Key highlights
- Honda CB500 retro roadster bike launched
- Priced at Rs 2.75 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Powered by a 501cc air/oil-cooled engine
Honda has launched a new middleweight retro roadster motorcycle, the CB500. The new CB500 takes its design inspiration from the classic CB models, featuring neo-retro elements and an oil-cooled engine for an immersive riding experience.
The CB500 is available in three variants, with their ex-showroom prices as follows:
- Alloy: Rs 2,75,000
- Spoke: Rs 2,99,900
- Spoke with Stripes: Rs 3,01,900
The CB500 features a retro design with elements like a round LED headlight, chrome round mirrors, a round digital console, a teardrop fuel tank, a single seat, a chrome-aluminium-finished exhaust system, brushed aluminium engine casing, and silver front forks.
The most interesting bit about the CB500 is its 501cc single-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine. This engine makes a modest 27.6 bhp of peak power, but it produces a healthy 43.3 Nm of torque, which indicates that it has a lot of low-end grunt that will translate into a retro riding experience. This engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox in a typical retro fashion.
With all that retro all over, the CB500 is not a completely “old” bike, as it gets modern features like dual-channel ABS, a slipper-assist clutch, an LED headlamp, gas-charged rear shock absorbers, tubeless spoked rims with tubeless tyres, and a semi-digital instrument console with an analogue speedometer and an LCD screen for MID and other information.
The new CB500 goes against rivals like the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and the BSA Goldstar 650. However, its lack of a sixth gear and lower peak power output could keep a few buyers off the chart. Honda has commenced bookings for the CB500, and it will be available exclusively through the BigWing showrooms nationwide.
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