Enjoyable and Exciting Easy Ride with Honda Philippines’ 500cc Models and CB650R with E-Clutch

Honda Philippines invited members of the motoring media and motovloggers to test ride their 500cc series and the new CB650R with the new Honda E-Clutch Technology at the Honda Safety Driving Center in Parañaque last August 19.

The big bike test ride was fun and successful and it was an quite an adventure and experience to feel the different personalities of Honda’s 500cc motorcycles.

InsideRACING’s Mr. Al Camba with Honda Philippines’ Ma’am Jean Garcia-Medina (left) and Ma’am Esmeralda Cheng (right)

Among the many bikes presented, InsideRACING’s Publisher and Editor, Mr. Al Camba, was able to ride three models – the NX500, Hornet 500 and the all-new CB650R with E-Clutch. “The NX500 used to be the 500X and the former CB500 is now called the Hornet 500. Branding them as NX500 and Hornet 500 is a good move by Honda because it gave new personality to the motorcycles. The Hornet is a very important model for Honda for decades. I think during the 80’s or 90’s, I remember the 600cc Hornet was very popular even before other Honda models became prominent. The Hornet is really a bike with a legacy,” recalled Mr. Camba.

Honda NX500

Honda NX500
SRP: Php 409, 000
Colors: Pearl Horizon White and Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic
471 cc
liquid-cooled
4-stroke
DOHC
4 valves per cylinder
Parallel Twin
Max Power: 37.1 kW @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque: 44.7 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Fuel Consumption: 29.9 km/l (based on WMTC Test Method)
Premium Features: Rally-Style Face with LED Headlights, Sporty LED Taillight, Relaxed Up-right Position, 5-inch TFT Meter Display, Honda Roadsync App, Honda Selectable Torque Control, Assist/Slipper Clutch, Up-side Down Front Suspension, 2 Channel ABS and Emergency Stop Signal

What impressed him during the test ride are the TFT dash and slipper clutch of the 500cc big bikes. Before, full TFT display are available only in more expensive models, but now, Honda’s 500cc models have the best TFT display as even though it was sunny during the test ride and he was wearing a helmet with a dark visor, the information in the instrument panel can be clearly seen. 

Honda Hornet 500 (photo by Honda Philippines)

Honda Hornet 500
SRP: Php 379, 000
Colors: Pearl Himalayas White and Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic
471 cc
Liquid-cooled
4-stroke
DOHC
4 valves per cylinder
Parallel Twin
Max Power: 37.1 kW @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque: 44.7 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Fuel Consumption: 30.5 km/l 9based on WMTC Test Method)
Premium Features: Sharp Design LED Headlights, Sporty LED Taillight, Naturally Upright Riding Posture, 5-inch TFT Meter Display, Honda Roadsync App, Honda Selectable Torque Control, Slipper/Assist Clutch, Up-side Down Front Suspension, 2 Channel ABS and Emergency Stop Signal

Mr. Camba also felt that the new slipper clutch is very much improved. He said, “The clutch is so light. I think in stock form, the NX500 and Hornet 500 can be used for daily riding. In fact the Hornet does not feel like a big bike, you are like on an XRM because of the lightness of its clutch. Of course, the other bikes the CL500 and the cruiser models are basically the same but I think there are also improvements in their slipper clutch. I also like the styling of the NX500 because now it really looks like a serious adventure bike with the taller windshield. The fairings are great and it really looks like an adventure bike.”

Mr. Al Camba on the new Honda CB650R

Also tested during the day is Honda’s new technology in the local market which is the E-clutch. Mr. Al Camba road the he naked bike Honda CB650R with E-clutch and was very impressed. “Basically this is not DCT which is dual clutch transmission. With the E-clutch, you still have the regular manual transmission but the clutch is automatic. There is literally a motor that operates the clutch for you and this is not just mechanical, it’s intelligent. It is connected to the engine’s computer system so it knows the RPM and what gear you are in. So although you will shift manually, it is like quick shifter which tells you if you need to gear up or gear down. At first it was intimidating as I thought maybe the motorcycle engine will turn off or I will not be able to control the bike, but no, it was completely different. When you start the engine, it is already engaged and you are like riding an XRM without clutch lever. You just shift. If you want to go back to manual, press the clutch fully and it will disengage. Those hardcore riders who still want to be in control of the clutch manually, shift gear, rev, downshift and rev matching, you can still do that with Honda 500cc big bikes but what is good is if you are in traffic, it is better to use the E-clutch. You have the best of both worlds. It’s like you are on a maxi scooter and the strain to your left hand because of the clutch will be gone completely. I can see that the Honda CB650R with E-clutch can be used daily. Admittedly, those who buy big bikes don’t like full manual bikes when it comes to traffic. But with this Honda big bike E-clutch, there’s no problem.  You can use E-clutch all the way and it’s very safe. Even when I tried downshifting from higher RPM, it is alright.  Not totally rev matching just like in sports cars but it’s cool and it’s great. It is an investment that is worth it if you buy the 650R with E-clutch. Anyway, that is just two laps around Honda Safety Driving Center, so I’m interested in testing this bike on a longer term basing actual usage and let’s see if the performance of the E-clutch will be consistent with different temperatures and speed. I want to know what will happen but as the technology itself, it is a winner so congratulations Honda! I’m sure in the future many will look for this technology and hope that Honda can reduce the price so they can also include this technology in their 500cc models or even the 200cc and 300cc motorcycles.”

Honda CB650R
Standard Variant: Php 524, 000
E-Clutch Variant: 564, 000
Colors: Standard (Mat Gunpowder Metallic, Matte Laurel Green Metallic and Candy Chromosphere Red) E-Clutch (Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic and Candy Chromosphere Red)
649 cc, liquid cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, inline-4 cylinder
Max Power: 70kw @ 12,000 rpm
Max Torque: 63Nm @ 9500 rpm
Fuel consumption: 20.9 km/l (based on WMTC Test Method)
Premium Features: Honda Roadsync App, 5-inch full color TFT display, Teardrop-shaped LED Headlight, Sporty Rear LED taillight, Assist/Slipper Clutch, Upside Down Front Suspension, Honda Selectable Torque Control, 2 Channel ABS, Emergency Stop Signal, Exclusive for E-Clutch Variant: Honda E-Clutch and Quick Shifter

Aside from the test ride, Honda also presented their genuine accessories. There are packages for touring and sport so you can further customize the bikes if you’re not content with the styling or you want to personalize it more.

“I’m sure many will add accessories to the Honda NX500. Of course 471 cc engine is very reliable and smooth. After how many years in the market, Honda’s engine is so reliable and proven and you can never go wrong with that 500 cc model,” Mr. Camba expressed.

The Honda NX500 is available in Pearl Horizon White and Mat Gunpowder Metallic colors and has an SRP of Php 409,000. The CB650R with E-clutch is priced at 564,000 and has two dynamic colors: Candy Chromosphere Red and Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic. The SRP of the Honda Hornet 500 is Php 379, 000 and it is available in Pearl Himalayas White and Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic colors.

photo by Honda Philippines

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