2022 Honda CBR500R ABS First Look Preview

As with the CB500X and CB500F, Honda’s 2022 CBR500R sportbike receives fresh chassis components to help improve handling and feel at the bars. The midsize sportbike will be available this month in Honda dealerships in either Grand Prix Red or Sword Silver Metallic with a $7,199 MSRP.

If you’ve peeked at the previous two model write-ups, you’ll have a pretty good idea what’s in store for the CBR500R: a new inverted 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork, a lighter swingarm, and new cast aluminum wheels. Honda intends to improve handling of all its 500-level machines and give them a more intuitive feel, and the changes certainly show promise.

The entry-level sportbike also gets the brake package upgrade and now sports dual 296mm discs at the front with twin four-piston radial-mount calipers.

Other than that, the CBR500R is mostly still standard 2021 issue, from its 471cc parallel-twin engine to its Pro-Link rear suspension setup, slip and assist clutch, buttery-smooth transmission, LED headlights, and standard ABS.

If you want to see how the CBR500R fared against the Ninja 300 back when the Honda was fresh from the design room, be sure to check out this head-to-head comparison. There’s been an update to the CBR500R since then, in 2016, but many of those changes were aimed at improving the cosmetic and creature-comfort appeal of the machine.