Honda CB500X (2023) | Ride Review | 

Sounds great to me 😊

The CB500X is a very underrated bike and will do just about everything and it sounds like you really enjoyed the ride. I have only ridden the CL500 variant of that engine and found it to be very easy to get on with .On the subject of bigger bikes. I do enjoy bigger bikes and they feel a lot more stable at high speeds, of course the downside in the weight. In saying that, my NT1100 feels not that much heavier than the NC750X so the modern designs really make a difference. My sweet spot for a bike is the NC750x and would be good to see you get a run out on one in the future to see what you think of it.

Hi Ian, that looks a very civilised bike 👍and as you say its probably all the power you need in the real world 😁 Certainly for Scotlands roads, Agree with you on the massive bike thing, i refer to those folks as Dinosaurs! 🤣😜👍

6 years, 10 countries and 89,000 miles on my CB500X, including an 11,000 miler across the US and TAT. Still smile when i walk in the garage. Zero real problems or mechanical issues, apart from the cush drive bearing in the rear wheel failing at about 50 something thousand miles. Loads of farkles available for the CB, to be added as and when budget allows. The NX is a CB with newer body styling. So, IMO, you can't go wrong with the NX. OR, you could pick up a used CB for a price that's within your budget. Though i'd suggest a 2019 and up.

Hi Ian, great bike and looking good from your review and you did a great review and as you say you don't need an a bigger bike and it's a good bike to tour on

I love Ian Hughes videos and want to see more!

A really capable machine. Have always liked the look, but stupidly dismissed it because of the bhp. However, the silver lining to that, was when I tested the Interceptor & found 40 odd bhp was quite acceptable for my needs. Just coming up to 5 years with my Interceptor & still loving every minute riding it.

Hi Ian, it looks very capable and I considered one when I started looking for a smaller bike, I missed out on a good used on at Mitchells by a couple of weeks. On your other point, if we only bought our bikes based on what we need then we'd all have just one cheap small bike, or even a scooter. Ride whatever puts a smile on your face, we're all helping to keep motorcycling and the motorcycle industry going. Personally I've enjoyed the many tens of thousands of miles I've ridden on my RTs, GSs, K1600 and other big bikes. Although I could have carried tools and computer equipment the length and breadth of The UK all year round on a smaller bike, as my trip on Bobby proved, I was a lot busier then and it wouldn't have been at all time or cost efficient from a business point of view. Also, when you've ridden through a few winter storms you come to appreciate the extra stability and weather protection a big bike provides. Cheers, Mick

What a nice bike Ian

Done many happy miles on various forms of CB500 as an instructor and they are great bikes. The adventure style bikes do give the rider a great view around them, along with wide bars and good ergonomics. You gave a good and fair appraisal of the bike as you found it on your test ride. It’s true, screens generate just noise if your lucky and if your not lucky you get turbulence as well; just something that has got to be put up with I suppose. Totally agree about the likes of GS’s etc; as a former owner of several of the genre I can confirm that the owners perception that such a large capacity motorcycle is a requirement is totally in the riders head. Enjoyed the video and that exhaust did sound nice. Mind how you go bud

Having the 500 Rebel, for my short leggies, very capable engine in these bikes. I believe each model in the 500 range, has the ecu tweaked slightly for each model. Now I got the seat done, should provide a more comfortable ride, from now on. Glad you enjoyed the run out.😊

Morning Ian, the 500X is a cracking machine I was tempted a couple of years ago but went with the V storm instead because I mainly ride two up but really anything in the 500/650 range is easier to live with than the bigger ones and they have enough power, for what you are after the 500X would be perfect and such a different ride to Clementine that they would complement each other, all the best buddy 👍

Fabulous exhaust note on the bike Ian. Seems a bit tall for me at 830mm but it might be ok. I’ll have to get a closer look at one. 👍

Glad enjoyed the 500X mate 🤙🏼 it’s a gem of a bike which surpasses the sum of its parts. Simple effective economical and if you’re in the mood will hoon with the best of them. Re the screen: I ride with ear plugs (only on long journeys) and find the screen brilliant just the right height and literally puts you in a little bubble of neutral air at all speeds. It’s my first bike with a screen and now I wonder how I coped now without one for 40odd years! Looking forward to more vids and roll on summer 😊

A very competent bike which gets better and better. The twin disc version even more so. Although it’s similar in power to your old Interceptor it’s delivers in a different way. Love the trips out on the Classic.

Hi Ian It's Pete. I just saw your review on the Honda CB500X, it's seems a pretty decent bike, and of course you have got Honda reliability and parts back up. I meant to say to you last time, I purchased a bike many decades ago from Roger in Crewe, it was a Yamaha DT125 sport, I part exchanged a brand new only a week old Yamaha YB100, I went into the shop and asked Roger if he was interested in a part ex against the DT and when he came out to have a look he couldn't believe it was only a week old, as it worked out the new year was about to arrive in his store, so the part ex worked out that I didn't really lose any money on my bike, because the new DT bike had gone up so we did the deal. If I remember right I'm sure that Roger wears glasses and was of slim build reminded me a bit of side little from little and large 🤣🤣🤣, look forward to seeing your review of the TRK and what you think of the bike be honest 😂😂 Anyway , catch you again later Pete

I can see why you like the CB500X Ian. I like middleweight bikes and it is one that I have admired.

They are a nice competent bike, Ian. I tried one shortly before I bought my 750 Breva and found that the CB500X's 830mm seat height was just a little too tall for my comfort and that the 199 kg kerb weight was carried a bit high for me. I'd certainly agree with your perspective on humongous adv-tourers.

Thinking of downsizing from my 2004 r1200gs and these and the new nx look appealing might have to get to a dealer and take a look

I have just bought one of these bikes new and I love it. I chose this instead of the new NX because I just wanted the simplicity of this bike regarding electronics. I am an older rider and have been downsizing my motorcycles. I now have 1982 Honda CB250rs, 2021 BMW G310r and the 2024 Honda CB500x. 😊👍🏍

I've had 2 of these over the last 2 years( 20 plates ) one with the high seat and one with the low. It's a great bike, it's just I don't like them and I've now got a new cb500f. Just more fun all round. I would also add, the X was a pain in the backside when it came to cleaning it. Because I ride all year round, my bikes get really filthy!

Well Ian on a Honda for a change. In total agreement no need for a massive tourer/adventure bike. The smaller CB500X does it all. The engine is smooth and picks up very well, as my prevoius bike CBR500R did, .prior to changing for Kawaski Nija 650 and RE Hunter.Less pressure on wrists.Get rid of that screen and exhaust leaving bike as stanard. Great review as always. Bfn Mike Sunny Wales

Nearly got one myself. All you need. But screens I.m not keen on due mainly to noise. Only one I ever had that was quiet was xmax with an mra flip thing. But I rarely go over 60 these days . Even on motorways I just chill out in 1st lane at 60 ish. Been to France twice on mz which unfortunately is 300mile of mway. But I find when I did it on a 1000 bmw doing 70/80 I was more knackered. I think faster you ride on mway longer it seems to take 😂 Toyota is really good on m6.

I think it’s a very good bike the only thing I’m not keen on is the bigger front wheel. I like the nc750 DCT because it’s very road focused with 17 inch wheels and because I’m older the DCT is very easy and relaxed to ride. But like you I don’t like these great big bikes unless you are going on the auto barn but when would you go on that? I think looks wise it’s fantastic and good on fuel 😊👍🏍️

As you know Ian, I have a 500X too, in fact, I’m on my second one now. Of all my bikes it’s the one I tend to use the most. As for long distance rides you’ve only got to watch Nick from ‘BikingTravels’, or ‘ItchyBoots’ of course to see if the 500X will tour! The 16T front sprocket is a good idea...I might get one for mine. Just got to be aware that the speedo will read around 7% or so lower than with the 15T

I really like these bikes Ian, we were looking at them in Bill Smith's new showroom at Chester this weekend , they're a really neat compact bike,.. as for needing huge adventure bikes, I don't think they're really a requirement, more an ego thing. I've got a Vstrom 650 and me and my missus have done over 60,000 miles on it two up loaded with camping gear and its done it all easily, the only thing I'd knock it on are the brakes, they're a bit spongy, the CB500X brakes have more feel and are a lot better . I'll never sell my Vstrom ,but if I did the CB500X would be what I'd go for next . Cheers Mel 🍻

I did consider one of these couple months ago, Certainly a very pretty bike and long distance ride. However the Himalayan won out for multiple reasons for me.

Morning Ian 😊 CB500X, what a lovely bike but for not much more the NC750X is far better except for the weight of it, and like you say, do you need anything more well No except the NC750X as DCT which would help our old friend arthritis 😊 Birchwood as one of those 😊 test ride there could might be possible

Hi Ian - a thought provoking video to say the least. I'm committed to my Himalayan, as is pretty obvious, but I have to admit that the 500X has figured on my radar occasionally, to the extent that a test ride might not be a good idea. So far as your audio is concerned, I can see your point regarding screen induced turbulence - yes the low screen definitely seems to be the answer, certainly when it comes to motovlogging. Hope your family emergency gets sorted btw. 👍

The irony is I exchanged a 17 reg 500 X for my Classic 350 2 years ago. I never gelled with the Honda mostly because it always felt top heavy, plus I dislike screens. The Classic I fell in love with immediately and now have no interest in riding any other bikes, a first in 53 years of riding 😊

I'm wanting an adventure touring bike, this looks alright, however the accessories needed for touring can really up the price nearly doubling the cost, So what's your thoughts on the new himalayan as you have a RE, longevity quality?

Come on Ian you really want to spend over 20 grand on a GS, don't you. I own a GoldStar but am a bit of a Honda fanboy owning numerous models in the past starting with a XBR 500 and recently a CB1100 EX. But aren't those 500s sweet selling at a very reasonable price, comfortable and reasonable to own. Love em.

Great first impression ride Ian. I haven’t ridden the later generation 500’s but I have done many thousands of miles on the earlier CB500 twins and CBF500 twins too as an instructor and they are superb real world motorcycles. I remember back in the late 70’s early 80’s that august journal, MCS used to say there is no point in a motorcycle over 500cc. I believe motorcyclists are victims of the marketing people. They have managed to convince everyone that we actually need their grotesquely overpriced, overweight and overrated large capacity motorcycles; furthermore the marketing people have done a great job convincing everyone that the above are actually desirable. They had convinced me too, till I saw sense and realised; no,I don’t require a motorcycle that big. We were in Switzerland just before Covid. The high roads and passes were thick with GS’s and KTM’s etc. What made me laugh was a German lady riding a 20odd year old Suzuki GS500. (For those that don’t know the Suzuki is a pure road going 500cc twin). Riding exactly the same passes and high roads that some guys need a 1200/1300cc bike for. So just let them moan if they want Ian. A nice ride;,good mixture of roads, pertinent comments, great banter; job done bud.

Nice bike I an be interesting to see what you make of the Benelli 702 in comparison if that's the plan . Have to comment on the car pulling out of course is it ignorance or plain stupidity with them or maybe a visit to Specsavers 😉.👌👍

I love my 2023, the stock screen is awful and was replaced with a PUIG Touring screen. I now sit in a bubble of calm.

Very nice motorcycle! But I’ve always been a Honda fan. In fact I’ve owned more Hondas than any other make.

that 500 engine feels deceptive when you rev em, think its the same engine in the loan bike from Bransons

I'm sorry but look at this cockpit and compare it to the NXs...this one rocks way harder. 439 LBS, Seat 32.8, tank 4.7 gal

What brand are the hand guards fitted to the bike Ian as I quite like the look of them.

How did you find the gearbox/clutch? Mines a bit clunky,? Otherwise, it a great bike.

Hi Ian, the big question is are you getting itchy feet and is Clementine on the at risk register?🤔🙂👍

I wanted to know where it lived!. The comment I just left will make sense I a couple weeks 😂

How did you find the suspension? As I tried a 2019 and its was pretty poor ......

God today's motorcycles are so ugly. Today's motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on 2 wheels.

Ian you be wanting to try the NC750 soon😂😂😂