The CBR500R is Honda’s fully faired 471cc parallel-twin sport bike, and for 2026 Honda has cut its US price, according to Honda’s US model page. This is a spec-based overview, not a road test: we haven’t ridden the bike for this article. Every figure below comes from American Honda’s page for the 2026 CBR500R, checked on 22 October 2026.
2026 Honda CBR500R at a glance
| US MSRP | $6,399 base MSRP (as listed by Honda on 22 Oct 2026; $600.00 destination charge extra, $6,999 total MSRP) |
| Engine | 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke |
| Seat height | 31.1 inches |
| Curb weight | 421 pounds (includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gallons |
| Source | Honda 2026 CBR500R |
Honda doesn’t publish a horsepower or torque figure in the CBR500R’s US specifications, so we don’t quote one.
2026 Honda CBR500R price
Honda lists the 2026 CBR500R at $6,399 base MSRP plus a $600.00 destination charge, for a total MSRP of $6,999 (as listed on 22 Oct 2026). On the same page Honda lists the 2025 CBR500R at $7,399 base MSRP and describes the 2026 bike as having a lower MSRP. Dealers set actual prices, and Honda’s page also showed a time-limited offer on 2025 models when we checked; see the model page for current terms.
2026 Honda CBR500R specs
Engine and drivetrain
| Engine type | 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke |
| Bore and stroke | 67.0mm x 66.8mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Valve train | DOHC; four valves per cylinder |
| Induction | Programmed Fuel-Injection system (PGM-FI); 34mm throttle body |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual |
| Final drive | O-ring-sealed chain; 15T/41T |
Chassis
| Front suspension | 41mm inverted Showa® SFF-BP fork; 4.7-inch travel |
| Rear suspension | Pro-Link® Showa® single shock; 4.7-inch travel |
| Front brake | Dual 296mm discs with four-piston calipers; ABS |
| Rear brake | Single 240mm disc, ABS |
| Front tire | 120/70R-17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 |
Dimensions and weight
| Rake | 25.5° |
| Trail | 4.0 inches |
| Wheelbase | 55.5 inches |
| Seat height | 31.1 inches |
| Curb weight | 421 pounds |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gallons |
| Model ID | CBR500RA |
| Warranty | Transferable, one year included, limited warranty |
Who the CBR500R suits
On paper, the CBR500R is a full-fairing sport bike in the A2-style 500cc class: a sporty riding position and supersport looks without the cost or weight of a 600cc or larger machine. Honda highlights its slipper/assist clutch, which it says cuts clutch lever effort by 45 percent compared with previous systems, standard ABS and a TFT display. If you’re working out what size bike to start on, our beginner motorcycle guide covers licensing, weight and engine size, and the seat height guide explains how to read the 31.1-inch figure.
Strengths and trade-offs (from the spec sheet)
- Lower price for 2026. $1,000 below the 2025 model’s listed MSRP, per Honda.
- Proper front end. A 41mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork and twin 296mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers.
- Bigger tank than its closest rival. 4.5 gallons against 3.7 gallons for the Ninja 500 below.
- Heavier on paper. 421 pounds curb, more than the Ninja 500’s published curb weight.
- No published power figure, so you can’t compare output from Honda’s US data alone.
CBR500R vs Kawasaki Ninja 500 vs Yamaha YZF-R7
Figures are copied from each manufacturer’s own US page for the model year shown.
| Model (model year) | US MSRP (as listed 22 Oct 2026) | Engine | Seat height | Weight (as published) | Fuel capacity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CBR500R (2026) | $6,399 | 471cc parallel twin | 31.1 in | 421 lb curb | 4.5 gal | Honda |
| Kawasaki Ninja 500 ABS (2027) | $5,899 ($6,099 in some colors) | 451cc parallel twin; 51.0 hp @ 10,000 rpm (ISO 4106) | 30.9 in | 377.1 lb curb (50-State Model) | 3.7 gal | Kawasaki |
| Yamaha YZF-R7 (2026) | $9,399 | 689cc inline twin | 32.7 in | 417 lb wet | 3.7 gal | Yamaha |
- Kawasaki Ninja 500: $500 less, with a lower seat and a lighter published curb weight, and Kawasaki publishes a power figure. See our 2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 overview.
- Yamaha YZF-R7: $3,000 more, with a bigger 689cc engine and, per Yamaha, an IMU-based electronics package and a quickshifter. See our 2026 Yamaha YZF-R7 overview.
Honda CBR500R FAQ
How much is the 2026 Honda CBR500R?
Honda lists it at $6,399 base MSRP plus a $600.00 destination charge, $6,999 total MSRP (as listed on 22 Oct 2026, Honda CBR500R page).
What is the CBR500R’s seat height?
31.1 inches, according to Honda’s 2026 specifications.
How much does the CBR500R weigh?
Honda quotes a curb weight of 421 pounds, including all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel.
How much horsepower does the CBR500R make?
Honda’s US specifications don’t list a horsepower figure, so we don’t quote one.
Before you buy
Licensing rules are set by each state, so check your state DMV (or equivalent) for the motorcycle license or endorsement you need, and consider a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. You can look up any open safety recalls by VIN with NHTSA before buying a used example.
Sources
All figures were checked on the manufacturer pages on 22 October 2026. Manufacturers can change prices and specifications without notice, so check the linked page, and confirm with a dealer, before you buy.
- American Honda, 2026 CBR500R model page and specifications (MSRP, destination charge, specs)
- Kawasaki USA, 2027 Ninja 500 ABS
- Yamaha Motor USA, 2026 YZF-R7 specifications