Honda CL500 Tackles Motorway. *NX500 TEST RIDE ..*Triumph Factory Visit
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- Опубликовано: 6 апр 2024
- A special day out for the little Scrambler as it tackles the Motorway for the first time and visits the fantastic Triumph UK Factory at Hinckley ...
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This constant discussion about so-called "low powered bikes" is getting ridiculous. A 500cc motorcycle typically has around 2x to 4x the power to weight ratio of average cars and nearly every single bike over 250cc (and lower) can easily achieve motorway speeds. The myth about "lack" of power is perpetuated by the motorcycle press and manufacturers. It is a non-issue.
Exactly. The „beginners‘ model vs. mature rider“ nonsense is the same.
People in the 1960s and earlier would tour, 2 up, with luggage, on a 'big' 500cc single with 30 bhp or less. I know they didn't have motorways but they didn't have modern tech either...
@@robbikebobBut all they other traffic have also less power.
@@marcel6264But motorway speeds haven’t changed that much. Our family cars in the 1960s and ‘70s were capable of cruising way above the national speed limits. My modern 500 is much faster than a typical 1960s 500 was though.
I’ve had a 500X for about two years now and I love it. Before that I had a Pan European that I had bought new in 2012. The ST1300 was a great motorcycle but the 500X is a much better touring bike for the sort of touring that I do. My average annual mileage has doubled since I ‘downsized’. I have no interest whatsoever in a bigger, more powerful and faster bike, the 500X is a perfect real world motorcycle and a lot of fun to ride just about anywhere.
One more comment… Almost exactly a year ago I spent a few days in the Pyrenees with an old school friend. He was on his 2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro and I was on my 500X. I was expecting him to do a lot of waiting around for me but it just didn’t happen, the 500X worked hard and kept up. The only time he disappeared into the distance was on a straight flat section when he was prepared to ignore the speed limit by a much bigger margin than me. It’s probably worth pointing out that on the first day despite the Honda working hard it still managed to do exactly twice as many mpg as the Triumph.
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing! Cheers, -Steve-
Thanks 😊
Yup, really love my CL500 too :) So personal choosing a bike though, it amazed me how much I got worked up into a fervor for a new bike from watching RUclips, only to have my mind completely changed after a test ride. So glad I didn't get taller bike now that I can only just comfortably get on the CL500 (I am getting older too...). I had some great fun on a Triumph 400x but just couldn't get myself to love the sound, which is the very thing most reviewers do love about it. Love the sound of the CL 500 but some people want to change the exhaust to something louder, so definitely a personal choice. Most of all I like the CL500 easy handling, given I live in a very hilly and twisty mountain road kind of place. Not so keen on the white stock accessories but I am removing my Honda headlight surround and putting on a small windscreen for touring instead. Oh, and wind open that throttle is plenty enough go for me anyway!
A good day out David, I'll have to have a look at the Triumph place sometime 👍
Thanks Glynn .. it was quite a sight for a country bumkin like me ! ...well worth a visit.
Great video, looked an awesome day out. I can see a Triumph on your drive e very soon 👍
You could be right ! ... 😊
@@WyreForestBikerdon’t expect honda reliability
I used to ride all over the UK as a courier on a CX500, with 50hp. 70+mph all day long. I have ridden across europe on a 20hp bike, so yeah, 47hp is enough, anything more is just giggle factor. I have come down from 900cc to 650cc to 400cc and having just as much fun, without the fuel bill and tyre costs. CL is a nice bike......except for the massive exhaust.
Really enjoyable video, I've been riding a Benelli Leoncino 500 for the past two years and it does the motorway fine.
I do agree with your comment about avoiding motorways though, as I live near junction 10 of the M6 !!
Thanks Robert ... Agree motorways are for A too B not enjoyment !
I have a 50 bhp motorcycle and it certainly is enough to break all the speed limits in Europe and I don't get left behind when I go out with the club even though everyone else has a more powerful bike.
I usually find that I know almost right from the start whether the bike I’m testing is right for me or not. Coming up to three years ago I tested what on paper seemed to be my perfect bike, a Moto Guzzi V85TT. It just felt dull and uninteresting to ride. A few weeks later I took a 509X out while my Honda was having a new tyre fitted. I had no great expectations but was impressed from the start. A couple of months later I ordered one. A move I’ve never regretted. If the Triumph didn’t feel right for you it’s probably not right for you.
Most enjoyable. You've blended three bike topics seamlessly into one video. Nice.
In regard to sufficient power, I had a brand new Honda CB 400N Super Dream 44 years ago which was rated at 43hp and it handled motorways very well. It could cruise at an indicated 80mph forever and a day, so I can't, for one moment, imagine the current iteration of Honda 500 twins struggling in such an environment as a motorway or dual carriageway.
Good presentation. 👍
Thanks Mark really appreciate it... I'm trying to improve all the time but have a long way to go yet ...
Yes I think 500cc is a sweet spot for power/economy and the latest ones are no exception. I well remember the SuoerDream , and have a friend who is about to restore one ...Video on the way soon ! Thanks for watching👍
@WyreForestBiker My pleasure. You have nothing to worry about by way of quality presentation. Looking forward to future content.
If you're over that way again on a Wednesday morning, then pop to Hoar Park Farm. There is a bike meet on every Wednesday morning and there is always a good selection of classic and modern bikes to have a look at. I've been there in the morning and then stopped off at the Triumph factory for Lunch, I've never seen it as busy as it was in your video though. I often ride my cx500 over that way via the motorway and with it's 50bhp it's brilliant on the motorway even without a screen (probably helps that half the journey is 50mph speed camera's), so I'm not surprised your CL500 coped admirably. Once upon a time a 500cc Honda was considered a fairly big bike, before everyone became obsessed with 200bhp superbikes etc. I always feel that anywhere around 50-80bhp is perfect for a motorbike anything more is just unnecessary.
Thanks Paul , I will look up Hoar Park Farm as we are planning a return visit in the summer with a few other bikers.👍 I agree on the 500cc, it is really all that's needed ... although we sometimes want things we don't really need ! 😊 ....Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for this video. I’m waiting for the NX500 I’ve ordered to be delivered and in the dead of night was having a wobble or two about the power of the engine. It was great on the test ride and in reality I do so few motorway miles that sustained 70mph performance is pretty irrelevant anyway, but doubts do creep in and you’ve settled my nerves so thanks again. 👍👍👍
Thats great ! glad it helped !! ... I think as long as you're expectations are realistic you will be fine ... remember Malcom had just got off a 120 BHP Triumph Triple and gave the thumbs up ! Good luck and enjoy the new bike 👍
Cb500x never caused me any issues on the motorway, very to easy to accelorate up from 70 and change lane for overtake. I'll be using my cb500f for 200 mile trip next weekend and I know it'll be fine in the motor way too.
I downsized from a Pan European ST1300 to a 500X. I’ve never missed the power and my annual mileage has doubled.
@@davidmatthews3093 well I’m into my second week now and loving it. It’s a joy.
I ride a Moto Guzzi V7 stone, like the CL500 not a horse power machine! But I think the press think are miss guiding into CC = more power idea! At the NEC motorcycle show I looked at the CL500 a large cue to sit on it but not for me! as was most of the bikes there. but I can understyle why the CL500 works, don't need to be on the bars, leave everything in my path from one set of traffic lights to the next, just plod along and enjoy the ride and maybe see some scenery!
I have ridden my 48hp bike all across europe and the Balkans, works fine. No rider modes, cruise control or TFT screen, how did i survive????
Nice one Mike 👍 I agree you can tour on anything and 48 bhp is more than enough .
The Tiger Sport 660 gearbox frees up very quickly as you put the miles on it . One problem with the bike is the short gearing but that's easily solved with a bigger front sprocket . It's a good budget bike but with budget suspension, so you either stay on premium tyres or you upgrade the suspension ( expensive ) . I have taken mine on some long trips and survived . Weather protection is good which is importantfor me . I like it because it's light and easy to maneuver and yet still has lots of go . But if it's too tall for you then it's a non starter . Nevertheless a good bike .
Thank you for showing us the Triumph Experience. I think I'll go on a quiet day so I don't have to experience the crowds and screaming kids and I'll take my own cake at those prices 🙃.
That's interesting , the bike I rode had only 170 miles on it so I did suspect that was a factor , I did really like the bike. The Triumph Experience is very much worth seeing , but go during the week when It's far quieter ...I filmed on a particularly busy Saturday!
Many thanks for watching .
I am going touring on my 400 burgman
Power is an individual thing. For myself, I want a lot of power for touring( Heritage Classic). Around town all I need is my XT250. For fun on the back roads, I love my ZX4RR. Finding the bike that checks all of these boxes is quit a chore. I'm not into ridicules speeds.
Sounds perfect ! I need to buy 3 bikes 😂
The Honda p twin 500 really is a peach of an engine. I owned a CB500X for a few years and often did motorways on it, always riding at 70+ mph. I've also tested the CL500 and was very impressed with how it rode, only the design of the tank & exhaust i didn't like. Honda may address those in any future update.
You said you liked the GSX-8S, i've also tested this bike and liked it a lot, but i think the new GSX-8R looks much better.
Hi Jeff , yes I was mighty impressed with the CL as you could tell ! The GSX8R is very nice but I have sat on one and even the slight lower handlebar position didn't suit my back I'm afraid! I'm off to test ride a few options and will video all contenders soon ....many thanks for watching.
Excellent this has to beg the question Dave why do you need another bike in the garage 😉 , the CL sounds to be everything you want or need although I do get it we are never satisfied as human beings really with anything 😂.I say this when I am thinking exactly the same although my current bike does bring a weight issue for me these days ,but what you say about the Triumphs gearbox does make me think a bit as I was thinking along the lines of the T100/120 aad or possibly the Speed twin or maybe even going down the Harley route but I know little about their reliability so need a lot more research very interesting watch cheers .👌👍
Thanks, I honestly would not be worried about reliability with any Triumph I've had 9 over the years and not had a single issue. The answer is test rides, the bonneville family have a 'solid' feel to the gear change...nothing wrong with that but slightly more noticeable than a typical Japanese bike... you soon become accustomed and dont notice in my opinion...thanks for watching . PS you are right , I don't NEED another bike !😊
How about moto guzzi v7 for you? nice size and a bit different
Liked the 660 sport looks but too tall for me. After five Hondas I eventually bought a T100. Lovely bike but Triumph gearboxes are definitely a bit more clunky than Hondas. Lowered my old NC750X 30mm and it made all the difference.
Thanks Simon . The T100 is a lovely bike and many think nicer than the 120 ( I tend to agree) glad you agree about the gearbox ...it does suit the classic style of the Bonny range somehow though! I think the knife through butter CL box has spoilt me.
I can't decide what to buy cl500 or speed 400 or kawasaki z650rs, hornet 500 or 750 😮 I like 90 mpg
I can understand your problem Steven ! .. All bikes I have considered ( except the Hornet 500) I would thrown in the Suzuki GSX 8s to that mix which is probably the best of the lot !! ... I did a test on one a few weeks back . Thanks for watching👍
Proud to be British, with Triumph?
Ive been riding the cmx rebel 500 for a couple of years now same engine and i dont get this debate about power for the motorway im 13 stone and it handles 70mph absolutely no problem with power to spare for overtakes
Hi Dale , it's not so much a debate as info for the many people considering downsizing from more powerful bikes... Malcom in the video was just one example. ...thanks for watching 👍
Another "triumphant" video 😊
Hi, I ride a 1983 honda vt500c as a daily. It's about 50hp, and that's enough to sit at 70mph all day with more in hand. I've had much bigger bikes over my 40-year motorcycling career, and anything over 500cc is a waste of money. I ride all year round in all weather's, so a big, heavy, powerful bike is pointless, you can't use the ridiculous power on a public road especially in the wet and we have a lot of wet.
I think you're right, thanks for commenting 👍
I have an Mt03 41 bhp and no problems keeping up passing traffic, last year i rode a CB500 and it did not feel as lively as my Mt
Agree, I P/X my MT03 for the CL500 - The MT is a bit more lively, although you do need to wind it up :) The CL is smoother and more comfortable though, which is a good enough trade.
Nice one DJ, I'm sure the CL would be fine at motorway speeds, perhaps a front sprocket change to lower the revs at higher speeds could help. I know riders of the CB500x do this mod and it seems to make a difference....
Hi Henry , I'm sure you're right although it's fine for occasional use as it is if I wanted to use it often on the motorway I would look into that option ....thank's for watching.
It ruins them for everything except high speed motorway riding. The standard gearing gives the 500X a spark that defies its specification.
Your video just reinforced my own view about that 47hp Honda engine because when I had my CB500X it was fine at 60mph on the motorway but at 70 it started sounding very busy and I noticed that your CL seemed to want to sit at 60ish but when you started to approach 70 it started sounding busy. The bike itself was fine and stable and comfortable but I wouldn't want to cover any great distance at 70 on one and I wouldn't want to travel at 60 all the time.
That's interesting , I could not show the higher speed cruising for obvious reasons but for me 70 (and a little beyond ! ) was absolutely fine . and bear in mind the CL is lower geared than the X so on paper less suited to higher speeds . For sitting at 70 all day there are better bikes of course but for me the 500 is perfectly comfortable despite being a little busy 😊 ....Many thanks for watching👍
@@WyreForestBiker I don't want to take anything away from them they are great little bikes that will do anything but I like a bike that can sit very relaxed at 70 (I'm used to the T120 doing 3,000 rpm at 70 I guess) and I found that over time the 500x just felt like its natural home was around 60. Maybe a slightly bigger front sprocket would have sorted that out but that was really the only thing I could fault with it.
My 58bhp I think nc750x would cruise at a lot over 70
@@volt8684 The 500x will do it but it is revving quite high to do it and always felt quite busy to me. I've ridden an NC700x and I would agree that it was a lot better at high speed cruising imo.
@@Grumpy-Goblin yep 16T F sprocket drops the revs by 515, makes cruising much better and you hardly notice the slight loss of acceleration in 1st & 2nd 👍
I’m giving Honda motorcycles an excellent service rating.😅
My take on this is in1994 I bought a cb500 which had 58bhp, so a light bike with good power. My much older cb500t only made about 38bhp and was heavier. Both would cruise at 70mph but the one with the more power was by far safer in my view. My preference having gone up and down the spectrum of bikes is 70bhp is a do it all power for the road. The same as my honda cb750/4 in 1978. In its day felt like a F1 car. My v strom650 has 69 bhp and more than enough for me. Also frugal at 70mpg. Tried an nc 750 but was not my cup of tea very breathless. What I have found on the road only that I can keep up with most hyper bikes in the twisties. I know it’s down to the rider but also the confidence you have in your bike. I was following a hyabusa the other day in welsh twistys and from a following perspective he look so out of his comfort zone. I met him at the cafe and we started talking and said he had come from an FZ6. Said he wished hadn’t changed
47 BHP is plenty for everyday riding,including motorways. 35 BHP is plenty to do 90 MPH. You dont need 200 BHP Hyabusa.
The CL is so brilliant (in your own words), that you've been looking for another bike 2 weeks after you bought it. You are SO contradictory. Let's face it, you haven't got a clue what you want have you?
I've usually owned 2/3 bikes for the past 25 years or so, before my enforced break from biking prior to the pandemic I had a Street Scrambler and a Street triple. The CL has replaced the Scrambler really well but there is still room for another bike.... Thanks for watching.
You're getting passed by everyone and his dog.
My speedometer is on camera ... 🤔
BORING.
Don’t watch
@@volt8684 Don't be stupid. You cannot call something boring unless you've watched some of it.