Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has officially launched the new Honda CB500 in the Indian market, expanding its premium BigWing motorcycle range with a new 501cc retro roadster. The motorcycle is available in three variants, with prices starting at ₹2.75 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings have also commenced through Honda BigWing dealerships in India.

The Honda CB500 was first unveiled in India in July 2026 and is manufactured locally. It brings a large-capacity single-cylinder engine to Honda's modern-retro motorcycle portfolio and sits above the CB350 range. The motorcycle is offered with alloy wheels as well as cross-spoke tubeless wheel options.

Honda CB500 Price and Variants

Honda has introduced the CB500 in three versions. The entry-level Alloy variant is priced at ₹2.75 lakh, while the Spoke variant costs around ₹2.99 lakh. The range-topping Spoke with Stripe version is priced at approximately ₹3.02 lakh, with the additional variant mainly bringing exclusive colours and graphics.

Honda CB500 Gets New 501cc Single-Cylinder Engine

The Honda CB500 is powered by an all-new 501cc, single-cylinder, air- and oil-cooled engine. The motor produces around 28 hp of maximum power and 43.3 Nm of peak torque and is paired with a five-speed gearbox. The engine is designed around a torque-focused riding character rather than outright high-rev performance.

Honda has also equipped the motorcycle with an assist and slipper clutch. This setup is intended to make gear changes smoother and help reduce rear-wheel hop during aggressive downshifts.

Retro Design With Modern Features

The Honda CB500 follows a modern-retro design theme, featuring a round LED headlamp, sculpted fuel tank, wide handlebar and a clean body profile. The motorcycle gets a single-piece seat and classic styling elements while incorporating modern electronic features.

Standard equipment includes Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), dual-channel ABS, all-LED lighting and an analogue-digital instrument cluster. Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity is also available, allowing riders to access connected functions through their compatible smartphone.

Cross-Spoke Tubeless Wheels Available

One of the key differences between the CB500 variants is the wheel setup. The base model uses alloy wheels, while the higher variants receive cross-spoke wheels compatible with tubeless tyres. The top-spec version combines the spoke-wheel setup with additional graphics and colour options.

The motorcycle rides on a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup, with disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS.

Honda CB500 Positioning in India

With local production and a starting price of ₹2.75 lakh, the CB500 enters the middleweight retro motorcycle space above Honda's CB350 range. Its large single-cylinder engine also gives Honda a product in a segment that has remained relatively vacant since the discontinuation of Royal Enfield's 500cc UCE motorcycles.

The CB500 will be positioned against motorcycles such as the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and BSA Gold Star 650, while its engine size and pricing also bring it into consideration alongside motorcycles such as the Harley-Davidson X440.

With three variants, modern electronics, a 501cc engine and the option of cross-spoke tubeless wheels, the new Honda CB500 adds another locally manufactured premium motorcycle to Honda's growing India portfolio.