Author: Ryan

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

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

Chassis

Dimensions and weight

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.

• 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

The Speed 400 is Triumph’s smallest roadster: a 398 cc single-cylinder “TR-Series” engine in a modern-classic roadster package that Triumph lists under its Classic range in the US. This is a spec-based overview, not a ride review. Figures are copied from Triumph Motorcycles USA’s Speed 400 specification page, checked on 22 October 2026.

A note on model year: Triumph’s US specification and model pages don’t state a model year. Triumph’s US offers page refers to “new 2026 Speed 400 models”, so we treat these as the current US figures for the 2026 model, but confirm with a dealer that the spec matches the bike you’re buying.

Triumph Speed 400 at a glance

Triumph Speed 400 price

Triumph’s US page lists the Speed 400 at “Price From $5,495.00” (as listed by Triumph on 22 Oct 2026). Triumph notes that the total selling price on its site combines the MSRP with a model-specific freight fee and estimated PDI and dealer fee, and excludes title, registration, taxes and other government fees; it doesn’t break those fees out on the model page. When we checked, Triumph’s offers page listed $350 Triumph Cash and finance rates from 0.00% for 36 months on new 2026 Speed 400 models; offers change, so check the page.

Triumph Speed 400 specs

Engine and transmission

Triumph’s table gives bore and stroke without a unit; we copy them as published.

Chassis

Dimensions, weight and service

Who the Speed 400 suits

The Speed 400 is for riders who want a small-capacity bike that looks like a classic roadster rather than a sportbike or streetfighter. On paper it’s easy to live with: a 790 mm (31.10 in) seat, 375 lb wet, a slip-and-assist clutch, ABS front and rear, and a 10,000-mile service interval. That last point matters for running costs, and it’s the longest interval quoted in the comparison below. New riders should check their state’s licensing rules first; our beginner motorcycle guide explains the steps, and the seat height guide helps you read the 790 mm figure.

Strengths and trade-offs (from the spec sheet)

• Long service interval. 10,000 miles or 12 months is the longest interval quoted by any bike in this comparison (KTM and Yamaha don’t quote one on these pages).
• Quality chassis parts. A 43mm big-piston upside-down fork, a radial four-piston front caliper and an external-reservoir shock, per Triumph.
• Retro instruments. An analog speedometer with an LCD screen rather than a TFT; some riders will want that, others won’t.
• Limited adjustment. Only rear preload is listed as adjustable.
• Model-year clarity. Triumph’s US pages don’t date their spec sheets, so double-check the spec on any bike you buy.

Speed 400 vs KTM 390 Duke vs Yamaha MT-03

• KTM 390 Duke: the same money and nearly the same engine size, with more power on paper (45 PS vs 40PS), more adjustable suspension and a TFT, but a taller seat. It’s the sportier choice on the spec sheet. Read our 2026 KTM 390 Duke overview.
• Yamaha MT-03: about $500 cheaper with a lower 30.7 in seat and a 321cc twin. Yamaha doesn’t publish its power output.

Triumph Speed 400 FAQ

How much is the Triumph Speed 400 in the US?

Triumph lists it from $5,495.00 on its US Speed 400 page (checked 22 Oct 2026).

How much horsepower does the Speed 400 have?

Triumph lists 39.5 HP (40PS) at 8,000 RPM and 27.7 ft lb of torque at 6,500 rpm (EC figures).

What is the Speed 400 seat height?

31.10 in (790 mm), per Triumph.

How much does the Speed 400 weigh?

Triumph lists a wet weight of 375 lb (170kg).

How often does the Speed 400 need servicing?

Triumph quotes a service interval of 10,000 miles (16,000km) or 12 months, whichever comes first.

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.

• Triumph Motorcycles USA, Speed 400 specification
• Triumph Motorcycles USA, Speed 400 model page (price, pricing note)
• Triumph Motorcycles USA, Speed 400 offers (2026 model reference, offers)
• KTM USA, 2026 390 Duke technical specifications; price from KTM’s 390 Duke page
• Yamaha Motor USA, 2026 MT-03 specifications; price from the MT-03 model page

KTM calls the 390 Duke “the corner rocket”. The current generation uses a 398.7 cm³ single-cylinder LC4c engine, a steel trellis frame with a die-cast aluminum subframe, and adjustable WP APEX suspension, according to KTM USA’s 2026 390 Duke page. This is a spec-based overview, not a ride review: every figure is copied from KTM USA’s 2026 model page and technical specifications, checked on 22 October 2026. KTM publishes most figures in metric units, and we quote them exactly as published rather than converting them.

2026 KTM 390 Duke at a glance

KTM lists two seat height figures (820/800 mm) on the spec page without explaining them there. Ask a KTM dealer which applies to the bike you’re looking at.

2026 KTM 390 Duke price

KTM lists the 2026 390 Duke at 5,499.00 USD base MSRP, plus a $600 freight charge (MSRP as listed by KTM on 22 Oct 2026). KTM’s page also says street models from model year 2025 onward come with its Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty of up to four years, provided services are done on schedule at an authorized KTM dealer. Check the terms on KTM’s warranty page.

2026 KTM 390 Duke specs

Engine

Chassis and suspension

Dimensions and weight

KTM’s US spec page doesn’t list fuel capacity, so we leave it out.

Who the 390 Duke suits

The spec sheet points to a rider who wants a light, sharp-handling small bike with more adjustability than usual at this price: a fork with compression and rebound adjustment, a rebound- and preload-adjustable shock, a five-inch TFT, ride modes and, per KTM, Launch Control in TRACK mode. It’s a single, so expect a different character from the twins it competes with. Riders new to motorcycling should read our beginner motorcycle guide; the 390 Duke’s weight is modest, but its seat (820/800 mm) is taller than some rivals, so see our seat height guide for what that number means in practice.

Strengths and trade-offs (from the spec sheet)

• Adjustable suspension. Adjustable compression and rebound damping at the front is unusual in this price range; the rivals below list no fork adjustment at all.
• Strong brake spec. A 320 mm front disc with a four-piston radial caliper, the largest front disc here.
• Light. 165 kg fully fueled.
• Metric-only data. KTM’s US page gives weight, seat height and wheelbase in metric only, which makes side-by-side comparison with US-unit spec sheets harder. Don’t rely on rounded conversions you find elsewhere.
• Freight. At $600, the freight charge is a bigger share of the price than on more expensive bikes.

390 Duke vs Triumph Speed 400 vs Kawasaki Z500

• Triumph Speed 400: almost exactly the same price and engine size, but a retro roadster rather than a streetfighter. Triumph lists a lower 790 mm seat and a 43mm big-piston fork with no listed adjustment. See our Triumph Speed 400 overview.
• Kawasaki Z500: $300 more for a 451cc twin with the highest published power of the three. Kawasaki lists only rear preload adjustment.

Power figures in this table use different units and test methods (KTM in PS, Triumph EC, Kawasaki ISO 4106), so treat them as a rough guide rather than an exact ranking.

KTM 390 Duke FAQ

How much is the 2026 KTM 390 Duke?

5,499.00 USD base MSRP plus $600 freight, as listed on KTM USA’s page on 22 Oct 2026.

How much power does the 390 Duke make?

KTM lists 45 PS and 39 Nm.

What is the 390 Duke seat height?

KTM lists 820/800 mm.

How much does the 390 Duke weigh?

KTM lists 165 kg fully fueled.

Is the 390 Duke really 390cc?

KTM lists the displacement as 398.7 cm³ and says the latest LC4c engine has a 399 cc capacity.

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.

• KTM USA, 2026 KTM 390 Duke technical specifications
• KTM USA, 2026 KTM 390 Duke (MSRP, freight, features, warranty)
• Triumph Motorcycles USA, Speed 400 specification; price from Triumph’s Speed 400 page
• Kawasaki USA, 2027 Z500 ABS

The Ninja 500 is Kawasaki’s 451cc parallel-twin sportbike, sold in the US for 2027 as the Ninja 500 ABS and the better-equipped Ninja 500 SE ABS, according to Kawasaki’s Ninja 500 range page. It sits above the Ninja 300 in Kawasaki’s lineup and is aimed, in Kawasaki’s words, at “a broad skill spectrum”. This is a spec-based overview, not a ride review. Every figure comes from Kawasaki USA’s 2027 Ninja 500 ABS page, checked on 22 October 2026.

2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 at a glance

2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 price

Kawasaki lists the 2027 Ninja 500 ABS at $5,899 base MSRP, with some color options listed at $6,099, plus a $650 destination charge (MSRP as listed by Kawasaki on 22 Oct 2026). The Ninja 500 SE ABS is listed at $6,599. Kawasaki says the SE adds special color and graphics, a full-color TFT display, KIPASS keyless ignition, LED turn signals, a larger clear windshield, a pillion seat cover, frame sliders, a USB-C outlet, tank and knee pads, and a radiator screen.

2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500 ABS specs

Engine and drivetrain

Chassis

Dimensions and weight

Kawasaki’s curb weight includes all fluids and more than 90 percent of a full tank of fuel. Kawasaki notes that California evaporative emissions equipment adds approximately 2.2 lb, which is why there are separate 50-State and 49-State figures. Kawasaki also says its horsepower figure is measured to ISO 4106, which can read higher than SAE methods.

Who the Ninja 500 suits

The Ninja 500 is a full-fairing sportbike with a relaxed position by sportbike standards: Kawasaki describes elevated clip-on bars and a forward footpeg position, and a slim seat and narrow tank junction for ground reach. With a 30.9 in seat and a curb weight under 380 lb, it’s the kind of bike many riders shortlist as a first street bike after training, or as a light commuter for experienced riders. If you’re comparing it with an even smaller bike, our beginner motorcycle guide covers what to weigh up, and our seat height guide puts the 30.9 in figure in context. If you’d rather not have a fairing, Kawasaki’s 2027 Z500 ABS uses the same 451cc engine figures in a naked bike from $5,799.

Strengths and trade-offs (from the spec sheet)

• Light for a 451cc twin. 377.1 lb curb (ABS, 50-State) with nearly a full tank.
• Published power and torque. Kawasaki is the only brand in the comparison below that publishes both, which makes the 51.0 hp / 31.7 lb-ft figures easy to check.
• Basic suspension. A non-adjustable 41mm telescopic fork; only the rear spring preload adjusts.
• Single front disc. A 310mm semi-floating disc with a 2-piston caliper, which is typical for the class.
• Electronics are basic on the standard bike. No traction control is listed; the TFT display and keyless start are SE-only.

Ninja 500 vs Yamaha YZF-R3 vs Honda CBR500R

• Yamaha YZF-R3: $400 less and almost the same seat height and weight, but with a much smaller 321cc engine. Yamaha doesn’t publish power for the R3. We also have an archive page on the YZF-R3 MotoGP Edition (older model year).
• Honda CBR500R: $500 more, a larger 4.5-gallon tank, dual 296mm front discs and a 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork, per Honda. It’s also the heaviest of the three on paper at 421 pounds curb.

Kawasaki Ninja 500 FAQ

How much is the 2027 Kawasaki Ninja 500?

The Ninja 500 ABS is $5,899 base MSRP ($6,099 in some colors) and the SE ABS is $6,599, plus $650 destination, as listed by Kawasaki on 22 Oct 2026.

How much horsepower does the Ninja 500 have?

Kawasaki lists 51.0 hp at 10,000 rpm, measured to ISO 4106, and 31.7 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm.

What is the Ninja 500 seat height?

30.9 in, per Kawasaki’s 2027 specs.

How much does the Ninja 500 weigh?

Kawasaki lists a curb weight of 377.1 lb for the ABS 50-State Model and 374.9 lb for the ABS 49-State Model, with more than 90 percent of a full tank.

What does the Ninja 500 SE add?

Kawasaki lists special color and graphics, a full-color TFT display, KIPASS, LED turn signals, a larger windshield, a pillion seat cover, frame sliders, a USB-C outlet, a tank pad, knee pads and a radiator screen.

Related overview: 2026 Honda CBR500R.

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.

• Kawasaki USA, 2027 Ninja 500 ABS (MSRP, destination, specifications)
• Kawasaki USA, Ninja 500 range page (SE pricing and equipment)
• Kawasaki USA, 2027 Z500 ABS
• Yamaha Motor USA, 2026 YZF-R3 specifications; price from the YZF-R3 model page
• Honda (hondanews.com), 2026 Honda CBR500R Specifications; price from Honda Powersports