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Honda’s New Super-Affordable, Rider-Friendly Retro Moto Just Might Be Its Coolest Yet

On classic looks alone, this bike is easily covetable, especially as it is frustratingly out of reach at the moment.

Close-up of a silver Honda motorcycle engine with visible cooling fins and exhaust pipe.
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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In a major move sure to delight a big segment of the world’s population, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has unveiled a sweeping new lineup of Made-in-India bikes.

The 10-model family runs the gamut from accessible cruisers (Rebel 300 and 500) to dirt bikes (XR300 Rally) to electric scooters (QC3 electric scooter).

Black Honda CB500 motorcycle front with round LED headlight and silver engine components.
Honda’s new CB500 is a clear move to capitalize on the growing popularity of approachable retro-styled motos.

Yet for many riders, the most compelling launch of the bunch falls in the rider-friendly retro roadster category.

Because in addition to updating its lovely CB350 bikes, Honda has rolled out a beautiful, slightly bigger option, the CB500.

Best of both worlds

Clearly aimed at Royal Enfield’s popular small-displacement street bikes, the CB500 is positioned as a heritage roadster, blending classic looks and modern capability.

Close-up of a black motorcycle's rear wheel with a silver exhaust pipe and gold-accented suspension.
Among other throwback aesthetics, the shiny silver exhaust pipe gleams with classic appeal.

Toward that end, it takes styling cues from the legendary CB750, including a round headlamp and mirrors, teardrop tank, wide bars and chrome accents on the exhaust and other components.

Contemporary features include full LED lighting, an analog/digital hybrid gauge and disc brakes supported by dual-channel ABS.

Close-up of a motorcycle speedometer with illuminated indicator lights and a Honda logo on the handlebar clamp.
The gauge is round and mostly analog, with a small digital display in the lower right corner.

According to Shifting Gears (whose viral walkaround provided the basis for these stylized images) and other outlets, the bike will reportedly be available with three wheel treatments: alloy, spoke tubeless and spoke with tubeless graphics.

While full specs remain elusive, rider-friendliness is boosted by its comfortable upright seating position and presumably approachable seat height and weight.

Close-up of a motorcycle front wheel with black tire, silver disc brake, black spokes, and silver suspension fork.
Three different wheel variants will be available, including the alloy option shown here.

After all, the somewhat similarly styled SCL500 has a seat height of 31.1 inches and a curb weight of 425 pounds.

The bike also packs an all-new 501cc single-cylinder engine making 28 horsepower and 32 ft-lbs of peak torque, just enough power and grunt for zippy city riding, smile-inducing two-lane twisties and occasional highway jaunts.

Close-up of a silver Honda motorcycle engine with black fuel tank and chrome exhaust pipe.
The 501cc single-cylinder engine is distinct from the one found on other bikes with CB500 in the name.

The power plant is a departure from the 471cc parallel-twin engine found in a variety of Honda bikes with nomenclature incorporating “CB500” around the world, including the CB500 Hornet.

Another significant highlight is the fact that it will be manufactured in India, a major step in Honda’s push to make premium products specifically for that market.

More to come

Though it has no official release date yet, the Honda CB500 is expected to hit the Indian market in the coming months at a price under Rs. 3 lakh, which converts to roughly $3,128 USD.

It’s far too soon to say whether a bike like this one will ever make its way stateside, but if you like the general engine size and retro styling, there’s always the aforementioned SCL500.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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