It's a great little bike. I'm loving mine! If you follow Dork in the Road, and are near Oregon he is selling his with just over 1000 miles on it. If I didn't already have one, I'd be making the trip to snag it.
This is the best outdoor test for the CB500X (with the USD suspension) I've seen so far. More real world action and less talk. Most of all, your riding is impeccable! Your line choice are the same as enduro riders. But when the going gets tough, you really bash the CB500X on those rocks. It shows well that with skill, the CB500X can handle it.
I've been trying to decide on the best small adv bike to get (that will also suit city commuting) and your videos of riding this bike have completely sold me for the CB500X ... no talk just riding the terrain ... the best complete review of the CB500X on youtube ... I am sold.
It was a good video demonstrating the stock production bike's capabilities and shortcomings. I see why some people upgrade the suspension system. I'm considering the bike. More for cross-country paved back road travel, county dirt, and forest service roads. Good to know that it can slowly travel across some rougher terrain if required. Good video
It scares me just by watching this video, I have the same bike, but to be honest with you, it's about a rider the most and their skills rather than the bike abilities, I mean it!
@@rezaizadkhah5367 This guy is just doing some typical off road riding, and the bike appears to be handling it well. I couldn't take any street bike off road but this bike seems to be light and nimble enough for it. It's definitely not all rider, I've been riding since I was 5 and raced for almost a decade and there are bikes I just wouldn't take off road even if I could..
Anytime I think my cb500x isn't good enough for some intense off road trails..I'm gonna watch this video and remember that the skill level is what's #1 most important..not the bike...
I have same,2021,bike and do similar stuff in S.Spain.The front bottoms out sometimes when you go a bit fast.Just taking it easy and improving my skill set in a sensible way..enjoy the riding😊
Yep I feel the front bottoming out but like you said, I changed the way I ride a bit. Currently, here, we are in the winter season so no riding... I'm physically training to be better next season!
Yep, only good tires and some protection and it's pretty capable when you don't go too crazy and don't try to cross a mudpit or climb a monkey face with it :)
The bike is geared low for off road riding, good gas mileage 65 and below. However, my 2022 did 105 mph, GPS verified, about 500 below the redline. A round trip on back roads from Lake Erie to Tampa it averaged 68 mpg. The motor delivers even torque over most of the RPM range, making it perfect for off road slow and rough terrain. If you use the bike to commute or ride expressways and interstates, consider changing front sprocket to a 16 tooth. I read that it will deliver an 6..25 increase in speed resulting in better gas mileage. Remember, that the speedometer, 60 mph becomes a little less than 64, gmp and the gpm readings will be off by the same amount. It that's not enough, change the rear to 39, for another 4.2 percent.
One metric of a motorcycle that is very telling about its character is how slow you can ride it; I can ride my XR 650 L slower than any bike I’ve seen. I’m sure there’s some trial who can call all day long, but for all practical purposes, that XR 650 L can be ridden slower than I can stand to walk. I was riding someplace where I wasn’t supposed to be, and a helicopter began to surveil me. Those guys like it when you open the throttle and try to out run them, but I know that those things cost a thousand dollars an hour to operate, and I simply put it in first gear and started going about as slow as I could get it to go for about 15 minutes. He got bored watching me go like a snail and he finally flew away.
Great video! I’m looking for a bike to do so soMe of the TAT in 2024 and this looks well up to the job without being too tall or heavy but the legs to do highways.
This is worse than most people will realistically take their bikes on, and it just proves that it's not about the bike needing "MOAR" anything. It's about practice and building skills, because 90% of the bikes are more capable than the folks riding them.
nice, I was curious about getting a 500x since my sister lives up north and I would be heading there moderately often and they have some pretty decent dirt-tracks and A LOT of dirt roads so I was thinking either the Husqvarna 390 (similar to the duke adventure) or this. Basically any bike I get is going to have to deal with dirt roads regardless so I am wondering if I should just buy something that has a bit of the capability built in or just get tires that can handle a bit of dirt on something like a CB300r.
Good video. You’re a good rider. I used to ride my CRF 250 rally across terrain like that. Been thinking of getting a CBR 500X and wondering how it would on that terrain. Thanks. I do know it weighs more that the 250 which concerns me. I figure if I’m not wrecking or spilling the bike I’m not having to much fun. I’m wondering where you were. Looks like E Tn to me where I live.
Yes it was something else, bike is like new despite me giving it a hard time :). The hill in the beginning of the video is pretty steep and full of bumps and rocks, so the clicking noise is the sound of the chain getting tension and off tension as the rear wheel jumps over the rocks. Probably the chain was hitting the sliders, producing that noise.
Yeah I agree this is a bit overkill for the CB500X but it's a trail that is like 5min from my house so I like to go there for an after-work rush of adrenaline ;) I like the CB cuz the forest roads I like to go are at 30 to 45 minutes of highway from here, and I also do a lot of commuting with it. More confortable than the other options.
I slightly bent the front wheel on the right lip when I was going ~75km/h on a forest road and hit a protruding rock on the road. Wheel is still good and I am still using it. I'm now more vigilent on that :) Else everything is fine hehe.
How did it feel in the handlebars? I have 2015 cb500x and the lack of a more dual sport suspension left my hands about ready to vibrate off my arms with the chatter in the bars.
Hi, I'm using Bridgestone Battlax AX41 and No handlebar risers as of yet, might add some. I have the SW Motech Ion foot pegs that can be lowered, yet to be intalled. I'll give feedback once installed.
To be frank I feel the suspension a bit short (travel) and soft for that kind of off-road. But since that this trail is probably the most intense I'll ever do, I'm ok with it. I can ride in all the other, less intense ones with "confort" :). Maybe in a few years when I'll get better and pickup more speed, a suspension (or bike) upgrade will be needed though. But bike has lot of other advantages that will be hard to beat.
So I take it you have not added the rally raid suspension, wheels, etc? That was very nice riding to say the least. Have you owned a heavier adv bike you can compare it to? Great video - keep them coming
@@elmorgie8552 Thanks for the reply. I've ridden my CB500X on tough gravel roads and I am very happy with the bike. I'm looking forward to doing some off road too.
I have a 2015 cb500x, if it's Rally Raided suspension level 1. I went with a level one because I'm a little short 5'4" , but after adding the rally raid suspension, the bike goes so much better off road and handles these rocks and terrain amazingly well.
If that is an iPhone and if you care about its camera, I suggest you change your phone setup as it will get damaged by mounting it to the handlebars like that. I've heard the Quad Lock with the vibration dampener is quite good but after breaking two iPhones I just keep mine in my pocket and use a Garmin Zumo XT now. I'm too scared to take my '22 cb500x down anything more than forest roads at this point. I have a beat up CRF250L to use on the trails.
I keep my phone in the protective shock dampening mount of my zipped jacket pocket. I've never seen the need to mount a phone on bars. I know where I'm going. I know where I am. I don't answer calls while riding. If I was inclined to listen to songs on a trip through a helmet bluetooth then my pocket still works.
Yeah I've looked into that when I bought the Ram X-Mount. The QuadLock was significantly more expensive and I only have a Samsung S9 with no camera stability mecanism that could break. Thanks to point that out!
Do you find it had to stand? I’m about 5’11” and heard some reviewers say the handle bars are a little low and the pegs are weird (easily fixed w/ aftermarket parts)
I'm almost 6'1" and yeah the handle bar is a bit low, but the other day I rode for 3hours straight standing up. Knees locked, hips back, and you lean on the bar. It's ok. I've installed the Sw-Motech Ion pegs on the lower position but I have yet to test them on dirt roads. For info, I also have a skidoo and I have almost the same position than on my bike when standing up. Bars are equaly low.
Totally agree, in fact, the 500cc is a limit I impose to myself :) If there something I would wish, it's a bit more ground clearance and a bit harder front suspension for these riding conditions. But then again you could tell me that the CB500X is not a Motocross bike :).
@@elmorgie8552place front fork oil with 15w and overfill by 10% - works great and very cheap “upgrade” - set pre load higher on rear too.running for two years this way no issues - Honda tolerances are very good for pushing boundaries. If you don’t have it get a proper baseplate too
This is not an adventure ride. This is a definite off-road ride. This is not what they mean when they say adventure motorcycle. And for distinct off-road riding there are off-road motorcycles.
yeah I agree, but in the area we have different levels of roads and I wan't to try them all. Knowing the limit and better handle the bike in ruff conditions will give me confidence!
@@elmorgie8552 some light trail riding, maybe more later on.. probably just gonna go easy on it until i got the spare money for the plate. The oilpan just looks mighty vulnerable
You make that look easy but I have no doubt I would have dumped the bike a bunch of times trying to do that! You must have grown up riding dirt bikes, no?
At ~20yo I rode a TW200 in this trail for ~3years. I've ridden it 3-4 times with the CB500X to get a better feel and am barely starting to pick up speed.
Hi, ground clearance is obviously not top of the line at 7" but not really far from the KTM 390 adventure. You can add a skid plate. And also, it always depends on the terrain you plan on riding on. 7" + skid plate is enough on gravel roads, fire roads, forest roads etc. You simply ride around big rocks, not over! :)
Yes, the RallyRaid one and I had to beef it up a bit : I've re-welded it all completely and added some metal rods to add more rigidity to it (and get rid of the 4000rpm vibration).
@@elmorgie8552 I’ve been there. Worked in Saint-Hyacinthe for three months in 2008. Repairing hail damages automobiles. Beautiful area. I didn’t get to travel far from the Hotel working 7 days a week and studying at night for University. Thanks
@@elmorgie8552 wow impressive. many say it should be changed to RR for real off road driving. but you against prove that even original execution it is capable of very much. I have to decide between cb500x or tenere 700. Your video could be crucial for me. Greetings from Sweden
Hehe I agree! But like I said in the description of the video, the video is vertical "because the kids wanted me to put a video on tiktok." I won't do it again I promise :)
