2013 CBR 500R

Alright folks, this here is my 2013 CBR500R. I bought it in January of 2018 with only 586 miles on it. Practically brand spankin’ new. I had been on a few different smaller motor bikes before, a couple 250 cc bikes, a 3 and a 4 wheeler. I bought it for a couple of reasons, primarily because it is crazy cheap to own and operate. No emissions tests, insurance is way cheaper than you might expect, it averages 56 mpg, better when I obey the speed limits 🙂

I prepared for buying this beauty by doing research, looking into best values vs performance, I went to California’s motorcyclist safety course where they instructed me on general use and techniques before taking me out onto a course (parking lot at the local Jr College) and put me on their beat up old 250cc Yahama somethin’ or other. Two sessions of that later and I figured I was ready. I bought my bike the following Friday and rode it home from work. I had never been on a bike and gone above 30 mph or so and I really was not prepared. I tried to take back roads, looked at several different routes and did everything I could to avoid going on the freeway. It was a terrifying thing to overcome. I pulled over, took a walk and a smoke, mounted up and did it anyway.

The moment I hit the freeway and got to 50 mph, I realized just how bad ass I was. And the rest, as they say, was history.

ANYWHOOOO

This is about the bike. Now, as I mentioned, I don’t have a ton of experience with motorcycles, however, I love this bike. It is quick, very well balanced, maneuverable and soooooo so fun. So here’s the good:

56ish MPG; I ride mostly on the interstate for a steady 10 min so to and from work.

Well balanced; helps when making quick corrections, using your body to lean into turns.

Quick; and I don’t mean fast in this one, I mean it gets up and goes when you turn the throttle. 0-60 in about 6 seconds (timing in my head, maybe one of these days I’ll do a video and we can get an accurate time)

Fast; I won’t say how fast I’ve gone on this thing, mother might read this…but it’s fast….

It looks prettyyyyyyy. I get compliments pretty often.

Not so good:

It’s so freaking quiet; When I’m going any faster than 45 mph I can’t hear my own muffler. It’s got such a big can on it, it’s almost 5 ft away from my helmet and by proxy; my ears. Not hearing my motor is kind of a problem for me because I like to hear how my engine is responding.

IT’S SO FREAKING QUIET; I put this again because I wish it made more noise. When I lane split or even accelerate to pass, I wish other motorists could hear me approach and know I’m coming.

The grips are a bit slick; they don’t have much texture to them and they’re pretty flush to the bars. It’d be one thing if they had a little give and I could squeeze tighter to get better grip, but I can’t. My gloves aren’t great quality though and honestly they feel a little oily so that’s definitely contributing to the problem…

Anyway those are just some of the things I’ve noticed about the bike in the year and a half I’ve been riding. I’ve put over 5k miles on it since I bought it. I’ve logged hours for sure and plan to log many, many more.

If you read this whole thing, thank you. If you liked what you read or have anything you think I missed, let me know. Leave a comment if you have any input.

Thanks all!

-SpaceCowboyBill

#Motorcycles #HondaMotorcycles #HondaCBR500R #RideEveryDay #TwoWheelsDown #SpaceCowboyBill