By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Voge 500 R (MY2020) vs Honda CB500F (PC 45)
Voge 500 R vs Honda CB500F: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
Braking hard for a stale yellow, the Voge 500 R's Nissin lever feels like it's off a pricier bike. The Honda CB500F's single disc hauls it down safely, but there's little initial bite. Its lever stays vague as the stop builds.
So which one do you buy?
The CB500F has the edge if…
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Small edge: CB500F
The CB500F is slightly friendlier for a newer rider. That comes from easier controls.
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: CB500F
On the way to work, the CB500F asks a little less of you. It's down to friendlier manners. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
What makes each one tick
500 R
There's refinement all through the 500 R's hardware, from the KYB suspension to the Pirelli tires. The throttle feeds a liquid-cooled parallel twin that doesn't reach peak torque until 7,000 rpm. It sits square on its tires over every seam.
CB500F
On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the CB500F's flat bars and mid-set pegs hold an upright position you'll stay comfortable in all day. The fork and basic shock run short of damping at a hard pace. Rough pavement jars the ride. The front drops into bends and doesn't fight back.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CB500F has the lower seat: 30.9 in (785 mm) vs 31.5 in (800 mm).
- The CB500F has the lower wet weight: 423 lb (192 kg) vs 437 lb (198 kg).
- The CB500F makes more peak power: 48 hp (35 kW) vs 44 hp (32 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for this
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Traveling with luggage
Neither is a natural fit
For a week on the road with gear, both fall short. A proper tourer will carry it with far less fuss.
Look at twisty roads and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
500 R
What owners say
Strengths
- A2 licence friendly
- Premium components at budget price
CB500F
What owners say
Strengths
- Forgiving, beginner‑friendly handling
- Comfortable upright ergonomics
Trade-offs
- Adequate but uninspiring brakes
- Budget suspension limits performance
Known problems to check before you buy
500 R
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
CB500F
- Fuel level sensor float arm recall Recall 15V475000 The float arm can detach, causing inaccurate fuel gauge readings and, in some cases, a short that blows the FI fuse, leading to an engine stall. A redesigned sensor was provided under NHTSA safety recall 15V-475 (Honda campaign JT1).
What they share
- Displacement
- 471 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 8,500 rpm
- Peak torque at
- 7,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 160/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 500 R | CB500F | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 437 lb (198 kg) | 423 lb (192 kg) |
| 500 R | CB500F | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 44 hp (32 kW) | 48 hp (35 kW) |
| Torque | 31 lb-ft (42 Nm) | 32 lb-ft (43 Nm) |
| 500 R | CB500F | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) | 4.1 US gal (15.7 L) |
| 500 R | CB500F | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 298 mm | 320 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 500 R | CB500F | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
