The 2013 CBR500.

[Will 250]

I'm not into the CBR600RR. Something about the new headlight treatment, like one of those blind retards who drew the ships in battlestar galactica got involved at the clay model stage.

For the aussies, did some maths based on the price disparity between the US CBR250 pricing and ours, and if they decide to rip us off by the same margin with these new bikes we should be looking at $7843 for the CBR500 and $7190 for the CB500F.

For comparison, if they rip us off to the same margin as they do with the CBR1000R then it would be $8038 for the CBR500 and $7368 for the CB500F, could be argued this is less likely given the 1000RR is Japanese rather than Thai.

I'm calling AU$8000 for the CBR500 and $7500 for the CB500F. Or more. Or less. But if it's around those prices, the CB500F could be my next bike.

As an aside, I think the brakes on the CBR250 are ok but how do you think the slight upgrade from a 296mm to 320mm single front disc will cope with the extra weight and power of the 500?

[SlntSam]

CB1100 looks amazing.

[putoff]

Originally Posted by Anteraan

Not I. That front end is horrid. I keep looking at it because it is just...so...bad. (See also: Train wreck)

Everyone seems to hate it, but I think it looks great. I hate the new look of bikes and cars; every new vehicle has to be "sexy" and feminine, moreso than the previous model, sports cars with hips, and ******************** like that. I don't want a pretty "face" on my bike, I want something simple and masculine.

I'm glad that Honda has gone a decade back in time with this one.

If I was in the market for a 600 SS, the CBR600RR would be far and away my aesthetic choice.

[live_to_ride]

Originally Posted by Iddo

My point was not to put you off, just give you something to think about. if money wasn't important I'd probably keep mine, but as it is I have to ask myself if I really need this kind of bike or would an alternative suit my needs while costing less.

if money is not an issue for you and your heart is set on it then great, I'm sure you'll love it

No worries, you haven't put me off. I am not a flighty 20 something yr old who has zero experience riding. I have been riding for many years and the 250 is certainly not my first bike. Perhaps you are unaware of this, which, wld make sense the words of caution from you.

[Cambobomb]

Originally Posted by CraigCBR

Quick question - is anyone else disappointed that the 500r doesn't have an analog tachometer? I wish Honda had just ported over the 250r's display, it's perfect.

I'm not totally thrilled with an all-digital display. Also there is no temp display, like our 250r's have. Not sure how necessary that is (it's absent from the N300 as well) but I like having it.

Deal-breaker? H*ll no, pretty minor, but if I'm being fair it's the only thing on the bike that's in my minus column.

I can't find a pic of that. Do you have a link to share?

**Nevermind. I didn't find this while on my phone but here's a pic of the dash. It's hideous. I can't stand digital, bar-graph tachometers. It's just not right. It reminds me of old design trying to be "futuristic". It's a good thing I've decided against buying one of these 500s or I'd feel a little sick every time I looked down.

The new Ninja650, CBR250r, and the Ninja300 have ideal gauges. Honda decided to take a step backward. The NC700's are like this too. Booo.

[NoSkillsMcSuckington]

Digging the R and F, but not the huge time lag between reveal and release. That's a lot of "cooling off" time, and time for competitors to be revealed and released in between. I'm trying to decide on a next bike, and both of these are on the list, but I'd sure like to see one in person by February, anyway.

[putoff]

Originally Posted by Cambobomb

I can't find a pic of that. Do you have a link to share?

If you have a look at the innovations page, click on the dot over the dash, and it gives you a little picture.

[Empty Sea]

Originally Posted by live_to_ride

No worries, you haven't put me off. I am not a flighty 20 something yr old who has zero experience riding. I have been riding for many years and the 250 is certainly not my first bike. Perhaps you are unaware of this, which, wld make sense the words of caution from you.

Not that she's not flighty. ROFLMAO I do crack myself up sometimes.

[Empty Sea]

I prefer the analog tach, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me as long as it the LCD tach gives an accurate and quick response.

[putoff]

That's probably it; it gains and loses revs so fast that they HAD to put in an LCD! That solves it.