Both would be great beginner bikes. Both are good for commuting. The 500 will have more power obviously which matters when you have your wife on th bike. If it's just for you though, the R3 is probably a ton more fun to ride through twisty roads and the race track. Maintenance will be similar with either bike.
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The CBR500R REALLY isn't great for two-up riding. The passenger seat/pillion is a tiny, very uncomfortable appartus for torture (as is the R3's ). I'm not sure your marriage would survive making your wife ride on that!
Instead, look at the CB500X. It is the best of the CB500 lineup. It has a one-piece seat that puts the passenger almost on the same level as the rider and has much better padding (can also easily add a gel pad on top of it if necessary). For regular two-up riding the 'X' is WAY,WAY better than the CBR500R and cheaper (CBR500R is $7,999 RRP, Rideaway is $9,028 AUD) (CB500X RRP in Australia is $7,599 AUD. Rideaway is $8,542 AUD).
Plus, there is a decent windshield on the 'X '(much improved for the 2016 models) for much better wind protection than on the CBR500R and the CB500X gets great reviews.
R3 is too small for regular two-up riding IMHO. Great for one person, though.
I have a 2013 CB500X and love it. Mine is set up for Adventure Riding with knobby tires, crash bars, extra lights, skid plate, etc. and is awesome.
I came from the Kawasaki Versys 650. It was a great 2 up bike and plenty of sport in her. The top box on the rear was great not only for storage but for passenger comfort. I downsized when I no longer went on longer day rides. My rides now are mostly 20 miles or less.
Look for a 2013-2014 CB400 with low miles/kms on it.
It has one of the best engines out there (has V-TEC), great performance, very good passenger seating, light weight at 195kg, good fuel range with 18 liter tank, low seat height at 755mm, 53HP and 38 Nm, 13,000 rpm redline. This is the engine they should have put in the R3 and just made it an R4! If the naked CB400 had been sold in the U.S. (it hasn't and probably never will be) I'd absolutely have bought it instead of the R3.
Throw a bikini fairing on it and it would be great for commuting AND riding the twisties. Don't let the fact that it is a LAMS bike put you off. It MOVES and handles GREAT! Cheaper insurance, too.
View attachment 24210
VirusRider's review on a test ride
With IXIL exhaust and no baffle
For the money you're looking at, you could pick up something on the Sportster platform used (<20,000 miles). Reasonably dependable, 400+ lb rider/passenger load rated, and with care, good resale value. There's quite a range:
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