Honda Cb500fa Review

Used Buyer Review

The CB500FA is Honda's answer to 'what if reliability came in a middleweight package?' and honestly, they nailed it. The parallel-twin pulls cleanly from low revs, the ABS works unobtrusively, and the faired version cuts enough wind to make motorway miles genuinely comfortable. It's not exciting — let's be straight about that — but it's honest and totally predictable, which counts for a lot when you're building confidence or just need to get places without drama. Used examples are everywhere precisely because owners upgrade, not because the bikes break. That's telling. Checking one over is straightforward. Look for chain wear, inspect the ABS ring on the front wheel for corrosion, and squeeze the forks for leaks — they're decent units but seals go eventually. Cosmetic damage is common since learners drop these, so check subframe and fairing mounts carefully. Anything with a full service history under 30,000 miles is a solid buy. Pay peanuts for a neglected one and you'll spend what you saved fixing it.