CBF500 or CB500?

[Itchy]

Seeing as Honda quality often a long forgotten memory...

How are CBF500s? I've seen a 2008 one with 40K miles for the same money as a 2002 CB500.

Looks good nick with some surface rust on the brake disc that should rub off once it is ridden.

Anythoughts?

Buy? Run away like it's a £3000 SV? Or a £2000 GS500E?
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[nitrosurf]

Forgive my possible ignorance, but aren't they essentially the same bike?

🏄
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[Squircle]

I had a cbf500, it was pretty good to be honest. Pretty robust and reliable, and fairly good fun. Easy enough to find parts. Mine had not done anywhere near that mileage, but I ran it through all weather and it didn't complain.
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Current: Triumph Street Triple ABS (2016)
Honda NX700x (2013)

[dannymassive]

The CBF500 is essentially the same CB500 engine, but in the newer frame - which feels taller.

If I recall rightly, most CBF500's have ABS too.

If it were me, I would defiantly have a CBF over a CB.
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Previous Ride's - '01 Aprilia SR125 (Sold) '08 HONDA CBF600n (Sold) '96 CB500 (Sold) '01 FZS 1000 (Sold) '06 CB1300SA (Sold) '07 CB600F Hornet (Sold) - '93 Suzuki Savage LS400 (Sold) '98 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm (Sold) '05 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '01 FZS1000 Fazer (Sold) 2016 Harley Davidson Street Bob SE (Sold) '02 Kawasaki ZX9R (Sold) '98 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '04 Suzuki Bandit 1200s (Sold) '13 Yamaha FZ1-N

[stevo as b4]

I wouldn't have a CBF/CBR 500.
The original with a gnat under 60bhp wasn't at all a bad bike, was once full race bike too, and is a fairly fun machine to ride some of the time at least. A castrated 46bhp A2 version I would worry would have none of the enjoyment of the original and probably isn't as well put together either.

[dannymassive]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

General view is that the CB is the better bike. I appreciate that doesn't seem right given the more modern mono shock rear of the CBF but still. This is apparently the verdict of those who've ridden both for any length of time. But tbf this is just the conclusion I drew when weighing up the views from the relevant dedicated online forums. The lump looks identical fwtw.
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Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Rogerborg]

[andys675]

prefer the drum rear brake model myself as japanese built instead of italian, I think they're better quality
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[Itchy]

[Amber Phoenix]

The later CBF500's had the monoshock, and slightly restyling in places. Some models had ABS, but not all.

Picked one up a cheap one last year for my wife as a commuter hack. Based on the hassle we've had I can recommend you check the following:-

Check where the monoshock bolts to swingarm. My wife's had corroded really badly, bearing, collar and bolt had all seized together. But wasn't obvious initially. Was an absolute bitch to drill/hacksaw out. So, check this out if there's no rear hugger.

I found the single disc brake up front a bit wimpy, but a full re-bleed and braided lines helped.

We hit some hassle with the electrics: the loom has a low point under front seat coincided with t-junction from battery/fusebox/ignition, which had filled with water and had corroded to green mush.

Spares are two a penny on ebay, we found replacement front mudguard, tank and official Honda lowered seat for beer money (originals has some cosmetic scrapes). Ditto adding Givi rack, engine bars etc. I think we'll need to put new downpipes on soon, but Motad only charge £90 ish for them. Maintenance is a breeze, air filters comes out, no need to remove tank (like my Fazer or past ZZR).
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Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[Motorhate]

I had an old 94 CB500 and it was a great bike. Probably the only bike I regret selling. I bought it with 70,000 on the clock and put another 17,000 on it. Superb for around town and especially in London traffic. I had a fairing on mine which helped on the motorway and they're quite comfortable at 85mph for long periods of time. The engines just go on forever so long as you change the oil every 4 to 5,000 miles.
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Current - Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob | Harley Davidson FLTR Road Glide | Harley Davidson Road King
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