the heavier the bike the more rider skills needed! i saw a video of a bonneville scrambler in the rockies, he was doing some really hard sections, but you could see how good he was and had to be, to get through it. great work Nathan.
Great thoughtful review mate. You have a new kiwi subscriber. I owned one of the earlier models and loved it. Light, easy, reliable, fun. When I saw the 2019 with the larger front wheel I thought...perfect!! I'm looking for an all-rounder bike and this vid is pushing me towards the 500X again. This Rally Raid is veeeery nice. Not in kiwiland though. Good luck to you mate and to those guys as well.
Cracking video :) one thing I didn't think about was tyre width till you mentioned it to me on Horizions the other week. Know what you mean about the big bikes I took a 1200gsa te off road in the Peaks following a route from adventure bike rider an it was an absolute nightmare n put me off going down the lanes n trails for a while. I was younger n at the time got suckered in by the marketing n fancy images haha! Glad I experienced it though as now I understand the differences way more through experiencing them all. Just been to look at a few Himalayans does seem just the job shame about the reliability on the GS Nathan I didn't have the best of luck with my 1200 but that was mainly down to a few dealer screw ups weirdly though on my 2014 my dash failed the first day I had it. The engines were the dealers fault.
Hey Nathan.. thanks for the review.. I saw in a USA video review that the frame of this bike it is likely inclined to brake or fracture in the front side where the bolts are helding the engine.. that's why I went for the v-strom 650xt.. stay safe man.. hope to find you somewhere sometime... hi from Italy
Good video , had a 2cv once it would go anywhere proper skinny tyres , have a transalp 700 now after himie love the bike but heavy , your right light weight single is the way to go
Another excellent review on the CB500X and what bike is more suitable for off-roaring. Something light 👍 I don’t off-road my 21 500X but do find it top heavy and as a shorter rider would not be comfortable on anything bar a flat dirt track (still finding my feet riding wise). On the road though it is lovely and as you say it will ‘tractor’ in most gears at low speed and seems very happy doing so. I think for doing some lanes and being short the CT125 Trail would be my favourite option and we all know they can go around the world too if you want 🙌 Will arrange to come up from Plymouth and have a go one day. Just wish Honda would bring them over here. Apparently demand in America is off the scale for them and I think it would be here too if they marketed it right. 🤷♂️
I am with 2020 model. Put RR Level 1 fork upgrade just because I am short rider with 28 inches inseam. I love going off-road. It doesn’t feel heavy for me. I don’t go single track though.
“Like coming up there on a girder!” Now that made me laugh out loud! 🤣👍 Must admit, I’m going to down-size from my 660z Tenere in the Spring. I’ve taken Demo bikes out of the Himalayan and the 390 Adventure, tho I wasn’t permitted to take them off road. On road, the 390 was heads above the Himi for me, but I think the playing field would level out between the two off road. I just find the Tenere too top heavy and high, making it a handful off-road. I’m about 6ft tall, so I don’t lack the height to copy with the Tenere either. As a complete comparison, I also own a Honda 125z Monkey Bike and also take it off-road and it is just so much fun. So I totally agree, smaller bikes are so much more manageable and so much more fun off-road. Regards, Dazza. 🇬🇧
Great video, enjoyed your thoughts on big bikes and momentum, the rules of physics still apply off-road, then?😆🤔 Didn't realise you were just nipping to the pub, I thought it was for our benefit😎 Thanks for taking the time to put these up
Ha. Yes, went to the sandwich shop down on the right. Forget the name. Good sandwiches! I hope you weren't too busy yesterday. There looked a lot of people in the water. Will look out for you next time I'm passing through.
Mate an excellent review, thank you very much. In response to the fat tyre issue. Can you put thinner tyres on it? Also have you tried the 2021 or 2022 and how do the updated formats compare to your rally raid upgrades?
Based on that little hill climb I know that the CB500X will go anywhere I would be taking it and for a guy my size I imagine it’s a fair bit more comfortable than a CRF300L after hours of time in the saddle. I’m 6’2” and about 230lbs. ✌️
great review Nathan. its that eternal dilemma isnt it? Whilst the crf 250/300(love them) & Himalayan are great offroad, they dont match the Cb500 on road. Its finding that balance of what you need. My mate had a stock 2020 cb500x.... It was far more than the sum of its parts.. I live in the highlands and the roads up here is the perfect environment for one! The rally raid gear just gives it that capability to safely tackle more offroad, and as a dual purpose touring?travel bike what a great allrounder.
Nice demo! I was at my local bike shop to pick up some spark plugs for my 79 XS750 , and happend to see a 2018 CB 500X for sale . I liked what I saw that day and after watching your video am even more impressed. The aformentioned bike had over 20k miles and probably needed a new chain and sprocket. Would that kind of mileage stear you away or do you think there is plenty of life left in the CB 500X?
I think one of the best things about the 500X is that it seems to be incredibly reliable and will do big miles without any problems. So no I wouldn't be put off by 20k at all.
Interesting that the bmw is giving you problems already. Have any of the other bikes in the fleet had any issues since they were brought on board? That stoney hill definitely seems like your favourite decider for these bikes:)
Yeah that lane is a good leveller of bikes. I went up it today on a postie bike which was a bit of a mission. As for the other bikes, the head bearings in one of the Himalayans has also failed. The KTM has been no problem so far, nor the Hondas bar the 250 sometimes needing a bump start
My work colleague recently bought one as a commuter and reccons its gutless however his previous bike was a Ducati super bike, Is there an easy few horse powers to take it past the A2 power figure? The thing that does surprise me is the weight as I ride a ‘98 Bandit 600 for commuting and take it around rural Derbyshire and finding myself wanting something lighter ..... it’s only a few kg over this CBX
I agree, that engine is a bit flat if you try and ride it spiritedly. It seems to be prefer short shifting and just sitting in the mid range torque. I can't see it being an easy thing to get any extra power out of it, and probably better just to step up to Vstrom 650/Versys 650 if that's what you want. For weight, it's just one of those things that until you sit on it it's hard to know how that on paper weight translates to feel. It's definitely not a light bike, but it doesn't feel too heavy/cumbersome. Worth getting a sit on one maybe.
One of, if not THE best cb500x reviews and tutorials I've seen. Honest straight forward shared knowledge about this platform. Thanks for sharing 👍
the heavier the bike the more rider skills needed! i saw a video of a bonneville scrambler in the rockies, he was doing some really hard sections, but you could see how good he was and had to be, to get through it. great work Nathan.
Great thoughtful review mate. You have a new kiwi subscriber. I owned one of the earlier models and loved it. Light, easy, reliable, fun. When I saw the 2019 with the larger front wheel I thought...perfect!! I'm looking for an all-rounder bike and this vid is pushing me towards the 500X again. This Rally Raid is veeeery nice. Not in kiwiland though. Good luck to you mate and to those guys as well.
A very informative video. No hype, lots of real world common sense. Thank you.
Brilliant test mate. Thanks. Have a ‘22 on order.
Sounds like a lot of sense to me! Thanks Nathan. Les
Just what I needed to know. Thanks.
Came here for Riley Reid and was disappointed.
Cracking video :) one thing I didn't think about was tyre width till you mentioned it to me on Horizions the other week. Know what you mean about the big bikes I took a 1200gsa te off road in the Peaks following a route from adventure bike rider an it was an absolute nightmare n put me off going down the lanes n trails for a while. I was younger n at the time got suckered in by the marketing n fancy images haha! Glad I experienced it though as now I understand the differences way more through experiencing them all. Just been to look at a few Himalayans does seem just the job shame about the reliability on the GS Nathan I didn't have the best of luck with my 1200 but that was mainly down to a few dealer screw ups weirdly though on my 2014 my dash failed the first day I had it. The engines were the dealers fault.
Hey Nathan.. thanks for the review.. I saw in a USA video review that the frame of this bike it is likely inclined to brake or fracture in the front side where the bolts are helding the engine.. that's why I went for the v-strom 650xt.. stay safe man.. hope to find you somewhere sometime... hi from Italy
It's Honda's best bike, I think
Good video , had a 2cv once it would go anywhere proper skinny tyres , have a transalp 700 now after himie love the bike but heavy , your right light weight single is the way to go
Another excellent review on the CB500X and what bike is more suitable for off-roaring. Something light 👍
I don’t off-road my 21 500X but do find it top heavy and as a shorter rider would not be comfortable on anything bar a flat dirt track (still finding my feet riding wise). On the road though it is lovely and as you say it will ‘tractor’ in most gears at low speed and seems very happy doing so. I think for doing some lanes and being short the CT125 Trail would be my favourite option and we all know they can go around the world too if you want 🙌
Will arrange to come up from Plymouth and have a go one day. Just wish Honda would bring them over here. Apparently demand in America is off the scale for them and I think it would be here too if they marketed it right. 🤷♂️
I am with 2020 model. Put RR Level 1 fork upgrade just because I am short rider with 28 inches inseam. I love going off-road. It doesn’t feel heavy for me. I don’t go single track though.
Thanks Nathan.
“Like coming up there on a girder!” Now that made me laugh out loud! 🤣👍
Must admit, I’m going to down-size from my 660z Tenere in the Spring. I’ve taken Demo bikes out of the Himalayan and the 390 Adventure, tho I wasn’t permitted to take them off road. On road, the 390 was heads above the Himi for me, but I think the playing field would level out between the two off road.
I just find the Tenere too top heavy and high, making it a handful off-road. I’m about 6ft tall, so I don’t lack the height to copy with the Tenere either. As a complete comparison, I also own a Honda 125z Monkey Bike and also take it off-road and it is just so much fun. So I totally agree, smaller bikes are so much more manageable and so much more fun off-road.
Regards,
Dazza. 🇬🇧
mini africa twin - the old xl600v transalp .. its a serious twin cyl off road bike, back then it was just called a big trailie
Great video, enjoyed your thoughts on big bikes and momentum, the rules of physics still apply off-road, then?😆🤔 Didn't realise you were just nipping to the pub, I thought it was for our benefit😎 Thanks for taking the time to put these up
I've thoroughly enjoyed the new helmet cam pov the last few videos.
who needs a GoPro at those prices.
Hope you enjoyed you lunch in Combe Martyn today. I saw you out with a group. I was in the Coastgaurd Vehicle parked at the seafront. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Ha. Yes, went to the sandwich shop down on the right. Forget the name. Good sandwiches! I hope you weren't too busy yesterday. There looked a lot of people in the water. Will look out for you next time I'm passing through.
I have one of these except without the rims (yet). I found a solution to the bike feeling heavy. I bought a Concours 14, now my CB feels like a Grom
Thanks, great review. I love your real world common sense. Have you tried the Kawasaki 300X Versys?
Mate an excellent review, thank you very much.
In response to the fat tyre issue.
Can you put thinner tyres on it?
Also have you tried the 2021 or 2022 and how do the updated formats compare to your rally raid upgrades?
Based on that little hill climb I know that the CB500X will go anywhere I would be taking it and for a guy my size I imagine it’s a fair bit more comfortable than a CRF300L after hours of time in the saddle. I’m 6’2” and about 230lbs. ✌️
great review Nathan. its that eternal dilemma isnt it? Whilst the crf 250/300(love them) & Himalayan are great offroad, they dont match the Cb500 on road. Its finding that balance of what you need. My mate had a stock 2020 cb500x.... It was far more than the sum of its parts.. I live in the highlands and the roads up here is the perfect environment for one! The rally raid gear just gives it that capability to safely tackle more offroad, and as a dual purpose touring?travel bike what a great allrounder.
Nice demo!
I was at my local bike shop to pick up some spark plugs for my 79 XS750 , and happend to see a 2018 CB 500X for sale . I liked what I saw that day and after watching your video am even more impressed. The aformentioned bike had over 20k miles and probably needed a new chain and sprocket. Would that kind of mileage stear you away or do you think there is plenty of life left in the CB 500X?
I think one of the best things about the 500X is that it seems to be incredibly reliable and will do big miles without any problems. So no I wouldn't be put off by 20k at all.
Great video. Are the shock absorber level 2 height adjustable? Make it taller?
Hey Nathan, your thoughts on the Kawasaki Versys X 300 compared the the bikes you have in the shop?
Interesting that the bmw is giving you problems already. Have any of the other bikes in the fleet had any issues since they were brought on board? That stoney hill definitely seems like your favourite decider for these bikes:)
Yeah that lane is a good leveller of bikes. I went up it today on a postie bike which was a bit of a mission. As for the other bikes, the head bearings in one of the Himalayans has also failed. The KTM has been no problem so far, nor the Hondas bar the 250 sometimes needing a bump start
What do you think of the 2022 klr650.
All I heard was: get a Himalayan
Yamaha xt660r
180kg
48hp
Wheels 21x1
Fuel tank 15L
Ground clearance 210mm
Rally kits available - Yes
Does it effect the seat height much as I’m 5,8 will it make the seat height to much
Rather expensive when added up.
Rather a T7 and lower it a bit, for the same price.
My work colleague recently bought one as a commuter and reccons its gutless however his previous bike was a Ducati super bike, Is there an easy few horse powers to take it past the A2 power figure?
The thing that does surprise me is the weight as I ride a ‘98 Bandit 600 for commuting and take it around rural Derbyshire and finding myself wanting something lighter ..... it’s only a few kg over this CBX
I agree, that engine is a bit flat if you try and ride it spiritedly. It seems to be prefer short shifting and just sitting in the mid range torque. I can't see it being an easy thing to get any extra power out of it, and probably better just to step up to Vstrom 650/Versys 650 if that's what you want. For weight, it's just one of those things that until you sit on it it's hard to know how that on paper weight translates to feel. It's definitely not a light bike, but it doesn't feel too heavy/cumbersome. Worth getting a sit on one maybe.