Couldn't agree more. Have my 2021 for a year now, my first bike. Fun in the city, can do touring when needed. Recently had a 3-hour long offroad experience in sand, gravel and forest roads and was able to manage it with no offroading experience, no falls, and almost no stalls. And to make things worse I had a pillion and 50 kilos of baggage (3 day bike camping trip). If that doesn't speak for itself, I don't know what does.
I have a 2022 CB500X. I find the bike a lot of fun to ride and very capable of rough, mutli surface running. I don't find the seat great, it starts to hurt after a couple of hours for me. I use a sheepskin to help the situation. I considered a replacement, but it's expensive to say the least. I run mostly country roads that are generally paved, some dirt/gravel. The suspension is the star on this bike as well as it's easy manners - clutch action and handling are stellar. In Canada - Ontario this bike is in short supply. I was lucky to get one. I ride a Harley full dresser (2014 Electra Glide Ultra) and it stays in the garage while the Honda and I ride the backroads! You gotta love a bike you can push around by yourself, in and out of the garage. I can't do that with the Harley! All in all, a great bike! Thanks Honda!
I had one new in 2014 and loved it, I sold it after a couple of years to get get something with more power. Next week I take delivery of my second brand new 2023 CB500x - like you, it was the best bike I had ever owned. I would always rather ride a slower bike fast than a fast bike slow. Great seat and riding position and the new upgrades over the past few years have made it the perfect bike for me.
My opinion of the 2020 model CB500X. I don't like overly heavy bikes and I don't like overly powerful bikes,at 69 years old I don't have anything to prove to anyone and I don't want to get into a situation where the weight gets the better of me even if I am quite fit. I've owned a 2020 CB500X bought privately,almost new with 300miles on,from a scooter owning chap who found he didn't like motorcycles,I now have 15,000 happy miles on it. It is a great bike that ticks almost all the boxes admirably,the seat isn't one of them,which is mostly due to an old and rather boney backside,though an air Rider seat cushion solved that problem.The stock screen is terrible which a Givi D1171ST screen solved,and the gearing I found a little low for my road only use which sometimes can involve a 40mile motorway ride,a 16tooth front sprocket lowered the revs enough to make 70/75mph feel less stressful . I went with Bridgestone T31s when the OEM Dunlops wore out at 6,300miles,the T31s now have almost 9,000miles on and are I'd say good for another 2,000miles,they've been great tyres. All that said and done with some SW Motech engine bars and a large Givi tankbag the bike is now tailored to my needs and wants,it handles well,goes and stops well,with no vices or nasty surprises,in short a great easy to ride bike. I have to confess I keep thinking of swapping it but everytime I ride it the same question crops up. Why would I swap the swiss army knife of bikes that does everything I ask of it and more besides? Unless that is if the 2022 model is THAT much better it's worth the outlay? I can see me test riding the 2022 model to answer that burning question..... EDIT:- just to add that the horn is ridiculously useless,so I fitted a Denali Mini Soundbomb,a straightforward plug in in place of the standard useless one,numpties now hear it with real alarm😊
Thanks. I am considering one of the Honda 500cc variants as I am finding my modern Triumph Bonneville heavy at age 77. Thanks for a short video - most are WAY too long.
I like mine a lot, it's a 23 with a bunch of off-road add-ons (SW Motech bash plate, crash bars, top box, pannier racks, Barkbusters). With the right tyres it's way more capable off-road that the people buying it. If you can get the most out of a T7 or Africa Twin, then it's not for you, but many people with T7s and Africa Twins would be just fine with a CB500X...
I picked up my 2023 10 days ago. I mostly compare it to my Versys 650. Versys was tall and VERY top heavy. Slow speed maneuvers were difficult. The bike wanted to tip over...fast. The 500X seems much more balanced and it's easier to control. That moment where you're stopping and you put your foot down, the Versys could be hard to control. The 500X is much better. (same goes for lateral control at a complete stop) Shifter on the 500X is much better. I didn't like the Kawi-Clunk. It always felt like it was breaking.
In your case it is the 8th, in my case is the first ever and I really love it. So happy about this purchase of mine. Completed it with central stand, crash bar and handguards all original.
Just rode a CB 500x on the Mae Hong Son loop in Thailand. It’s a reliable, economical machine but it drives like a small truck which took away a lot of the motorcycle fun on those 2000 plus curves. A big top box and 10kg of luggage made it feel very ungainly and prone to squirrel on the slightest bump. I longed for my old XL600.
I wish I could talk as smooth as you, good review and photography in my unprofessional opinion. I really like my CB500X and prefer it over my Goldwing because of the weight. 2015 Goldwing at 933 lb. and CB500X at 439 lb. Riding since 1988. Be safe and blessings. 5'9" at 187 lb
Hey thanks bro. I rode a Goldwing once and was so surprised it did not feel anything like its weight. It felt more like a 600 lb bike than a 900 lb one. But I also think the CB500X feels lighter than it is.
Picked up my 22 500x a few days ago, I also have the Africa Twin, I love the 500 but man it folds you up like a pretzel compared to the AT, gonna have to either install a tall seat or lower the pegs, maybe both. BUT, so far it's a fun bike on back roads.
I have to agree! I have a '22 500X that is my 7th bike. I began riding in the '70s, offroad for about 4 yrs before I ever did any onroad riding. (and believe me, that's the way to do it if you can!) I have two bikes now, the other being a '20 WR250R. I love the WR also, it's a great bike in its own right. I agree, the seat of the 500X is very comfortable. However, I feel the seating position cramps the legs a bit, which causes me some hip pain after an hour. A short break from the bike fixes that. In contrast, my legs can stretch out when I'm on the WR, as its seat position is much higher and the riding position is not cramped at all. Then again, it has about a foot of suspension travel so there you go. Anyhow, the 500X is fantastic overall. I'm 59 yrs now and don't ever expect to get rid of it. Btw I see you took the stock wind screen off. I replaced mine with a "Sport" model from WRS and like it a lot. It gives only minimal protection, but some is better than none, and it looks great. Safe riding!
I got it off Amazon: a.co/d/4UGD1TR Liked it so much I got another one for my CBR650R. Can carry a couple of small water bottles and cameras, phone, etc. Yeah, perfect size.
Do you notice a big difference when you removed the screen.I have exactly the same bike and not sure if I should remove the screen or not.Bought my bike end of January and done 2500 mile love it.
I find the bike a lot more comfortable without the screen as the air flow is consistent and not turbulent like I find it is with the screen on. The way the front of the bike is designed, the air "blast" you get is not excessive and has a better cooling effect than with the screen on.
Im selling my MT07 and thinking to get CB500X, Im into adv bike ... I do lot of comute to work and takeing longer weekend rides ... I dont ride high speeds just wondering wuld there be lack of torque and power on uphills and overtakeings? Price and gas consumption are advanteges with cb500x
I've never had a problem passing at normal speeds like 80km to 120km/ph. You still have to plan it out like you would driving a car. It hasn't got the "pass at will" power of a supersport or anything like that. This bike feels like it has more torque than it does which I think is only 30lb/ft. But the dynos I've seen shows that comes in around 3000 rpm and stays steady through the rev range. No issues with hills.
I agree with the OP, the 500X has plenty of passing power from 50-75mph or so. Now, it might be different if you are carrying a passenger, but I'm not.
Since its a relatively light and tall bike with limited fairings you are gonna feel strong crosswinds. But since it so stable a bike I've never had issues as far as being "pushed around". I don't ride when winds are strong, if I can help it.
@@OccasionallyEvil Hah! No, just think it's important if you do a bike review you provide your height and weight because it provides a lot of context for people considering a bike. Thanks 👍