I rode my CB500X 2013 version throughout the Alps (Route des Grandes Alpes, Stelvio, etc.), the Carpats (Transalpina, Transfagarashan) and the mountains in Bulgaria and Some more Balkan countries without effort! Wonderful motorbike! I can really recommend it! I had the Hepco & Becker Xplorer" side cases and top case installed. For solo riders a really great bike! I did 60.000 km on it in three years time. I did upgrade to a VFR800X, but that is due to my girlfriend who loves to join, and the 500 lacks a bit of power for riding with a passenger.
I'm 6'1 tall, 58 years old and bit of a fatty @ 16 stone, I have a 2015 CB500X ( purchased Sept 2021) I have ridden all manner of bikes since I started riding at 15 years old ( started out by "borrowing" my brothers bike while he was at work )! the CB500X is a fantastic bike and probably the most enjoyable bike I've had. Insurance, servicing costs are very low and fuel economy is fantastic, suits me well, as I'm tight as a duck's in water ! highly recommend these little bikes to anyone from A2 licence holders, to old timers looking for a mini adventure at the weekend.
Have just bought one of these today , looking forward too riding through the summer , traded a 600 bandit in for this and on ride home was not disappointed , was looking for a bigger bike but got this at local dealer with full luggage and very low miles on a 64 plate, as I don't wish to ride like a loony think this will suit me fine.Thanks for very very good review we need people like you to give an honest opinion.Cheers
Bike riders are always, this is an entry level bike, good for biginers. Don't get that out of car drivers! Mini, fiat 500 good starter cars, every one needs to be driving a 2.5 litre car. You can drive small cars all your life if you want. Why not the same with a bike. I guess it's all marketing!
I just bought a 2018 version this weekend. Such an underappreciated bike here in the US but loved all over the world especially in the UK. As Mark would say, "absolutely brilliant". It is very smooth, almost want to say too smooth for a mororcycle. I feel like floating in the air rather than riding a machine. Thanks to tall seating position I can see over the SUVs in traffic and hopefully I am more visible too. Breaks feel soft, not with a lot of bite but they do the job. Engine responds when you need it always. Great all around bike for a sensible rider.
Why a second bike or a beginner bike, It is 471 cc with lots of power and all you need for a bike that will do any thing within speed limits. In the 50's and 60's with 46 hp that would be considered a big bike and the 2019 has 49 hp more than enough. The older VW car had 32 Hp and people drove them across Canada , and kept above the speed limit . It is a good video but get over this that you need 100 Hp for a full time bike. It is getting so I do not want to watch these videos as most of you are putting down these light mid size bikes as being beginner or second bikes. I have been riding for over 50 yr. and had from 80 cc to 1000 cc bikes and lots in between, and hoping to get a 2019 CB 500 X for touring as it is more than you need for that . Why do you have to go over 115 mph (185 KPH ) You should spend more time on these mid size bikes on the back roads and fire roads and after a while you might just enjoy it, & realize it is all you need. There are a lot of people out there getting rid of there heavy bikes and going back to the litter ones and spend much more time on them because it is a lot less work and more enjoyable
Agree Hildton. 48 hp is a better power to weight ratio than 90% of cars on the road. This ridiculous belief that somehow a bike has to be 100 hp to be valid is utterly ridiculous and frankly is promoted by the motorcycle press (Motorcycle News I'm looking at you), The public road is not a track. People can always book a track day if they want a more powerfuol bike. It really is time the nutters of the biking world grew up. Thanks for your sensible comment.
Hildton McConnell . I totally agree, I started riding in the 70s and have had bigger bikes but always remembered the fun I had on my Gt 250 Suzuki. So when I was looking for a new bike this March and money was no object I looked at bigger more expensive bikes but remembered how much fun a smaller bike was. Light, enough power for anything you ask of it. Anyway, I came away with a new 2019 in white and a n
As someone coming back to motorcycling after 30 years away I must say this is proving to be a good mid range solution. Although I do fancy the Africa twin after a few weeks on this ;)
just hired one in lanzarote, had a BMW 800r. on hire at the beginning of the week, the BMW was cramped on the legs and had a tall first gear with a very quick throttle response, I actually preferred the Honda which felt much more refined,although the BMW seat lasted all day without giving me a sore backside whereas the Honda never managed that, and the BMW handled slightly better as it should given the price, if I was to pick a favourite though it would easily be the Honda especially given the price
I did it! After 23 years without riding motorcycle, i was owning a Yamaha Seca II 600cc Diversion. I decided to comeback to motorcycle & my choice is an Honda CB500X 2017. After 18 months on it, i don’t regret my move. Im having a lot of fun 😎
I have not stopped riding for over 50 yr. and love it every time I get on a bike. But after 30 yr. don't forget to refresh your riding skills before hitting the road Please.
More power for future touring. The Honda is an excellent bike , light and nimble . Great around town and for trips with small luggage. The vstrom is very similar but heavier and a little taller. Stronger on the motor way and more suited to carrying luggage and a pillion. More power helps too. Both bikes are great and whatever one you choose you won't be disappointed. I will say the extra power from the vstrom and better motorway stability make it better for me. I hope this helps you choose . Ride safe .
@@asraf9 There are some people that find the V-storm top heavy and went to the CB 500 X and for most riding even with 2 up it will do the job with no problem, unless you are doing 85 mph and wanting to pass going up hill, but then you will need a 1000 cc or more. The V-storm is a great bike but it is top heavy , and at 70 yr old I do not want a top heavy bike. I would say that the CB 500 X would be a much better Commuting bike. ( I may be 70 but I can still handle 100 Lb. feed bags, so not in bad shape )
Having just spent a week on Gran Canaria on one of these bikes, same year and colour, I totally agree what a nice bike it is to ride. GC is renowned for its incredibly twisty and stunning mountain roads, and the Honda was perfect for it (the tour guide reckons upon 2500 bends and at least 5000 gear changes a day and the CB500X did it all perfectly, and it had Michelin Pilot Power tyres fitted too). I am in-fact thinking of buying one soon, I liked it that much, even though I have a new Tiger 800XRt as well.
Steve Wilson i am thinking to buy it but i am in a doubt about buying a VStrom or GS 700 instead. ..do you think the CB500X is ok for riding long travel with passanger?
William Peiper... Personally, to travel with a passenger and luggage, I think the bike could be a bit too small physically. Ideal for a rider without a passenger as the engine is more than capable to cruise at highway speeds in comfort. The V-Strom is a bigger bike, and has a little more power for taking a passenger and luggage. My Honda CB500X is for day trips into North Wales where the roads are excellent. I have a Triumph Tiger 800 for touring, and a Kawasaki Versys 300 for fun...
Thanks for a great review. I have fancied one of these for a while now. I sold my CBF 1000 which was too big for commuting on. I would love Honda to do this in a DCT.
Hi Mark! Just had a spin on the 2020 CB500X, and I REALLY do recommend a test ride. New slipper-assist clutch, and that 19" front wheel. A little taller wind screen, new dash instrument, new more flat handlebar, longer suspension travel for a wee bit off roading, and a really plush ride altogether.Really deserves a closer look and review! Cheers!
@@markpulling12 approx £9000 in Norway give or take (after taxes...), but yeah, also a bargain to be considered in Norway. New clutch is now even smoother. Honda claim the slipper-assist is 45% lighter on pull than the previous models. So effortless. You should make a video on it!
Another great review Mark, thanks. I am looking to get off my Roadstar because it is getting too heavy for me as I get older. I am looking for something around this weight, and this ticks all my boxes except the gear indicator. Not sure if it is necessary on this bike, but I have been riding Roadstars for the past 15 years, and they certainly do.
Excellent review Mark.. Sounded like you want to keep it! :D Hope to get my 2017 CB500X very soon. Returning to biking after a 15 year break. Had bikes for 21 years without a break prior to that. I got fed up of getting wet to be honest. In a position now to afford another bike and car now so got the best of both worlds. I chose the 500X for a number of reasons. Honda's are very reliable, and the build quality I have always found really good even if made to a price point. I also wanted to ease myself back into biking and didn't want something that would be a bit of a handful while I am running myself in after 15 years!! lol I'm 5` 8`` but only 29`` inside leg and a lot of the bikes these days are build for "daddy long legs" so that also narrowed it down a bit for me. I've sat on a 500X and can get the ball of my foot down on both feet so should be okay.. Ride safe mate..
if you do not like getting wet try a large scooter I had a 400 Yamaha and it would do 160 kph and keep up with most bikes on the twisty roads, and when you were doing 70 KM ( 40 mph ) you staid dry, even in the heavy rain, They also have a 600 cc scooter. They are a lot of fun, and a laugh when you leave bikes behind on the twisty roads. Even on my 400 I had people come up to me and asked what the hell you got in that thing and when I told them it wan a 400 they quite often said no way you changed that engine.
I'm only 20 so best I can hope for is an A2 licence, this was one of the first bikes I looked at when I started looking into bikes. 10 Months on, I got a ybr 125 about 3 months ago, loving it, but want to ride it to death before I move up to an A2 bike, but even though I've looked at others like the MT-03 and CB500f, I keep coming back to this one, especially in white
It’s a great all round bike I’m more than happy with mine you can go anywhere unlike my previous VFR800 and totally brilliant on fuel consumption STOP going on about it being a beginner bike. It’s a bike for everyone 😊
They did listen the 2019 have it as well as a 19" front wheel, looking forward to getting one. But it has a tack and speed so you can soon learn to look at the speed your going and then the tack and then know what gear you are in. The older bikes it was easy as you only had 4 gears so you could tell by the speed and the sound.
Great review. After eight years in Thailand on a sub 125cc step through, I'm going to get one. Even if I could find an SP2 like I sold when I left the UK, it's the wrong sort of bike for LoS, and I'm too old. Bite the bullet and accept I am a "born again biker". Luckily 500cc is big here.
Having tried several of the newer upright bikes, tracer, st triple etc. I've realised that I don't want to go down on power having had litre plus sports and sports tourers over the years. Strangely I also find that being upright and comfortable takes something away from the pleasure of riding, must be years of being leaned forward.
Hi Mark, enjoyed your review of the bike and share your thoughts and opinions on this as an option to the big adv bikes. You might like to try the MT07 Tracer. It's worth a go and would be interested to hear your thought on it. Regards John
Thanks again for a no-nonsense, informative review. I had 2 questions, please: Does it feature a gear indicator on the instrument panel? Also, it's hard to tell on the trip you documented, but how well can it be leaned into turns with the stock tires? Thanks!
Kevin Phillips hi Kevin sorry no gear indicator . I suppose it's built to a price and the stock tyres felt great leant right over...I think they were Dunlop trailmax all the best mark
Mark your review is spot on . I ride a BMW R1150GS and the CB500X 2019 model, the Honda can do 95% of what the BMW can do and is cheaper and better off road into the bargain, I would possibly go as far as saying best Honda in last 10 years?
Good review as always no frills just the facts, that's why all your videos are great. what I would like your opinion on is the Honda CBR1000 which is not a new bike as you are aware but has been updated from time to time. I have been seriously looking at this bike but the reviews have to my mind been mixed I would like your opinion if you ever do a review, safe riding, regards Colin.
Terry Fernets no sorry not yet ... but saw one in the dealer so may give it a try ..it's got an interesting engine apparently where the power is All low down All the best mark
Terry Fernets: Hi Terry, Please allow me to answer your question. I have 40 years experience of riding on the roads, on all manor of bikes; including a 2012 Fireblade. I have just purchased a new NC750X DCT and I love it; it has rekindled my love of bikes. I have that same feeling once more of being 16 years old, riding my Yamaha FS1E-DX. Don't be put off by the figure of just 55 BHP, it's more than enough for our roads; and the DCT is sublime. Regards Peter
Terry Fernets oooh that's spooky. I was about to ask if we could see footage of a NCX750X DCT. You've ridden lots of powerful bikes so would love to hear your opinion of the NC. Great video, thanks for sharing and enjoy your week off! 👍🏻
Hello Mark, you've done the Tracer 900 review, how about comparing the Honda with the Tracer 700? I think there isn't much difference in cost but quite a bit more power, but I would suspect that perhaps throttle mapping and quality might not be as good, but would be interesting to see your perception of the two.
Yes, but you aren't comparing apples to apples there. Of course the Tracer has 30bhp more, it has 218cc more than the Honda. It is also 1,200 more expensive. The Tracer is more in the category with the Versys and V-Strom.
Great review looking to get the 2018 version, going to add a hoffmans exhaust tho. mainly for safety reasons I want cars to hear me coming when I am filtering
Myth about exhausts. An exhaust points to the REAR of a bike so in fact you get to annoy people behind you, not in front. So as well as being futile a loud exhaust just serves as a noise annoyance to other people on the road. What makes you think you are ENTITLED to filter as of right as in "Get out of my way I'm filtering"? Sounds a bit selfish to me.
Hi Mark, Thanks for a very interesting review, I was wondering what sort of upper end cruising speed do you think this model would be happy at? Thanks Dave
Hello Mark, I really like your review on this bike, I was wondering if you could tell me if this would be suitable for first riders with an A2 license.
Hi Mark. Enjoying your reviews. I have the cb500x but thinking of changing to the v Strom 650 for a bit of extra power. Not sure that's there a hugh difference for the extra money so maybe not worth changing. What do you think. Thanks
Tom T hi Tom I owned a 2015 Vstrom 650 for six months or so ... brilliant all rounder .. one of the best imo..but the CB is just as good but with 20 or so less hp ..I wouldn't change unless you really feel the CB isn't powerful enough for you ..to me the charm of the CB is that it's so good on fuel and rides along so nicely with the power it's got .. maybe test ride a Vstrom and see what you think all the best mark
The V-Strom is a cracking bike but let down especially for the shorter rider by being tall and "top heavy". Taking that and the fact that I ride solo all the time I amd changing to a CB500X
Hi Mark. Thanks for your review. I’ve got my mod two in a few weeks, lockdown permitting, and am thinking this for my first big bike. I’m 43 so can get any size bike but ride mostly in London but slightly concerned if it’s fast enough for motorways? Cheers, great channel
Hi Adam yes it'll hold 70 mph no probs with power to spare ..also check out my newer video on this bike if you haven't already there is a section where I do take it on the motorway all the best mark
Hi Mark, I'm seriously considering to buy this bike. I'm not very tall, around 1.69m and a new rider as well. So to have both feet close to flat on the ground is somehow importtant (maybe stupid for others I know). I would probably need to lower down the bike to feel more comfy. The Honda dealer near me said it's possible. Do you think a lowering kit would penalized the driving and handling of this bike? Thank you in advance for your feedback. Ben
yes its very possible ...just need some lowering links £60 ish ,...ive owned and ridden lowered bikes before you will not be penalized the driving and handling of this bike, you may want to consider the cb500f which i think is lower but the same great engine ..all the best mark
Thanks a lot Mark! for your reply. Acutally I do consider the CB500F as well but I have to admit the look of the CB500X is more what I'm looking for. thanks again and keep up the good reviews ;-)
I'm torn between this and the rebel. I'm a bit short too that's why the Rebel appeals. It's down to looks now and the CB500F looks a bit dull in comparison to these 2?
Hi its easy to get into neutral if thats what you mean ? to go into 2nd you would either be in 1st or 3rd ,so yes to go into 2nd you dont have to go through 1st cheers mark
Hi damien ,yes it would be ok ,just take it steady for the first few weeks and get used to the size weight etc ,dont know what the laws are in your country for riding a bike this size as a complete beginner ..thanks mark
Hi Mark. I have only just seen this video but realise it is an old video and you may not read this comment. I also haven`t read all the comments, so this may have been mentioned before. I felt really uncomfortable watching this because of the constant camera movement, making me almost dizzy and completely distracting me from what you were saying. I watch many onboard bike videos but this was the hardest to watch. I do like these bikes and am collecting one identical to this tomorrow. Keep the reviews coming but get a different method of filming please.
Great review Mark. I'm torn between this bike and the Rebel? Mainly town riding with the odd weekend run. Leisurely riding (I'm 55) any thoughts? Anyone else??? :) Thanks in advance! :)
Hay Applecorp, yeh we talked on the forum. Picking it up tomorrow and hoping for decent weather to get some good miles in :) Won't get much work done that's for sure! Yeh I had a crush on the Rebel for a while but this bike is far more versatile. Comfier for the missus on the back too. Will try and find the calm biker review. Cheers
Adventure bikes don’t need to be big and they definitely don’t need a 1000 cc engine in it to make it a good adventure bike honestly all an adventure bike really is it’s an enduro and if your gonna do some off road riding as well you really don’t need a huge engine in it all that does is make it bulky and awkward really don’t get why Honda put a 1000 cc engine in a bike that really is nothing more than a oversized crf with funky headlights and the price is pretty ridiculous
Yeah I know what you mean,5th and 6th gear are really super close on this bike.It doesn't really bother me but if you really want to add a gear indicator and don't mind the optic of it too much, there are always plug and play ones that are quite easy to install for around 30$-100$ on amazon or ebay.