Honda has officially launched the CB500 in India, introducing a new 501cc single-cylinder motorcycle into its premium BigWing lineup. The new retro roadster starts at ₹2.75 lakh ex-showroom and is available in three variants, with the range going up to ₹3,01,900 for the top-spec Spoke With Stripe version.
The biggest highlight of the new motorcycle is its 501cc air- and oil-cooled single-cylinder engine, which produces around 28.1 PS and 43.3 Nm. Honda has paired it with a 5-speed gearbox, while modern features such as Honda Selectable Torque Control, an assist and slipper clutch and RoadSync connectivity give the classic-looking motorcycle a contemporary technology package. The CB500 is also manufactured in India, helping Honda position its new large-capacity single-cylinder roadster below the company’s larger 650cc rivals. Bookings have officially opened through Honda BigWing dealerships.
Honda CB500 Price Starts at ₹2.75 Lakh
Honda has introduced the CB500 in three variants: Alloy, Spoke and Spoke With Stripe. The entry-level Alloy version is priced at ₹2,75,000, while the Spoke variant costs ₹2,99,900. The range-topping Spoke With Stripe version is priced at ₹3,01,900.
These are ex-showroom prices, with the detailed prices reported for Bengaluru. The three variants share the same fundamental motorcycle package, while the main differences are related to wheel configuration and the exterior graphics/colour treatment. The pricing also creates a relatively simple choice for buyers. Those looking for the lowest entry price can opt for the Alloy version, while customers wanting the more premium cross-spoke appearance can move to the Spoke variants.
Also Read:- New Jawa 42 All Stars Launched at ₹1.85 Lakh! 60+ Enhancements, Stunning New Look & Features Revealed
₹3 Lakh Honda CB500 Gets Cross-Spoke Tubeless Wheels
The Spoke and Spoke With Stripe variants get cross-spoke wheels that support tubeless tyres, giving the motorcycle a more traditional premium-roadster appearance without requiring conventional tube-type tyres. The CB500 uses a 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel, with the cross-spoke setup being one of the key visual differences between the Alloy and higher variants. This wheel combination also complements the motorcycle’s upright stance and retro roadster proportions.
The top Spoke With Stripe variant retains the same cross-spoke tubeless setup but adds exclusive graphics and colour treatment. This means buyers are not paying for a different engine or performance package when moving between the two spoke-wheel variants.
501cc Engine Produces 28.1 PS and 43.3 Nm
At the heart of the Honda CB500 is an all-new 501cc single-cylinder air- and oil-cooled engine. The motor produces approximately 28.1 PS of maximum power and 43.3 Nm of peak torque, giving the motorcycle a distinctly torque-focused character. Power is transferred to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox. Instead of chasing high peak output, Honda has positioned the CB500 around a relaxed, accessible and torque-rich riding experience.
The single-cylinder configuration is also what makes the motorcycle stand out in India’s current premium motorcycle market. The CB500 brings back the appeal of a large single-cylinder roadster in a modern package, following the disappearance of Royal Enfield’s 500cc UCE-powered motorcycles from the market.
Honda CB500 Gets Classic Retro Roadster Styling
The CB500 follows Honda’s modern-retro CB design language, combining familiar classic elements with a larger and more substantial stance. The motorcycle gets a round LED headlamp, a sculpted teardrop-shaped fuel tank, minimal side panels and a long single-piece seat. The design also features brushed-aluminium-style engine detailing and a chunky exhaust, while the upright handlebar contributes to the traditional roadster riding position. The overall appearance is clean rather than aggressively sporty.
The CB500 also carries similarities with Honda’s existing CB350 family, but the larger engine, 19-inch front wheel and overall proportions give it a more substantial presence. Honda has clearly focused on retaining the classic CB identity while creating a distinct larger-capacity model.
Honda CB500 Specifications and Variant Details
| Specification | CB500 Alloy | CB500 Spoke | CB500 Spoke With Stripe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-Showroom Price | ₹2,75,000 | ₹2,99,900 | ₹3,01,900 |
| Engine | 501cc Single-Cylinder | 501cc Single-Cylinder | 501cc Single-Cylinder |
| Cooling | Air + Oil | Air + Oil | Air + Oil |
| Power | 28.1 PS | 28.1 PS | 28.1 PS |
| Torque | 43.3 Nm | 43.3 Nm | 43.3 Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-Speed | 5-Speed | 5-Speed |
| Front Wheel | 19-inch Alloy | 19-inch Cross-Spoke | 19-inch Cross-Spoke |
| Rear Wheel | 17-inch Alloy | 17-inch Cross-Spoke | 17-inch Cross-Spoke |
| Tyres | Tubeless | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Traction Control | HSTC | HSTC | HSTC |
| Clutch | Assist & Slipper | Assist & Slipper | Assist & Slipper |
| ABS | Dual-Channel | Dual-Channel | Dual-Channel |
| Connectivity | Honda RoadSync | Honda RoadSync | Honda RoadSync |
| Main Difference | Alloy Wheels | Cross-Spoke Wheels | Cross-Spoke + Graphics |
Prices shown are ex-showroom and correspond to the reported Bengaluru pricing.
Modern Features Hidden Beneath the Classic Design
Despite its retro appearance, the CB500 comes with a useful list of modern equipment. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) is offered as part of the motorcycle’s electronic package, while the assist and slipper clutch is designed to make clutch operation easier and downshifts smoother.
The motorcycle also gets an analogue-digital instrument cluster with Honda RoadSync connectivity, combining traditional motorcycle instrumentation with smartphone-connected functionality. All-LED lighting further modernises the package without changing the classic design theme. Braking hardware includes disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS. Together with the traction-control system, this gives the CB500 a technology package that goes well beyond the appearance of a traditional retro roadster.
Made in India and Sold Through Honda BigWing
Honda has confirmed that the CB500 is manufactured in India, allowing the company to localise production rather than bringing the motorcycle in as a completely built import. The motorcycle is being sold through Honda’s BigWing premium dealership network, which handles the company’s larger and premium motorcycle range. Official bookings for the CB500 have now opened through BigWing dealerships.
Local production is particularly important for the CB500 because its engine capacity places it above the 350cc threshold used for the higher motorcycle GST slab. Honda’s India manufacturing strategy therefore plays an important role in keeping the motorcycle’s starting price at ₹2.75 lakh.
Also Read:- Jawa 42 Colours 2026: All Shades Explained – Ivory vs All Star Black | Price, Specs & FAQ
CB500 Creates a New Space Above the CB350 Range
The CB500 sits above Honda’s CB350 family and brings a substantially larger engine without moving all the way into Honda’s larger-capacity twin-cylinder motorcycle territory.
Its broader market alternatives include motorcycles such as the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and BSA Gold Star 650, although their engine configurations and performance characteristics are different. The CB500 instead focuses on the character of a large single-cylinder motorcycle.
The 43.3 Nm torque figure is particularly significant because it gives the CB500 a strong torque-focused identity despite its relatively modest peak power. This is consistent with Honda’s decision to position the motorcycle as a relaxed retro roadster rather than an outright performance machine.
Three Variants Keep the CB500 Lineup Simple
The CB500 range has been designed around three straightforward configurations. The Alloy variant at ₹2.75 lakh serves as the entry point, while the Spoke variant at ₹2,99,900 adds the cross-spoke tubeless wheel setup.
At the top is the Spoke With Stripe variant at ₹3,01,900, which retains the cross-spoke tubeless wheels while adding exclusive graphics and colour treatment. The ₹2,000 difference between the two spoke variants is therefore primarily about their exterior presentation.
This approach gives Honda three distinct price points without complicating the mechanical lineup. Buyers can choose the motorcycle according to their preferred wheel design and styling while retaining the same core 501cc roadster concept.
Bookings Open for the New Honda CB500
Honda has officially opened CB500 bookings through its BigWing dealerships following the motorcycle’s September 21 launch. The launch confirms the CB500 as a production motorcycle for the Indian market rather than an upcoming or India-bound model.
The motorcycle’s combination of a 501cc big single, classic styling, cross-spoke tubeless wheel option and modern electronics gives Honda a differentiated product within its premium motorcycle portfolio. The CB500 also represents a return of sorts for the large-single format in India, a segment that became vacant after the end of Royal Enfield’s 500cc UCE-powered motorcycles.
The Honda CB500 has officially launched in India at ₹2.75 lakh, making it one of the most distinctive new additions to Honda’s premium motorcycle range. Its 501cc single-cylinder engine produces 28.1 PS and 43.3 Nm, while the 5-speed gearbox and torque-focused character keep the motorcycle centred around relaxed roadster riding.
The ₹2,99,900 Spoke variant is likely to attract attention with its cross-spoke tubeless wheels, while the ₹3,01,900 Spoke With Stripe adds exclusive graphics at the top of the range. The entry-level Alloy version keeps the starting price significantly lower than the larger-capacity motorcycles above it.
With Indian manufacturing, HSTC, dual-channel ABS, an assist and slipper clutch, RoadSync connectivity and a distinctive retro design, the CB500 brings Honda’s large single-cylinder roadster concept into the current Indian market. Its biggest talking point remains the combination of a 501cc big single and ₹2.75 lakh starting price, making it a notable new entrant in the premium retro motorcycle space.
