05-22-2017, 09:05 AM
Besides my 2013 CB1100, I own a 2013 Yamaha FZ6R and a 2013 CBR500R (which my wife rides). My wife has put nearly 15,000 miles on the CBR500R and loves it. She has also averaged 81 mpg compared to my 54 mpg on the FZ6R and 52 mpg on the CB1100. Note that we always ride together so that 81 mpg does reflect occasional spirited riding--she doesn't get to ride like a girl. The CBR500R is noticeably lighter, has a lower seat height, and less top heavy than the FZ6R. She does have an issue with the transmission, which she has to remember to work around, which is she can't use engine braking in 6th gear or it doesn't want to downshift without letting the clutch out part way. I've owned several street bikes (ST1300, Shadow 1100, Seca 750) and never had a shifting problem like that. At first I assumed it was a maintenance issue (shift linkage not lubed) or user error (she wasn't shifting crisply), but we finally realized it is engine braking that triggers it. A coworker who also had a CBR500R also reported some downshifting issues and we lubed his shift linkage, but did not see an improvement. But again, my wife *loves* her bike. She had a 2012 CBR250R for a month and can't believe how much easier the 500 is to ride on the country roads we usually ride.