Image: Honda official image
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has presented a new CB500 motorcycle for the Indian market, adding another model to its CB family in the mid-capacity segment. According to the company's announcement, the bike combines classic styling with modern equipment and uses a newly developed single-cylinder engine.
Design and styling
The CB500 follows Honda's "Retro Sporty" theme, aimed at riders who like a classic look but want current technology.
- Round LED headlamp
- Teardrop-shaped fuel tank
- Wide handlebar and simple roadster-style body
Honda says the CB500 takes inspiration from the historic CB750, with chrome highlights and brushed metal details giving it a more old-school appearance. Although it shares the basic format with the smaller CB350, the CB500 gets a bigger stance, revised body panels and new graphics so that it stands out as a separate model.
Engine and performance
According to the reveal, the CB500 uses a 501cc, air/oil‑cooled, single‑cylinder engine.
- Engine capacity: 501cc single-cylinder
- Power: 27.76 bhp (claimed)
- Torque: 43.3 Nm (claimed)
- Gearbox: 5‑speed with assist & slipper clutch
The assist and slipper clutch is designed to reduce effort at the clutch lever and help keep the rear wheel stable during hard downshifts, which is useful for new riders and for hill riding.
Manufacturing and positioning
Honda will manufacture the CB500 locally in India, which usually helps keep prices more competitive there. Detailed India pricing and variant information had not been widely published at the time of writing; any future Nepali price would depend on import plans, taxes and dealer margins.
In terms of engine size and performance, the new CB500 sits above the CB350 and below larger multi‑cylinder bikes, offering a mid‑capacity option for riders upgrading from 250–350cc machines.
Relevance for Nepali buyers
For now, the CB500 is confirmed only for the Indian market. If Honda's Nepali distributor decides to import it, buyers here can expect:
- A mid‑capacity modern‑retro bike suited to highway and hill routes
- Manageable power output with strong torque for everyday use
- Classic styling with LED lighting and contemporary mechanicals
Pricing for Nepal is not yet announced. Interested riders should treat this as an early look at a possible future model for our market and watch for official updates from Honda in Nepal.
Current prices on Nepal AutoMart
- Honda H'ness CB350 price in Nepal: Rs 9.25 lakh ex-showroom
Written and analysed by Ajit Narayan Singh, Editor at Nepal AutoMart, from ongoing tracking of the Nepal automotive market.
