HONDA CBR500R (2022 - On) Review - MCN

Out go the old CBR’s bland-looking 41mm preload adjustable conventional forks in favour of some more attention-grabbing golden Showa Separate Function Big Piston alternatives, lifted directly from the four-cylinder Honda CB650R and Honda CBR650R.

They’re non-adjustable but the standard settings tackle bumps in the British tarmac without fuss – remaining composed with a big handful of front brake and working with the quality Michelin Road 5 tyres beneath to provide plenty of feedback in the wet or dry.

They also look fantastic – complimenting the already heavily Fireblade-influenced styling to create a true poster bike for aspiring sportsbike enthusiast teens. Honda have also given the 500R its own unique headstock and the fork tops bear the Showa logo for an added premium touch.

The same fork set up can also be found in the naked Honda CB500F too, however that gets 64mm taller, 1018mm flat bars for a more relaxed roadster appeal.

Protruding from these shiny new legs are dual four-piston radial brake calipers, which bite onto 296mm discs. They replace the old R’s single twin-piston caliper and 320mm rotor to provide a predictably progressive performance during regular applications and plenty of confidence inspiring feel when making progress out of town.

There’s never any intrusion from the ABS – working with the composed new front forks to give minimal unwanted dive during harsh grabs of the six-stage span adjustable lever.

Moving away from the fancy stoppers, further attempts to improve the 2022 CBR’s handling package include a new swingarm, which is now more than a kilo lighter, at 5.9kg.

What’s more, it’s said to provide 18% more lateral flex and torsional stiffness and whilst that’s hard to quantify, the rear does feel composed at speed – never wallowing when pushed or squatting with a handful of throttle. Further to this, the five-stage preload-adjustable shock settings have also been tweaked to work with the new fork design.

Completing the changes are a set of lighter five spoke aluminium rims. A strut fewer than before, they shave a claimed 49g off the front and a further 455g at the back – helping to offset the new additional brake.

Although not compared like for like with the old one, the 192kg CBR feels very light on its feet, slicing up traffic like scissors through wrapping paper and dancing from one corner to the next with joyful precision. It’s no hard-edged superbike, but it’s ample handling performance for spirited runs along your favourite backroad.