One of the big attractions of the Pioneer-4 is its convertible seating arrangement, which can be easily converted from two-seat to three-seat to four-seat configurations and back to an open load-carrying bed without the use of tools.

In some ways, the choice actually comes down more to who you are, because Honda, with effectively one new bike, has produced models that suit a variety of needs and tastes. Moreover, with these 500s, Honda is bringing new levels of quality and sophistication to the entry-level market.

Which one? That’s likely to be the biggest question buyers of Honda’s new line of middleweight streetbikes will face.

Affordable, practical, fun and easy to ride, the CB500F is an astoundingly good all-round motorcycle. It’d make a great first bike for a novice rider, a great commuter for anyone on a budget or just a great second or third bike for someone who doesn’t always need to pull something expensive and difficult out of the garage just to get from A to B.

For novice riders, a 600cc+ sport bike is simply too much. For American tastes, a 250 is often too small. Could this new Honda CBR500R be just right? We think so.