Yamaha R3 or CBR500/CB500 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Yamaha R3 or CBR500/CB500

it would depend on what i'm using it for.

for fun, twisties and track: i would go for the r3. from all my readings, this would be one of the best, if not the best of small cc bikes for fun aggressive riding. with the aggressive seating position and peppy engine, i would think this would be my choice.

for long touring rides: i would go with the cb500. just because of the higher cc, would probably be more comfortabe on highways and longer distance rides. also the cb500 seems to be more upright than the r3.

just my two cents. can't go wrong with either. would just need to narrow down on what you want to do with it. or whats more important.
 
Im biased... cb500 series is a nice reliable one... comfortable for highway riding, enough power to get you to intermediate level. the 500x and f are easily thrown around in corners.

R3 is sexier.. power is somewhat similar to the 500 series but the 500 will have a certain extra oomph to it...
 
There is little difference in power between the R3 and Honda's 500s. The gearing is also similar - I think all of them are going to be equally competent on the highway.

At 100km/h, the R3 is at 6.3k RPM (10k redline) and the 500s are at 5k (but redline is 8.6k)

I'm seeing a lot of R3s on the streets of TO. The white/red one is sexy as hell. CB500F is a handsome bike as well, IMO.
 
If you want ABS, then get the Honda. AFAIK, ABS is not offered on the R3. Might be a priority for some people, was a definite consideration for me.
 
Was in same situation as you, ended up grabbing R3 and can't complain.
R3 looks sexier to me, price is better, and both are beginner bikes, which will be replaced soon anyway by most.
 
toyopl said:
Was in same situation as you, ended up grabbing R3 and can't complain.
R3 looks sexier to me, price is better, and both are beginner bikes, which will be replaced soon anyway by most.
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I would buy a used 500 since there is a lot of them out there with low km. with a 2015 R3 for 5G, or a used 13/14 cbr500 for less then 4300, would you of still chosen the R3?
 
I'm totally new to bikes, so buying a new bike for $5k was ideal for me.
I preferred new bike as I know there's nothing wrong with it, buying used was not really something I wanted to do since I wouldn't know if it was in good condition or a rebuilt bike after accident.
But this is only my opinion, and my price range and my choice, good luck on your purchase.
 
Buy the R3 if you're a small guy, the CB500R/F/X if you're a big guy. X has highest seat if you are tall.
 
I just bought an R3 a couple weeks ago, after wanting the CBR500 since last summer. I could have got the CBR cheaper through a honda employee using their discount, and I still went with the R3. I've only ever owned hondas, but the R3 is just a better bike imo. Better riding position, better controls, better fuel injection (it doesnt stumble at low rpms and its smooth in all gears even at low speeds), feels a bit lighter (even though i think its actually heavier?). It also feels faster, its not really, but it feels better getting up to speed. I also like it more on the highway, it seems to funnel off the wind better, even at higher speeds.

The only downsides with the R3 I have found are:

1) Kick stand is hard to put down, you have to swing it out and around the foot peg because its sprung really tight. It also doesnt really have a good grip while you do this, the end is pointy and youre using the ball of your foot to get it around the peg. You can fix this by putting a weaker spring in it so you could kick it down like you can with the cbr.

2) The clutch is a bit heavy for a small cc bike. It gets starts to feel heavier holding it in in traffic because of the handle shape. Might not be an issue if you have massive hands. You could get custom levers if it bothers you a lot.

3) The turn signal button is kinda small, and it wiggles a bit when you push it to reset it. It always actually resets though.

4) Theres nowhere good to grab it from the rear when wheeling it around. The CBR's have passenger handles on the rear but the R3 doesnt. You have to kind of grab it under the passenger seat, which isnt a great grip if it starts to fall away from you. It also means theres nowhere great to hang your helmet from if you just need to put it down for a second.

But these issues are pretty minor. Mechanically, and riding wise the bike is a dream. Its probably the best small cc bike ever built as far as just riding it goes.

Oh yeah I should say, if you choose the R3, Oakville Yamaha has them cheapest, period, and Snowcity has them cheapest in the city. Ready Yamaha wants 800 dollars more than anyone else so dont get it there.
 
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Matt Rain said:
There is little difference in power between the R3 and Honda's 500s. The gearing is also similar - I think all of them are going to be equally competent on the highway.

At 100km/h, the R3 is at 6.3k RPM (10k redline) and the 500s are at 5k (but redline is 8.6k)

I'm seeing a lot of R3s on the streets of TO. The white/red one is sexy as hell. CB500F is a handsome bike as well, IMO.
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Actually at 100km/h 500 will be at a lower RPM than 5k... 120 is about 5.5k 130 is just above 6k, so 100 is in the 4ks (and thats after break in, pre-break in, it used to rev higher for some reason)

So basically you still have some juice to pass other cars, but.... BUT... when you ride with other bikes that are more powerful (in straight lines...like 600cc supersports) they will outrun you easy. Its in the twisties and curves that the 500s (at least the 500x) truly shines cause it handles like a toy.
 
I was rattling along at brisk pace on the slab and passed an R3....rider cranked it up and hung in until 150 indicated or so...either ran out of steam or nervous about a ticket.
Pretty good for a small bike...I wasn't gaining much on him even when he backed off staying close.

I'm partial to the CB500x tho .....best bike from Honda in a long time and for some riders it can be a very long term ride.
 
depends on how big you are. I was sure i was going to get an R3. Love my Smax build quality and performance so wanted to keep it all Yamaha.
But the bike is just too small for me. I also did not like the ergo on the R3. Sit posture was great, need more upright due to health reasons and the R3
was good in that regard but the pegs are high and back. Similar to the Ninja 650, and that killed my knees.
So i got the CBR500RA, also a plus was abs. Been on some long rides on the Honda and this is the first bike i can ride for distance without the
if i dont stop now and stretch i am going to die feeling.

Also do not like the bias ply small tires on R3. Only 140 rear. CBR500 has full size tires 160rear 120 front.
 
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Isn't the cbr500 a much quicker bike with higher top speed?

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vinn98 said:
Isn't the cbr500 a much quicker bike with higher top speed?

Sent from my SM-G850W using Tapatalk
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Yeah you'd think so with 180cc's more, but its only 10kmh an hour faster (179kmh top speed for R3, 189kmh for cbr) and they take almost the same amount of time to get there. Redline on the CBR is 8500 (9100 limiter), the R3's redline is 12000 (limiter somewhere around 12,250). Those extra 3000rpm's are usable too, the powerband is between 9k-11k.
 
The 500 was designed to meet the A2 licensing standard in Europe, so it's barely beating the R3.
 
I test rode both bikes.
The CBR has better brakes, better suspension, and 50% more torque, which makes it overall a better bike on roads. Total HP and top speed are not really practical considerations in this class.

I'd go R3 for a disposable track bike (with some considerable work, as many are doing), but for road/highway, the CBR is more practical.

The finish on the Honda is nicer.

Demo both bikes, pay attention to how much suspension adjustment will be necessary.

Lastly, you can buy used CBRs already, and R3s are cheap, but will likely be worth <$3000 in a couple of years. Buying a new small bike doesn't make any economic sense.
 
CF > Best advice yet -

the Honda CB500x CAN be a long term ride but don't buy it with a view to flipping it early.
If its a short term buy - get a used 250 something - take advantage of some one elses depreciation.

I've ridden the CB500x and thoroughly enjoyed it. Best for the taller rider.

The R3 was impressive on the slab keeping up but pretty small bike as are the other Hondas in the 500 series
 
Actually cb500x on the used market are rare, (especially compared to 500f and 500r) so you could get better resale value out of it.

And yeah power wise, there might be slightly more on the 500x but its doesnt OVERPOWER the r3 in a blatant way...at all.
 
bobjohnson said:
I just bought an R3 a couple weeks ago, after wanting the CBR500 since last summer. I could have got the CBR cheaper through a honda employee using their discount, and I still went with the R3. I've only ever owned hondas, but the R3 is just a better bike imo. Better riding position, better controls, better fuel injection (it doesnt stumble at low rpms and its smooth in all gears even at low speeds), feels a bit lighter (even though i think its actually heavier?). It also feels faster, its not really, but it feels better getting up to speed. I also like it more on the highway, it seems to funnel off the wind better, even at higher speeds.

The only downsides with the R3 I have found are:

1) Kick stand is hard to put down, you have to swing it out and around the foot peg because its sprung really tight. It also doesnt really have a good grip while you do this, the end is pointy and youre using the ball of your foot to get it around the peg. You can fix this by putting a weaker spring in it so you could kick it down like you can with the cbr.

2) The clutch is a bit heavy for a small cc bike. It gets starts to feel heavier holding it in in traffic because of the handle shape. Might not be an issue if you have massive hands. You could get custom levers if it bothers you a lot.

3) The turn signal button is kinda small, and it wiggles a bit when you push it to reset it. It always actually resets though.

4) Theres nowhere good to grab it from the rear when wheeling it around. The CBR's have passenger handles on the rear but the R3 doesnt. You have to kind of grab it under the passenger seat, which isnt a great grip if it starts to fall away from you. It also means theres nowhere great to hang your helmet from if you just need to put it down for a second.

But these issues are pretty minor. Mechanically, and riding wise the bike is a dream. Its probably the best small cc bike ever built as far as just riding it goes.

Oh yeah I should say, if you choose the R3, Oakville Yamaha has them cheapest, period, and Snowcity has them cheapest in the city. Ready Yamaha wants 800 dollars more than anyone else so dont get it there.
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Thank you for this detailed observation. It's really helping me with my decision.

Thank you everyone for your input as well.
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