Honda Updates CB500 Series for 2022

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New paperwork reveals that Honda will give its CB500 models—the 2021 CB500F is shown here—slight revisions for 2022. (Honda/)

 

Although we’re still waiting for official information and images, the first hints have emerged to show that Honda’s parallel twin 500cc models will be given an update for 2022. Newly filed European type-approval documents reveal that the three models in the CB500 range—the naked CB500F, the CB500X adventure bike, and the CBR500R sportbike—are all getting a matching set of updates that are unlikely to alter their appearance very much but should offer at least one significant improvement over the current designs.

 

All three models, including the CBR500R (shown is 2021 model) will be getting an additional brake disc up front; the R may get wider handlebars as well. (Honda/)

 

The EU paperwork shows that the main components of the bikes are unchanged, with the same 47 hp, 471cc parallel-twin engine showing no changes to its power or torque. The bike weights are also largely unaltered, with the CB500F remaining at 417 pounds and the CBR500R weighing 423 pounds, the same as the 2021 models, but the CB500X rises from 434 pounds to 438 pounds. All those figures are “wet” weights, with a full tank of fuel, so there’s a chance the CB500X is getting a bigger fuel tank.

Related: 2021 Honda CB500F, CB500X, And CBR500R

The styling of all three models isn’t expected to change radically, as the type-approved specs show that their dimensions are largely unaltered. The CBR500R’s length and height are the same in 2022, but it’s fractionally wider at 29.9 inches instead of 29.7 inches, hinting at a change to the handlebars. The CB500F follows suit, growing in width from 31.1 inches to 31.5 inches) while retaining its other dimensions, and it’s the same story for the CB500X, which goes from 32.5 inches wide in 2021 to 32.7 inches across in 2022.

There’s a good chance the CB500X model will also get a larger fuel tank, but there’s been no confirmation as yet. (Honda/)

 

One significant improvement that’s coming to all three models, as confirmed by the approval documents, is to the brakes. At the moment, all the CB500 variants use a single front disc (310mm on the X, 320mm on the other two versions) with a two-piston caliper. For 2022, though, all the CB500 models will adopt a twin-disc setup. Unfortunately, the type-approval paperwork doesn’t reveal more details of the brakes’ size or the caliper arrangement, but it’s clearly an upgrade. The change also means that the forks and wheels must be updated, as there’s no provision on the current bikes for a second disc or caliper on the left-hand side, and with new forks coming it’s almost inevitable that the rear shock will also be improved to match them.

There are no other details or images to support the new revisions, so we’ll have to wait for the official 2022 announcement from Honda, coming shortly. (Honda/)

 

So while next year’s CB500 models may look and perform much like the 2021 versions, the subtle improvements in the chassis should make them noticeably better overall.

 

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