Hello Sifu-Sifu semua, I'm currently in the process of pursuing my B Full license and currently eyeing on a Honda CBR500R. But something has been bothering me though, as in why Honda Malaysia did not bring in their CBR600 R or the RR and only bringing in CBR500R, and I notice that there's not much of the said model on the road and I'm very keen in knowing why before I really made my choice.

If I do bought the bike, I might end up using it as a daily commute from my house to work which back and forth around 95KM a day.

Main reason the bike got my attention will be that its not too OP for me, and some review on the net mention that it's very suitable to be use as a beginner bike. The sitting position is somewhat upright like a Naked Bike, and of course the way it looks.

So I humbly ask for the opinion of para para sifu here for your opinion on this matter and please do advice if you find that there's a wiser decision to be made / things that I should pay attention on / other model that might suit me better or even your review on CBR500R if you have ride on 1 before or currently owning 1.

All advice is welcome and appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

This post has been edited by Hamacci: Mar 20 2018, 02:03 PM

I dont own the CBR500R but have my riding buddies rode the CBX500X version (same engine different body style).

What i know the engine is very frugal on fuel consumption, KL-Gurun 1 full tank.

The bike does not have stellar acceleration being sub 500cc (actual cc is 467cc) but still managed to keep up 170kmh on the NS highway).. top speed around 188 kmh.

bear in mind, the spare part is slightly more expensive than Kawasaki.. but you can always service in Honda big Wing Hatyai... (cheaper)

And.. being a single front disc, the brake pad need to change more frequent ..

Main reason...... Licence Limit of B1, B2 and B3 .

Not many has License of over 500cc.

I do not own CBR00R but I own Rebel 500. Same engine. Similar performance. Only Rebel was retune for low end torque.

Fuel consumption - Average 3.5 to 3.6L/100 km. It can be more if you ride like a holigan.

Good for beginner and daily commute

As for spare parts, I just order from Thailand. or get it direct from spare parts stockist in Bangsar.

Hmm. 0-100 in 5.3secs but don't ever try taking on those moped really because of their power to weight ratio. Price wise just bout right. Go for it.

Thanks for your feedback. Was wondering if its comfortable to cruise at a 130km/h mark? Don't think ill go much more than that.
Any idea how frequent the brake pad need replacement and roughly how much it will cost?

I thought we have B full and B2 only?

The fuel consumption review seems good enough, haha
But the price of the spare parts do amount into my concern and i lack the technical skill to do anything myself.
Wondering if i should top up a little and go for Ninja 650 / z650 instead

not sure if the parts price will differ alot between cb500r n the newer z650/ninja,
but honda do hv a complete pricelist. n should publish it for all, honda published the full parts price list for their kapchai 150.. not sure why, mebe cos got stiff competition frm ymahal and binili..

The bike can do just fine.. in fact the normal cruise was around 120 to 130 kmh on highway..

Not mistaken around 15k Km you might need to check .. and replace if necessary, for local Honda pricing is around 275RM a set for front, if you order from Thai or stockist (outside Boon Siew Honda) might be cheaper.

FC for me depends on your style. Mine, a vulcan S, is just 22km/L because I stay most of the time 100-130kmh around 6k rpm. More than that the wind is not a pleasant feeling at all.

The sound is the almost same note with Versys, Ninja 650 and Vulcan S, they're all two potters 4 stroke so nothing amazing or pleasing at least to my ears. Stock sound is very tame and wont get you a stone or a slipper thrown at but with aftermarket two round is too much oledi. Z800, gsxr 750 or the triple pots and up sounded nice but to me nothing beats a two stroke sound.

Not saying a newbie couldn't handle a 650 power but I went the cruiser route so rarely I ripped open the throttle full to say it's not that much. In reality they're very capable of tricking you of traveling with high speed approaching the stop zone. Nothing funny gonna come out of that even if you're trying hard to laugh.

Newbies on a sportbike should stay with newbies or anybody kind enough to wait for you as if you mistakenly join those expert monkeys group then you're in for a sad ride. They will leave you behind and prolly will not ask you to join them sincerely heartlessly.

Was eyeing his bike but decided to give this a miss since the ABS version price (Please, please please, get the ABS version) is so close to the 650 Ninja, with the later having more features.

Thanks for the Info, guess i have to ask around and do more comparison

Thanks sifu for the info, wondering if it will be possible to get a test ride at Honda Big Wing ...

Thanks for the advice.
I don't have any riding buddies to begins with. but would definitely look forward to do some cool santai ride like what you guys did on F&F Community ride

HaHa That's exactly what i had in my mind. The Ninja 650 really temps me with its feature and price wise its not a very big difference between them .
Perhaps that's the reason why its not vastly available on the road (my wild guess).
Honestly speaking, whats holding me back at the 500 is purely its Styling.

The 500 is considered years ago, the Ninja 650 quite new and quite important to me, it comes with gear indicator

actually when u buy a new bike... u mostly will spend on the engine oil, oil filter.. labour

if the bike dont have problem during first few years.. then most u have to replace is tyres, sprocket

if u ride it everyday long distance.. then faster wear those parts..

here is the parts price list, seems almost complete. suggested retail price by boonsiew

https://www.boonsiewhonda.com.my/part-centr...art-price/?pg=2

RM67.90 for one oil filter... exclude gst.

this is just a common honda oil filter used by many honda machine.

https://www.bike-parts-honda.com/tarif_h_ne...D01&bb=Chercher

check online in the UK genuine parts it is 12.59 pound when direct convert to myr is 69.73 which is just a bit cheaper compare to msia price with gst is 71.97rm

so u can actually find the price in the uk etc, to get an idea - price of genuine replacement parts...

honda oil change interval for this engine is 12k KM... this is honda's recommendation ...

what i like about honda is their service/workshop manual...

This post has been edited by basilisk: Mar 24 2018, 01:37 AM

i would suggest you to test ride a Leoncino first.

Benelli Leoncino 500

Wow, are you the Jaykay mentioned in the article?
That's so cool.Wish I would have the privilege like you in the future...
May I know your reason to suggest Leoncino?

WOW, thats alot of my time saved! Thankyou so so much for all these information that you provided.


I'll make sure to make good use of it.

if u can buy cash, y not consider getting a used honda. use it for a while then trade it if u feel it is not suitable.