[sportrider - features] - 2016 Honda CB500F First Look

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Honda has unveiled its updated CB500F twin-cylinder naked bike for 2016, which features new styling and a host of minor updates. New, more aggressive bodywork is intended to give the CB500F a more aggressive look; LED lights are used front and rear, and the muffler has been shortened. Functional updates include a larger fuel tank (now 4.4 gallons, up from 4.1 gallons), preload adjustment for the front fork, an adjustable front brake lever, aluminum die-cast passenger footpegs, and improved shifting feel. The 2016 CB500F is available in a Matte Black Metallic/Silver color scheme, and will be in dealers early next year. Price was not announced.

Honda also announced an updated look for the 2016 CBR650F, which is offered in Matte Black Metallic/Candy Red, with an MSRP of $8,499 for the non-ABS version and $8,999 for the ABS model; the CB1000R returns in Black/Red with an MSRP of $11,760.

Scroll through the gallery above to see more images of the 2016 Honda CB500F.

Honda's press information for the CB500F, CBR650F and CB1000R follows:

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 16, 2015 – At a special media event held in Milan this evening ahead of the EICMA motorcycle show, Honda unveiled the updated CB500F naked sport bike, which gets an aggressive new look and a number of important technical improvements for 2016. At the same time, Honda announced the revised Metropolitan scooter, as well as a number of returning 2016 models. The CB500F’s U.S. unveiling will take place on Friday at the Long Beach, California, IMS show.

“As we near the end of our 2016 model year announcements, we’re pleased to release details on the improved CB500F,” said Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda. “The CB line has a proud history with Honda, and with sharp new styling, this fun, capable naked bike continues to be worthy of the name. The Metropolitan scooter has been refreshed as well, and the announcement also includes several exciting returning models. We look forward to sharing them with our customers during the IMS show tour.”

CB500F
Featuring sculpted new bodywork for an aggressive look that highlights the motorcycle’s functional components, the CB500F is an even better choice for a midsize naked sport bike in 2016. LED lights are now standard front and rear, and the shortened muffler has an improved exhaust note. The fuel tank is now larger and has a hinged cap, while the fork gets externally adjustable spring preload. Rounding out the improvements to the 2016 Honda CB500F are an adjustable front brake lever, aluminum die-cast passenger foot pegs, transmission updates that result in improved shifting feel, and a “wave”-style ignition key.

Color: Matte Black Metallic/Silver
Price: TBA
Availability: February 2016

CBR650F
Since its 2014 introduction, Honda’s CBR650F has steadily built a reputation as a midsized sport bike that does it all, and for 2016, it gets an updated look, with a new Matte Black Metallic with Candy Red color option and a new graphic layout. With sharp handling and a 649cc inline-four-cylinder engine that has a broad spread of power, the CBR650F is a comfortable sport bike that’s equally adept as a weekday commuter and a weekend canyon carver.

Color: Matte Black Metallic/Candy RedPrice: CBR650F: $8,499; CBR650F ABS: $8,999
Availability: January 2016

CB1000R
Honda’s flagship naked bike, the bold CB1000R offers the handling and performance of a sport bike with robust styling and a comfortable rider triangle. Aesthetically, the single-sided swingarm joins with the sculpted, four-into-one exhaust and red, gravity-die-cast aluminum mono-backbone frame for a tough, eye-catching look that’s accented by an LED position light. The 998cc inline four-cylinder DOHC engine offers gobs of torque, while the front brakes boast radial calipers.

Color: Black/Red
Price: $11,760
Availability: April 2016




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