For 2026, Honda’s middleweight naked offering proudly joins the brand’s iconic Hornet family. The newly named CB500 Hornet combines the proven performance and versatility of Honda’s parallel-twin platform with a streetfighter aesthetic, resulting in a motorcycle that blends precision engineering, everyday usability and pure riding enjoyment.
HISTORY
Since it was originally launched in 2013, the naked CB500F has quietly proven that one of Honda’s tried-and-true formulas for producing popular motorcycles has lost none of its relevance. That formula? An entertaining twin-cylinder engine wrapped in a simple, lightweight, sporty chassis that’s as much fun for a veteran rider as it is for those still building their riding experience.
While its compact dimensions and welcoming manners made the CB500F an easy machine to manage, ride and learn on, those same attributes also made it a genuine pleasure for experienced riders who wanted to explore just what it could do on the weekend. Sensible running costs added to the appeal.
In 2019, the CB500F was redrawn with aggressive new lines that elevated its appeal. Having proved its continued popularity, the twin-cylinder naked bike received engine- and chassis-related improvements for the 2022 model year. Continuing its evolution, the 2024 CB500F benefited from an even more aggressive look, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and a variety of detail upgrades.
For 2026, the model gets a new name—the CB500 Hornet.
DESIGN / STYLING
The CB500 Hornet has a streetfighter-inspired design with a low, forward-biased stance that gives the bike a poised, ready-to-ride look. Sharp, geometric bodywork defines the front end, which sports side air ducts that guide airflow cleanly around the upper tank area. The side shrouds interlock with the fuel tank and fully emphasize the engine, while the side covers and seat unit continue the theme of muscular angularity. The compact front fender is drawn directly from the CB650R.
Aerodynamic shaping around the front of the bike helps deliver a natural, linear steering feel. The LED headlight design has good beam penetration but also emits wide light distribution, for exceptional visibility when riding at night, particularly when cornering. It’s matched to a sleek taillight; all lighting is LED.
A tapered handlebar provides feel and leverage, while the sporty aluminum footpegs complement the aggressive character. The neutral riding position is comfortable and accommodates a wide range of riders.
Meter / Controls
The five-inch full-color TFT screen uses optical bonding to maximize visibility in bright sunlight. The gap between the cover glass and TFT screen is sealed with resin to minimize glare and optimize backlight transmittance. Owners can customize the display patterns (Bar, Circle and Simple), and navigating through the display settings is simple and intuitive thanks to the backlit four-way toggle switch located on the left side of the handlebar.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The CB500 Hornet’s 471cc, eight-valve, liquid-cooled, parallel twin-cylinder engine layout offers a well-proportioned balance of physical size and enjoyable power output, with an energetic, high-revving character and zippy top end. The engine’s overall performance and character belie its relatively small capacity. Acceleration is impressive, due to good low-to-midrange power and torque in the 3,000 to 7,000 rpm range.
The CB500 Hornet features Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which compares front and rear wheel speeds to monitor rear slip; when it’s detected, the fuel injection is controlled to smoothly reduce torque, offering enhanced control, especially in slippery conditions. HSTC can be turned off completely with the four-way toggle switch on the left side of the handlebar.
Feeding the programmed electronic fuel injection (PGM-FI) is a relatively straight shot of air through the airbox and throttle bodies. The ignition timing and air/fuel ratio are optimized to create strong, low-rpm acceleration and smooth, linear throttle response. The exhaust muffler features dual exit pipes, giving a sporting edge to each pulse, as well as a rasping high-rpm howl.
Bore and stroke are 67.0mm x 66.8mm, with a compression ratio of 10.7:1. The crankshaft pins are phased at 180°, and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s center of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, minimizing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance, and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia.
Acting as a stressed member, the engine complements the frame’s rigidity, with four hangers on the cylinder head. Internally, the head uses roller rocker arms. Shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, for low valve-spring load and minimal friction.
The pin surfaces of the silent (SV Chain) cam chain are treated with Vanadium, minimizing friction, with good protection against wear. Inlet-valve diameter is 26.0mm, while exhaust-valve diameter is 21.5mm.
The piston shape is carefully designed to minimize noise at high rpm. Friction is minimized by striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area and introduces gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication). The “triangle” proportion of crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft is efficiently compact. The crankcases use centrifugally cast thin-walled sleeves; their internal design reduces the pumping losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. A deep sump reduces oil movement under hard cornering and braking; oil capacity is 3.2 liters. The smooth-shifting, six-speed transmission is managed by an assist/slipper clutch.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The CB500 Hornet’s light, strong 35mm diameter steel diamond-tube mainframe has a tuned degree of yield that gives plenty of feedback to the rider as road surfaces change. The shape and position of the engine mounts, plus the frame’s rigidity balance, keep vibration to a minimum.
Geometry
The CB500 Hornet’s curb weight is 414 pounds (with all fluids and a full tank of fuel), and its 49.7/50.3 front/rear bias supports light yet predictable steering and great overall handling. Wheelbase is 55.5 inches, with rake and trail at 25.5°/4.0 inches (101mm), respectively.
The tapered handlebar offers intuitive feel and leverage. Seat height is low at 31.1 inches, making the CB500 Hornet very easy to manage, and its neutral riding position comfortably accommodates riders of varying heights. Overall dimensions are 81.9 inches long, 31.4 inches wide and 41.7 inches high, with ground clearance of 5.7 inches. The fuel tank holds 4.5 gallons.
Suspension
With the aim to heighten all-around handling performance, this model has a Showa 41mm inverted Separate Function Fork Big Piston fork (SFF-BP) with 4.7 inches of wheel travel. By dividing the functions—Big Piston pressure-separation damper in one leg, spring mechanism in the other—reaction and ride quality are maximized (the CB650R uses the same setup).
The single-tube shock absorber (as found on larger-capacity sport bikes) has a large-diameter piston that ensures excellent response and temperature management; it features five-stage preload adjustment with an optimized spring rate and damping settings to match the fork. Rear-wheel travel is 4.7 inches.
Wheels
The front-wheel width is 3.5 inches with a 120/70-ZR17 tire, and the rear is 4.5 inches with a 160/60-ZR17 tire.
Brakes
Dual two-piston hydraulic calipers work the front wheel’s 296mm petal-style discs. A single one-piston hydraulic rear caliper works a 240mm petal-style rotor.
