What is the difference between the Honda CB500F and CBR500R?

They share the same 471cc twin engine, 47hp, and 785mm seat, so performance is essentially identical. The difference is body style and ergonomics: the CB500 Hornet (called the CB500F until 2025) is an upright naked that is more comfortable and practical for city and daily riding, while the CBR500R is a faired sport bike with wind protection, sportier looks, and a more forward riding position. Pick by the riding position and look you want, not by power.

Is the CB500F or CBR500R better for a beginner?

Both are excellent A2-friendly beginner bikes with identical, friendly power. The CB500 Hornet's upright position is a little easier and more comfortable for new riders, especially in the city. The CBR500R is still very manageable but puts more weight on your wrists; choose it if you want the sport-bike look and highway wind protection and are happy with the lean.

MyMoto Comparison

Honda CB500 Hornet (formerly CB500F) vs CBR500R: Which Should You Buy?

Here is the key thing most comparisons bury: these two bikes share the same engine, the same frame, the same 47hp, and the same 785mm seat. So this is not a performance decision at all. It is purely about body style and how you want to sit: an upright naked, or a faired sport bike. Once you see it that way, the choice gets simple.

2026 naming note: after a dozen years as the CB500F, Honda renamed it the CB500 Hornet for 2026 and cut the price by $1,000; the CBR500R also dropped $1,000 and both now offer Honda's E-Clutch option. Same 471cc platform, new name, better prices. Used listings will still say CB500F.

Photo: Thesupermat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Honda CB500 Hornet471cc · 47hp · ~$5,899

The upright, practical one. A comfortable naked riding position, easy in the city and on the daily commute, lighter on your wrists, factory luggage options, and a little cheaper. The sensible do-everything choice you will not get sore on.

Photo: Wilzz99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Honda CBR500R471cc · 47hp · ~$6,399

The faired, sporty one. Full fairing for real wind protection on the highway, sport-bike looks, and a slightly sharper feel in the twisties. The trade-off is a more forward, committed riding position and a little more weight on your wrists.

Specs head to head

	Honda CB500F	Honda CBR500R
Engine	471cc parallel twin	471cc parallel twin (same)
Power	~47 hp	~47 hp (same)
Seat height	785 mm	785 mm (same)
Body style	Naked, upright	Faired sport bike
Riding position	Upright, relaxed	Forward, sporty lean
Wind protection	Minimal	Full fairing
Price (new)	~$5,899	~$6,399
Practicality	Factory luggage options	Sport-focused, less luggage
Best for	City, commuting, comfort	Sport looks, highway, twisties

Figures are catalog approximations and vary by model year and market; always verify the exact spec and price for your region.

Where the CB500F wins

Comfort and everyday practicality. The upright naked position is easier on your back and wrists, better for filtering and slow city work, and just less tiring day to day. It is a bit lighter, a little cheaper, and it takes luggage more readily, so it doubles as sensible transport. For most new riders who will spend real time commuting, the CB500F is the easier bike to live with.

Where the CBR500R wins

Looks, wind protection, and sporty feel. The full fairing genuinely helps on faster roads, cutting the windblast that tires you out at highway speed, and the sport-bike styling is the whole appeal for a lot of riders. It feels a touch sharper when you are enjoying a twisty road. You pay a little more, give up some luggage practicality, and accept a more committed lean, but you get the sportbike look without 600-supersport intimidation.

Which should you buy?

Buy the CB500F if comfort, city and commuting ease, lower cost, and practicality matter most. It is the more relaxed, more versatile bike, and your wrists will thank you on long days.

Buy the CBR500R if you want sport-bike looks and real highway wind protection, and the more forward riding position appeals rather than worries you. Same friendly engine, sportier wrapper. Since the mechanicals are identical, this genuinely comes down to how you want to sit and what you want it to look like, so if you can, sit on both before deciding.

Still not sure which fits you?

The right call depends on how much city versus highway you ride, how important comfort and wind protection are, your budget, and the look you want. Tell the MyMoto advisor about yourself in your own words - it weighs all of that, including the regret risks most comparisons skip, asks only what matters, and builds your free personal report in a few minutes of chat.

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MyMoto is an early beta. Always verify current specs, pricing, A2 options, insurance, and local availability before buying any motorcycle. Figures are sourced from our catalog and may vary by model year and market.

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