By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Kawasaki ER-5 (ER5-MY2005) vs Honda CBF 500 (MY2005)
Kawasaki ER-5 vs Honda CBF 500: which one to buy, and what actually separates them.
You'll roll the throttle on the Kawasaki ER-5 knowing its twin is the long-lived kind that shrugs off big mileage with basic care. On the Honda CBF 500, the same twist feeds power in one steady line with barely a buzz. It's still pulling as the needle swings high.
So which one do you buy?
The CBF 500 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: CBF 500
For the ride to work, the CBF 500 noses ahead. Don't let that alone make the call.
What makes each one tick
ER-5
At every red light, the ER-5's 31.5 in (800 mm) seat puts the ground within easy reach. Around town the engine has usable shove, but it feels strained past the city limits and there's nothing to break the wind. The brake lever doesn't bite until you pull it firmly, and even then the single front disc only slows the bike adequately. It slips between stopped cars.
CBF 500
There's little vibration from the engine, and it wakes up once the revs climb. The levers take a light pull.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CBF 500 has the lower seat: 30.3 in (770 mm) vs 31.5 in (800 mm).
- The ER-5 has the lower wet weight: 432 lb (196 kg) vs 454 lb (206 kg).
- The CBF 500 makes more peak power: 57 hp (42 kW) vs 50 hp (37 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Traveling with luggage
Neither is a natural fit
If touring with luggage is the plan, keep looking. Neither one was built around it.
For twisty roads and a first bike, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
ER-5
What owners say
Strengths
- Proven, long-lasting engine
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Rock-bottom running costs
- Superb fuel economy
Trade-offs
- Corrosion-prone build quality
- Weak and wooden brakes
- Recurring electrical gremlins
CBF 500
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent value and low running costs
- Smooth and forgiving engine
Known problems to check before you buy
ER-5
- Regulator/rectifier and charging system failure The reg/rec can overheat and fail, often taking the tachometer and CDI unit with it. Symptoms include flickering lights, a dead battery, and an erratic tacho.
- Rear drum brake warping The rear drum can wear unevenly and eventually warp, leading to a pulsing brake pedal.
- Corrosion of frame, fasteners, and exhaust The thin paint and poor-quality plating cause widespread rust on the frame, swingarm, and fasteners. Exhaust headers and collector box also rot through prematurely.
CBF 500
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Displacement
- 499 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Torque
- 33 lb-ft (45 Nm)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
Where the spec sheets split
| ER-5 | CBF 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 30.3 in (770 mm) |
| Wet weight | 432 lb (196 kg) | 454 lb (206 kg) |
| ER-5 | CBF 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 50 hp (37 kW) | 57 hp (42 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,000 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Peak torque at | 7,200 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 111 mph (178 km/h) | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| ER-5 | CBF 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 47 mpg (US) / 5 L/100 km | 38 mpg (US) / 6.27 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 US gal (17 L) | 5.0 US gal (19 L) |
| ER-5 | CBF 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 280 mm | 296 mm |
| Front tire | 110/70-17 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-17 | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.3 in (1430 mm) | 58.3 in (1480 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| ER-5 | CBF 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
