Hi Juan: Just wanted to say thanks for all the effort you've put into all your CB500X videos, I'm sure it's helped a LOT of people realize that they didn't really need a 1200+cc machine to do serious adventure type touring. I'm a smaller guy and getting a little older too, and a huge bike makes no sense for me - I just can't manage the weight any more. I thought the 690 was the way to go, but your videos have made me rethink my priorities. I am now the happy owner of a 2017 CB500X, Madstad screen, RR 440 racks and Siskiyou luggage. Same with my wife (hers is lowered). For those wondering, we recently had BMW F800GS's for a few years (I put 95,000km on mine), but honestly the 500X does the same thing for less than half the price - not to mention the incredible decrease in cost of ownership and amazing fuel economy. Plus they are MUCH easier to manage in sketchy situations. The RR level 1B kits are a future upgrade we are looking forward to, but for now the 500X is a perfect lightweight touring machine. Riding out to Osoyoos BC tomorrow - it's going to be great! Appreciate your work, you're one of the good guys. Thumbs up.
@@donniebunkerboi9975 - The 500 is a lot smother and a fair bit quicker than the crf. The crf has better suspension, but the seat is lot harder and X is a lot more plush. I think I have most rides covered without spending a lot of money and I get Honda reliability in both bikes. A t700 or KTM 790 would cost me another 7K over and above what I have spent on both bikes.
dang every time I start to consider a more powerful bike you bring me back to the cb500x. I just wish we had some here in the states that could bring it up to rally speed besides rally raid. thanks Juan.
I just found and bought a barely used 2015 CB500X (300 miles!). Yesterday I ordered the Level 3 RR kit. I have a WR250R, which I'm keeping, and a Tiger 800XC, which I'm also keeping. The CB500X will be my ride for the solo trips to out of the way places. It lacks in power... but it brings the hooligan in me. Go figure... Anyway, I can't wait to get the RR kit and start building my small adventure bike. Thank you for your great videos.
Awesome comparison video. More and more I research this, the Rally Raid CB500X continues to check all the boxes for me. Your videos is helping me out alot. Looking forward in viewing more of your adventures on the CB.
You should have tried a $3,000 build of a dr650. Rally tank and fairing, seat and suspension. Luggage racks.. dr650 would have done the trips you want to do. No electronic jazz.. very reliable. Enjoyed your videos on the rally raid stuff.. And jenny. Have fun!
Excellent review and comparison of two representatives of middle weight ADV rigs. Appreciate the differences between the two yet their overlapping purpose. Hope other manufacturers will add their versions to the mix.
Great video! I applaud you still riding a bike as tall as the KTM. I'm only 5' 9" and whenever I bring up seat height I always hear about how someone 5' 2" is riding a bike with a 37" seat, like it's a badge of honor. As I've gotten older I've become tired of all the extra work it takes to ride a tall bike.
Spot on in every subject. For a bike you want to trash around out in the wild for a weekend - KTM. For an Alaska to Usuaia trip or RTW trip - the Honda. Also the fuel milage on the CB500X is extremely well
yeah you did it!!!! Thanks Juan. Wow you sold me buddy. These were seriously big biggest two contenders. I couldn't agree with you more about the big bike mentality. I feel like the cb hits the sweet spot for weight/power/smoothness. Too bad to get the cb set up it will still cost a fair amount.
Thanks for what you provide . I am looking forward to my duplicating your CB500X. Wouldn't have known , if not for you putting it out here. Again, much enjoyed and appreciated. Rod
+ckyrooster Excellent! Keep us posted. Loads of really useful info in this large advrider thread, indexed on page 1...advrider.com/index.php?threads/rally-raid-products-honda-cb500x.1012021/page-119
Thanks for a great video. Was not considering a KTM, but you answered some questions I keep getting about the Honda. I bought a CB450, new, in 1973, and it was a fantastic machine. The 500x seems like an improved, and refined version of it.
dude I just realized I have been watching your chanle for quite a while. but recently you have been my go-to source for updates on the Orville spillway crisis.
Sir, I have watched all your videos with great interest. I have always looked at the CB500x as my next bike, but when Rally Raid made this adventure conversion package, it brought me over the top. This is like a match made in heaven. Thanks to your amazing videos, you have eliminated all my guess work on my next bike. Unfortunately, I am in Jordan and they will not let diplomats ride bike here so I will have to wait some time. The CB500x 2016 will soon be out soon and hope the conversion kit will still be applicable. In my humble opinion, this has been a big missed opportunity for Honda to make a fantastic lower displacement adventure machine.
+Nicholas Bisceglia Thanks! yes I agree a missed opportunity for Honda! Keep us posted from Jordan on your next bike, and yes I'm sure Rally Raid will insure their kit will fit 2016 and subsequent models of the CB500X.
blancolirio do you know any good trails around Feather Falls just got it DRZ400 and I live right there at Lumpkin and Enterprise Bridge new to the area thought you might know some good trails?
You have a great Chanel here Juan......I stumbled on your u tube spot while looking for real info about the Orville dam...since i have family in that town.I then found your other videos on motorcycles I have a long love of motorcycles,quads three wheelers. Any how i appreciate the effort you put in to video your adventures for us inn u tube land. Joe Silva Eureka Calif
Thanks for the video, Juan. I've had some great adventures on my 650 Vstrom. ( And I'm in the same demographic as you!) If I outlive my bike, I'll be on a a Rally Raid X for sure!
What a great comparison. Too cool. I was in the the market for another fast street bike but that CBX really resonates with my membrane...street with a little hint of adventure and hooligan.
I agree with you...adventure bikes should not go the way of pickup trucks and SUV....become houses. You lose touch with the adventure, and get stuck in the bike. Plus, a motorcycle should be affordable, and many of the newer ones are just not. The important things are a balance of power and maneuverability, reliability, ease of maintenance/repair, and fuel economy, and good enough capability on/off road. Bikes like the KLR650, DR650, 650GS, ktm 690 adv, maybe the f800 tops. These are in the league of better adventure bikes, if you ask me. Anything else is overkill. Like buying a Cadillac SUV...why?
+Frederick Couch Just to put it from a different perspective - I HAD the KTM 690, but found it to be absolutely dreadful on the highway (even with a ton of farkles). The 690 was pretty great off-road, albeit still felt large for single track. I traded the 690 in for an 1190 and have zero regrets. The 1190 is light years better on-road and gobbles up anything two-track + larger. Sure single-track sucks now... but that's not where I have fun anyways. I can have fun with the supersports AND go off-road.... What's not to love? In terms of buying a "Cadillac SUV" I'm not sure how comparable that is..... Some of the larger bikes are far more capable than you would think, keeping in mind they are NOT dirt bikes ;) Anyways, different strokes for different folks. I may still get a light dirt bike down the road for single track shenanigans.
Juan, just saw this video. Disregard my last request on why you switch. I get it. I went to my dealer for parts today and sat on a 690. Mostly for serious off roading, not for super long gravel roads. Been there done that on my other dirt bikes, KTM, 520mxc, 450xcw, 300exc and 300xc. No fun on those kinds of bikes. I live in So cal (big desert).
My dream bike was always the Honda African Twin, but the bike is too big and heavy for me. I had hoped they would come forward with a more reasonable size with the new model, but no. Seems that the CB500X is my little African Twin. Thanks for the comparism!
I always do that, I comment as I'm watching the video, then just about every question I could have is answered, lol I just get too excited and impatient. hahaha oh well. Thanks for the bike tour.
Thanks for the details and your thoughts on each bike. To be honest with myself, I ride on the street. Not much in the way of trails here. So, I love my Kaw Versys 1000. But, I’m really thinking about getting a dual sport too. And, there’s a KTM dealer about 90 miles away...
Your review could include ease of changing the air filters and ease of lifting. Two of the biggest hassles when adventure riding. I think that 500 RR kit will go far.
The Honda NC 750x is very similar in specs to the CB500x, with about 50 lbs more weight. Do you think the rally raid kit would fit the NC750x? I know Honda does a lot of crossover on parts for their different models. I'm looking at selling off my Yamaha super tenure (which I have loved) and getting something a bit more manageable as I get older, but I still want to go 2 up with my wife and I'm not sure the CB500x can pull off long days, two up. What are your thoughts?
Jackrabbit the NC is a great adventure bike. I went from Germany till China with two people and a lot of luggage and it handled everything well (see my videos) and we had a lot of off-road :)
looks like a Lynx fairing on the KTM....i had a tricked out GS800, big mistake, to heavy...i prefer 1 track with minimal camp gear....cool vids...happy trails!
So cool to see a different type of review. Awesome awesome awesome. I own the 2016 690 enduro r and just put the lynx r fairing on. Looking forward to warmer weather here in mn winter.. looking into a long range larger adv bike but cant decide on one because of the weight of the 1000cc+ bikes. Its too much even though Im 23 years old i know how heavy a bike can be after youre exhausted on the trail. Seriously considering the cb500 now. Thanks for the review!
Really enjoy your video's. I own a 2013 KTM 690 Enduro R and am looking to get my adventurous wife a Honda CB 500x. We are just day trippers at this point but hope to expand our travels. How do you rate the KTM and Honda for mild adventure riding in stock trim? Also when are you going to video riding in the PNW? Thanks again and happy trails.
+Norm w PNW...got me looking at the WABCDR...the KTM 690 is a bit expensive, tall, range limited and overly 'race ready' for mild adventuring. The stock CB500X is perfect for mild adventuring.
Hey, what's with the "Paton" stickers on the forks of the KTM? Caught my eye for obvious reasons! I have a 690SMC myself, and a WR250X and I agree about the peace of mind thing. Even though the KTM has never really let me down, it just has niggles now and then, and you see horror stories online. It's a weight off my mind to be out there on the WR over the KTM, even though the KTM is the pinnacle of thumper adventure and dual sport bikes... I was going to say in my humble opinion, but it's pretty hard to argue against, 90% of people would agree even if they don't choose the 690 themselves. I wish more manufacturers would try to compete with it, we need bikes of that class
I'm really surprised the CB500x weighs that much... I test drove a couple and it was very manageable. So smooth. Not sure why (with all the new models coming out) that none want to make a 2 cylinder fuel injected six speed sub 400lb bike..... Have you seen the new KTM Super Duke 1290? That bike weighs 450lbs and I've seen a picture where a guy put Super Adventure shocks on one and a 21" wheel... Would you notice the extra 20lbs I wonder??? Wish I could find video. The new Africa Twin weighs 500lbs and they're claiming it's very capable off road but when I think about a wet single trail on a bike that heavy I cringe...
There's more to a motorcycle than the numbers. Honda knows a thing or two about lowering the centre of gravity. The AT doesn't feel nowhere near the weight listed on the spec sheet plus its narrower at the seat which means your two legs work like center stands on both sides. The AT's centre of gravity is perfect and all the mass is in one place over the engine, plus the suspensions make it feel like a much smaller motorcycle.
"And At My Age" says it all. as you get older you want a bit more comfort...even if you sacrafice some power. I think the yamaha xt660z tenere fits nicely between the both of these bikes.
What year model is the ktm? The 2019 seems to be another thing, less animalistic 🙂. I agree with your assessment, but still exploring some alternatives. Great channel!
Now, if we could just lower the 690 by 2 inches instead of one and fit 19-17in Aprilia caponord tubeless wheels(some extra weight would be welcome) plus a steering dumper, we sure would have a really capable touring everywhere machine...
Thanks for the review! I like the 690, but just too tall and it's hard to beat the reliability of a Honda. Nice Luscombe too! Used to fly in one with my dad when I was a kid.
Speaking of "By Request Video", any chance of you getting around to that Rally Raid suspension tuning for the neophyte video? :-) Some of us are eagerly anticipating the arrival of that video.
New to the adventure riding scene, ALL my experience is on a 1991 DR 250 5 years of developing and mapping trails in Mexico ( long story) at this point I am looking at the Versys X 300 and now the Rally Raid CB 500 X ! The Versys is so nimble, it feels to me sitting on it at the shop. Did you check out the Versys? Shed some light on me please, I feel our ADV goals are similar. I am 53 - 6'2 -235 lbs Simi solid, earnestly working my way down to 200 solid. Thanks
I think you've got your wish granted. Next year is going to be featuring a bunch of 250-500cc dual sport/adventure motorcycles! Good times! ...I the most excited for Yamaha's T7 prototype that's due to come out in 2018!
Lets be truthful - you rarely see anyone using a KTM thumper. I'm going down from a F800GS to a LEVEL1 CB 500X. And I'm 5'10. Level 3 is just asking for trouble unless youre an ex racer.
I am seriously considering this bike. Worried about my weight for this bike. I am 6' 280 lbs. Will this bike be sufficient to pull me around on the freeway to the woods? I have owned and have years of time on DR650, Husqvarna 610, KTM 640 adv, Yamaha Super Tenere. Love the DR but at 70 - 75 MPH I didn't have any real ump to pass. Plus not that comfortable. Second question- On giant loop it looks like they are out of the RR conversion kits. Cant find anything about it. On RR site you cant get a kit but you can get pieces of the kit. Can you advise on how i can get the kit? Or if it is no longer made please? If i cant get that kit then I am not going with this bike. I believe it is a must have for this bike to do what I need it to. Going riding with thumpers but I want to be able to take a nap on the way back 150+ freeway ride. ha he
Thanks for doing this comparison! After watching, I still feel like the 690's quirkiness is worth it to save 100(!!!) to 130 pounds of extra weight when it comes time to lift the bike back up and maneuver during a ride. I feel like the fatigue you experience lugging around that extra weight on a cb500x would be noticeable enough to want to learn to wrench a bit better and negate the 690's issues. Although, Noak Horak has ridden his around more miles than anyone without any issues. But then again on light duty it may not matter much anyway. I just am always concerned with the worst case scenario I guess!
+Justin Regan Thanks Justin. I learned alot from Noah's 690 vids...like how to clean clogged injectors in the field, and do valve adjustments every 6000 miles...I'll send your comment up to the maintenance department here for further disapproval ;-). As shown on the video, the weight difference is real, and when you reach an age where a good bowel movement in the morning is far more exciting than a day of video games, you too may understand the value of the RRP CB500X Adventure, Cheers! JB
No skid/bash plates on the CB500X? I see those exhaust pipes hanging there with no protection and it gives me chills just imagining your trip ending in a bad way alone in the middle of nowhere.
Hi blancolirio, I love your vids, very informative from all angles. my question, i have just been introduced to bike riding 52yr old, 78kg weight and live in Australia, i have a 30 yr old DT175, and love it but next yr I want to buy a 1 bike to do all. commuting and your off road type riding you do in your vids. I watched the 500x RR doing the Simpson desert challenge which proved its worth as an adventure bike along with what you do with it..... people have said not to buy a small 250 or similar dual sport because in no time youll want to upgrade to more power later. I want to keep it for years and enjoy it. I like the africa twin concept as its ready to go without any mods, but its too heavy and expensive for me. I am trying to toss up between DRZ650 or the cb500x. and possibly rally raid it....there is quite a difference in final weight. DR-166kg and 500x RR 206kg. I dont want to ride fast but i want it to go anywhere when and if. as you commented i was worried about the exhaust position where it leaves the engine as you have knocked it and dented it, in one of your vids, do you think this may be a problem for the 500x. is the RR stage 3 kit all that would be needed to make the 500x into a 1 bike for all adventure machine. would love to hear your thoughts as you have had both. thanks again for your vid work and giving us newbys an insight to bike knowledge, you have a great way of explaining things. well done. whos the winner DR or CB
CB for all the well thought out reasons you mention above, the RRP CB500X is a KEEPER! The best all around bike I've ever owned (and I've tried 'em ALL). Now go for it!
thanks for the reply, appreciate your thoughts, love the places you visit in your great quality vids. i feel like im watching a documentary, your RR upgrade show how to vid was excellent...well done
I just went from Honda CRF 250 L to 690 Enduro. I was thinking about buying CB 500 X but I still bought KTM. I like to ride with my KTM, but that Honda reliability is something I am missing with KTM. On every ride I listen to my bike and worry is there everything ok with it, is my fuel pump or rocker arms gonna explode or something. I have no issues so far with 690, but with Honda I never had to worry about these things. I rode that little CRF 250 L even in winter, I had spike tires on it. Even at -30° C it started up just like in summer. Still wondering, would CB 500 X be better bike for me.
I gave you a thumbs up because I was interested and you spent the time on this video, but somehow don't think these 2 bikes are in the same class...The KTM being a streetable dirt bike and the Honda being a street bike converted to take off road. I agree there are people and rides for both bikes but it really matters how much you are streeting and how much you spend off road. I just bought a 2016 F800GSA and know it won't replace my XR650R for real desert work, but it is real nice to street ride out to dirt roads... BTW how much does it cost to install the Stage 3 kit?....
Well you are correct if trying to approch my 650's suspension performance....but I knew I was buying a street bike capable of dirt roads...I will admit this...my suspension is very lacking on the F800...:)
Being short sucks, especially on black diamond tracks. I have a KLR560 right now for an adv. and while it's fine on pavement, gravel and easy trails, it's absolutely ridiculous once you get into expert-level terrain. At 5"9' I'm right on the edge of being forced to lower it for where I ride which then gets into ground clearance issues. I'm a B+ level expert but these tall bikes really screw me up in the good stuff.
+dring83 A distant third, however a used KLR is still a great, bulletproof inexpensive starter adventure/ do it all bike. (I prefer the earlier A model). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XK119R1QtJ0.html
How do you think the CB500X performs on the highway compared to a V-STROM 650? I have a 07' V-STROM and it's super comfortable on the highway and has plenty of power, however it's heavy and vulnerable off-road with it's cast wheels. I'm up in North California where freeways are 80+ and I want to do a lot of long distance touring, but also want to be able to follow any trail I see and do some camping. Do you think the CB500X can beat the V-STROM for all that?
Absolutely! No comparison off road- at all. (RRP CB500X Adventure vs V-Strom). Start here...advrider.com/index.php?threads/rally-raid-products-honda-cb500x.1012021/
