Honda CB500XA

A terrific bike that just works so well – I bought this used CB500XA to replace my previous 2021 Suzuki VStrom 650 XT which I was finding just too top heavy and was reminded of this each time I pulled in to our very off camber driveway approach. The VStrom is also physically a big bike although hides it when riding. Am aged 70, 5' 10 and weigh 85kg (that I will admit to) for reference.… Read more

After some overthinking of it, I was taken by the smaller frame size less weight yet same fuel range of the Honda (500km) and read a lot of reviews of this model prior to buying. Was also sacrificing 27hp over the VStrom so had to factor that in. These are my thoughts after 10 months of ownership and putting 11,000 km on it. The bike size is noticeably "one size down" on the VStrom and carries its weight low down - this makes it very approachable and no issue at all when parked on off camber slopes. I find the riding ergonomics excellent with plenty of room for me and a pillion on longish trips. The handling and steering are very sharp making dicing through a set of twisties a delight whether up or down hill. Just excellent handling. I have changed the tyres from off road based Mitas EO8's fitted when I bought it to Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 90% road tyres which unsurprisingly transformed the handling. Have used these tyres previously off road as well and they are excellent in a dual role scenario. Have ridden this bike on snotty dirt tracks with loose surfaces and it surprised me with how confidently it managed it with the Bridgestones fitted. It is no Yamaha Tenere or KTM Adventurer, Suzuki DL650 etc in terms of ground clearance and suspension so you just manage your expectations and don't pretend otherwise. Clutch (slipper) and gearbox light and positive. The standard screen was ok ish for me but I wanted less wind noise than either of the 2 adjustment positions offered and ended up fitting a slightly taller and wider Puig screen which is great for me. I did look at the Givi touring screen - but thought it too tall and wide and may act like a sail in high winds given the light front end. A few reviews prove this observation correct. I do not find the seat comfortable (too hard for me) and after some experimenting with woolly sheepskins settled on a Cool Dry Mesh Seat Cover which has proved very successful - problem solved. There is some small storage underneath the seat which will take a tubeless repair kit and a little bit extra but the real bonus is very easy access to the battery and air cleaner without removing the tank. Hooray! The CB500XA is really good pillioning in terms of comfort for both and for reasons I cannot explain fully makes a better pillion bike than my previous VStrom. My latest pillion was my 6'2" tall son who rides with me regularly and we both made the same conclusion. I increased the spring pre load 1 notch up from standard not long after I bought the bike and this has made a big difference to the handling solo and of course two up. I don't bother with any further damping adjustments and have left the front forks at factory setting. The suspension is basic but actually works pretty well and my riding is largely on rubbish roads. For those that are familiar with the Mt Mee Road out of Dayboro - that is my back yard. I have been advised by a suspension expert that the rear shock is not worth rebuilding when it expires but there are good aftermarket alternatives including Ohlins if the budget allows. The engine itself is a real gem with loads of torque and a lovely note. Yes, there is a a bit of chatter about vibes and buzzes at certain revs, but honestly they are not deal breakers and as one CB500X forum member wisely put it "just get over it" no bike is perfect. I traced one source of buzzing that was driving me nuts to a badly installed Bark Buster bracket which was fitted by the Dealer for the last owner. It had the clutch cable hard up against the underside of the Bark Buster bracket and was transferring a buzz from the engine through the bark buster plastic shield! I re- arranged the bracket and problem solved. I later traced the vibration of the clutch cable to its source. Where the clutch cable exits the clutch control arm on the engine side cover and routes up under the tank, the cable was resting against the SW Motech spacer (for engine protection bars) at the top engine mount and that is where the cable was picking up slight engine buzz. I slipped a piece of nylon webbing between the cable and the spacer so have fixed the problem both ends. So it is really not a CB500X issue but highlights checking fitted accessories for the problem first if experiencing buzzing/vibrations. The only bike I have owned in recent years that was totally vibe free was a BMW R1150R - magnificent - but interesting maintenance/repair costs. Am not a fan of the Honda instrument display having got used to the excellent and logical display on the VStrom. This was not Honda's finest effort in my view and I have never mastered changing displays despite consulting the Owners Manual. It also displays what I think is useless information (if you can find it) such as elapsed time, average fuel consumption etc (who cares?) and a digital taco can be displayed - but it takes place of the ODO reading it appears. On top of that the two select and set buttons are very stiff to actuate and almost impossible with a gloved hand. It is not an option to change settings whilst riding unless you harbour a death wish. It also requires 4 prods of the Set button to toggle from trip A resetting to Trip B resetting. Why? Thankfully Honda have totally changed the display to colour and handlebar controls on the replacement NX500 so criticism addressed. Long overdue. I put up with the current display as it does the job in fairness for what is needed and the gear position indicator is a nice addition. Have taken this bike on a few longish trips including fully loaded up for the Ruptured Budgie Rally at Mingoola and it just did it all without fuss or white knuckle moments when overtaking. For the money this is an outstanding bike for a variety of roles if you are not obsessed by capacity and horsepower or competing against your mates in a straight line and value your licence. And it's a Honda - it just works. 1/26 Update My Honda has just turned over 50,000 km. No issues. I have changed the back sprocket to a 40 tooth down from the 41 tooth standard to raise the gearing a little. (leaving the standard 15 tooth on the front.) This has raised the gearing a little with no effect on mid range performance in any of the gears. It still pulls like a modestly powered train overtaking in 6th gear as it always did. In hindsight, (always a great thing..) I wish I had made myself more aware of the CB500X back in 2021 when I bought my new VStrom. For me, the Honda would have been the better choice and I would have saved myself a chunk of depreciation cost in resale.

Honda CB500X a great all rounder – I’ve had this bike for a year now and covered around 13,000km. It’s a gem and the replacement NX500 should be much the same. A trouble-free bike that’s comfortable, reliable and economical to run. The longer travel suspension makes it a comfortable ride on poor road surfaces. The windscreen is known for causing buffeting for many riders so a… Read more

simple swop with an aftermarket one usually works. The bike magazines often refer to it as a good beginner bike but that’s missing its ability to suit a range of riders regardless of experience.

Excellent all-rounder – I bought my 2013 model CB500X in April 2014 with 1500kms on the odo. It's an amazing machine for the price. Totally reliable (no maintenance needed beyond the scheduled services in the 30,000kms I've put on it). It's comfortable for local shopping and multi-day camping tours alike. Very economical -- I get about 3.8l/100km. Although it's a LAMS… Read more

bike, it's good for more than just beginners. If you want a capable mid-sized all-rounder, I'd highly recommend it.

A great all-rounder – I have had this bike since October 2013, and have not been disappointed. I received funny looks from the sales team when I said I was a fully licensed rider and was looking at one of these...I had come down from a big, heavy Yamaha 900 (XJ900S) and wanted something that was better suited to commuting. This bike is brilliant. I have been for… Read more

rides with much bigger bikes and found not only could I keep up, but they were finding it hard to keep up with me! The bike is very predictable and smooth, with a really nice, comfortable riding position you could sit in all day.

Fuel economy is superb, about half of what I was getting on the Yamaha (3.5L/100K average compared to 7L/100K) and has a good range; I have squeezed 505Ks out of a tank (16.7 Litres to fill, so it wasn't completely empty - 17.1L tank)

I do find it a bit quiet compared to other bikes I've had, and will probably put a new exhaust on it when I can afford it, just to increase volume.

Whilst I mainly use it to commute, it is very pleasing in the twisties (I haven't had it off road much, but it really is just an off road styled road bike, and I don't expect it would go too far).

I'd definitely recommend for a novice rider, but as a rider of nearly 10 years, it has lived up to my expectations.