itchy boots travelled 60,000 km around the world on 250 honda dual sport. She even was fastest in Kalahara rally adventure group, where other riders had bigger bikes. So surely it is ridiculous to say that 500cc is too small for riding :)
Hello Nathan. I enjoy all your youtubevideos a lot👌🏼 What do you think about the new NX 500? 90% the same as the latest model CB500X but now with traction control and Abs both to disable offroad? I have to get used to the new apperrance. Like the CB500X but dislike the lcd display from that one. Kind Regards Eric from Holland
I’ve just got back from a 3200km trip around northern Spain and Portugal camping on my 2021 CB500X. I love it. It’s a better touring bike in so many ways than the Pan European I owned for nine years before trading it in for the 500. I fitted a Rally Raid Level 1 rear shock with remote preload adjuster and the handling, even when fully loaded is great. It’s a good touring bike even before bringing the bargain price and economy into the equation. I haven’t tried the 2022 model but if it is an improvement on the post 2019 model it will be very good indeed.
I agree it's all you really need in a bike. I liked the 2020 CB500X I test rode, aside from it being a bit vanilla. TBH on the SW500 I was surpised at how well the RE Himalayans went. no lack of speed or cornering ability it seemed on the backroads.
ive only just got my license recently and after a fair bit of research i ended up on the 2022 cb500x. im a tall and heavier bloke and its super comfortable for me with plenty of pickup
The one thing that annoys me about the modern CB 500s is their power has decreased and the weight has went up. I've a PC32 cb500, year 2000 model, which were made from about 1993 I think. 57 Hp, lighter and are still being used in a race series for their durability and excellent handling. I understand the hp figure for A1 compliance, but it's just feels like a step backwards. My bikes got old carbs and still doing 68/70 mpg, and I'm wringing it's neck every chance I get. Could get 57 Hp out of the 500 back then and are known for doing well over 100k miles easily, even after being used on track. 60hp minimum should be available these days, and just have a 47hp restriction options available. That extra 13+ hp and extra torque really would make the bike possibly the best all-round road bike.
Yes I still do not get the ,,it is just a 500!,,I am 64 and 45 years ago that 500 cc was a big bike.I had Triumph super bikes and heavy modern Roadkings and some in between.Now still very happy with my cb 500 x and it does do most,,normal,,off-road stuff I find. The extra power on more powerful bikes hardly gets used so I would not pay all that extra money for it.Also at more than 2 euro a liter the 3 liter per 100 km is a really big bonus.But all should experience it for themselves off course.
Just off on tour around Portugal and Spain on my 20 model, and for me there is nowt wrong with the brakes or the suspension and has plenty of grunt...wont be trading it for the 22
@Speed Twin,agreed,the bike rides and stops very well indeed.I've put 15,000miles on my 2020 model and I've no complaints at all,motorways,A roads,back lanes,it takes them all in it's stride and through the twisties will hold it's own with much much bigger bikes.I don't ride offroad though. I've been through a phase of wanting something bigger but can't find anything that comes close to it for alround performance especially when fuel economy is between 85 to 90mpg(imperial),I won't be changing it anytime soon? Someone commented about the CB500X being high revving,I put a 16t front sprocket on mine to lift the gearing a little,it worked a treat for motorway riding and made 1st gear more useable. I recently read an article by a chap on a RTW trip whose put 98,000miles on his with it only needing regular maintence and IIRC he'd only had the valves checked once!
Glad it's an improvement. I see your point with the 500cc being enough for most, I have an Africa Twin and its not down to ego I can only afford one bike and this does the lot 2 up touring fully loaded, commuting and leisure rides. Its finding a bike to suit your needs sometimes
It might be enough power but I feel it works too hard making the power, it's a little higher in the rpm range, has almost non existent torque 31.57 ftlbs. You can't just make the gearing taller I know for a fact it won't pull it.
Totally agree on the CC thing Nathan if you go back to the 1920s the 500 singles were the superbikes, 650 twins in the 60s were the sweet spot sometimes I think and one of the most fun bikes I've ever ridden was the Norton 650ss from 1967. One moment stands out once on a Yamaha rd250lc n a lad on a superbike commenting about CC when we set off from the pub within two bends I was gone into the distance lol always thought the smaller stuff = the best fun you can have at legal Road speeds n is certainly more grin inducing. Dads just let his gsxr 750 go an I sold the Vstrom 650xt on Friday tripled the miles an got all my money back for stock a year later cant beat that, let them go for a pair of 2021 KTM390 ADV's can't wait gonna prep them for Norway n Iceland and some light off road fun in the UK. Hopefully have them this week. I just wish they would stick a 270 degree firing order on the 500x that'd really make it sweet I think. I'd love for some of the Japanese bikes to go on a diet when I think back to the way some of the classic two stroke yams handled that I used as dailys sublime handling is the best way I'd describe them.
Now if only honda would make them available. I've been to a dozen honda dealers and they all tell me the same thing. You can pay an order fee and they will order it. But it could be anywhere between 6 weeks and a year before it comes in. I can't even find one on the floor to put a leg over.
You're absolutely right. I'm pretty sure I was faster through the B roads riding a GS500E in my 20s at 10/10ths than I am now on an Africa Twin, best part of two decades later, concerned about self preservation and NCB! 😅
I have never seen a review that mentions that this bike does not have a rear mudguard. I found this to be extraordinary. So add on another £130 extra for the missing mudguard.
They are a really good all rounder, I had the 2017 model. When you’re touring alone or with similar bikes the acceleration isn’t a problem and I never really noticed it. The problem came when touring with a group of 900cc plus bikes, when they went for an overtake they were gone, I had to plan and leave much more space to get past. On the busy roads I got left behind, and lost the group completely at one point. So I traded in for a Tracer 7GT. Not massively powerful, around 74hp but the same weight as the 500. Bloody brilliant bike. 👍 Still have a soft spot for the 500x though.
I have been loving my 2022 cb500x so far. I have not ridden the previous years so have no comparison, but I think the suspension is good enough where I don’t feel the need to improve it (as of yet). As for the cast wheels, I am fine with them: yes the spoked wheels look the part more, but the cast give you tubeless tires (a huge plus on a bike at this price point) and this isn’t a bike you’d be taking in hard enough off-road situations that you’d damage a wheel. The engine is dead reliable and oddly efficient: I received 78mpg (USA gallons) on my last tank. The only real downside is the engine completely lacks character.
Nathan - So does your Rally raid suspension on the older CB500x equate to the quality of the suspension on your new cb500x.... (which you said is now good quality)?
That's a good question. The Rally Raid bike I believe has their hardest spring rate fitted, so can feel quite firm for gentle road riding. Where it shines is when you're really pushing on, including off road. It has a much higher upper limit of capabaliity than the stock shock. The new 2022 bike seems to have closed the gap a bit. I found it really plush on the road and it worked ok on rougher terrain, so I think more people are going to be happy with it as it is
Great bike but I think the Aprilia Tuareg took this concept to a higher level. Better suspension, more power, but good mileage and low center of gravity and just a bit heavier.
@@nathanthepostman Really liked the AJP and I found a PR7 but was quoted a price that was higher than the Toureg I ended up buying. Tuareg has ABS and tubeless tires, but lust after the light weight of the PR7. I think I can find a Honda CRF 450L for less than both and that may happen next year when I can't lift the Toureg anymore. Love your videos.
Funny how many different opinions there are. Personally I think the bike is gorgeous, and I think spoke wheels are hideous. So it's all in the eyes of the beholder I reckon. I'm trying to decide between the 500 and the 750. The 750 has a lower center of gravity and the huge center compartment. I'm wondering if there would be much difference on mountain roads. I wouldn't do any serious off-road riding, but I do like to go up gravel mountain roads in southwest Colorado. They can be a bit bumpy and rutted, but nothing too serious. Any thoughts?
I ultimately downsized to the 500X, a 2020 model and can't see me going for more horses in the furure, not much need as mortality creeps up in the rear view mirrors
I’d prefer a smaller lighter bike. But, I like the technical spec of the bigger bikes. I’m waiting for a manufacturer to take the leap a bring out a fully specked bike so I can change my GS.
Does it need the Rally Raid suspension? And that front end will need new kits to convert compared to the older versions. I went Hagon suspension on my 2018 because it's a lit cheaper. What a difference. But can't get spoked wheels at the moment. Like that new one, a lot. Happy travels 👍
@@Lynt144 a good example of reliability, which I dont need to research, its a Honda. All good though. I test rode one last week. Putting a payment down on one next werk
I am thinking about getting either a Honda CB500X or a Suzuki V-Strom 650XT. Any experiences and opinions you guys can share with me? Thanks in advance!
Hi Jan. Sorry for late reply. Just seen this comment. I think both are good bikes. The 500 will be a bit lighter, the 650 a bit faster. Maybe if you feel ready for the 650 then just jump straight to that.
Great review 👏 your spot on with bikers looking down there nose at them. I have no trouble keeping up with my mates on 1000cc in the twistys. But I do chuckle when we fill up as there always at least £20 more than me. Not a lot but over a 10 day trip soon adds up.
Yeah I think they are getting a bit peaky with their pricing lately. They all seem to have of late though, with even the Chinese bikes going up a whack. i guess increased shipping and business costs play a fairly big part.
Might be fine for small spaces but I don't want to take a 2500 mile (one way) trip on it. Small distance, shorter (500 miles) ride, fine. Travel for days at highway (85 - 90 mph) speeds? No way.
Talking out your bottom Hazcat, done a 5000 mile trip on a 18bhp 350 Matchless, two up and full camping gear! 47bhp is luxury lad, heard of Itchy boots?
I took a group across the States a few years back - one GS1200, one Africa Twin, KLR650, Vstrom 650, a Himalayan, a Versys 650 and a few other bikes including two CB500X and to be honest they held their own and I think most people on that trip looked at them as a perfect compromise for the mixture of roads and trails we were riding. If you spent your life on the highway then there's obviously better bikes, but they will sit at 85mph as I found coming back down from Scotland in a day; circa 700 miles. Depends what you need the bike for really.
I test drove the 22 model. I found the vibrations horrible, had to look twice if I’m on a Honda. Also, taller guys will need handlebar risers. waddayathink?
My only question of this 2022 bike would be the handlebar buzz and vibrations. My 2016 500X was not good, but the vibes would stop me buying this 2022 model if they havn't been fixed.....
That is a great question. I always really liked the Benelli and up until this 2022 CB500X I would have bought the Benelli, but this new Honda pips it. The Benelli definitely feels a bigger bike, especially the X, but weight wise I don't think there's a great deal in it once you're riding.
Makes me wonder what the future of the CB500X is? They can't increase the HP while maintaining the A2 licensing regulation and now that the suspension is sorted out, what do they do next?
It's a great question and quite honestly I don't think there's much else to do to it. I wouldn't want the spoked wheels as standard as they'd be tubed and would pose a big problem when you got a puncture. I'd probably just leave it alone and keep the price competitive. Where they do have a gap is the 650-750cc sector. A modern Transalp would be a great addition, but I don't think Honda has the guts to make one these days.
No, for the 2022 bike I don't think it does. More aggressive off road, maybe, but not for gentle stuff and not for the road. It'd look great with some spoked wheels tho.
They've got the styling right now for this type of bike, and it looks particularly good in green. Interesting to see it has cast wheels. I still wouldn't want one. But an NC750X DCT is interesting me.
I've had a my CB500X for nearly 4 years now. I find the brakes are powerful enough and fine for the way I ride it. The suspension is the real downside for me. Good to hear Honda has finally sorted it on the 22 bike. Tempting!
I found that once you'd uprated the suspension and could therefore ride it that bit harder, that's when you wanted more braking power. But yeah I found the brakes fine on the standard bike
one thing keeps bothering me with these smaller rev-happy parallels is their off road character, torque curve.. and even those higher revs on roads, i find the ride quite un-relaxed with the sound of big hair-dryer down there (albeit smooth). i might be too sensitive to this, but they make me nervous )
Is an 8000 RPM red line rev happy? My TT600 revved to almost twice that. In normal use I change up at @4000 on my 500X and only take it above that in fifth and sixth. It seems to be a very easy to ride torquey motor to me.
Wire wheels are the best thing anyone can do with these bikes. Really looks the part. Not cheap though £1500. Honda could offer the bike with wire wheels but the price could be £1000 more than msrp now.
The Rally Raid kit is just a dead-end, - dare I say it, money grabbing venture - just more polishing where no need to, on a bike that is ultimately a sit-up-and-beg road bike. My 2015 500X was a pot-hol- crashing pig and buzzy through the bars, sold withing the year. Maybe this 2022 model has come on - certainly it sounds like the suspension is better but I'm not sure about the buzzy nature of the bars.
@@nathanthepostman 390adv, primarily. But all dual sports and yeah they can't do two up riding well, or handle the long hauls. But, for my money you have to start with a spirited engine in a bike and the 500cc is plain uninspired.
@@Actias1974 you’re right, Honda should really get their act together. Now that Kawasaki has put out they will be releasing a Versys 400x, that is lighter, faster, better off road and with much more smile inducing power curve, the 500x falls more deeply into the irrelevant category for adv bikes. But it is a great, if not snooze worthy tourer. If Kawasaki puts the new 4cyl 400cc in the sooner or later to be released Versys 400x, or if they borrow the 399cc parallel twin from the z400, both those engines are superior to the Honda 500. But, for those who are inspired to buy their bikes based on high centers of gravity, sluggish handling, poor performance and the color red, Honda will still have a fan base 😄
I remember riding the old model on your A2 day & it just felt top heavy & was awful on the trails but i take your point about the new one being better road focused but it's a shame it's not positioned as a cheaper tenere.
Definitely not an off road bike...but a really good allrounder. I just sold my 2014 CB500x and would have a 2022 model in the future. I wish it could lose a bit of weight though, but then it would cost more.
It’s never been billed as an off-road bike, it’s an adventure bike. I’ve taken mine to places I wouldn’t consider taking a big adventure bike and it’s handled it with ease.
@@davidmatthews3093 Any bike can go off road if you ride slowly enough. The cb500x is not really any better off road than a cb500f. It's a city bike. A good one.
@@Paul_Grace The X is appreciably 'better' than an F model off-road - it has a 19" front wheel, longer travel suspension, more ground clearance and a more upright seating position - all of which make it far more appropriate for riding on unsurfaced roads and trails. As David Matthews suggests - these are 'all-terrain' adventure bikes, not dedicated trail bikes.
