Honda CBR500R (2013-2018) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the 2013-2018 Honda CBR500R.
Here are the Honda CBR500R maintenance schedules:
Honda released the CBR500R in 2013 and has kept producing it until 2018 with much the same engine internals. It’s a standard sport-bike, with a comfortable riding position but sportbike-derived looks, and a willing engine that’ll perform enough for you to have fun without being intimidating for less aggressive or newer riders.
In 2016/2017 the CBR500R got a EURO4 update, along with preload-adjustable front forks, LED lighting, a larger fuel tank, and a redesigned exhaust. It also got a visual update, with Honda sharpening up the styling, making it look like the latest generation of Fireblade superbikes.
The CBR500R is however an entry-level bike, with power that meets learner-legal requirements in Europe, Australia, and the US. Its 35 kW (47 hp) engine is the same one as in the Rebel 500, so the maintenance has a lot in common (though fairings to remove, in this case).
In 2019, Honda released the 2019-2021 Honda CBR500R, updating the intake, cam timing, and exhaust, leading to slightly different maintenance parts.
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Things you might need to service the Honda CBR500R (2013-2018)
If you’re maintaining your Honda CBR500R, you’ll need the following consumable parts.
Note the parts changed slightly for the 2019-2021 Honda CBR500R.
| Part | CBR500R (2013-2018) spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | Honda recommends SAE 10W-30, JASO T 903 standard MA. Pro Honda GN4 10W-30 is good. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft). |
| Oil filter | Honda’s standard part number for the oil filter is 15410-MFJ-D01 (used on many Hondas). You can also use a HF204RC for the oil filter. Use a torque wrench to tighten it to 26 Nm (19 lb-ft). |
| Air filter | The OEM air filter part is 17211-MJW-J00. You can also use the K&N alternative air filter HA-5013, which is often more available. |
| Spark plugs | Use NGK spark plug part CPR8EA-9. Use a gapping tool to set the gap to 0.8-0.9mm. |
| Brake fluid | You can use any DOT 4 oil, but Honda recommends Honda DOT 4. |
| Brake pads (front) | OEM front brake pads are part number 06455-MGS-D32. Alternative EBC double-hardened front brake pads have part number FA196HH. |
| Brake pads (rear) | OEM rear brake pads are part number 06435-MGZ-J01. Alternative EBC double-hardened rear brake pads have part number FA140HH. |
| Coolant | Use Pro Honda HP Coolant, which is based on ethylene glycol. |
You might also need some of the following basic motorcycle maintenance tools.
| Description |
|---|
| Paddock Stand — Makes maintaining your chain or doing other maintenance much easier. |
| Motul chain paste — one of the most highly-regarded chain lubes. Easy to apply, doesn’t fling off. If you need more stuff, get the Motul chain care kit as an affordable package. |
| Always good to have on hand lithium soap-based grease for lubing external pivot points (like the swingarm) and bearings. |
| Use Protect all cable life to lubricate your cables and controls. |
Honda CBR500R Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda CBR500R (2013-2018).
Notes:
- At the end of the maintenance schedule, keep following it in the pattern shown.
- Honda indicates “difficulty” levels in the manual. In a nutshell, Honda recommends a professional do the spark plug replacement, valve clearance check, wheel/tyre work, and fixing/lubing steering components.
- The break-in service is omitted (the dealer usually does this in the warranty period)
Maintenance Legend
- I: Inspect (clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace, if necessary)
- R: Replace
- L: Lubricate
- C: Clean
| mi x 1000 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 6.4 | 12.8 | 19.2 | 25.6 | 32 | 38.4 | Notes |
| Engine Oil (Pro Honda GN4 10W-30) | R | R | R | ||||
| Engine Oil Filter (HF204RC) | R | R | R | 2017-2018 manual required fewer changes, though most do it with oil. | |||
| Air Filter (HA-5013) | R | R | Service more often when riding in wet or dust | ||||
| Cooling System (inspect for leaks, kinks etc.) | I | I | I | ||||
| Radiator Coolant (Pro Honda HP Coolant) | I | I | I | Every 3 Years: R | |||
| Crankcase Breather | C | C | C | C | C | C | Service more often when riding in rain or at full throttle |
| Engine Idle Speed | I | I | I | ||||
| Throttle Operation | I | I | I | ||||
| Fuel Line | I | I | I | ||||
| Spark Plug (NGK CPR8EA-9) | R | ||||||
| Valve Clearance | I | ||||||
| Lubricate Drive Chain (Motul Chain Paste) | Every 600 mi (1000 km): I L | ||||||
| Brake Fluid (Use Honda DOT 4) | I | I | I | I | I | I | Every 2 years: R |
| Secondary Air Supply System | I | ||||||
| Evaporative Emission Control System | I | ||||||
| Brake Pads Wear | I | I | I | I | I | I | Replace as needed (FA196HH, FA140HH) |
| Brake System | I | I | I | ||||
| Brake Light Switch | I | I | I | ||||
| Headlight Aim | I | I | I | ||||
| Clutch System | I | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Side Stand | I | I | I | ||||
| Suspension | I | I | I | ||||
| Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners | I | I | I | ||||
| Wheels/Tires | I | I | I | ||||
| Steering Head Bearings | I | I | I |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Honda CBR500R
The manual for the CBR500R gives the following tyre sizes and brands as standard, and recommends the following tyre pressures.
The Honda CBR500R shipped with street/sport touring tyres like the Dunlop D222 or Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact tyres.
| Tyre | Size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) | 36 psi / 250 kPa / 2.5 bar |
| Rear | 160/60ZR17 M/C (69W) | 42 psi / 290 kPa / 2.9 bar |
About the Honda CBR500R (2013-2018)
The Honda CBR500R is a classic example of what Honda does best. It’s an everyday sport bike that’s fun, practical, and extremely reliable.
The CBR500R’s engine is the same 471 cc liquid-cooled 8-valve parallel twin found in other twins like the CB500F. It has a nearly square layout of 67m bore and 66.8mm stroke. The engine has a compression ratio of 10.7:1 — quite mild. Coupled with gentle camshaft tuning, the engine is very understressed, which gives it high reliability.
With peak power of 35 kW (47 bhp), the CBR500R does have enough power to take you well into freeway speeds. You have to downshift into a headwind on an uphill at 120 km/h or 70 mph… but for some, shifting gears is part of motorcycling!
The CBR500R delivers plenty of performance to all sport riders, including riders moving up from the sporting, entry-level Honda CBR250R, as well as more experienced riders who will appreciate the CBR500R’s light and nimble handling.
The CBR500R has a full fairing and a 31-inch seat height. The seat is narrow, which means it’s accessible for a broader range of riders, including beginner riders, or those ready to move up a displacement class from a 250cc single-cylinder CBR250R — or for any rider who’s looking for a light, sporting, do-it-all street machine.
From 2013-2018 Honda kept the ride gear quite similar. Suspension is via a 41mm conventional fork setup — and the front suspension got preload adjustability from the 2016 model year. Braking is via a 320mm single disc with a 2-pot caliper. It’s not exciting, but it’s economical both to buy and to maintain.
Last but not least, the CBR500R is a good looking machine! It looks a lot like the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade of the same generation.
Honda updated the 2019-2021 CBR500R. They gave it a revised airbox and exhaust, and gave it a slipper clutch with some back-torque mitigation.
Manual for the Honda CBR500R (2013-2018)
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Honda CBR500R, consulting various years’ manuals between 2013 and 2018 to see changes (there’s nothing significant).
You can download it from here.
