I've been all over the web looking at bike reviews for countless hours, just because I like bikes. You Mark, is who I always miss and come back too. You are a true professional motorcycle reviewer. Great job and keep em coming
Nice video and helpful as always. Thank you. I actually cancelled my CRF300 Rally order and decided to go with the CB500X. I found a new shape 2019 model already fitted with Trac Tive level 2 suspension and Conti TKC80 tyres. Looking forward to riding that and it makes for a better already all rounder than my initial choice. These are such capable machines as are the other 500’s that Honda offer. It makes you wonder why you need anything bigger.
You always do a great review Mark. spot on. i just got a new one a month ago, couldn't be happier. Gets classed as a beginners bike, but after thirty years of riding i love it. great bike.
Nice one mark great choice....I think the cb500x is also a choice for experienced riders just looking for a nice day to day machine with great economy ....id definitely have one :)
Great review Mark. Purchased one of these in March 2020 and I’ve already done 7,000 miles. Just returned from a one month tour of Europe; Belgium, Germany, Italy and France. A fantastic motorcycle. Ideal second bike as an upgrade from either a 125 or 250.
Woah - look at that! As a new rider in my fifties, currently suffering the incongruity of the CBT and L plates, no video has given me more encouragement to get my act together and cough up the cash for training and a full licence (coronavirus lockdown permitting). I had thought I might go the full DAS-in-a-week route but this bike on an A2 could easily be my ‘forever bike’ - especially now Honda have removed the silly tyre tread graphics - it now looks a very handsome set of wheels indeed! Especially encouraging to watch you ride around my ‘manor’, too - you could have popped in off the M3 for a cuppa :-) Big shout out to Crescent Honda who sold me my 125 last year - top guys, top dealer! 🤟 Thanks!
Great review Mark......I remember your first CB500X review which helped me with my decision making a few years ago. I have had my X for three years now and it's been totally reliable and has met all of my biking needs. I loaded it up for a tour of Wales last summer and it was the perfect tool for the job. I guess every bike is a compromise, but as an all rounder this mid weight Honda really is an impressive package offering the rider a great balance between performance and economy - I would buy another one! Cheers from Devon and keep up the good work.
Another great video. Thx Mark. 2019 your vid of Z900 Inspired me to purchase the "beast". Still love it!! Keep the videos coming my friend. Again, thank you.
I have a one fitted with a few accessories, centre stand (a must have) lower crash bars, front fender extender, rear hugger, and a 12V socket. very economic can keep up with most other bikes at sensible speeds.
Brilliant bike - good comprehensive review. Light bikes are so much nicer in all respects than the great lumping heavyweights like BMW GS and others. This will do all you need except break speed limits and bank balances. The big lumps just appeal to the macho need to impress. I know which I'd rather take off road !
Thanks for this review. Ditto on the other comments ref seat height and inseam! I guess the proof of how good this bike is, is how few are available used - particularly in dealers. People seem to be hanging on to them.
Like the look of this as an old rider who was into off roading in the 70s I always liked sit up an beg . I did have a cafe racer but squat and duck is nothing I was ever a fanatic about . Not sure about the screen but that's just a spanner job. Cheers for a look at this bike had a few Honda's. For me the best Japanese bike makers closely followed by Yams
Thank you Mark, for describing the performance of the Honda CB500X in measurable terms. Power, torque, rpm. At different speeds, both urban and freeway cruising. Thanks very nice review.
Picked this model up yesterday, had a Triumph Speedmaster, im now 59 and a half....having a bit of arfuritis lol (you do at my age) i picked this bike out of dozens looked at, not only can you get seat height adjuster bars, but 60kg less in weight than the speedy, thought it'd be better pushing in and out of my garage. After my 1st day on it and a trip to Matlock Bath its surprising at an average fuel of 91.3 MPG the roadholding was brilliant, in fact the whole bike is great, not one fault to report, at 40-odd bhp it shifts when you need it and purrs when you dont.For now i wholeheartedly reccomend this model...Happy riding...
Thanks for a great & comprehensive review - looking at this for when I pass my full test - currently riding a cb125f & this seems a great next bike, thank you 👍
I've Owned a 500x from New 2018 model ..found it a great little bike, I have been abroad on it over to Italy and back last year via Switzerland with a full set of panniers and it coped perfectly.. yes it is under 50 HP but you must take that into account when buying but it will cruise nicely at 75 so not a problem for me so would recommend it to anyone its also great on fuel ..im now 59 and being only 5'8 the only mods I've done is lowered it and put a 1 tooth smaller sprocket on it to give a lower rev cruising speed ..just to add I still own my Fazer 1000 that I've had the last 19 years and thats a bike I will never sell ..a pair of great bikes ..happy days
Just sold my BMW R1100R......this is on my shortlist as a replacement, along with the NC700/750X (tho my budget will dictate which one). I like the style, and the fuel economy appeals as well, but I do like the onboard storage capacity of the NC. Thanks Steve
Hi Richard the tracer has better long distance cruising potential ...but the 500 Honda is still fine but has the advantage of incredible economy....I will be testing the new tracer 700 in a week or so :) Regards mark
@@markpulling12 Hi Mark, thanks for the info, will probably go for the Honda as I do not do long distances any more and they are around the same wet weight. After riding my 26 year old bmw f650 the clutch lever on either bike will be a godsend to my arthritic fingers! Keep up the good work!
Greetings from Down Under Mark. I'm an ex off roader ( and quite a poor one at that! ) looking to buy something for the tarmac. Love your reviews mate. They're helping me make a difficult decision !
hi mark, thanks for the review, im from perth in western australia and will be getting my new cb500x in end of december 2020. Your review was very thorough and i hope im as impressed with the bike as you were.i have only heard good things about this bike. All the best from Australia.
Yes hi heath ....these are fantastic bikes probably the best all round value for money bikes you can get .... amazing fuel economy ...I've heard the 1 tooth up on standard front sprocket upgrade is worth doing to drop the cruising revs a bit Regards mark
Well, I think I'll go buy it tomorrow. Been eyeing a black one at the shop. End of season price in $7000 in Canadian dollars. That's $800 off the start of season. Freight/pdi and tx = $8500 out the door. I have 40yrs of MC riding. Loved my KLR, I think of this a modern representation. Hello from Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
I own a '15 cb500x and think it is a perfect blend, I live where there are lots of fire trails through the mountains and unsealed roads in rural areas so it's perfect for that, get it on sealed twisties and it will quite happily lay over for you which is a lotta fun too I own a cbr600rr, cbr1000rr and I Triumph Daytona 675r and can't speak highly enough of the cb500x for the broader spectrum of riding that can be done on it, ride out through fire trails, come home on the bitumen It's been looked after and serviced regularly, it's got over 80,000km on the clock and hopefully many more
Thanks for posting this review.I was sat on a work mate's 500X earlier today as I'm looking at getting a new CB500X or a low mileage 700 Tracer to use on roads where my 675R Street Triple would be out of its element.The Honda seems to be a bargain at the moment & I've only heard good things about them.
Hi mark yes they are great or if you want a bit more power then the tracer is good too ....me personally I'd go for the Honda just for it's value all the best
First time I've come across your channel, but well done on a superb job with your review of the 500x. Grew up riding motorcycles in the USA as a kid/teenager, but am now 59 and wanting to get back to riding, so thinking this bike would probably be a good choice to learn on and also enjoy as my riding skills develop. Mostly want to ride some street and then some light dirt roads/forest roads, very easy trails in the mountains, but I have zero desire to do challenging, single track technical riding. So, I think the 500x is a bike that could do that for me, but your review of it, at least from the street riding perspective, really helps. Thanks, and I have subscribed!
Good review. These are great bikes in terms of quality and cost. Cheap to run too. I had a 2019 version for a few months and always enjoyed it, but i had to trade it, along with another bike, to get my current Speed Twin. However I’m thinking i might get another in a couple of years time. Regarding weight, when you think that 196 kg is wet weight, or kerb weight, it would be more like 180 - 182kg dry weight, which is the type of weight Triumph present e.g. the new Tiger 900 is 197kg dry weight, but you can add at least 16 kg to that to get the wet weight. My only issue with this CBX and others like it is the wind buffeting. After a few miles you start to feel that buffeting around the head. I had it on it’s highest setting but it was still noisy (5’11” / 180cm). People use extenders, but they really shouldn’t have to. Honda really have to get their act together with these screens. At the moment I’m preferring naked bikes that have a clean air flow, to bikes that have windshields, so any buffeting is to the whole body rather than to the head. With some bikes, likes the Yamaha Tracers it’s better to keep the windshield low like a naked bike. Thanks anyway. Good review. I agree with most of your findings. Cheers.
I test rode one a few years back and the motor was superb, the seating position was perfect too. I wish it came with spokes and I think it looks more like a proper adventure bike now... I also sat on a NC700 and it just didn't feel anywhere as good. I just loved the idea of having storage where the tank usually is. I prefer adventure bikes as you feel you are controlling the bike.
You have such nice country side to enjoy on 2 wheels. I am from Wisconsin, recently retired, and looking to get back on 2 wheels this spring. Rode Harleys 1975 > 1993. Had to sell both due to family illness. With that in the past, I need comfort, low maintenance / low cost. Seriously considering this bike. Not sure where this was filmed, but my wife used to work for a parent company over there located in Sheffield. We always talk about coming over to visit. Have to wait and see where this virus goes. Thumbs up on this review. Mike H
Some Saturday morning after you get your Honda 500, take old Highway 151 from Verona down to Dodgeville. Twisty road reminds me of the roads Mark rides in the UK (although the hills remind me of the Yorkshire Dales). Stop for a sweet roll and coffee at the Dodgeville Bakery or have a Cornish pasty for lunch at the Red Rooster in Mineral Point.
This is a bike I have recently developed an interest in and I am very happy that I came across your review. I really appreciate your professionalism and I have subscribed and look forward to watching your videos in the future.
Thorough good review Mark, it's whetted my appetite to perhaps return to biking after selling my CBR this year. Being short, I like your mention of seat height and how it fitted you I'm now keen to get down to a Honda dealer near me and see whether they have one and what the difference is on a slightly used one. Cheers Mark, be safe out there.
Great review, I was so close to buying a Himalayan, and "last minute" I decided to get CB500x. I am glad I did. I love the feather-light clutch lever as well 🏍💕
Enjoyed your review of the Honda. Many thanks. Looking at purchasing one however decided to wait for the 2022 version. Wondered if you plan a review on this new one and perhaps you could compare.
Hi Mark, I bought a Honda CB500X from crescent Honda because of your clip, I went and test rode one, told them you recommend me, browny points to you, great work thanks,
I have watched a couple of your reviews and have subscribed. I note in the reviews you don't mention if the bike has any storage. I don't know if it is required to carry registration papers in the UK but you have to in the U. S. I own a 2018 CB500F and a 2018 HD XL1200 NS. On the Honda I carry the registration in a baggy under the lockable passenger seat. For the Harley, I carry it in my wallet. Your reviews are excellent though.
Good review! Triumph need to look at the price point Honda have achieved with this bike. Six grand is right! I would only niggle that a center stand should be standard!
Had a 2017 model as a second bike just for commuting and crappy weather stuff. Absolutely loved it until a brewery delivery lorry decided to reverse into it when I was parked up near work. RiP my CB500X. 😢
Only thing I dont like on my CB500X is the budget suspension,its lacking on the roads around Phen-Y-Ghent,as I discovered last weekend....other that that,great wee bike
Hi Mark! With your experience, there’s a bit of wind 💨 buffeting so I got a longer puig shield but seems it’s still an issue. I’ll raise it to the maximum this week to see if that improves. Any ideas ?
@@bikenbush hi no sorry it's just trial and error to get it right and sometimes it is what it is as in you will always have a bit of wind buffeting with some bikes ....my ninja 636 is a windy affair as it has a tiny low screen whereas my monster trophy 1200 is like being in a car with it's windscreen :) all the best mark
Hi Mark i'm watching your videos from Honduras, this is in central América. I have a génesis gxt 200 and i'm looking for an upgrade. Your review help me a lot. Help me to deside for this bike.this is going to be My next project. Once i get it i'll send pictures. Thank you for great video.
Great review, you have a new sub, where was the Triumph shop you passed? Interestingly the sound from the exhaust sounded like my BMW G310r and looks similar.
Hi Mark, great review, got one of these last week in white, delivered to the house for £5495 brand new. Agree with everything you say about the bike, ticks a lot of boxes and is more than sufficient for the road. Had plenty of bikes over the years and in fact just got rid of my BMW R1250 GS TE for this! I find I seem to want to go riding on this far more than I ever did on the GS...? Horses for courses I suppose, different bikes for different things...I find this bike the most everyday useable though. Keep the videos coming. Cheers. Nick.
Nice review Mark. I have a 2016 model CB500X and wonder if you think it is worth trading in for the 2020 version. As an aside can I just mention there was a bit of wind noise on your video.
Hi lain no don't bother to upgrade I reviewed the 2016 model and it's pretty much the same Re wind noise I have a new mic on the way from USA ....but it's delayed a bit with USPS due to covid
I'm tossing up with either buying a PX200 Vespa and customize the crap out of it, Pinasco racing kit, longer crank etc or go with something that'll be comfortable over a long distance ride between Brisbane & Sydney.
Your reviews are particularly good Mark, and cover all aspects of a bike that real world bikers are interested in. Can you help with my dilemma? I’m looking for a bike primarily with touring in mind, but to have some spirited fun on the twisties. I’ve narrowed it down to this Honda and the Tracer 700. Cos I’m 68, comfort and maneuvering the bike around garages etc are factors to consider. I’m 5ft 11ins, 13stone and won’t be taking a pillion on this bike. So what do you reckon?
Hi Michael ...this 500x is one of my favorites ....I like the tracer but I prefer the vstrom 650 and versys 650 for comfort so have a look at these ...but if it's just light touring say cruising at 65/70 mph I'd go with 500 as the economy of these bikes is amazing...I've seen easy 80 mpg Good luck .... cheers mark
@@goodo5691 Not at all, I'm jolly, and far from sad. It's sad when people don't know how to use the language they were born with. So there you have it so fuck off.
When aiming the camera at the engine or side of the bike, you should go to the side which has the sun on it, not the shadow. If you could take a little more trouble to get the sun behind you, we would have much better quality video. Thanks!
Nice review, ive been watching videos of the 500x for the last weeks, looking forward to get one. I dont know if you agree but there are some comments on sites about the engine can be a little underpower. Doing some research on the web i found that maybe on the 2021 model they gonna rise the power to 50hp, i guess i can wait some time, it would be an expected upgrade.
Hi mate watching from Australia, I enjoy your reviews. I am considered buying one of these as a second bike. I live in the bush and hope to do a bit of gravel road riding. My main steed is a 2007 Moto Guzzi Sport a great bike!
You like a bit of history..Pen-Y-Ghent ..Google it and you will find its Cumbric which is a common language used i the early middle ages,It was of the Common Brittonic language spoken in what is now Northern England and Southern Lowlands of Scotland. Place name evidence also shows Cumbric was also spoken in as South as Pendle and the Yorkshire Dales. It was also closely related to Old Welsh. It was accepted to mean 'Hill on the Border' and sometimes spelt Penyghent,without the hyphens.
For what I would use it for definitely yes...as it's alot cheaper...but the tracer has more power /higher cruising speed potential so if you were planning alot of long distances the 700 would be a better choice All the best mark
I´ve taken both the Tracer 700 and CB 500X for thorough spins, and Mark´s onto something according to the plain figures; power, etc. BUT (it always is), to my mind, while the Tracer 700 appears to be somewhat more rampant due to the cross plane engine, it also is alot more vibey, especially through the bars, and that´s saying something hence Yamaha apparantly has improved it with rubber based engine mounts. Still, I found it to be way more vibey than the CB500X. The difference between the two becomes quite evident when cruising on longer rides, where the Tracer´s unfortuneately gives much more vibrations through the bars than the CB500X. The CB, again to my mind, is far more of a preference when it somes to touring for instance. A bit less top end power, yes, but then again, when riding hours on end, top end power isn´t really much of a sacrifice compared to comfort. I´m deffo going for the CB500X, all day long. For commuting and the occasional weekend blast, I might would´ve tone down the importance of having less vibes. All the best, lads!
Mmm sat on one very tall for me, maybe a lowering kit, apart from that I like, I'm concerned about the power, owned a kawasaki x300 and found it lacking, this has only 10 hp more, any comparisons? Or should I try the new 700 tracer?
the tracer is more powerful than this glyn but new is alot more money....but these are fantastic value ...a lowering kit would be cheap and easy to install :) all the best mark
Great review Mark i haven't ridden bikes now for nearly 30yrs . I have my CBT this Sunday and then i'm going to take my full bike test would you recommend the Honda CB 500X or the YAMAHA Tracer 700 ? cheers Dom
Hi dominic....the tracer has the better more powerful engine ...but it's quite expensive...the cb500x is a gem to ride ...nice power ,handles lovely and is amazingly economical...for this type of bike and the riding I do I'd definitely go for the cb500 but try them both and get which one makes you smile the most :) All the best mark
I'd take the screen off. Who needs them, especially in a hot, humid country like Thailand? Does this engine have more torque between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm than the 500F you recently reviewed? Or is it the same? Very clear, informative review.
Very nice review. Expecting in few months here in India. Could you please let me know the crusing speed? How is it to ride on higher gears at lower RPMs?
Hi Mark I’m looking for my first bike after just passing DAS I’m 59 and 6’ tall. Just going to be doing short local runs, pottering round. Don’t want to be cramped up and was looking at Tracer 700 but you seem to prefer 500X, would I miss the extra power. Do you need to work gearbox more on Honda. Also don’t want it to be too revvy When on mt07 for training and test I found lack of screen doing 70mph was a bit windy and a strain on chest Would I get used to this or do you think bike with screen is best Is screen on Tracer ok for someone 6’ ? Is screen on 500x better?
Hi Beverley .. Congrats on test ! Yes the cb500x Is a favorite of mine ive done 500 miles on two of them ...as a first bike it will be plenty powerful enough and thrilling too for you to get experience on for those first couple of crucial " learning ' years ....it is one of my favorite pottering around on bikes and would be perfect I'd think for you at 6 ft tall .... extremely good value both new and second hand The screen works well and is adjustable with tools ...I found it fine for the wind blast Let me know what you choose Best regards mark
I ride a CBF1000, to be fair, I commute more than tour, sensible me should consider a 500 twin. What's your thoughts on going down on power like that? Regret or refreshing. The economy is appealing. And appears suitable for touring
Hi I'm 100% for bikes like the cb500s and I own a 1200 trophy....they are so much fun to wizz around on ...like you say the economy is staggering...and you can still tour on them Yes definitely get a test ride I think you'll like it All the best mark
Hi Mark I have bought the same bike and had the suspension lowered by 30mm but not sure if it is causing the steering to dip left or right on slow control ,any thoughts about this
