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Whilst staying in a hotel in Northern Ireland a couple of years ago I met an Australian couple who were on their way around the world two up on a CB500. They had already done all of Asia, Sout Americas, Northern Europe, Ireland. They were adamant this bike is all you ever need. Even with two up and luggage. Nothing had broken yet except some of the homemade mods. Last time I looked at their blog they were in Africa and still going. What more would you expect from a real adventure bike?
Wow... Amazing... My dilemma is whether to (try and) get good at handling my 2014 800GS (which I've owned since Aug 2020, purchased to learn and become a decent offroad rider) on most surfaces and prep it for a long overland journey I'm planning for, or sell it and get a 500X or 650XT..or similar. Pretty hard to find KLR650s, old ATs, etc where I live to make them worthy RTW bikes..... Thoughts/opinions welcome.....
@@chrishart8548 based on the specs here, they are about the same weight in stock form. But the XT is lower and does not seem top heavy, hence easier to manage.....and I'm thinking in terms of being fully loaded as well...
This is definitely underrated. I'm glad that Honda is moving to make it more offroad capable with the 2022 version. Also I hope that this channel does more lightweight ADV reviews in the future as I think that segment will dominate in the future with manufacturer support.
I hope so, too. I'm on my 4th bike and looking at the 500X for my 5th. I prefer bikes that aren't a chore to ride and can be picked up, get good fuel range, and are reliable. This bikes seems to hit it all. It's funny that the culture here in NA is that anything less than 600cc must be for "beginners" -- sure, they're beginner-friendly, but that's because they're so pleasant to ride. I can't help but think if we had more good sensible bike choices and more riders with them, we'd get a lot more people interested in riding.
@@Thirsty_Fox i had the first gen... in my honest opinion is a commuter bike and thats it. Just cuz u can ride it offroad doesn't mean u should. Hes in smoth af trails were it does ok. As soon as u go to dirt bike/dualsport trails that even africa twin can handle ur avoiding every pothole and going super slow like 10 to 13ish 15 max. 18-20mph if its smooth. Its only shines for road potholes at most. I didn't buy $1k minimum front and rear suspension Rally Raid upgrades cuz i was worried it wasnt good enough and i was poor at the time. Its a good bike but for a guy coming from a xt250 and seeing my brother's and his friend's each and own Africa twins do so dam well on dirt stock i wasn't happy with it and sold it ASAP after a year and bought a truck. Now looking for crf 300 rally, id probably buy a T7 if i had the money and a dual sport already. Just expect to buy 1k to 2k suspension if ever expecting real offroading and be ok with cast aluminum road small wheels. Hope i didn't worry and bug u too much.
@@evanm.2300 I don't expect it to be a dual-sport off-road. I primarily use it as a road bike 90%+ of the time, but I want to be able to go down backroads, fire roads, light trails, etc... not really into technical/rocky trails. The 500X seems like a good balance for me. I find the Africa Twin and GS to be way too massive and heavy for me to enjoy them (especially solo out in the sticks), not to mention expensive. All bikes compromise but the 500X seems to be a sweet spot.
In the Southern Hemisphere / South America small bikes are so supremely popular, economically viable, super high gas mileage, super cheap maintenance and replacement parts. Plenty of torque for town and dirt roads. All through central and South America the 125 / 150 / 160 / 250 are so popular and so common. They go well over 100,000 -200,000 even 300,000 kilometers! Not many midsize bikes but either small or super sport bikes are the norm. But for travel through these countries smaller is better. Because of the blending in factor, the fun factor, the security factor ( look at me im not a rich target for you) you blend in much better and do not draw attention to yourself and your gear. Small bikes are so much fun. Big bikes are so much fun and comfortable and better suit our egos. But.... not a wise choice if you want to be safer from the criminal elements and do not want to be taken advantage of everywhere you go! THINK! I highly recommend it before wandering into other cultures!!!!!!
At essentially the same weight as the nc750.. it's absurd that this gutless 500 version should be as heavy.. IF Aprilia can make the sxr550 v twin for HALF the weight & twice the power.. wtf Honda.. there's a market for a LIGHTWEIGHT mid size twin dual purpose (off-road able smooth riding tourer)
I love my 21, here on Vancouver island. Perfect for logging roads and as a tourer. The seat is getting better after 10,000 klms. Gotta love 90ish mpg. Im 67 riding 40+ yrs.
Awesome review! We now own two CB500x, 2021 bikes and loving them. We both come from 12 yrs of 1700 cc road baggers and we’re re-learning how to ride dirt roads, not trails, and loving how this bikes responds to our 60 plus years of age and what we want to afford our older bodies in discomfort. Having said that, I personally, would have love this bike in my younger years!!!
Yup. I rode a CX 500 for years. Great bike for one and comfortable for two. Almost kept up with the kz650 and the bmw900 both a bit faster but the handling was there. Much more fun the smaller bikes truly are. A lot more enjoyable to ride.
Bought mine back in April. Spent the past several months exploring the central Rockies and having a great time. Having ridden larger adv's in the past I'm now questioning why. For my planned Alaska trip next year the CB is the bike I'm taking. Cheers for your great reviews.
After having the CB500X with rally raid level 2, it is my favorite bike I've owned so far. The rally raid gives better protection, and 2" lift with adjustable suspension with more travel. This bike amazed me with its capability offroad, it can even go off of jumps! It lugs down low in 1st and I barely ever need to use th clutch and hen crawling through terrain, but can still easily go 120km/hr on the highway. It feels easier to pick up than my dr650 was despite being a fair amount heavier. If you are considering a cb500x but want to do some real serious offroad get the rally raid level 2 kit. It turns this thing into a true adventure bike at half the cost of most of the middleweight adventure bikes out there.
The CB500x is an amazing motorcycle for the price. I have 15,000 miles on mine and have had no problems which is typical of a Honda. It is not the fastest motorcycle but the power is very linear. When I ride it I am amazed how much power and torque it has for a 471cc engine. If I ever wear mine out I will go buy another one. They are one of the best motorcycles made period.
Great review of the cb500x! I loved the psychedelic fonts. I have a 2019 cb500x with the Rally Raid level 2 suspension. This bike is very capable and has very good fuel range. It is easy to ride long days as it is very comfortable as you mentioned. It is a great choice for someone secure in their masculinity.
I like the bike, but I fear for the header pipes and the crankcase without a bashplate. It depends on what you want but I posted above how i think bikes are getting heavier and that is not a good trend.
Own one of these aswell, unfortunately the RR suspension is illegal for me to use on the street since it has not the right documentation and attaining it would cost me about 3500usd. Also many other manufacturers don't offer suspension for it. Nevertheless, I love it
A good review. I bought my CB500X despite a lot of negative comments about its weight and it’s lack of suspension because I felt it would be perfect for me to use on unpaved roads around my home in France. So far it’s exceeded my expectations and in some more technical situations amazed me. When you take into account it’s price, fuel economy and comfort it’s plus, plus, plus. I’m sure that it’s going to be the perfect adventure bike/tourer to travel big distances across Europe on.
I’m on an Africa Twin, and I love it, but I would also love less weight and better fuel economy/range. This thing is moving in a great direction and by the time I’m ready for a new bike I may actually downgrade by 500cc 😆
I have downgraded myself before but that wasn't the end of the road. Riding a small bike made me appreciate big bikes in a new way. The weight and the mileage range are an acceptable trade off for all the other benefits I'd get from a big bike. The 1200cc range is a good match for my riding environment and experience.
Your final thoughts reflect my own about the Versys-X300. I got that bike for my daughter and get to use it any time I want (she's away in the military and couldn't bring the bike with her). It's so much easier to ride in most environments than the KLR I had. It has basically replaced my KLR as my ADV bike, allowing me to trade in the KLR for a KLX300 for more off road adventures. The Versys-X300 is perfect for the environment in which you were testing the CB500X. I believe if Kawasaki had more demo rides and people got to experience the Versys-X300, it would sell a lot better. Also, if they ever decide to use the engine from the Ninja 400 and give us a Versys-X400, they'd have the nearly perfect lite ADV bike. All the X300 needs is a gentle nudge in power.
It's shocking what you can do with a Versys x-300 once you put a decent set of tires on it. I also traded my KLR for a Versys and found it to be more capable across the board.
Had a Kaw X300 for nearly 4000 miles, I loved that lightweight little machine except for high speed long distance freeway. . Upgraded to a 2017 Honda Africa twin, a real top-heavy beast. I was more apt to take the lightweight X300 offroad than I am the Africa Twin.
x300 is great but needs a few more dollars spent on making front brake better, its setup is cheap. a little better forks and spring and add the 400 which is a superior engine. then it would be a superb bike. only major downside is how light it is makes windy days a bummrr.
I have two of these. Its a great compromise machine. Decent power, efficient, light, capable. Its very fun. 1. Stock Windshield is awful. Space it out and/or swap it with a National cycle shield and at the very least add a spoiler from Amazon 2. The small accessory bar above the dash shakes alot when offroad, not the best for phone or GPS mounting. 3. Stock suspension is actually decent considering but Rally raid transforms the bike.
Thanks for taking the time to explain the 500 X. II,m 64 years old and traded my Tracer 900 in for all those things that you experienced on the bike and very happy for it.👍😊🇨🇦
I used to own an fj09 in 2016, it has a lot of power, I don't dare to twist the throttle, and it is too heavy and too tall, I only have 5" 9, 130 pounds. I like riding big motorcycles, fj09 is indeed One I like very much, it may only be suitable for occasional riding, and it makes me nervous after a long time of riding. Later, I also bought the cb500x, I admit that the power is much less than the fj09, but it makes me more relaxed and more comfortable Can ride all day. Motorcycles just have to be swapped around to find the one that really fits!
Been riding for 30 years. Got a 2015 model cb500x with rally raid lev 1 susp. Love the bike. Can go almost anywhere as long as there is somthing that reminds of a track.
Same bike I have, and I Rally Raided mine too. This is a great bike even with the smaller wheel in front, you just have to look where you want the bike to go. I find it does just what I wanted to do
@Sukhminder Singh after racing for more than 10 years and at least 6 in A grade (top class in Australia) I can confirm I'm still alive but im not 100% haha
Great review. I am 78 years old and ride a V Strom 650 XT which I purchased new in April 2018 I have done 43,000 km on the Strom and I love the bike, absolutely fun to ride and trouble free. However as I get older the Honda 500 CBX might be a more appropriate bike for me. I like the look of it and it just might keep me riding for more years than I would on the V Strom. Thanks again for a great review.
Great review. I bought a CB500X last year, and after 6K miles it has exceeded my expectations. It's a fun bike to ride, and decently capable off-road. I like your comment that this made you re-think need for a big adventure bike.
Yaasss! I’ve been waiting every since your announcement of this review for it to hit RUclips. Excellent! If I could give it two thumbs up, I would. You have become my number one source for motorcycle content.
I used to own a 2014 CB500X and it was a great bike. I want another one especiallywith the upgrades. Comfortable, reliable, great gas mileage, and it can definitely do light dirt roads with the right tires. You will need to add a bash plate, and hand guards. Buy your tires for your ride, You can add cases if you desire but I wouldn't. It's an awesome commuter. It's built for the back roads, twisties, not the open highways. Off-road it's comparable to a lot of ADV bikes if you are riding at a reasonable pace, but it's not a dual sport. My Africa Twin is a lot heavier. This A2 engine is not built for speed anywhere, but it's fast enough to break all the speed limits.
I think you sold me. I have a Honda Ralley 300 which is a great bike but I am going to all highway riding now. So I will be looking for a CB500 now! Thanks!
Another very thorough review. As a CB500X owner I agree with all your observations and if the scenery is more important than absolute performance then this bike is a very worthwhile option. I will add that 80 plus mpg is achievable on a leisurely ride and my wife finds pillion riding very comfortable. It makes an excellent touring machine but if I did a lot of motorway riding I would consider getting a more powerful bike. Every bike is a compromise but the 500X could suit a lot people looking for simple biking pleasure. Some great terrain where you live! Cheers.
I’m not into these type of bikes. I ride a Yamaha Raptor 700R quad in the dunes. I simply watch your reviews because that are just so good! I also learn about bikes I never knew existed…👍🏻
I had a CB500X it was a budget bike , but I really liked the engine characteristics and low center of gravity. I took it places I wouldn’t have taken other big bikes. First gear had good grunt and was very useable off road . I did upgrade suspension to rally raid components. One of two bikes I wish I hadn’t sold.
I ended up buying one of these. I'm 6ft tall annd with some gear and protection this bike is super capable offroad, if you're willing to go a bit slower than the bikes that cost literally three times the price. A lot of the capability comes from the low seat height. I can stand up, feet on the ground, and walk this bike through obstacles.
Very good review! I can back up every word you've said. I've owned one for the last 7 months and the bike has never let me down. Admittedly, buying this bike was more a mind over heart decision because I naturally prefer lighter and faster bikes. But right away, the bike surprised me by how well-balanced it is. And it is surprisingly easy to flick around, especially when you ride it standing up. I'm just 169cm (5"6), 30" inseam and weigh about 72kg (160lb) and the bike fits me really well. It also has more than enough power to get me up to speed with traffic in no time and cruise comfortably down the freeway (90-115k/hr is its sweet spot, but it can go all the way up to 170k/hr, though fuel economy becomes horrible at those speeds). I've taken the bike offroad over a variety of different terrains and I'm still using the stock tyres (Dunlop Trailmax Mixtours). Bike handles trails with small rocks really well, especially when you ride it standing up. What I found a bit sketchy was the rear when riding over a mixture of loose gravel and rocks - it tends to chatter. And when riding at higher speeds and you hit a bump or a big dip, rear tends to pogo a bit, suggesting rear shock is under-dampened. But other than that, bike does surprisingly well. I rode it through sand and the stock tyres did really well. However, I quickly found their limits when I got caught in a tropical storm and the road quickly got covered with mudslides. It was very sketchy riding the bike in that situation - though it would arguably have been more sketchy riding heavier bikes in that situation... Up till now, the only mods I've done were adding the Rally Raid engine guard (a must if taking this bike off-road, I was paranoid to go over ruts before installing it because of how exposed the bottom of the bike is), and added a rear luggage rack and top box. I've also got the Barkbusters hand-guards ordered, but it seems like they are taking forever to arrive. Oh well... In time, I might do the suspension mods because when the bike is loaded up with luggage, the suspension's short-comings really start to show. But other than that, Honda have created a great, relatively cheap bike, which you can then mod to however you decide to use it. And that's perhaps the best thing about this bike - Honda gives you a fantastic base to make out of the bike whatever you want. Great review as ever, keep them coming!
Hi, really liked the bike review and your comments. Whats the view on vibration on normal roads? I bought a Gs1250GSA and it frightens the life out of me, too heavy and unweildy!!...so thinking this 500 is much more sensible.
@@24603285 You could ride the bike all day and your hands will not get numb from the vibrations. Clutch lever is very light as well (due to slipper clutch), so your hands will fatigue even less. I did notice a little bit more vibrations down low after installing the Rally Raid engine guard, but you quickly used to it. And if you intend to ride the bike off-road, it's the best piece of protection you can get, together with handguards. So well worth whatever very little vibrations you get. So yeah, no hand-numbing or ass-tingling vibrations as far as I'm concerned. :D
@@jblue1299 Rear shock leaves a bit to be desired at times, and there's a bit of noticeable fork dive when braking hard too. I'd much rather have something more progressive. I kind of ride around front fork dive by being more progressive myself with braking. But there's not much I can do regarding the lack of stock rear shock dampening, other than rolling off the throttle just before a bump, and then getting quickly back on it right after.
I had the CBR500R as my first bike and know what a fantastic bike they are. I would love to take the motor from the CBR500 and put it into a off road frame with 21/18 wheels and off road suspension. Now that would be a bike.
It is light ,perfect for occasional non paved roads , agile on back roads and decent on highways ,non intimidating ,actually a darn good all around bike for the price ,Honda quality assures you mechanical sturdiness ,i like it allot
And cheaper , I reckon there comes a time when you review what you really need , I'm 71 and have been riding a 34 year old B M W K 75 for the last 14 years you can go anywhere on it and it's reliable ( very ) but it is heavy , I could do with a smaller machine now , but I'm not intending to transverse the world 🌎, just like tootling around . Stay safe .
Excellent, totally thorough review. You've answered all my questions. I have to admit I ordered the 2022 version before watching this, but you've confirmed my enthusiasm for it. I'm going down from a BMW 800, but my kind of riding seems far better suited to the CB500X. I live in Norway, and the inability to rode at high speeds is an irrelevance to us here with our lower speed limits and mostly windy, mountainous routes. Ninety % of my riding ought to be well covered by the 500X's capabilities. The remiajing 10% is touring, and I have still a little twinge of doubt there only because I tend to take a lot with me. I think I take too much though. The 500X should encourage me to be more thoughtful about what I really need. I always bring a tent and sleeping bag and then seldom use them, so they're an obvious weight saver that'll make the 500X an excellent touring bike for a little guy with me who prefers the comfort of a warm room after a 10 hour riding day. Thanks again for your very good review
First bike. Had since July. Wish wasn't working as much and had more long distance time but took time to gain my gear needs and bike wants. I spent lots time on road with it and did some gravel and dirt areas messing around but didn't go deep in nature due to not prepared and after dropping once on big rocks being dumn, I decided to stick with road for now. Regardless, super fun to ride every time I get on it I love it more and more. I trust this bike and I am 5 foot 5 and def wasn't easiest as a new rider getting used to riding on street mainly at stops and mounting etc, but I am now glad I did. It is so great in the back roads and bumpy roads etc, I take this on side roads and country roads with no worries and confidence with this. Twisties are fun, highway works no problem at all and is fun to bring the bike to it's 3/4 limits basically. I love the aftermarket for this bike, OEM decals, cowls, all parts period are super cheap. I have a 15 and honestly the fairings are cheaper than the crash bars, I love that I can ride it hard, not fear a multi grand drop occuring, I feel it is good at everything but not super great at anything but if you admire it's all around goodness, it is a great awesome bike. The cb5o0x community and my love for it reminds me of a love for an old mediocre car, or an old nostalgic video game or movie that isn't stellar, it has a vibe to it and want to constantly add on, tweak, and try new with. It gets you all around for cheap as can want, long trips per tank, and like I said cheap parts. I also must say that mine came with a cheap dual pipe exhaust and it sounds awesome loud, deep, and has a good twin sound almost like if you straight piped a twin. Will be going to something quiter and cleaner in fact but I wish to keep the overall sound and loudness just improve it . Go cb5o0x good review!
I have a 2021 CB500X and love it. I found the LCD screen can be made brighter in the settings which makes it easier to view. Also there is a programable shift light indicator on the far right of the dash which is a feature often missed in reviews. You can see the shift light in your video at the 15.05 mark. Love the review.
This is so much the general type of ADV bike that so many us want. We are looking for a bike that is competent on milder off road rides, has a manageable weight, has the ability and after market for soft luggage and crash protection, works well and is not stressed on paved roads and highways. Most importantly the realistic price point is exactly where it is approachable for most people. I’ve been riding since my first off road small dirt bike in 1971. I’ve owned a lot of different motorcycles. I even road raced and competed off road. I love the technology and high end components of the upper tier ADV bikes, but the stratospheric prices and weight penalty are a big turn off. The 2022 model CB500X looks really interesting.
It's always good to see these comments coming from competent, experienced motorcyclists. Puts things into better perspective for relatively new (but old) riders like myself.
The gap in this segment is what Honda abandoned when they ceased the XL/NX line of dualsports (the latter arguably being an early ADV). If this had decent ground clearance, good suspension (and i mean in the realm of the T7), a bashplate, it would or a 600+ cc version would be a legit, rounded ADV/dualsport that would make a great commuter, but not one you might jump etc (like the XL/NX, any stock Tenere, etc). That is what we need...or at least outside Japan. In Japan, that bike makes sense. For road touring as a beginner or relatively new ADV rider, this bike is excellent, but offroad, with your little bit aggressive style, you could have bottomed it out or buried the front wheel in a rut and it all turned sour. With significant change at the factory, this could be a legit dual purpose bike, but it seems to feel like a road bike and some offroad garnish. It can't be serious if you alone are bottoming it out on a pretty tame tack without gear, fuel, water, and you are not a fellow of significant girth. More suspension and a bashplate please Honda. Have you forgotten us? Oh, and remake the XR while you are at it please.
Love the lift test. I find amount of fuel makes huge difference, I know you mentioned this, as well as terrain and how many times in a day you have to repeat. But good to see a comparison as a regular feature to give perspective - brilliant! 👍👍
All the bike I want for adventure travel. I’ve ridden a lot of bikes including a 1250 hp gs in Iceland. Too tall and heavy in parking lots with a load or pillion. And this Honda is reliable and economical to operate.
Had an older version of this bike, that I sold to a friend who still rides the snot out of it. It's been one of my favorite all-arounders. SImple, fun, and easy to ride. Take it on the street. Take it on light trails. Take it on a trip. Take it to work every day for a year. Grin on your face every time.
Thanks for the review, I’ve spent some time on this bike. With the right tyres it’s a great all rounder, yes it doesn’t have the clearance & suspension travel of the more hard core bikes but if you just slow down a bit it’s very capable 👍🦘
The 26th US President Teddy Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This bike is many more things than it is not. But it’s just a CB500X. But it’s just a city bike for light off roading. But it’s not a KTM, or Tenere. The more I research, the honest owners and reviewers all love this bike. It’s more than capable for almost anything you will ask of it. The fuel range, low center gravity, and light-weight combined with HONDA’s deserved reputation for reliability give this bike noteworthy advantages over the others mentioned as an ADV BIKE! There are compromises with all. But this is a great choice on so many levels. That’s why I have my name on a dealership waiting list for a 2022 model. I really appreciate Ian’s perspective having ridden and owned so many adventure bikes. This video speaks volumes. Thanks for the excellent content Ian. You are the best!
I'm a new rider with the first bike which is this one, got it 1 and half month ago, since I'm a new rider, the first 2 weeks was not easy, the seat height and the weight was a little intimidating, and I drop the bike next day I got it when practicing pushing it out of the garage, thanks to the crash cage...lol Around 2 weeks later, after I spent some time on first gear throttle control, and low speed corner practicing, it feels really good, city communicating, long distance cruising, graall good, I love this bike, great choice for the beginner like me, by the way, I'm 172 cm height, once you get familiar to the bike, 830 cm seat height is not a problem at all. And... I dropped again last week when parking it in my garage, forgot to put the sidekick in place...thanks to the crash cage again LOL
Damn, I bought the same bike 8 months ago and have been thinking of selling it as compared to my son's RE Interceptor, it lacks that little bit of get up and go. But the points you make are pretty much the reason I originally went for it over the 650 Vstrom. Here, we're just coming into summer so with lockdowns and winter haven't used it much so far. I'll stick with it over summer and re-access how I feel about it then but I do like the Tiger 900. Great review.
The CB500F should be geared for the street and thusly be a better comparison to the Interceptor. I had a 2015 CBR500R and it surprised me to see how long it took Big Rock Moto to get to 100 mph. The 500R got there quicker and I saw a top speed of more than 110 mph.
@@PrimoStracciatella the cb500x is heavier and taller than the cbr500r and Mr Big Rock could be a heavier guy ? And the engines are just weak no amount of gearing would help. If you gear any lower it may redline before 100mph.
If you take the small 90-degree intake snorkle off, it sounds throatier and more playful under full throttle. It might make it more fun for you as it did for me and my 500R.
Great job! The most informative, honest, thorough and balanced video review I've seen of the 2021 CB500X. I've got the 2021 and after 1200 miles, still loving it and not feeling like it lacks at all for my needs. Spot on on all fronts. Thanks you!
Back when they introduced these, I got to ride a bunch of them. A Rally Raid as well, and the naked with the 500 in it. It's a great engine. I'm 5'8, 32 inseam and fits me perfect. With aggressive tires and good balance, you can take rough trails at a slow pace and not worry about the clearance. Personally I would grab an older one and source a 21 front wheel, minor suspension tweak and some offroad protection. It's in the top bikes I would buy. Just need a space to put it😄 The Tiger Sport 660 really caught my eye now as well. I may have to go check one out over the winter. See if I camn line up a demo🤞 If there truly is going to be a TransAlp. It needs to be a 650 twin. A similar package to a T7 would be ideal. Not some smaller AT variant.
pretty much covers it. I had a 2018 NC750X. In summer 2020 i decided to try out some light forest service roads out here. (Vancouver BC area) No joy on the NC. Had to turn around about 1km in. Traded the bike for a CRF250L Rally. Was a fantastic bike off road, even on light moto-cross type trails. But mostly i am 80% road and getting to trails here is at least 1hr ride. On May 15 2021 i stopped in at my fav Honda dealer, was just going to look around - "kick some tires" type of thing.. They had a 2021 CB500X on floor. Started talking $$ numbers, things looked acceptable, When i was told the bike is prepped and ready to ride home that day, well, 3 hrs later it was parked in my garage. perfect all round bike. Country twisty roads are fun. Perfectly comfortable on highway. Fast enough with out getting into "stupid speed" . Or as i say it keeps you out of impound speed. (here get caught going 40kph over speed limit. lose vehicle and license for 1 week) Have not tried forest service roads so far. Wanted to wait until i get some crash bars / skid plate / bark busters.
I've been using the bike for roughly 6 months now and had a few upgrades, after market exhaust, engine guard, handguard, and top box bracket and that's all I need and I can ride this bike all day without worrying about anything! Love this bike especially with enough power that it provides.
I owned the 2017 model for a few years and absolutely loved it. I ended up replacing it with a F800 GS adventure as the CB500X was too small for me and made my legs ache. But I do miss it and would recommend it to anyone starting out or as mentioned if you're shorter
Another good video, your content at the moment is excellent. There’s a real lack of more in-depth motorbike reviews on here. Might be worth doing a video on the G310GS if you can get hold of one. I’m primarily into big bikes but have a real soft spot for the 310 having owned two. It really is a proper adventure bike in miniature.
I Don't really feel the 310 is even a bmw. Made somewhere completely different and you can't really spec any of the usual bmw extras. Every real bmw gets that TFT.
Holy shit i am SO GLAD i kept watching. Guys seriously, I think the best part of this video is towards the end when he goes into competitors. For someone who hasn't ridden some of the bikes he has managed to do the research which will take you ages. Make sure you watch to the end, unlike the clickbait videos out there this actually has great info even at the end.
Why, oh why, oh Honda? Why don’t you just use this engine/transmission combo and build a T7 (X5 maybe?) around it? Or create a crf500L that is lower maintenance and less flame-out-oriented than the 450L? Just need an ABS off-switch, a touch more suspension and some spoke wheels…. C’mon Honda… you can do it!
Hi, bought one last year, installed a SW Motech crash bar, putting the skid plate on soon also SW Motech. I had not owned a bike since 92 so this was a perfect way to get back at it. Its a fun bike and great on gas. The speed test was funny, comon!! 100 mph glad to hear you had fun on it, Great review
I really enjoy your reviews on all bikes and hope you review a Versys-x soon. As I get older I realize less is more. I opted for the Versys x 300 at 50 lbs less with enough power to go anywhere comfortably (40 hp compared to 47 for the cb500x). My right leg was pinned when I fell crossing a little creek and was able to lift it up using one leg, so I'm happy about the weight of the 300.
I own a cb500x. Its a great motorcycle but when i use it for heavy commuting rides i wish i had bought the versys 300. 40 kilos make big difference in traffic jams.
I rented a CB500x in Thailand this past week and rode it all thru Bangkok and out to Pattaya/Chonburi to the west. I really enjoyed the ease of rideability and comfort for long distance touring. Considering the reliability, practicality, and cost - I believe this bike is very overlooked in its class.
Great to see you add the on bike discussion, real time findings and the creative camera angles. Overall, a great review with good composition and production quality.
Picking up my 2021 with 164 miles on it in the morning. It has the Rally Raid suspension upgrade and engine guard. I have been riding a 1988 Africa Twin 650 for the last 13 years. I love it. I was thinking about getting a new Africa tin 1000 or 1100, but they seemed so freaking big and unwieldy. My Twin is about 50 pounds heavier, and has 10 HP more. From your review I think I am going to be very happy. I think that the difference of the 10 HP will be missed, but will also be ameliorated by the 6 speed in the CB vs. the 5 speed in the AT. I was searching for 6th gear always .Now I will have it.
Lower a DR650 for like $50 with factory lowering and the kickstand. Safari tank.. Get a seat..bar risers..Lower Foot Pegs and get a windshield and your suspension upgrades... Done! Oh.. Sorry .. Forgot you have that carburator issue there .😂 Good review on Honda's little do it all👏👏 I have had carb bikes from sea level to 13k feet no issues ever .. 2 cylinder and 1100cc 4 carb bikes .. Just saying..👍
Pretty good bike and actually looks good too, especially this color. In my opinion, if they have a second version with an extra 20HP while keeping everything else including the weight the same it would have been one of best and most popular bikes on the market.
I had a 2013 model with ABS that I really liked. Being an East Coaster I never rode it off road but it was a great commuter. I put a ridiculously large Givi top box on it along with some Cortech soft saddlebags, Denali D2 lights, Oxford heated grips, and Barkbusters and rode it year round while getting 60+ mpg.
Great review as always. Your comment towards the end regarding buying the less spec CB500X over the bigger gadget clad bikes struck a chord with me. I'm considering selling my top of the range BMW F850GS which has so much hi tech stuff on it I'm now concerned things will start going wrong on my 3 year old example so the Honda fits as a great alternative.
I have a 2018 that I enjoy a lot. I did NOT like the OEM Mirrors-I didn't think the field of vision was big enough so I went aftermarket for better rear visibility. I also did not like the stock Tires, so I opted for a deeper tread Highway tire because as a Senior Citizen I'm more of a road rider these days. My 2018 gets 72 MPG Highway which is AWESOME! And, with the price of gas right now, it was a wise investment to buy this bike.
Congratulations , as usual a great and usefull review. It had to be brave to recognise we don't need in fact most of features that mega trails are offering tu us
Interesting to see how the 500X has developed over the last few years. I have a 2016-model 500X, and it’s a great little touring bike. 136,000km and it’s still running sweetly. A few years ago we did a lap of Australia! The earlier model has a 17” front, and that makes sand scary (with road tyres). I’d definitely recommend a 500X, especially as they just keep getting better.
Can't wait for the RE Himalayan review, I'm so close to pulling the trigger on one of those myself. CB500X and KLR650 only thing I keep going back and forth with but I just love the look of the RE. Guess this is why people have multiple bikes, I just have to convince the finance minster (wife) reasons for multiple bikes O.o
you wont have the support on RE as u do with honda. klr......great bike but the cb500 has better enginei would get cb500 ot 750 or vstrom ahead of RE or klr. the klr uses oil too like on purpose.
Another excellent review. This couldn’t have come out at a better time. I especially liked how you spent time comparing it to other options in the same class. I’ve been researching all of the bikes mentioned like a mad man. I’ve narrowed my search down to the 500X and the NC750X. I test rode a NC750X and loved the DCT. They made the NC750X even more street friendly by dropping the seat height this year. It’s almost like they are moving the NC more into the commuter space to make way for the rumored 850 Transalp.
Good review. The highway speed test was important for me and traveling long distances on a US Interstate Highway. No mention of shaking or vibration in your video, so I imagine it was a smooth ride
It is a very good bike. Most people will do fine taking this bike on a light off road trails. It is good for touring , but best is for urban riding and commuting. Now if you want to go crazy and do more technical off road stuff you need to do lots of upgrades, and here ENTERS company from UK “RALLY RAID” that makes all kinds of performance upgrades for this bike, and the bike can be transformed in to a real adventure bike. But doing a full Rally Raid conversion will cost you around $3000 plus. Which is bringing you to a Yamaha T7 territory. If someone is more interested about the Rally Raid conversion there is a lot of great RUclips videos, and Jenny Morgan is a great ambassador for this bike with the Rally Raid kit on it.
Brilliant review, thanks for that. I hated selling my 660z Tenere, and loved my BMW R1200RT that followed it. But it was a bit of a brute in tight/slow situations, and was obscenely expensive to own and maintain, so I sold it after a few years. I totally agree with your points about reassessing one’s actual riding needs, and the questioning of the need for the big heavy bikes for touring and ADV riding. These CBs have become a real focus for me lately, I can definitely see one in my future. My son is about to get into riding, and is thinking about getting one as well. I reckon this bike would suit us both perfectly 👍
Great review. In my opinion, this is one of those bikes that on a scorecard gets like Bs to Ds across the board. It's a true all-arounder, even though it passes everything, it's still a failure in my book once you've got some experience. As a beginner bike, it's nearly perfect to help you figure out what you want to do with your riding career, once you've gone beyond the first year though, I think most folks will sell and move on to something more specific. Here's how I'd score it: Power - D Price / Value - B Gas Mileage / Capacity / Range - B+ Handling - C Off-Road - C Touring - C As an all around bike, this bike graduates, where other bikes don't. However, I wouldn't buy one for my personal riding, it just doesn't have any outstanding qualities, it's beige...... By contrast, I have ridden a couple BDRs on a KTM 500EXC which has a scorecard like this: Power - B Price / Value - F (after mods, roughly 13k into a 500cc dualsport, lol) Gas Mileage / Capacity / Range - D (have to add a larger tank to make distance) Handling - B Off - Road - A Touring - D (it's great off-road, but long pavement stretches just vibrate, so I find myself just avoiding roads all-together) However, it's so much fun off road on weekend camping trips to the middle of nowhere I 100% own it and will likely keep it until it dies. I also own a Ninja 1000 for sport touring, it scores like the following: Power - A Price / Value - B- (It will be hard to resell, they're just not popular) Gas Mileage - C Handling - A Off-Road - F Touring - B+ Again, it has it's failure as soon as you step off pavement, but it's so good on weekend tours on the pavement and tearing up twisties that it's worth owning.
The difference is you dont have to work on the Honda every wknd, you don't have to worry about it leaving you on the side of the road, you don't to wonder where the next gas station is and it will still be running after 25 yrs.
Have to disagree with you. I've had mine for 4 years and put 12k+ miles (and another 17k miles on other three bikes). Hard to beat practicality and value of this bike compared to any other. Unless you are frequent hard core offroad rider, this would work for 80-90% riders.
I think it might be a good idea to show what rally raid can actually do to that bike. You mentioned it in the video but there's a difference between mentioning it and actually showing people.
Been waiting for this review... Many thanks.. Would love to see a comparison against the vstrom 650XT...particulatly as a long distance overlander..... Both on and off payment....
I am pretty sure Big Rock Moto did a review on the current Vstrom 650 not too long ago.. I have a 1st gen Vstrom 650 and the main differences between the two that I would notice would be that the CB500X is lighter (435lbs vs 470lbs) and easier to pick up.. but the Vstrom 650 would definitely shine on the highway!... especially loaded for touring doing some passing and going up a grade
Last year, 2020, I was comparing a CB500X vs Vstrom 650 XT, my first bike in decades. I tested both and liked both. The 40 lbs less weight on the CB500X was definitely noticeable, making it lighter, more nimble, and less top heavy, probably better off-road. However, the VStrom's increased power and weight gave it a more solid feel on pavement, and I preferred the vibration feel of its V2 over the Honda's parallel twin. Also, the Vstrom that was available in 2020 was a new 2018 model, deeply discounted to below the price of a new CB500X. I chose the Vstrom, but it was a close call. Having ridden the Vstrom for 2 summers, I like it a lot for how I ride, but I'm also conscious of that extra weight. If I had a time-machine, I'd give serious thought to the CB500X with a Rally Raid upgrade.
Could we get a side by side comparison between this bike ,the 2022 klr 650 and the KTM 390? Complete with stats and your thoughts on each for beginner adv riders?
I am a BMW guy who went with a Africa Twin Adventure Sports when I wanted to try an adventure bike. After decking that bike out the top heavy weight and my increasing age (66 years old) I sold the ATAS and just got a 2021 CB500X. Only a couple of rides so far but what an incredible difference. It is everything you say in terms of being all I need. I have started the upgrades, skid plate/lower engine guard, bark busters, pivot pegs, luggage racks, gps mount etc. Have not decided about upper crash guards and will likely only be light offroading so holding off on the Rally Raid suspension kit. May be a bit weak on the freeway but I rarely go over 70 anyway on all the much more powerful bikes I have had. Most of my riding over the years has been in the areas you were in for this video, in fact moved from Orange County to Temecula about a year ago so less freeway travel to get to the area. Where was the dirt road you were on, it looks like a good one for a beginner like me to take a stab at.
Thanks for the video buddy! I was just asking for it 2 days back! It was very informative and made me more set to buy a CB500x. However with the new Triumph Tiger 660 sport coming into play, how would this compare against it? I would love to see your hands on review once the bike is available in USA, but theoretically what are your thoughts on comparing these 2?
I enjoyed the test thoroughly. You have a real knack for providing a real world review of all aspects of the bike. I look forward to hearing your feelings on the 2022 CB500X as I feel Honda is re-directing the bike's direction and content. See you then....🙂
Thanks a lot for this great review! I have this bike since a few weeks and i like it very much! I am a older rider and i had a lot bikes. It sounds realy good with a hurric exhaust. Take care.
I own 2018 CB500X for 4 years, riding 150,000km with this bike and no major issue so far. now i understand why Honda BigWing guy says this bike have "bulletproof" engine. It capable to do all thing from highway to off-road economically (yeah, that's why 100mph is the max 😅), thus one of the best introduction bike for the new rider before they upgrade into more specific and expensive bike.
The way stuff is going right now I'm in Phoenix Arizona and right now Peoria wanted $10,200 for the 500X out the door and I wound up getting the Africa twin adventure sport DCT with a 6-year warranty $21,400 🤦 a lot of people were buying old stock Africa twins about one year ago for around $10,000 if you were lucky average probably $12,500 yeah mine is brand new but damn that price tag is so expensive 🤷
@@BigRockMoto yeah me too 😂 I really like that Yamaha 700 with the ECU tuning that you have, that's a super cool bike! How does that Africa Twitter the Yamaha compare? I guess of the Africa twin is more of a bike?🤔 but that Yamaha seems damn good at what it does especially for the price
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Whilst staying in a hotel in Northern Ireland a couple of years ago I met an Australian couple who were on their way around the world two up on a CB500. They had already done all of Asia, Sout Americas, Northern Europe, Ireland. They were adamant this bike is all you ever need. Even with two up and luggage. Nothing had broken yet except some of the homemade mods.
Last time I looked at their blog they were in Africa and still going. What more would you expect from a real adventure bike?
Wow... Amazing... My dilemma is whether to (try and) get good at handling my 2014 800GS (which I've owned since Aug 2020, purchased to learn and become a decent offroad rider) on most surfaces and prep it for a long overland journey I'm planning for, or sell it and get a 500X or 650XT..or similar. Pretty hard to find KLR650s, old ATs, etc where I live to make them worthy RTW bikes..... Thoughts/opinions welcome.....
This is false. Don't lie dude
@@axellness help me out here. Why would I lie!?
Their blog was RTW2up or something like it.
@@therollingpebble2138 the 650xt is heavier than the F800gs
@@chrishart8548 based on the specs here, they are about the same weight in stock form. But the XT is lower and does not seem top heavy, hence easier to manage.....and I'm thinking in terms of being fully loaded as well...
This is definitely underrated. I'm glad that Honda is moving to make it more offroad capable with the 2022 version. Also I hope that this channel does more lightweight ADV reviews in the future as I think that segment will dominate in the future with manufacturer support.
I hope so, too. I'm on my 4th bike and looking at the 500X for my 5th. I prefer bikes that aren't a chore to ride and can be picked up, get good fuel range, and are reliable. This bikes seems to hit it all. It's funny that the culture here in NA is that anything less than 600cc must be for "beginners" -- sure, they're beginner-friendly, but that's because they're so pleasant to ride. I can't help but think if we had more good sensible bike choices and more riders with them, we'd get a lot more people interested in riding.
@@Thirsty_Fox i had the first gen... in my honest opinion is a commuter bike and thats it. Just cuz u can ride it offroad doesn't mean u should. Hes in smoth af trails were it does ok. As soon as u go to dirt bike/dualsport trails that even africa twin can handle ur avoiding every pothole and going super slow like 10 to 13ish 15 max. 18-20mph if its smooth. Its only shines for road potholes at most. I didn't buy $1k minimum front and rear suspension Rally Raid upgrades cuz i was worried it wasnt good enough and i was poor at the time. Its a good bike but for a guy coming from a xt250 and seeing my brother's and his friend's each and own Africa twins do so dam well on dirt stock i wasn't happy with it and sold it ASAP after a year and bought a truck. Now looking for crf 300 rally, id probably buy a T7 if i had the money and a dual sport already. Just expect to buy 1k to 2k suspension if ever expecting real offroading and be ok with cast aluminum road small wheels. Hope i didn't worry and bug u too much.
@@evanm.2300 I don't expect it to be a dual-sport off-road. I primarily use it as a road bike 90%+ of the time, but I want to be able to go down backroads, fire roads, light trails, etc... not really into technical/rocky trails. The 500X seems like a good balance for me. I find the Africa Twin and GS to be way too massive and heavy for me to enjoy them (especially solo out in the sticks), not to mention expensive. All bikes compromise but the 500X seems to be a sweet spot.
In the Southern Hemisphere / South America small bikes are so supremely popular, economically viable, super high gas mileage, super cheap maintenance and replacement parts. Plenty of torque for town and dirt roads. All through central and South America the 125 / 150 / 160 / 250 are so popular and so common. They go well over 100,000 -200,000 even 300,000 kilometers! Not many midsize bikes but either small or super sport bikes are the norm. But for travel through these countries smaller is better. Because of the blending in factor, the fun factor, the security factor ( look at me im not a rich target for you) you blend in much better and do not draw attention to yourself and your gear. Small bikes are so much fun. Big bikes are so much fun and comfortable and better suit our egos. But.... not a wise choice if you want to be safer from the criminal elements and do not want to be taken advantage of everywhere you go! THINK! I highly recommend it before wandering into other cultures!!!!!!
At essentially the same weight as the nc750.. it's absurd that this gutless 500 version should be as heavy.. IF Aprilia can make the sxr550 v twin for HALF the weight & twice the power.. wtf Honda.. there's a market for a LIGHTWEIGHT mid size twin dual purpose (off-road able smooth riding tourer)
I love my 21, here on Vancouver island.
Perfect for logging roads and as a tourer.
The seat is getting better after 10,000 klms.
Gotta love 90ish mpg.
Im 67 riding 40+ yrs.
90ish MPG?? Crap that is awesome.
@@CGB65 Canadian Gallons are bigger. 128 Fl Oz for the US and 160 Fl OZ for the imperial gallon. Hence the more MPG.
This bike can easily get 65 miles per US gallon if you ride it easy. Very capable commuter bike.
He's probably talking about a British gallon, not a U.S. gallon. I believe a British gallon is about 20% larger.
Awesome review!
We now own two CB500x, 2021 bikes and loving them. We both come from 12 yrs of 1700 cc road baggers and we’re re-learning how to ride dirt roads, not trails, and loving how this bikes responds to our 60 plus years of age and what we want to afford our older bodies in discomfort. Having said that, I personally, would have love this bike in my younger years!!!
Yup. I rode a CX 500 for years. Great bike for one and comfortable for two. Almost kept up with the kz650 and the bmw900 both a bit faster but the handling was there. Much more fun the smaller bikes truly are. A lot more enjoyable to ride.
Bought mine back in April. Spent the past several months exploring the central Rockies and having a great time. Having ridden larger adv's in the past I'm now questioning why. For my planned Alaska trip next year the CB is the bike I'm taking. Cheers for your great reviews.
Great comment Rob. I have yet to sit on one and I'm wondering about the size. What's your height and weight? I'm 6 ft, 200 lbs with a 32 inch inseam.
@@peterv1806 I'm 6' and 185 pounds 33" inseam. Not having any problems with fit.
@@2007surly - Awesome! Thanks Rob.
After having the CB500X with rally raid level 2, it is my favorite bike I've owned so far. The rally raid gives better protection, and 2" lift with adjustable suspension with more travel. This bike amazed me with its capability offroad, it can even go off of jumps! It lugs down low in 1st and I barely ever need to use th clutch and hen crawling through terrain, but can still easily go 120km/hr on the highway. It feels easier to pick up than my dr650 was despite being a fair amount heavier. If you are considering a cb500x but want to do some real serious offroad get the rally raid level 2 kit. It turns this thing into a true adventure bike at half the cost of most of the middleweight adventure bikes out there.
The CB500x is an amazing motorcycle for the price. I have 15,000 miles on mine and have had no problems which is typical of a Honda. It is not the fastest motorcycle but the power is very linear. When I ride it I am amazed how much power and torque it has for a 471cc engine. If I ever wear mine out I will go buy another one. They are one of the best motorcycles made period.
Great review of the cb500x! I loved the psychedelic fonts. I have a 2019 cb500x with the Rally Raid level 2 suspension. This bike is very capable and has very good fuel range. It is easy to ride long days as it is very comfortable as you mentioned. It is a great choice for someone secure in their masculinity.
I like the bike, but I fear for the header pipes and the crankcase without a bashplate. It depends on what you want but I posted above how i think bikes are getting heavier and that is not a good trend.
Own one of these aswell, unfortunately the RR suspension is illegal for me to use on the street since it has not the right documentation and attaining it would cost me about 3500usd. Also many other manufacturers don't offer suspension for it.
Nevertheless, I love it
A good review. I bought my CB500X despite a lot of negative comments about its weight and it’s lack of suspension because I felt it would be perfect for me to use on unpaved roads around my home in France. So far it’s exceeded my expectations and in some more technical situations amazed me. When you take into account it’s price, fuel economy and comfort it’s plus, plus, plus. I’m sure that it’s going to be the perfect adventure bike/tourer to travel big distances across Europe on.
Thank you. 😀😀
PS I’ve downsized from an ST 1300 and don’t miss the power at all. Engaging to ride sums it up.
Hi if we all left our ego in the press, this bike would be perfect for most of us. Looking forward to seeing the 2022 version. Looks promising.
It's not about ego. It's about capabilities and comfort. I love small bikes but they can be lacking in so many ways. Not fun for the long haul.
I’m on an Africa Twin, and I love it, but I would also love less weight and better fuel economy/range. This thing is moving in a great direction and by the time I’m ready for a new bike I may actually downgrade by 500cc 😆
I have downgraded myself before but that wasn't the end of the road. Riding a small bike made me appreciate big bikes in a new way. The weight and the mileage range are an acceptable trade off for all the other benefits I'd get from a big bike. The 1200cc range is a good match for my riding environment and experience.
@@Comrade134 it’s mostly about ego. 100hp adventure bike is ridiculous.
@@shortbusdog the bmw 1200gs is the best selling adventure bike in the world. Maybe you just don't get it. It's OK if you're happy with 150cc bike.
Your final thoughts reflect my own about the Versys-X300. I got that bike for my daughter and get to use it any time I want (she's away in the military and couldn't bring the bike with her). It's so much easier to ride in most environments than the KLR I had. It has basically replaced my KLR as my ADV bike, allowing me to trade in the KLR for a KLX300 for more off road adventures. The Versys-X300 is perfect for the environment in which you were testing the CB500X. I believe if Kawasaki had more demo rides and people got to experience the Versys-X300, it would sell a lot better. Also, if they ever decide to use the engine from the Ninja 400 and give us a Versys-X400, they'd have the nearly perfect lite ADV bike. All the X300 needs is a gentle nudge in power.
Great comment! Highly underrated motorbikes!
agreed
It's shocking what you can do with a Versys x-300 once you put a decent set of tires on it. I also traded my KLR for a Versys and found it to be more capable across the board.
Had a Kaw X300 for nearly 4000 miles, I loved that lightweight little machine except for high speed long distance freeway. . Upgraded to a 2017 Honda Africa twin, a real top-heavy beast. I was more apt to take the lightweight X300 offroad than I am the Africa Twin.
x300 is great but needs a few more dollars spent on making front brake better, its setup is cheap. a little better forks and spring and add the 400 which is a superior engine. then it would be a superb bike. only major downside is how light it is makes windy days a bummrr.
I have two of these. Its a great compromise machine. Decent power, efficient, light, capable. Its very fun.
1. Stock Windshield is awful. Space it out and/or swap it with a National cycle shield and at the very least add a spoiler from Amazon
2. The small accessory bar above the dash shakes alot when offroad, not the best for phone or GPS mounting.
3. Stock suspension is actually decent considering but Rally raid transforms the bike.
Thumbs up again for a thoroughly enjoyable real world review. Best Cb500x review that i have seen on youtube and i have watched them all. WB.
thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to explain the 500 X. II,m 64 years old and traded my Tracer 900 in for all those things that you experienced on the bike and very happy for it.👍😊🇨🇦
I used to own an fj09 in 2016, it has a lot of power, I don't dare to twist the throttle, and it is too heavy and too tall, I only have 5" 9, 130 pounds. I like riding big motorcycles, fj09 is indeed One I like very much, it may only be suitable for occasional riding, and it makes me nervous after a long time of riding. Later, I also bought the cb500x, I admit that the power is much less than the fj09, but it makes me more relaxed and more comfortable Can ride all day. Motorcycles just have to be swapped around to find the one that really fits!
Been riding for 30 years. Got a 2015 model cb500x with rally raid lev 1 susp. Love the bike. Can go almost anywhere as long as there is somthing that reminds of a track.
Same bike I have, and I Rally Raided mine too. This is a great bike even with the smaller wheel in front, you just have to look where you want the bike to go. I find it does just what I wanted to do
And it is more fun to ride a "slow" bike fast than a fast bike slow.
Hmm, dunno. I like riding my GS low rev cruising.
JonasBrother- excellent point. You are a wise man- Greetings and respect to all from Durango Mexico 🇲🇽
But ridding a fast bike fast that's where it's at 👍
@Sukhminder Singh after racing for more than 10 years and at least 6 in A grade (top class in Australia) I can confirm I'm still alive but im not 100% haha
This is so true
Great review. I am 78 years old and ride a V Strom 650 XT which I purchased new in April 2018
I have done 43,000 km on the Strom and I love the bike, absolutely fun to ride and trouble free. However as I get older the Honda 500 CBX might be a more appropriate bike for me. I like the look of it and it just might keep me riding for more years than I would on the V Strom.
Thanks again for a great review.
I’m 67 and I find this (my Grand Prix Red 2021 CB500X) to be a perfect sized machine - additional to all its other excellent attributes.
Very comprehensive review. Totally agree - Bikes like this make you question the logic of the bigger, heavier adv bikes !
Great review. I bought a CB500X last year, and after 6K miles it has exceeded my expectations. It's a fun bike to ride, and decently capable off-road. I like your comment that this made you re-think need for a big adventure bike.
Yaasss! I’ve been waiting every since your announcement of this review for it to hit RUclips. Excellent! If I could give it two thumbs up, I would. You have become my number one source for motorcycle content.
thanks!
I used to own a 2014 CB500X and it was a great bike. I want another one especiallywith the upgrades. Comfortable, reliable, great gas mileage, and it can definitely do light dirt roads with the right tires. You will need to add a bash plate, and hand guards. Buy your tires for your ride, You can add cases if you desire but I wouldn't. It's an awesome commuter. It's built for the back roads, twisties, not the open highways.
Off-road it's comparable to a lot of ADV bikes if you are riding at a reasonable pace, but it's not a dual sport. My Africa Twin is a lot heavier.
This A2 engine is not built for speed anywhere, but it's fast enough to break all the speed limits.
I think you sold me. I have a Honda Ralley 300 which is a great bike but I am going to all highway riding now. So I will be looking for a CB500 now! Thanks!
Another very thorough review. As a CB500X owner I agree with all your observations and if the scenery is more important than absolute performance then this bike is a very worthwhile option. I will add that 80 plus mpg is achievable on a leisurely ride and my wife finds pillion riding very comfortable. It makes an excellent touring machine but if I did a lot of motorway riding I would consider getting a more powerful bike. Every bike is a compromise but the 500X could suit a lot people looking for simple biking pleasure. Some great terrain where you live! Cheers.
thanks for sharing
I’m not into these type of bikes. I ride a Yamaha Raptor 700R quad in the dunes. I simply watch your reviews because that are just so good! I also learn about bikes I never knew existed…👍🏻
I had a CB500X it was a budget bike , but I really liked the engine characteristics and low center of gravity. I took it places I wouldn’t have taken other big bikes. First gear had good grunt and was very useable off road . I did upgrade suspension to rally raid components. One of two bikes I wish I hadn’t sold.
Thanks for sharing
What's the other bike you regretted?
@@burtos Dr 650
@@snarrdental how did they compare? Was the 500 significantly better on the highway?
I ended up buying one of these. I'm 6ft tall annd with some gear and protection this bike is super capable offroad, if you're willing to go a bit slower than the bikes that cost literally three times the price. A lot of the capability comes from the low seat height. I can stand up, feet on the ground, and walk this bike through obstacles.
Very good review! I can back up every word you've said. I've owned one for the last 7 months and the bike has never let me down. Admittedly, buying this bike was more a mind over heart decision because I naturally prefer lighter and faster bikes. But right away, the bike surprised me by how well-balanced it is. And it is surprisingly easy to flick around, especially when you ride it standing up.
I'm just 169cm (5"6), 30" inseam and weigh about 72kg (160lb) and the bike fits me really well. It also has more than enough power to get me up to speed with traffic in no time and cruise comfortably down the freeway (90-115k/hr is its sweet spot, but it can go all the way up to 170k/hr, though fuel economy becomes horrible at those speeds).
I've taken the bike offroad over a variety of different terrains and I'm still using the stock tyres (Dunlop Trailmax Mixtours). Bike handles trails with small rocks really well, especially when you ride it standing up. What I found a bit sketchy was the rear when riding over a mixture of loose gravel and rocks - it tends to chatter. And when riding at higher speeds and you hit a bump or a big dip, rear tends to pogo a bit, suggesting rear shock is under-dampened. But other than that, bike does surprisingly well. I rode it through sand and the stock tyres did really well. However, I quickly found their limits when I got caught in a tropical storm and the road quickly got covered with mudslides. It was very sketchy riding the bike in that situation - though it would arguably have been more sketchy riding heavier bikes in that situation...
Up till now, the only mods I've done were adding the Rally Raid engine guard (a must if taking this bike off-road, I was paranoid to go over ruts before installing it because of how exposed the bottom of the bike is), and added a rear luggage rack and top box. I've also got the Barkbusters hand-guards ordered, but it seems like they are taking forever to arrive. Oh well... In time, I might do the suspension mods because when the bike is loaded up with luggage, the suspension's short-comings really start to show. But other than that, Honda have created a great, relatively cheap bike, which you can then mod to however you decide to use it.
And that's perhaps the best thing about this bike - Honda gives you a fantastic base to make out of the bike whatever you want.
Great review as ever, keep them coming!
Hi, really liked the bike review and your comments. Whats the view on vibration on normal roads? I bought a Gs1250GSA and it frightens the life out of me, too heavy and unweildy!!...so thinking this 500 is much more sensible.
xibflic, what suspension mods would you recommend?
@@24603285 You could ride the bike all day and your hands will not get numb from the vibrations. Clutch lever is very light as well (due to slipper clutch), so your hands will fatigue even less.
I did notice a little bit more vibrations down low after installing the Rally Raid engine guard, but you quickly used to it. And if you intend to ride the bike off-road, it's the best piece of protection you can get, together with handguards. So well worth whatever very little vibrations you get.
So yeah, no hand-numbing or ass-tingling vibrations as far as I'm concerned. :D
@@jblue1299 Rear shock leaves a bit to be desired at times, and there's a bit of noticeable fork dive when braking hard too. I'd much rather have something more progressive.
I kind of ride around front fork dive by being more progressive myself with braking. But there's not much I can do regarding the lack of stock rear shock dampening, other than rolling off the throttle just before a bump, and then getting quickly back on it right after.
@@xibilfc21 , thanks for your insight
I had the CBR500R as my first bike and know what a fantastic bike they are. I would love to take the motor from the CBR500 and put it into a off road frame with 21/18 wheels and off road suspension. Now that would be a bike.
You're so nice and well organized in your presentation. Undeniably, you're one of the best out there in motorcycle review. Keep it up buddy!
It is light ,perfect for occasional non paved roads , agile on back roads and decent on highways ,non intimidating ,actually a darn good all around bike for the price ,Honda quality assures you mechanical sturdiness ,i like it allot
Nice review. I have found that I am outgrowing big bikes. This looks like a great alternative to the beasts being produced.
And cheaper , I reckon there comes a time when you review what you really need , I'm 71 and have been riding a 34 year old B M W K 75 for the last 14 years you can go anywhere on it and it's reliable ( very ) but it is heavy , I could do with a smaller machine now , but I'm not intending to transverse the world 🌎, just like tootling around . Stay safe .
Excellent, totally thorough review. You've answered all my questions. I have to admit I ordered the 2022 version before watching this, but you've confirmed my enthusiasm for it. I'm going down from a BMW 800, but my kind of riding seems far better suited to the CB500X. I live in Norway, and the inability to rode at high speeds is an irrelevance to us here with our lower speed limits and mostly windy, mountainous routes. Ninety % of my riding ought to be well covered by the 500X's capabilities. The remiajing 10% is touring, and I have still a little twinge of doubt there only because I tend to take a lot with me. I think I take too much though. The 500X should encourage me to be more thoughtful about what I really need. I always bring a tent and sleeping bag and then seldom use them, so they're an obvious weight saver that'll make the 500X an excellent touring bike for a little guy with me who prefers the comfort of a warm room after a 10 hour riding day. Thanks again for your very good review
awesome thanks for sharing
First bike. Had since July. Wish wasn't working as much and had more long distance time but took time to gain my gear needs and bike wants. I spent lots time on road with it and did some gravel and dirt areas messing around but didn't go deep in nature due to not prepared and after dropping once on big rocks being dumn, I decided to stick with road for now. Regardless, super fun to ride every time I get on it I love it more and more. I trust this bike and I am 5 foot 5 and def wasn't easiest as a new rider getting used to riding on street mainly at stops and mounting etc, but I am now glad I did. It is so great in the back roads and bumpy roads etc, I take this on side roads and country roads with no worries and confidence with this. Twisties are fun, highway works no problem at all and is fun to bring the bike to it's 3/4 limits basically. I love the aftermarket for this bike, OEM decals, cowls, all parts period are super cheap. I have a 15 and honestly the fairings are cheaper than the crash bars, I love that I can ride it hard, not fear a multi grand drop occuring, I feel it is good at everything but not super great at anything but if you admire it's all around goodness, it is a great awesome bike. The cb5o0x community and my love for it reminds me of a love for an old mediocre car, or an old nostalgic video game or movie that isn't stellar, it has a vibe to it and want to constantly add on, tweak, and try new with. It gets you all around for cheap as can want, long trips per tank, and like I said cheap parts. I also must say that mine came with a cheap dual pipe exhaust and it sounds awesome loud, deep, and has a good twin sound almost like if you straight piped a twin. Will be going to something quiter and cleaner in fact but I wish to keep the overall sound and loudness just improve it . Go cb5o0x good review!
I have 40,000 trouble free miles on my 2014 CB500x. Best bang for the buck bike out there!
Absolutely one of My favorite motorcycles
Same here!
Been saying this for years,, they're the most underrated adv bike on the market. I take my 2016 to places people never think it can go.
I have a 2021 CB500X and love it. I found the LCD screen can be made brighter in the settings which makes it easier to view. Also there is a programable shift light indicator on the far right of the dash which is a feature often missed in reviews. You can see the shift light in your video at the 15.05 mark. Love the review.
thanks for pointing that out!
A friend of mine sold a. BMW 700 and downsized to the Honda. He's been using it for everything he was doing before. Zero problems, loves it.
Now we need a 1-1 comparison with the KTM 390 Adventure
I wonder the same thing between this bike and the 390 which would be a better beginner bike for my girlfriend
This is so much the general type of ADV bike that so many us want. We are looking for a bike that is competent on milder off road rides, has a manageable weight, has the ability and after market for soft luggage and crash protection, works well and is not stressed on paved roads and highways. Most importantly the realistic price point is exactly where it is approachable for most people. I’ve been riding since my first off road small dirt bike in 1971. I’ve owned a lot of different motorcycles. I even road raced and competed off road. I love the technology and high end components of the upper tier ADV bikes, but the stratospheric prices and weight penalty are a big turn off. The 2022 model CB500X looks really interesting.
agreed
It's always good to see these comments coming from competent, experienced motorcyclists. Puts things into better perspective for relatively new (but old) riders like myself.
if you do a full rally raid kit on that bike it turns into an off-road beasty
yes it does, and I own one
The gap in this segment is what Honda abandoned when they ceased the XL/NX line of dualsports (the latter arguably being an early ADV). If this had decent ground clearance, good suspension (and i mean in the realm of the T7), a bashplate, it would or a 600+ cc version would be a legit, rounded ADV/dualsport that would make a great commuter, but not one you might jump etc (like the XL/NX, any stock Tenere, etc). That is what we need...or at least outside Japan. In Japan, that bike makes sense. For road touring as a beginner or relatively new ADV rider, this bike is excellent, but offroad, with your little bit aggressive style, you could have bottomed it out or buried the front wheel in a rut and it all turned sour. With significant change at the factory, this could be a legit dual purpose bike, but it seems to feel like a road bike and some offroad garnish. It can't be serious if you alone are bottoming it out on a pretty tame tack without gear, fuel, water, and you are not a fellow of significant girth. More suspension and a bashplate please Honda. Have you forgotten us? Oh, and remake the XR while you are at it please.
Yeah those guys over there forget, we like to play hard and we are significantly bigger than they are.
Love the lift test. I find amount of fuel makes huge difference, I know you mentioned this, as well as terrain and how many times in a day you have to repeat. But good to see a comparison as a regular feature to give perspective - brilliant! 👍👍
All the bike I want for adventure travel. I’ve ridden a lot of bikes including a 1250 hp gs in Iceland. Too tall and heavy in parking lots with a load or pillion. And this Honda is reliable and economical to operate.
Honda needs to put that low maintenance 500 twin into a crf450l frame.Call it a 2022 "transalp".
Had an older version of this bike, that I sold to a friend who still rides the snot out of it. It's been one of my favorite all-arounders. SImple, fun, and easy to ride. Take it on the street. Take it on light trails. Take it on a trip. Take it to work every day for a year. Grin on your face every time.
Thanks for the review, I’ve spent some time on this bike. With the right tyres it’s a great all rounder, yes it doesn’t have the clearance & suspension travel of the more hard core bikes but if you just slow down a bit it’s very capable 👍🦘
The 26th US President Teddy Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This bike is many more things than it is not. But it’s just a CB500X. But it’s just a city bike for light off roading. But it’s not a KTM, or Tenere. The more I research, the honest owners and reviewers all love this bike. It’s more than capable for almost anything you will ask of it. The fuel range, low center gravity, and light-weight combined with HONDA’s deserved reputation for reliability give this bike noteworthy advantages over the others mentioned as an ADV BIKE! There are compromises with all. But this is a great choice on so many levels. That’s why I have my name on a dealership waiting list for a 2022 model. I really appreciate Ian’s perspective having ridden and owned so many adventure bikes. This video speaks volumes. Thanks for the excellent content Ian. You are the best!
Thanks!
I really like your style of reporting and content. Very fair and balanced. And entertaining as well.
thanks
I'm a new rider with the first bike which is this one, got it 1 and half month ago, since I'm a new rider, the first 2 weeks was not easy, the seat height and the weight was a little intimidating, and I drop the bike next day I got it when practicing pushing it out of the garage, thanks to the crash cage...lol
Around 2 weeks later, after I spent some time on first gear throttle control, and low speed corner practicing, it feels really good, city communicating, long distance cruising, graall good, I love this bike, great choice for the beginner like me, by the way, I'm 172 cm height, once you get familiar to the bike, 830 cm seat height is not a problem at all.
And... I dropped again last week when parking it in my garage, forgot to put the sidekick in place...thanks to the crash cage again LOL
Damn, I bought the same bike 8 months ago and have been thinking of selling it as compared to my son's RE Interceptor, it lacks that little bit of get up and go. But the points you make are pretty much the reason I originally went for it over the 650 Vstrom. Here, we're just coming into summer so with lockdowns and winter haven't used it much so far. I'll stick with it over summer and re-access how I feel about it then but I do like the Tiger 900. Great review.
Tiger 850 sport might be enough judging by what you say. It's not a huge amount over the cb500x when you think about how much more bike it is.
Twist the throttle!
The CB500F should be geared for the street and thusly be a better comparison to the Interceptor.
I had a 2015 CBR500R and it surprised me to see how long it took Big Rock Moto to get to 100 mph. The 500R got there quicker and I saw a top speed of more than 110 mph.
@@PrimoStracciatella the cb500x is heavier and taller than the cbr500r and Mr Big Rock could be a heavier guy ? And the engines are just weak no amount of gearing would help. If you gear any lower it may redline before 100mph.
If you take the small 90-degree intake snorkle off, it sounds throatier and more playful under full throttle. It might make it more fun for you as it did for me and my 500R.
Great job! The most informative, honest, thorough and balanced video review I've seen of the 2021 CB500X. I've got the 2021 and after 1200 miles, still loving it and not feeling like it lacks at all for my needs. Spot on on all fronts. Thanks you!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you, this actually put the CB500X on the map for me - it‘s so soothingly sensible!
Twist the throttle and its got a nice little snarl and a lot of poke - like a small terrier (but not insane).
I never thought I'd listen to Kip giving a motorcycle review to his brother Napoleon, but here we are.
Back when they introduced these, I got to ride a bunch of them. A Rally Raid as well, and the naked with the 500 in it. It's a great engine.
I'm 5'8, 32 inseam and fits me perfect. With aggressive tires and good balance, you can take rough trails at a slow pace and not worry about the clearance. Personally I would grab an older one and source a 21 front wheel, minor suspension tweak and some offroad protection. It's in the top bikes I would buy. Just need a space to put it😄
The Tiger Sport 660 really caught my eye now as well. I may have to go check one out over the winter. See if I camn line up a demo🤞
If there truly is going to be a TransAlp. It needs to be a 650 twin. A similar package to a T7 would be ideal. Not some smaller AT variant.
pretty much covers it. I had a 2018 NC750X. In summer 2020 i decided to try out some light forest service roads out here. (Vancouver BC area) No joy on the NC. Had to turn around about 1km in. Traded the bike for a CRF250L Rally. Was a fantastic bike off road, even on light moto-cross type trails. But mostly i am 80% road and getting to trails here is at least 1hr ride.
On May 15 2021 i stopped in at my fav Honda dealer, was just going to look around - "kick some tires" type of thing.. They had a 2021 CB500X on floor. Started talking $$ numbers, things looked acceptable, When i was told the bike is prepped and ready to ride home that day, well, 3 hrs later it was parked in my garage.
perfect all round bike. Country twisty roads are fun. Perfectly comfortable on highway. Fast enough with out getting into "stupid speed" . Or as i say it keeps you out of impound speed. (here get caught going 40kph over speed limit. lose vehicle and license for 1 week)
Have not tried forest service roads so far. Wanted to wait until i get some crash bars / skid plate / bark busters.
Did you keep your CRF250L or did you trade it in for the 500?
@@KillSwitch80 i traded the CRF for the 500X
Finally a 'small" CC adventure bike, maybe the best category with the mid-sized 650/700.
Hopefully a KTM390Adv review one day.
Coming soon!
I've been using the bike for roughly 6 months now and had a few upgrades, after market exhaust, engine guard, handguard, and top box bracket and that's all I need and I can ride this bike all day without worrying about anything! Love this bike especially with enough power that it provides.
Conversions to the metric system are a long awaited improvement. Way to go global! :-)
I agree! Great idea.
I owned the 2017 model for a few years and absolutely loved it. I ended up replacing it with a F800 GS adventure as the CB500X was too small for me and made my legs ache. But I do miss it and would recommend it to anyone starting out or as mentioned if you're shorter
you can buy Lowering foot-pegs for this bike, and move the shifter forward. that helps a lot.
Another good video, your content at the moment is excellent. There’s a real lack of more in-depth motorbike reviews on here.
Might be worth doing a video on the G310GS if you can get hold of one. I’m primarily into big bikes but have a real soft spot for the 310 having owned two. It really is a proper adventure bike in miniature.
There are only a few at good reviews on youtube 👍
I Don't really feel the 310 is even a bmw. Made somewhere completely different and you can't really spec any of the usual bmw extras. Every real bmw gets that TFT.
Holy shit i am SO GLAD i kept watching. Guys seriously, I think the best part of this video is towards the end when he goes into competitors. For someone who hasn't ridden some of the bikes he has managed to do the research which will take you ages. Make sure you watch to the end, unlike the clickbait videos out there this actually has great info even at the end.
Why, oh why, oh Honda? Why don’t you just use this engine/transmission combo and build a T7 (X5 maybe?) around it? Or create a crf500L that is lower maintenance and less flame-out-oriented than the 450L? Just need an ABS off-switch, a touch more suspension and some spoke wheels…. C’mon Honda… you can do it!
Hi, bought one last year, installed a SW Motech crash bar, putting the skid plate on soon also SW Motech. I had not owned a bike since 92 so this was a perfect way to get back at it. Its a fun bike and great on gas. The speed test was funny, comon!! 100 mph glad to hear you had fun on it, Great review
I really enjoy your reviews on all bikes and hope you review a Versys-x soon.
As I get older I realize less is more. I opted for the Versys x 300 at 50 lbs less with enough power to go anywhere comfortably (40 hp compared to 47 for the cb500x).
My right leg was pinned when I fell crossing a little creek and was able to lift it up using one leg, so I'm happy about the weight of the 300.
I own a cb500x. Its a great motorcycle but when i use it for heavy commuting rides i wish i had bought the versys 300. 40 kilos make big difference in traffic jams.
I rented a CB500x in Thailand this past week and rode it all thru Bangkok and out to Pattaya/Chonburi to the west. I really enjoyed the ease of rideability and comfort for long distance touring. Considering the reliability, practicality, and cost - I believe this bike is very overlooked in its class.
Great to see you add the on bike discussion, real time findings and the creative camera angles. Overall, a great review with good composition and production quality.
Picking up my 2021 with 164 miles on it in the morning. It has the Rally Raid suspension upgrade and engine guard. I have been riding a 1988 Africa Twin 650 for the last 13 years. I love it. I was thinking about getting a new Africa tin 1000 or 1100, but they seemed so freaking big and unwieldy. My Twin is about 50 pounds heavier, and has 10 HP more. From your review I think I am going to be very happy. I think that the difference of the 10 HP will be missed, but will also be ameliorated by the 6 speed in the CB vs. the 5 speed in the AT. I was searching for 6th gear always .Now I will have it.
Great review. I think this bike would be great for 80% of us. I’m looking to downsize and get easier to ride. This may be it.
Lower a DR650 for like $50 with factory lowering and the kickstand. Safari tank.. Get a seat..bar risers..Lower Foot Pegs and get a windshield and your suspension upgrades... Done! Oh.. Sorry .. Forgot you have that carburator issue there .😂 Good review on Honda's little do it all👏👏 I have had carb bikes from sea level to 13k feet no issues ever .. 2 cylinder and 1100cc 4 carb bikes .. Just saying..👍
Pretty good bike and actually looks good too, especially this color. In my opinion, if they have a second version with an extra 20HP while keeping everything else including the weight the same it would have been one of best and most popular bikes on the market.
I had a 2013 model with ABS that I really liked. Being an East Coaster I never rode it off road but it was a great commuter. I put a ridiculously large Givi top box on it along with some Cortech soft saddlebags, Denali D2 lights, Oxford heated grips, and Barkbusters and rode it year round while getting 60+ mpg.
Great review as always. Your comment towards the end regarding buying the less spec CB500X over the bigger gadget clad bikes struck a chord with me. I'm considering selling my top of the range BMW F850GS which has so much hi tech stuff on it I'm now concerned things will start going wrong on my 3 year old example so the Honda fits as a great alternative.
I have a 2018 that I enjoy a lot. I did NOT like the OEM Mirrors-I didn't think the field of vision was big enough so I went aftermarket for better rear visibility. I also did not like the stock Tires, so I opted for a deeper tread Highway tire because as a Senior Citizen I'm more of a road rider these days. My 2018 gets 72 MPG Highway which is AWESOME! And, with the price of gas right now, it was a wise investment to buy this bike.
Congratulations , as usual a great and usefull review. It had to be brave to recognise we don't need in fact most of features that mega trails are offering tu us
Interesting to see how the 500X has developed over the last few years. I have a 2016-model 500X, and it’s a great little touring bike. 136,000km and it’s still running sweetly. A few years ago we did a lap of Australia! The earlier model has a 17” front, and that makes sand scary (with road tyres). I’d definitely recommend a 500X, especially as they just keep getting better.
thaks for posting
Can't wait for the RE Himalayan review, I'm so close to pulling the trigger on one of those myself. CB500X and KLR650 only thing I keep going back and forth with but I just love the look of the RE. Guess this is why people have multiple bikes, I just have to convince the finance minster (wife) reasons for multiple bikes O.o
Coming soon!
you wont have the support on RE as u do with honda. klr......great bike but the cb500 has better enginei would get cb500 ot 750 or vstrom ahead of RE or klr. the klr uses oil too like on purpose.
Another excellent review. This couldn’t have come out at a better time. I especially liked how you spent time comparing it to other options in the same class. I’ve been researching all of the bikes mentioned like a mad man. I’ve narrowed my search down to the 500X and the NC750X. I test rode a NC750X and loved the DCT. They made the NC750X even more street friendly by dropping the seat height this year. It’s almost like they are moving the NC more into the commuter space to make way for the rumored 850 Transalp.
agreed
The size and form is great, just need about 80hp to be safe on the US Highways in my experience. Great bike for putting around Baja! 🦈
Geez I’ve driven cars with less than 80hp. 100 mph seems plenty fast to be safe.
Good review. The highway speed test was important for me and traveling long distances on a US Interstate Highway. No mention of shaking or vibration in your video, so I imagine it was a smooth ride
It is a very good bike. Most people will do fine taking this bike on a light off road trails. It is good for touring , but best is for urban riding and commuting. Now if you want to go crazy and do more technical off road stuff you need to do lots of upgrades, and here ENTERS company from UK “RALLY RAID” that makes all kinds of performance upgrades for this bike, and the bike can be transformed in to a real adventure bike. But doing a full Rally Raid conversion will cost you around $3000 plus. Which is bringing you to a Yamaha T7 territory. If someone is more interested about the Rally Raid conversion there is a lot of great RUclips videos, and Jenny Morgan is a great ambassador for this bike with the Rally Raid kit on it.
thanks
Brilliant review, thanks for that.
I hated selling my 660z Tenere, and loved my BMW R1200RT that followed it. But it was a bit of a brute in tight/slow situations, and was obscenely expensive to own and maintain, so I sold it after a few years.
I totally agree with your points about reassessing one’s actual riding needs, and the questioning of the need for the big heavy bikes for touring and ADV riding. These CBs have become a real focus for me lately, I can definitely see one in my future.
My son is about to get into riding, and is thinking about getting one as well. I reckon this bike would suit us both perfectly 👍
Great review. In my opinion, this is one of those bikes that on a scorecard gets like Bs to Ds across the board. It's a true all-arounder, even though it passes everything, it's still a failure in my book once you've got some experience. As a beginner bike, it's nearly perfect to help you figure out what you want to do with your riding career, once you've gone beyond the first year though, I think most folks will sell and move on to something more specific. Here's how I'd score it:
Power - D
Price / Value - B
Gas Mileage / Capacity / Range - B+
Handling - C
Off-Road - C
Touring - C
As an all around bike, this bike graduates, where other bikes don't. However, I wouldn't buy one for my personal riding, it just doesn't have any outstanding qualities, it's beige......
By contrast, I have ridden a couple BDRs on a KTM 500EXC which has a scorecard like this:
Power - B
Price / Value - F (after mods, roughly 13k into a 500cc dualsport, lol)
Gas Mileage / Capacity / Range - D (have to add a larger tank to make distance)
Handling - B
Off - Road - A
Touring - D (it's great off-road, but long pavement stretches just vibrate, so I find myself just avoiding roads all-together)
However, it's so much fun off road on weekend camping trips to the middle of nowhere I 100% own it and will likely keep it until it dies.
I also own a Ninja 1000 for sport touring, it scores like the following:
Power - A
Price / Value - B- (It will be hard to resell, they're just not popular)
Gas Mileage - C
Handling - A
Off-Road - F
Touring - B+
Again, it has it's failure as soon as you step off pavement, but it's so good on weekend tours on the pavement and tearing up twisties that it's worth owning.
The difference is you dont have to work on the Honda every wknd, you don't have to worry about it leaving you on the side of the road, you don't to wonder where the next gas station is and it will still be running after 25 yrs.
Have to disagree with you. I've had mine for 4 years and put 12k+ miles (and another 17k miles on other three bikes). Hard to beat practicality and value of this bike compared to any other. Unless you are frequent hard core offroad rider, this would work for 80-90% riders.
Have you actually ridden one?
I think it might be a good idea to show what rally raid can actually do to that bike. You mentioned it in the video but there's a difference between mentioning it and actually showing people.
Been waiting for this review... Many thanks.. Would love to see a comparison against the vstrom 650XT...particulatly as a long distance overlander..... Both on and off payment....
Noted
I am pretty sure Big Rock Moto did a review on the current Vstrom 650 not too long ago.. I have a 1st gen Vstrom 650 and the main differences between the two that I would notice would be that the CB500X is lighter (435lbs vs 470lbs) and easier to pick up.. but the Vstrom 650 would definitely shine on the highway!... especially loaded for touring doing some passing and going up a grade
Last year, 2020, I was comparing a CB500X vs Vstrom 650 XT, my first bike in decades. I tested both and liked both. The 40 lbs less weight on the CB500X was definitely noticeable, making it lighter, more nimble, and less top heavy, probably better off-road. However, the VStrom's increased power and weight gave it a more solid feel on pavement, and I preferred the vibration feel of its V2 over the Honda's parallel twin. Also, the Vstrom that was available in 2020 was a new 2018 model, deeply discounted to below the price of a new CB500X.
I chose the Vstrom, but it was a close call. Having ridden the Vstrom for 2 summers, I like it a lot for how I ride, but I'm also conscious of that extra weight. If I had a time-machine, I'd give serious thought to the CB500X with a Rally Raid upgrade.
2022 new forks too good for old guys! also maybe i will get one 61 years young!!!
I have tried this bike for a couple of miles (1.3k) and I must say this is a good urban commuter bike with light off road capability.
Could we get a side by side comparison between this bike ,the 2022 klr 650 and the KTM 390?
Complete with stats and your thoughts on each for beginner adv riders?
I am a BMW guy who went with a Africa Twin Adventure Sports when I wanted to try an adventure bike. After decking that bike out the top heavy weight and my increasing age (66 years old) I sold the ATAS and just got a 2021 CB500X. Only a couple of rides so far but what an incredible difference. It is everything you say in terms of being all I need. I have started the upgrades, skid plate/lower engine guard, bark busters, pivot pegs, luggage racks, gps mount etc. Have not decided about upper crash guards and will likely only be light offroading so holding off on the Rally Raid suspension kit. May be a bit weak on the freeway but I rarely go over 70 anyway on all the much more powerful bikes I have had. Most of my riding over the years has been in the areas you were in for this video, in fact moved from Orange County to Temecula about a year ago so less freeway travel to get to the area. Where was the dirt road you were on, it looks like a good one for a beginner like me to take a stab at.
Thanks for the video buddy! I was just asking for it 2 days back! It was very informative and made me more set to buy a CB500x.
However with the new Triumph Tiger 660 sport coming into play, how would this compare against it? I would love to see your hands on review once the bike is available in USA, but theoretically what are your thoughts on comparing these 2?
I enjoyed the test thoroughly. You have a real knack for providing a real world review of all aspects of the bike. I look forward to hearing your feelings on the 2022 CB500X as I feel Honda is re-directing the bike's direction and content. See you then....🙂
I wouldn’t use off-roading
Great look at this CB500X, thanks!
Oh I would love to talk to you about this one. Bought mine in May. I have so too much to say. Where can I send you pictures of what mine has become?
info@bigrockmedia.net
Thanks a lot for this great review! I have this bike since a few weeks and i like it very much! I am a older rider and i had a lot bikes. It sounds realy good with a hurric exhaust. Take care.
One of the complaints from other reviewers on previous models was vibration at highway speeds. What was your experience with the 2021?
I own 2018 CB500X for 4 years, riding 150,000km with this bike and no major issue so far. now i understand why Honda BigWing guy says this bike have "bulletproof" engine. It capable to do all thing from highway to off-road economically (yeah, that's why 100mph is the max 😅), thus one of the best introduction bike for the new rider before they upgrade into more specific and expensive bike.
The way stuff is going right now I'm in Phoenix Arizona and right now Peoria wanted $10,200 for the 500X out the door and I wound up getting the Africa twin adventure sport DCT with a 6-year warranty $21,400 🤦 a lot of people were buying old stock Africa twins about one year ago for around $10,000 if you were lucky average probably $12,500 yeah mine is brand new but damn that price tag is so expensive 🤷
Nice videos BTW, keep up the great work👍👍
I've got the ATAS in my garage for testing now
@@BigRockMoto yeah me too 😂 I really like that Yamaha 700 with the ECU tuning that you have, that's a super cool bike! How does that Africa Twitter the Yamaha compare? I guess of the Africa twin is more of a bike?🤔 but that Yamaha seems damn good at what it does especially for the price
Africa Twitter🤦 good ole voice 2 text... I'm sure u kno what i meant lol