When I first sat down to think of the best 500cc motorcycles that are new, I assumed I’d have a hard time. You see 500cc is a perfect middle-displacement engine when you think about all engine sizes. It gives you a low curb weight and reasonable power but enough grunt to easily do highway runs.
What I found was that there are far fewer 500cc motorcycles for sale in the U.S. than I thought. There are quite a few around 500cc, but not many right there. So, I put together a list of bikes close to that displacement and then picked my five favorites.
There are still five that stand out above the rest easily, at least to me. Here are the five best 500cc motorcycles you can buy new.
1. Honda Rebel 500
The Honda Rebel 500 is a fantastic bike for a reasonable price. I bought a Rebel 300 last year and I love the thing, but there are times when I wish I had the extra grunt of the 500cc engine.
The bike features a 471cc parallel twin that’s user-friendly but also puts out good power. Pair that with some good-looking styling, customizability, and excellent suspension, and you have one of the best low-to-middle displacement cruisers on the market right now.
- Price: $6,499
- Company Website
2. Kawasaki Ninja 500
The Kawasaki Ninja 500 is no joke. It’s a great sportbike and a step up from the more entry-level focused Ninja 400. The Ninja 500 features sportbike styling in a full-sized sportbike frame. You’ll be at home out on the open road.
The bike features a twin-cylinder engine with a displacement of 451cc that puts out 51 hp, which is more than enough to shoot you through a canyon road or around town. Kawasaki is known for quality and reliability, too, and the Ninja nameplate is legendary in the sportbike world. The 500 isn’t the most exciting Ninja in the lineup, but it’s a great bike nonetheless.
- Price: $5,299
- Company Website
3. Honda NX500X
If you want a Honda with a 500cc displacement but you’re not into cruisers, then you have options. One of them, if you like to tour and go off the pavement, is the NX500X. Some folks will claim this bike isn’t a true ADV bike, and it’s not as hardcore as many of the other options out there, but it can take on terrain that’s more rugged than you might think.
The bike features the same parallel-twin engine with a displacement of 471cc that the Rebel does, but it gets long-travel suspension, a more upright riding position, and a low curb weight, allowing you to take it where other bikes can’t go.
- Price: $7,399
- Company Website
4. Kawasaki Eliminator
Okay, okay. You got me. This bike’s engine doesn’t technically measure 500cc. But it measures 451cc, so I’ll say it’s closer to 500cc than it is to 400cc. At any rate, the Kawasaki Eliminator is close enough to hang with the other bikes here, and this machine will definitely compete with the Honda Rebel 500 and other cruisers on the market.
The Eliminator’s twin-cylinder engine isn’t the only thing to write home about. The bike also has power cruiser styling that looks great, a 6-speed transmission with a slipper clutch, a strong and handsome trellis frame, and smartphone connectivity through the RIDEOLOGY APP. I don’t care much about the fancy tech, but I do like this modern cruiser.
- Price: $6,649
- Company Website
5. Honda CBR500R
Not into cruisers, dual-sports, or ADV bikes? Have a need for speed? The Honda CBR500R is for you. This sportbike isn’t the most advanced sportbike out there, but it is a motorcycle that will thrill you. It has the same 471cc parallel-twin engine as the other Honda’s at this displacement, but it has been re-tuned for sport riding.
Pair that with a steel tube frame, an aggressive riding position, top-quality brakes, and excellent suspension, and you’ll be making laps around a racetrack or high-speed runs down canyon roads in no time. It’s a lovely bike and one that you should certainly consider if the other options above don’t strike your fancy.
- Price: $7,399
- Company Website
