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Honda CBR500R, CB500 Hornet and NX500: What’s Different for 2025 and 2026?

Honda’s CBR500R, CB500F and NX500 share a 471cc twin but differ in style, dimensions and purpose. Here’s how the 2025 lineup compares with Honda’s current naming.
Entry833 Date Time3 min MechanicCarCody Team
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For 2025, Honda’s CBR500R, CB500F and NX500 shared a 471cc parallel-twin engine and six-speed manual transmission but targeted different riders: sport, naked-standard and adventure-styled. Honda now presents the CB500F family as the CB500 Hornet on its 2026 U.S. pages, so the older CB500F name is best understood here as the 2025 model-year name. The figures below describe U.S. models and manufacturer-listed prices, not current dealer offers.

How the three Hondas differ

The main choice is the bike’s shape and intended role, not a different engine class. The CBR500R has sport-bike fairings, the CB500F is the upright naked standard, and the NX500 has adventure styling and more suspension travel. Honda lists all three with a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel twin and six-speed manual transmission.

2025 U.S. model Category Honda-listed base MSRP Seat height Curb weight Suspension travel
CBR500R Faired sport $7,399 31.1 in. 421 lb 4.7 in. front and rear
CB500F Naked standard $6,899 31.1 in. 414 lb 4.7 in. front and rear
NX500 Adventure-styled $7,399 32.8 in. Not stated in the cited 2025 source set 5.9 in. front; 5.3 in. rear

Prices, weights, seat heights and travel are American Honda’s published 2025 U.S. figures. The comparison is useful for sizing and positioning, but does not establish horsepower, acceleration, fuel economy or real-world handling.

Which one fits your riding priorities?

CBR500R: sport-bike styling

The CBR500R is the faired choice in this group. Honda’s 2025 specifications list a 31.1-inch seat, 421-pound curb weight, 4.5-gallon fuel capacity, six-speed manual and ABS. Choose it if you prefer the sport-bike look and bodywork; the shared engine figures alone do not tell you how its riding position will feel, so sit on one before deciding.

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CB500F: naked standard

The 2025 CB500F combines the same engine and transmission with a 31.1-inch seat and 414-pound curb weight. Honda lists a Showa 41mm inverted SFF-BP fork with 4.7 inches of travel and ABS at both ends. Honda says its slipper clutch reduces lever-pull effort by 45 percent; that is the manufacturer’s claim, not an independent measurement.

NX500: taller, adventure-styled option

The NX500 is the taller bike, with a 32.8-inch seat and substantially more listed suspension travel than the two 2025 street models. That makes seat height and intended use key points to evaluate in person. Honda lists standard ABS. The specification figures do not, by themselves, establish off-road capability or comparative handling.

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Is the NX500 replacing the CB500X?

Yes: Honda describes the NX500 as the successor to the CB500X and says the NX500 arrived in 2024. In Honda’s words, “Meet the NX500, the successor to the beloved CB500X.” The NX500 name is therefore not just another trim name for a current CB500F.

Honda says the 2025 NX500 received revised suspension damping, updated styling and LED lighting, a five-inch full-color TFT display with RoadSync and joystick navigation, and a reduction of about seven pounds from the preceding model. Those are Honda’s descriptions of the model-year changes; confirm U.S.-market equipment for the specific bike you are considering.

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What the names and prices mean now

The 2025 comparison uses Honda’s U.S. model names at that time: CBR500R, CB500F and NX500. Honda’s current model pages surface 2026 listings, and the CB500F family is presented as the CB500 Hornet. Honda’s surfaced 2026 U.S. pages list a $6,399 base MSRP for the CBR500R and $5,899 for the CB500 Hornet. These are manufacturer-listed base prices, not a complete current lineup or a dealer quote; check Honda’s live model pages and local dealers for current availability and pricing.

The 2025 base MSRPs were $7,399 for the CBR500R, $6,899 for the CB500F and $7,399 for the NX500. A base MSRP does not settle transaction cost: ask a local dealer about inventory, freight or destination charges, promotions and out-the-door price. Honda’s product pages provide inventory and quote routes, but do not establish local stock.

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How to choose between them

  1. Start with category. Pick the CBR500R for faired sport styling, the CB500F for a naked standard, or the NX500 for adventure styling and longer suspension travel.
  2. Check fit. The NX500’s 32.8-inch seat is 1.7 inches taller than the 31.1-inch seats Honda lists for the 2025 street models. Seat height alone does not determine whether a bike will fit you comfortably; sit on each model if possible.
  3. Compare the exact model year. The CB500F is the 2025 name; Honda’s surfaced 2026 pages use CB500 Hornet. Confirm the model year and included equipment on any listing.
  4. Get a local, itemized quote. Verify availability, dealer charges, applicable promotions and the out-the-door total rather than comparing base MSRPs alone.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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