I want this or a Kawasaki EX650... decisions decisions.

Keep in mind it's not all EX650s that are LAMs approved, but only specially restricted ones that need to be imported. And they're quite dear (like $16,000 or something dear).

[pyroguy55]

Keep in mind it's not all EX650s that are LAMs approved, but only specially restricted ones that need to be imported. And they're quite dear (like $16,000 or something dear).

Yes I have kept that in mind. I have a friend who is selling one for $9k, model name reads exactly as it does on the LAMS list on the LTNZ website. its the EX650FDFW and theres no other notes or anything next to it on the LAMS list.

[Erelyes]

Official (?) prices now on the website, bizarrely without GST:

CBR500R $9,126 ex. GST ($10494.90)
CB500F $9,561 ex. GST ($10995.15)
CB500X $9,996 ex. GST ($11495.40)

Must be charging a premium for ABS, since the F is dearer than the R.

I hate when companies advertise ex GST, when they know full well that hardly a single soul is going to buy one for business purposes. It's not a quadbike or tractor we're buying, Honda. Does this reflect their understanding of the market perhaps?
They do have incl GST prices on there now tho.

As a learner, the bike looks cool, I could maybe get over the weight if it was the same price as a Ninja 300. But this is 40kg heavier AND 1k dearer.

That said, these get ABS, and the Ninja 300's don't (even though the rest of the world get 300s with ABS).

Also, how the hell is the X a grand dearer than the R? Makes no sense to me.

[Gremlin]

Also, how the hell is the X a grand dearer than the R? Makes no sense to me.

I suspect not all models get ABS, only the F lists it specifically.

Also, the X gets an additional 2L of fuel capacity, so there are some slightly different configurations in amongst the bikes.

[nerrrd]

Also, how the hell is the X a grand dearer than the R? Makes no sense to me.

An impression from one of the first hands on reviews of the X:

"This new X offers another dimension again. It’s deliberately slighter bigger all round with longer forks, higher wider bars, a slightly higher seat and slightly longer wheel base, which makes it feel more like a fully grown machine."

Might explain how they justify the higher price tag; pretty sure when it was first announced it for NZ they specifically said that both the X and the F would have ABS but the R wouldn't - why they don't mention it now in the specs for the X is a mystery to me.

[nerrrd]

Paul Owen review of CBR500:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bike...act-and-cuddly

And the CB500X does have ABS:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-601389505.htm

[wellyriderz]

Just bought me an F. Test rode the R but didn't really like the sportier riding position, too much weight on the wrists for me. The F was perfect. Have done a couple hundred Ks and no issues, just really smooth, stable, predictable and fun! Still has enough get up and go - haven't even revved it yet either- but can quite happily cruise round as well. It's a bit quiet though- Could definitely do with a muffler change, but not sure whether that would breach the LAMS rules.

Also the mirrors are straight off a 1982 Honda City, uuuugly! Will be going when the bank balance has recovered...

The first service at 1000K looks nasty - need to check valve clearances which involves taking the cover off the engine, which requires dismantling half the bike apparently. I should have tried to get that thrown in when I bought it!

[haydes55]

The first service at 1000K looks nasty - need to check valve clearances which involves taking the cover off the engine, which requires dismantling half the bike apparently. I should have tried to get that thrown in when I bought it!

Seems early to be checking valves? I would of just taken it easy. Change oil and filter after 2 tanks of gas then Change oil and filter after 1000km. Unless it's thrashed I wouldn't bother checking valve clearances until 10,000km service.

[SPman]

Quite like the look of these.....the missus is thinking of getting one for an everyday hack - at $8000 for the 500R it's cheaper than a Striple.......and with new car, new van and more solar forked out for recently........

[wellyriderz]

Seems early to be checking valves? I would of just taken it easy. Change oil and filter after 2 tanks of gas then Change oil and filter after 1000km. Unless it's thrashed I wouldn't bother checking valve clearances until 10,000km service.

Owner's manual states it needs to be done to retain warranty cover- same with the CBR250 apparently. issue is that the valves bed in to the seats during this time, and if they bed in further than expected they can be too tight with the cams and stick open I guess.

Good thing is after that there's no big service due for a long long time.