Our objective when developing the engine for the CBR500R, CB500F, CB500X series was to produce a global, kind-to-the-environment parallel twin-cylinder engine that looks ahead to the next generation and, by being both sporty and easy to handle, transcends regions to appeal equally to those in both developed and emerging countries.

We kept the original advantages of a parallel-twin engine (being economic and easy to handle), but aimed to realize output characteristics that would deliver comfortable but speedy controllability. We developed a new lightweight and compact 500cc engine that operates smoothly in the low-to medium-rpm range and maintains that smoothness into the higher rpm range.