2026 Honda GB500s - any insider knowledge to share?

[Dave T]

The internet appears full of rumours and stories about a forthcoming 'big brother' to the GB350s, but I can't see anything that categorically confirms or denies it...
Anyone on here 'in the know'?
I think a GB350 styled bike with an aircooled long-stroke 500cc single could be a big hit.... certainly something I'd be interested in.

 

[Frankh]

The internet appears full of rumours and stories about a forthcoming 'big brother' to the GB350s, but I can't see anything that categorically confirms or denies it...
Anyone on here 'in the know'?
I think a GB350 styled bike with an aircooled long-stroke 500cc single could be a big hit.... certainly something I'd be interested in.

Let’s just hope it’s not a 500cc twin

 

[Dave T]

Let’s just hope it’s not a 500cc twin

Yep, big lazy single please, c30-35bhp and shed load of torque please

 

[wessie]

if they make it, I reckon they will make it a twin, like they did with the Dominator replacement, NX500. Just a parts bin special.

many of the single cylinder 5-650cc trail bikes of my early riding days (Dominator first post test bike) have modern versions but all are liquid cooled parallel twins. Funduro, Pegaso, Tenere, Dommie, all twins in their current derivatives. Presumably for noise and emissions regs.

 

[Arsey]

Honda have registered the GB500 as a trademark in Europe, USA and New Zealand .
It’s rumoured to be a larger version of the 350 long stroke single with power up to 28-30 bhp.

Less likely is the 471cc motor from the NX/CL 500 but that really wouldn’t suit the retro style as it has no real low down grunt .

 

[leadfarmer]

Uncle Stu has done a video discussing why he thinks it’s probably a twin, I think, I lost consciousness before the end but I think that’s what he was saying

 

[Dave T]

Honda have registered the GB500 as a trademark in Europe, USA and New Zealand .
It’s rumoured to be a larger version of the 350 long stroke single with power up to 28-30 bhp.

Less likely is the 471cc motor from the NX/CL 500 but that really wouldn’t suit the retro style as it has no real low down grunt .

Yes, I'd seen that they'd registered the trademark, but nothing concrete on whether it's a big single, or a twin...
I agree that the 471cc twin wouldn't suit the retro style....
I guess the wait continues.

 

[Clifton]

A few months ago I read somewhere that the GB 350 would not be coming to the US but there will be a GB500 twin coming and it likely will be sold in the US. I can't imagine Honda coming out with an all new 500 motor for this when they already have one used in various other models. My hunch is it'll be the same one as in the 500 Rebel, CBR 500R, 500 Hornet, NX500, etc.

 

[steve hughes]

Given the warm acceptance of the GB350 , certainly in the Uk, it would be logical to differentiate the bike from the current twin range with a nice thumper.

The CB500TT has a quirky following, single cyl two exhausts, not sure if it wasnt a grey import in the 80’s

 

[Clifton]

I'd love to see a long stroke, light weight, 500-650cc air cooled classic making about 30-40 hp and lots of torque. About as close as we get to that is Suzuki's excellent but dated DR650 or Honda's XR650L, both are dual sports though.

 

[glenn2926]

I'd love to see a long stroke, light weight, 500-650cc air cooled classic making about 30-40 hp and lots of torque. About as close as we get to that is Suzuki's excellent but dated DR650 or Honda's XR650L, both are dual sports though.

I’m glad you added the word excellent before mentioning the might DR 650 . Mine is an old 1991 RSE version. Still a lovely old bike to ride. It would be great to have a modern version with little or none of the modern rider aids.

 

[Clifton]

I like your RSE version I don't recall ever seeing one, might not have come to the US. Honda had a version back then called the NX650. Suzuki still sells the basic DR650 here and I imagine mechanically it's the same as a 1991. https://suzukicycles.com/dualsport/2026/dr650s

 

[glenn2926]

I like your RSE version I don't recall ever seeing one, might not have come to the US. Honda had a version back then called the NX650. Suzuki still sells the basic DR650 here and I imagine mechanically it's the same as a 1991. https://suzukicycles.com/dualsport/2026/dr650s

My lad has a DR 650 in France and the differences seem to be that my RSE has a larger fuel tank and some bodywork including a screen. I believe that back in 1991 it was marketed as an early adventure bike. Other than the tank and bodywork it is the same bike. A 650 cc air cooled single. I don’t know if the new ones are the same but mine is a 5 speed box. No EFI just a carb with choke. Proper old style riding experience. So very different to my 2022 R 1250 GSA.

 

[Clifton]

Yep, it, the NX650, and Kawasaki Tengai were adventure bikes ahead of their time. They didn't sell well here so were discontinued after 2-3 years.

Yeah the 2026 DR is the same still carbureted and 5'speed. I owned 2 of them, one a 2005 that I made into a travel bike adding luggage rack, soft panniers, 5 gallon tank (stock was 3.5), Corbin seat, and heavier springs F&R. I left it at a friend's house in Phoenix and flew out in early spring and fall to ride the western US.