I'm Kfoto and I ride a moto. I'm coming to the RU-vids to cover some info that I would liked to have had available when I came back to riding after 15 years out of the saddle.
I also like to make photographs and so will be adding some content from that side of my life as well.
I have a 2023 model. The only real complaint (or something I would change) is 6th gear....it's too short. At about 70 mph, the engine is screaming at about 6000 rpm. And while it may be able to keep that going all day, it just seems too high. The video mentions changing the front sprocket...but Honda should have just made 6th gear taller. Get the rpms down to about 4500-5000.
I tend to avoid interstates on my bike but I'll go out once in a while just to stay practiced at it. The longest I've stayed on it at 70 plus MPH is about 12 - 15 miles. At 75 ish, I was comfortable as can be, could have easily stayed at that speed much longer. I wouldn't necessary say that's the best place for this bike, but it's absolutely fine there when needed in my opinion. I just much prefer 55-65 on the smaller less traveled roads.
I'm thinkin' the 500X is the bike for around town and short trips to local recreation areas for some off roading, but NOT the bike for riding from the Rocky Mtns to the Appalachians to do off roading.
One of the most honest reviews of the CB500X I've seen yet. So many owners of this bike live in delusion land thinking that their bike is fast. This bike is great if you ride around 50 ~ 65 mph. At that speed you'll get great gas milage and even have a little room left over to pass someone. Anything more than that and you're really pushing the bike beyond what it was designed for. I sold my CB500X after a year of riding and upgraded to a Tiger 900 and the jump in horsepower makes the overall riding experience so much better.
Best and most honest review I’ve found on this bike. Thank you! I have owned many big cruisers, with that comes a lot of freedom to “just go!” But half the fun - to me - is taking the time to map out the roads less traveled. I can’t think of a single town in any state that doesn’t have some sort of back road system to it. I mean, the towns were there before the freeway system. I’ve got it narrowed down to the cb500x. Or the good ol drz400. This swayed me to spend a little more for the CB. Thanks again!
I have a 22 500x I bought for commuting to work 90 miles round trip all highway. I pretty much agree with your assessment except about the buffeting. I've had bigger bikes that buffeted way more than this one. I keep the speed at 70mph for gas mileage and it seems comfortable enough at that speed. At 70mph I can get around 50 mpg in oklahoma wind and hills, but any faster than that and the mileage drops off a cliff especially over 75. I did get the extended warranty - 5 years unlimited mileage and hours so as long as I maintain it that's where my worries stop. I'm 6ft 2 250lbs.
It's nice to hear you echo my current mood in this video. I also relocated to the South Florida megalopolis from a beautiful place with forests and hills. I miss being able to get lost in the woods on a whim. I'm also hoping to scratch that itch with a motorcycle in the near future (probably a CB500x). Thanks for sharing, and I hope to see more!
It's only a designed to be a 500cc starter bike. I think you're expectations are too high of it. If you want a highway mile muncher buy a zzr1400, that will set you're pants on fire. 🤣🤣
MOSTLY fixed with the windshield extender: Justech Motorbike Wind Deflector... www.amazon.com/dp/B07RYLLVS1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share The throttle lock needed some epoxy to hold the pressure pad on but then was amazing, that was an Atlas throttle lock 👍
Happy place, what are you talking about, fuel mileage, rpms, the ride, etc.? I have cruised at 80 mph and got about 40 miles per gallon with factory sprockets, and my 2022 CB500X was happy, happy, happy what ever that means. Only complaint, I'm 6 ft. tall the wind buffeting at higher speeds so I bought a windshield extension, solving the problem. The CB500X gear ratio is also for off road adventure and I would change the sprockets for higher speeds, but I normally don't do interstates, their boring, wind buffeted from trucks, noisy, etc., and nothing to see. I ride on the backroads and gravel so I can see America. If you ride interstates and highways, why did you choose an adventure bike?
The buffering was horrible until I slotted that extender then it was great! I rode from Miami to Tulsa and back on the CB, no interstates (save for a brief escapade coming out of Little Rock), so all back roads and state highways and it was amazing! But, being in south Florida, I have to ride interstates pretty often :/ I added an Indian Scout bobber to my garage some time ago but now I’m on an Africa Twin ES and it’s what I always wanted the CB to be- I’m up to 13k miles in a bit over 4 months now :D I’m not knocking the 500, it is an incredible machine and I loved riding it, but I was looking for more. For most people though, it’s all they will ever need!
Yeah apologies there! I stopped filming once the 500 was gone- First came an Indian Scout Bobber but now I’m riding the AT ES! My first helmet was the AGV K3 with a chromo visor (a must!), but now I have my 2nd Arai XD-4 👍👍
The buffeting with the stock screen is terrible, even at much lower speeds than highway speeds. I’m going to try a screen extension that others have used. Unfortunately this issue seems to be common on lots of similar bikes from other manufacturers.
Just so you know, Honda engineers actually know what they are doing. You might not be happy riding the CB500x at 80+ all day with stock gearing. But the CB500x will happily do it all day long, time after time for years. The engine is not harmed at all by doing it. I am an engineer, although not an automotive engineer, I am familiar with the way Honda would do finite element analysis and testing during development of their engines. Run it just below redline all day and you are not harming it. Your perceptions are the issue.
Absolutely they know what they are doing, it’s Honda! I put 20k + miles on the bike in two years with multiple long distance trips (3k +) and after all of that, perception is everything! :D How the bike feels is absolutely everything. It will definitely hold together but I pushed it beyond a comfort zone, not a capability zone. Honda engineers are truly incredible, and made an incredible machine, to your point(s). I would very much appreciate some more info on finite element analysis- that’s not my strong suit! Where would you recommend I start looking for more info? Any chance of emailing me some additional points/info?
That would be the AGV K3 with the special visor. www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/agv-k3-sv-helmet-2020?PLA-AGV%20Helmets-All&msclkid=719d09095c4f154fcc296b80dc65ef60
“In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame. On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.”
London, Twickenham, but then a grand tour of the isles. Thinking about riding thru peak district or something. Def want to make a stop at Bolt and/or bike shed 😁
Agreed! It’s an absolute hoot of a ride to through around in the city and on dirt tracks. I’ve recently found it quite excellent for ramping ‘speed humps’ :D
@@kfotomoto Sorry to hear that. 😔 My condolences. That stuff definitely takes precedence. Great job with your videos. I've enjoyed them a lot. I'm from Ohio too BTW. 😀
I was going to camp but weather worked against me- first severe storms plus flooded campsites and then 95+ temps overnight along my route… Hotels were the thing! I think I would have preferred hard cases for this type of travel, but they cost so much more plus it is difficult to find the correct mounting brackets here in the states, on short notice. I was able to find a plethora of mounting options in Europe but not the states. Again, the cost difference was dramatic: I purchased two different sets of soft bags (touratech & mosko) for the cost of hard cases w/ racks
@@kfotomoto gotcha. Yeah there’s no way I’m camping in that type of heat. A few days ago I purchased a pre-owned BMW F750GS with Lone Rider soft panniers and they’ve been working out really well. I’m glad they came with the bike because I don’t think I’d shell out the $1,200 for them. Not because they’re not worth it, only because I’m cheap :)
@@kfotomoto I’ve only been able to take it out once but so far it’s been great. Just a super smooth ride. I have to make a few adjustments. The only downside I’ve noticed is the weight but I’m hoping its just me riding a new bike and get less noticeable as I spend more time on it. The low seat height is a plus as I’m 5’5”.
The balloon is a surveillance platform for border security with sensors and cams. Thanks for the review, I am considering this bike or the CB650; undecided now.
@@LenTheFrisian Well you do it and enjoy the years of painful skin grafts , only a complete moron rides without the necessary protective gear . Serious Riders have two sayings " Dress for the slide not for the ride " and " ATGATT " which means " ALL the gear ALL the time " ................
@@kfotomoto Well it must be a different bike to the one they sell in Europe because I've seen a few UK videos where the 500X is cruising at 80 mph with barely any vibration , unless it's the poor quality of US roads .
That I believe. The US standards for vehicles means we miss out on so many, autos and motos. A diff version would make a lot of sense. I have beat on mine a bit so I may need to check it over careful like. Do you ride?
@@kfotomoto Yes mate , I've got a 2017 500X :) Check this review out from MCN the biggest Bike publication in Europe , the stats of the Bike we get are further down the page . They have it at 112 mph but that is probably 115 indicated as speedos tend to be slightly out .
Oh shoot! You’re in the 500x fam too! :D How are you using the bike mostly? Motorways? Green lanes? Commuting? I’ll definitely look up the review, thanks for noting it.
What's the polar opposite of nails on a chalkboard? I'm not sure, but your voice and cadance has got to be fairly close! lol great video, Kfoto. Getting me excited for the upcoming spring on my 500X. Excited for part II!
Wow thanks so much! Really appreciate that even though I hate the sound of my own voice, as does everyone I think! Ha Really hope you enjoy Part II and definitely get ready for riding season! That 500X is just raring to go, I bet!
seems interesting, but I think the cb500x is much more suited to my area. Mountains with lots of dirt roads and twisties, speed limits rarely above 60km/h
I think I generally agree. It is much more sporty than I think most give it credit for. I would L O V E to have some elevation and curved roads, both sadly lacking in southern Florida
Looking forward to you sharing your post super long ride thoughts on the CB500X. Man, its already valve clearance adjustment time for you 😯. Is that a Puig Windscreen Extender? I was pondering getting one in that style.
I was going to make a vid about *new bike* but maybe that long trip one makes more sense- thanks for the reminder :) The windscreen is something straight off Amazon- I was in a time-crunch to leave in the trip and it’s what I could get delivered quickly: “Justech Motorbike Wind Deflector….” Something or other. It’s great for lower speeds and helps a bit with higher-speed deflection but does not eliminate buffeting entirely as I had hoped
