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: $6,199
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2. Royal Enfield Bullet 500
Of all the motorcycles on this list, the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 is the one that calls to me the most. The classic styling of this bike goes back for decades, and these things are used for everything you can think of from commuting, to touring, to off-roading. They’re good machines, and Royal Enfield is making high-quality bikes right now. The bike features a 499cc single-cylinder Twinspark engine that’s fuel injected. While this isn’t the fastest 500cc machine out there, it’ll get you where you’re going no problem and look awesome doing it.
- Price: $4,999
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3. Honda CB500X
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 CB500X. Some folks will claim the CB500X 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: $6,699
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4. Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500
If the CB500X isn’t your flavor, but you still want a 500cc adventure bike or duals sport, the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500 is the choice for you. This bike blends the classic styling with some off-road prowess. The Bullet Trials is just the bullet with some minor updates, but those updates include raised handlebars, crossbar reinforcement, upswept exhaust, mudguards, and dual-sport tires. The engine is the same 499cc single-cylinder as is on the Bullet 500, and that’s not a bad thing.
- Price: $5,799
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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: $6,699
- Company Website
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