Honda CB500X 1 year 11,000 Mile Review

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Komentáře • 99

  • @phlatlander7388
    @phlatlander7388 Před 9 měsíci +13

    I LOVE mine and agree 100% with your assessment of it's strengths and weaknesses. When people ask me what the 500x is like, I say it is a Vstrom 650 that is 100-ish pounds lighter. I bought mine in May 2023 and it has proved itself WAY more capable that I had anticipated. Mine has been on the IDBDR French Creek switchbacks, sections 5 & 6 of the COBDR, on a 4200 mile tour of montana, idaho, oregon, and northern california on mostly secondary and paved mountain trails with a few gravel roads sprinkled in. It went from Delta, CO back to eastern SD in 2 days on pavement of course. It will run 70mph easily with power to pass at elevations of 3000-5000ft. Above 5000ft you can notice the elevation affecting the power, similar to how it affected my Strom 650, and you have to plan your passes well in advance and/or enjoy the scenery b/c you not going to be able to pass. It's a great bike and the one I'd likely keep if I could only have one bike. Mine is a 2014 CB500X with a Rally Raid kit and at 6'2" it is the first bike that is borderline on the tall side for me. I ran mine with R80's loaded with camping gear and it worked well off road with that setup. Of course you have to ride like your on a 400# plus bike which means slow down for whoops and such but it'll do it and do it at 50-80mpg. If I had it to do over again i'd try to find a 2019-2021 model with the stock 19" front wheel and ride it like that for a year before adding anything other than protection (handguards, skid plate, tipover bar).

    • @pauls8456
      @pauls8456 Před 15 dny

      What’s wrong with the 2022/23 model?

  • @christophepoteaux3932
    @christophepoteaux3932 Před 8 měsíci +6

    Great review. Real life experience. I've considered the current version of the CB500x before I bought a 22 KLR last year. I'm happy with it but miss the 6th gear. But I love the torque and suspension travel + ground clearance. Pick your battles.
    I think there will be a CB 500 in my future.

  • @jerrykearns6344
    @jerrykearns6344 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Very informative, you should have a lot more subscribers.

  • @YannyKo13
    @YannyKo13 Před 19 dny

    I'll get back here once I have mine... Thank you for this comprehensive and straight to the point review man, I really appreciate it! Much love from Philippines!

  • @alozborne
    @alozborne Před 8 měsíci +2

    I'm also 6'-3"and my 2022 CB500X is just big enough for somewhat comfortable touring. I haven't changed the stock seat yet, but a $50 sheepskin rug definitely helps. When touring, I can tolerate 2 hours at a time. I will eventually get a Transalp or a V-Strom 800DE in a few years. Meanwhile, I've had a lot of fun on my bike!

  • @mikefarnden2893
    @mikefarnden2893 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I have exactly the same bike and I agree with all of your observations. I've had somewhere between 55 and 60 bikes so plenty to compare, my favourite all time bike my Africa Twin, but I'm getting too old for a heavy bike off road. I rode the X down to the Alps last summer to do some trail riding including single track and if you exclude my TT250R (that I trailered down) it will do everything any other bike I've ever ridden down there will do provided you ride within its limits. For me it's about the exploring and the views, not the speed. The biggest bonus was that after years of coming back to the UK and getting speeding tickets through the post from France, I decided to make a real effort to keep to the speed limits. I wasn't trying to go slow, just keep to the speed limits (and I was using back roads, so mainly around 50mph up to 70mph on linking main roads) and over 1800 miles the bike achieved 84mpg (UK gallons) which astounded me and made a real difference to the cost of my trip.

  • @username6265
    @username6265 Před 8 měsíci +6

    I drive an 25 year old Honda CB500 (pc32) and i am looking for a good allrounder upgrade. For me 500cc has proven to be enough HP and due to the high fuel costs, i love the milage on this bike. All and all, i think i have found the right bike for me 😊Great review! Thank you

  • @artwallace5925
    @artwallace5925 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Good information about the skid plates! Not currently a 500X owner but it's on my radar.

    • @minkkisjani
      @minkkisjani Před 5 měsíci

      SW-Motech skid plate can be installed with center stand also.

    • @Yowzoe
      @Yowzoe Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@minkkisjani that's great to know, the bike I am about to buy has a Motek center stand, so that will be a great add-on, ty

  • @zyonsdream
    @zyonsdream Před 8 měsíci +2

    I got mine in February and I have 16k on it. I do gravel but nothing crazy with it. I changed out the rear shock with the rally raid equipped with the fat guy spring. I’m 240lbs and I have Givi panniers mounted to it. The front shocks have been fine. I installed a Givi touring windscreen and lowering mounts for the foot pegs. Acerbis handguards with the levers cut like yours. Running Dunlop Raids on it now. Honda heated grips and Denali aux lights and that’s what I’ve got.
    I have zero issues cranking 80mph on the highway. Yes I get some vibes but it’s just over 6k rpm and well within the rev range.
    I didn’t love the seat when I first got the bike. I came off a 2017 Africa twin so the softer seat on the CB500X felt a bit too soft on my tailbone. I also had a Tuareg 660 and that seat was awesome. I’ve since acclimated and don’t have any issues with it. I did a backroads ride from Eastern Pa to Nashville, down into Alabama and back home. No major issues with stamina.
    I do have bad knees and a lot of titanium in my legs from a previous accident: the pegs were too high for my comfort. The lowering brackets are perfect for me.

    • @morecowbell20
      @morecowbell20 Před 3 měsíci

      Did you have to get an after market exhaust when lowering the pegs?

  • @KeepItSimpleSailor
    @KeepItSimpleSailor Před 7 měsíci +3

    The CBx is not a dirt bike, agreed. However, good technique makes a huge difference. I can ride my 2023 CBx surprisingly quick off road, doing twin track and single track.

  • @jeffferguson899
    @jeffferguson899 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Great to see someone actually adv ride one of these. not to many people actually ride these bikes off road.

    • @lekkarides
      @lekkarides Před 7 měsíci

      Have a look at my channel in Africa, I ride mine off road most of the time 🌍😁. The bike is a absolutely awesome. ❤

    • @Thelivewire64
      @Thelivewire64 Před 2 měsíci

      LOL! Not too many take their 4x4 off road either. I reckon I've taken my 2005 Subaru Outback far more places than most wanna be 4x4 ers. I bought a new CB500X the day before yesterday. Can't wait to pick it up and ride. We have a massive area for off road where I live.

  • @snatr
    @snatr Před 8 měsíci

    Sounds like the voice of experience to me 👍

  • @nelsdude
    @nelsdude Před 9 měsíci +3

    Bought my 23 mid June. Don't take it off road...although I've equipped it with the Rally Raid skid plate and Bark Busters. The plan was to explore some gravel roads down here in the south Utah desert...just haven't so far. Around town and some trips up the highway to the north I have yet to get less than 81.8 mpg. I raised the wind screen to top setting and at 5'6" I get absolutely no buffeting at highway speeds. It's a great bike and a joy to ride. It's sort of a complete new experience coming off several dual sports like DR650, CRF 250L, and WR250R. Find myself actually riding tons more than I used to and grinning more when I do.

  • @Chriswilliams-lx9mx
    @Chriswilliams-lx9mx Před 3 měsíci

    I’ve got the same bike it’s just rolled over 27000 mile and had no problems it is a bit bouncy if you start trying to go fast on the road it’s been and is a great little bike 👍and I reckon it’ll go over a 100k my old cbf500 has got over 126 thousand miles and runs fine ✌️

  • @slein82
    @slein82 Před 7 měsíci +3

    I bought one of these in march and changed almost everything you have done so it can be improved to the way you ride. I found 1st gear too short and found myself setting off in second gear so have changed the front sprocket 15 tooth OEM to a16 tooth which has made a great difference.

    • @grtbgf
      @grtbgf Před 4 měsíci

      anything else you need to do after that change? Or just plug and play?

  • @therollingpebble2138
    @therollingpebble2138 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thaks for the video. nce you ride offroad, have you considered different sprocket combos to see if at all you can get an even better balance for on and off road.....

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Going up two teeth in the rear would help a lot off-road so you're not revved out in first or really low in second gear, but it would make highway riding pretty miserable. I just go a little slower off-road, which is fine because the suspension can't really handle it anyway

  • @randomkadrmas2630
    @randomkadrmas2630 Před 8 měsíci

    What year is it and what tires are you running?

  • @enrico1856
    @enrico1856 Před 19 dny

    Great video. Enjoyed it very much man. Im thiking of getting a 2024 nx500. Would you say its similar or is yours better? Thanks

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 19 dny +1

      It's the same bike mechanically. Different display screen and front fairing

    • @enrico1856
      @enrico1856 Před 19 dny

      Great to hear. This was the best review from a real rider. Thank you very much

  • @rosarioroberto5823
    @rosarioroberto5823 Před 3 měsíci

    Greetings,
    As always another brilliant detailed video 🇺🇸🍾🎉🇺🇸
    Would you provide me with the brand name of foot peg and front sprocket cover. Thank you so much for assisting me and keep producing more videos about the CB.
    One more thing, did you have any mechanical problems so far?

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 3 měsíci

      No mechanical problems so far. It's an OEM sprocket cover that I made little windows in with a Dremel. Foot pegs are Motion Factory Racing. Videos for all of that in my CB500X playlist

  • @c0c0asauce
    @c0c0asauce Před 21 dnem

    I'm between a couple adv bikes but I mainly want to have a lightweight bike to slide around in the dirt and still run 70mph comfortably. What do you think between the CRF300L Rally, CB500X, NX500, and BMW G650 X bikes? The BMW G650 Xcountry is 53hp and 350lb wet which I think would be a sweet base for an adv bike but I'd have to fix the small fuel tank.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 19 dny +1

      None of those are "lightweight". Anything over 300 lbs in dirt is heavy, unless you mean lightweight compared to a Goldwing or something. Cb500x and the nx500 are basically the same thing. Different body panels and I think NX might have traction control, but I haven't looked into it. They are not dirt bikes. They don't have the suspension to do anything serious, but I do plenty of trails with mine. You could take a CRF300L around the world on any road other than the interstate. 70 will be a struggle to maintain. I miss my CRF250L but I wouldn't want it as my only bike. It's too small to do long 500+ mile days on.

  • @michaelpozzini6426
    @michaelpozzini6426 Před 6 měsíci

    Where did you purchase the 2 lights below the rurn signals? And how did you mount them?

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 6 měsíci

      Fleet farm, mounted on an SW Motech bracket

  • @ashwinoashwin
    @ashwinoashwin Před 5 měsíci

    I am looking at getting the newer version of this that just got released called the nx 500. I have a question on the aux light mount . Did you buy this off the shelf and if yes, where can i get it and more importantly, will it fit the nx 500 ?

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 5 měsíci +1

      The new version has a different fairing so I'm not sure. I got mine from SW MOTech

    • @ashwinoashwin
      @ashwinoashwin Před 5 měsíci

      @@KorysRides thanks! I am guessing sw will make one soon for this bike! Can’t wait to own it!

  • @stevebledsoe9436
    @stevebledsoe9436 Před 8 měsíci

    Have a 23 cb500x and I am loving it so far. What do you recommend for security. Some of the places I stay, I don't really feel good about leaving it outside.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci

      Either stay in better places or get a bike cover. Any old cover will do, and lock it onto the bike. Mine goes down over the bike and covers all but the bottom quarter of the tires, and I use one of my luggage locks underneath the bike, through a hole in this kid plate, and to the other side of the cover.

    • @stevebledsoe9436
      @stevebledsoe9436 Před 8 měsíci

      Appreciate the advice. I will try that. Unfortunately bikes around here dissappear if your in walmart to long. Lol. So I will try anything.

    • @1964mjc
      @1964mjc Před 3 měsíci

      @@stevebledsoe9436leave it dirty too and the older the bike cover the better - like Korey says bike covers make bikes disappear so get and old dirty looking one

  • @losing_myself
    @losing_myself Před 7 měsíci

    Ive got the exact bike you have and was curious why did you go with the T-rex plate instead of the Rally Raid? I've been looking at both. Nice review and I agree with you. Thanks

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 7 měsíci +2

      Can't use a centerstand with Rally raid, and it doesn't protect the head pipes.

    • @losing_myself
      @losing_myself Před 7 měsíci

      @@KorysRides Oh ok thanks for the clarification. I heard you talk about the plate and center stand in the video. It just didn't click for some reason. Thanks again fir the info.

    • @Yowzoe
      @Yowzoe Před 3 měsíci

      @@KorysRides apparently a Motec plate will work with a centerstand also.

  • @glennt3207
    @glennt3207 Před 8 měsíci

    Enfield changing the Himalayan for 2024.....short leg person..500x is in my inseam range.

  • @jawa350tour9
    @jawa350tour9 Před 8 měsíci

    Perfect review. I have the same bike a now I love this bike, but after seat modification. Original seat was terrible for me (I´m 190cm tall), after 50km i was tired and damaged. Can you show me your new seat? Thanks, Karel (Charlie) from Czech Republic.

  • @alexanderthoj2851
    @alexanderthoj2851 Před 8 měsíci

    Im new to adventure riding and was looking to buy a 23 cb500x for next season. Just looking to enjoy some light mn trails and longer distance riding. Is the cb500x enough or does it leave you wanting more like the transalp 750?

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci +3

      For trail riding smaller and lighter is better. I've done single track in Huntersville, wrote all the way across the trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail, and I've ridden just about every gravel road in West Central Minnesota. The 500x will do the speed limit easily anywhere in the United States other than maybe South Dakota and Texas interstates. I have no desire to accelerate slightly faster and ride 80 mph slightly easier at the cost of adding weight. Even if they cost the same amount of money, which they don't, I would still take the 500x.

    • @alozborne
      @alozborne Před 8 měsíci

      I own a 2022 CB500X and I am considering the Transalp. It's basically a slightly larger, more powerful, more off pavement capable version of the CB500X. It only weighs a few pounds more than a CB500X, so that's not really a differentiator. I think I will wait two or three years before upgrading to a Transalp, as hopefully Honda refines it, as they have the CB500X.

  • @Nando_
    @Nando_ Před 5 měsíci

    just bought a 2020 CB500X... 1st year of 19" front wheel here in Brazil... riding 18 miles to work I'm already having lower back pain
    I was thinking if my handlebar should be rised but now I'll pay attention to my sitting position... maybe that's because my hips are tilted frontwards

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 5 měsíci +1

      It's really hard to lift the bars because of the limited hose/cable/wire. You can do it, but you have to put everything behind the triple clamps instead of in front of it.

    • @Nando_
      @Nando_ Před 5 měsíci

      @@KorysRides thanks for your thoughts... the cable length was already my concern
      I wouldn't try it without seeing it working on another CB500X from the same generation... a positive side effect rising the bar would be have my mirrors a little higher
      but for my back, I'll start softening both suspensions and maybe applying a gel pad on the saddle, modifying the slope

  • @ASD-DAD
    @ASD-DAD Před 4 měsíci

    Really like your mods! Would be nice to have links?

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 4 měsíci +1

      I have videos for all of them most have links.

  • @last-life
    @last-life Před 6 měsíci

    I dont want to offroad with it. Some occasional gravel forestry trunk roads that is all. I've got a Can Am Outlander Max and a CRF 110F for offroad

  • @scubarubanzaii
    @scubarubanzaii Před 7 měsíci +2

    Man, I’ve done 7k miles in about 3 months. Do I ride a lot? Nah, I could do more haha

  • @porter5877
    @porter5877 Před 8 měsíci

    Dude how many miles do you have on that E07 rear tyre? Good review....

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci

      About 4,000. And it's an EO7+. The regular EO7 I put 4500 mi on, and I plan on reinstalling it

    • @porter5877
      @porter5877 Před 8 měsíci

      @KorysRides why you going back to the e07 over the plus?I'm interested why?.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci +2

      @@porter5877 they last longer and I don't need the extra off-road traction

  • @jutjub22
    @jutjub22 Před 7 měsíci +1

    2:12 you did not finish sentence, why have you put stock seat for the winter :)? is custom one too cold or... I agree, biggest problem is the seat, I did custom seat straight away, and now I am fine, did even 12+ hours of riding in one go no problem, on stock I had tailbone pain after 1h and it was slippery when braking... Also handlebar risers help a bit, that is all. Next I will do shorter gears with 44T rear sprocket. Amazing bike...

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 7 měsíci

      So the mice don't eat my good seat while it's in storage. And unless you're going to do a bunch of trail rides, shorter gears are really not that necessary. It has pretty short ratios to begin with

    • @jutjub22
      @jutjub22 Před 7 měsíci

      @@KorysRides I see 🙂. Stock seat does look good, but it is terrible. As for gearing, I put 150/70-17 rear tyre, and that slightly makes gear longer, which is opposite of what I like.

  • @tactical1224
    @tactical1224 Před 4 měsíci

    The CB500X is a very good bike for everything with the exception of maybe highway use. It's not quite the bike your former Kawasaki Concours 14 was on the interstate...Lol

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 4 měsíci

      A taller 150/70 tire or adding two teeth to the back sprocket helps a lot.

  • @snowphyco
    @snowphyco Před 7 měsíci

    I actually appreciate that the bike doesn’t come with a skid plate, everyone who needs one is gonna replace it immediately anyways so why bother?

    • @2Gales
      @2Gales Před 6 měsíci +1

      Better than cracking the oil pan and being stuck in the middle of nowhere.

  • @vman216
    @vman216 Před 9 měsíci

    Would you consider swapping your CB for the Transalp?

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 9 měsíci +3

      Nope. The 500x will do everything that one will, but use more fuel and be heavier. It's not worth the slightly faster acceleration and slightly higher top speed.

    • @vman216
      @vman216 Před 9 měsíci

      @@KorysRides totally agree

    • @luziosalles324
      @luziosalles324 Před 8 měsíci +1

      ​@@KorysRidesI see another inconvenience in the translap: the low height of its carter./ Engine in relation to the ground.. The only two bikes on my list today are the CB500x and the VStrom 650, this one more out of passion than real reason

  • @adamfukasz4968
    @adamfukasz4968 Před 9 měsíci

    i have same one ,but i clean with steam :D You use it not just cruising like me :D

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 9 měsíci +1

      I clean mine by driving through creeks lol

  • @ighost2605
    @ighost2605 Před 8 měsíci

    Hi Kory. Does it have enough torque as it is only 471cc ??
    Thx

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci

      Enough torque for what? It has a six-speed transmission and it will do over 100 mph

    • @ighost2605
      @ighost2605 Před 8 měsíci

      Well, some say it is not great for overtakes and going uphill, so I wondered...

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci

      @@ighost2605 There are no problems with hills. I maintained 85mph uphill with luggage against a headwind on my Iowa trip. Not great for overtaking compared to . . .an R1? A Hayabusa? I have no trouble passing people driving at 60-70 mph. 43hp, 30 ftlb torque. It's more than enough for most people.

    • @ighost2605
      @ighost2605 Před 8 měsíci

      Thanks man, i got it ! Only concern left is would it fit my 6"5, but I gues s it will do.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci

      @@ighost2605 I'm 6'3". Might want to put a taller seat on it from Russel Saddles or Seat Concepts.

  • @problemslayer3538
    @problemslayer3538 Před 3 měsíci

    Id prefer a ducati twin, they really need to produce a 500 / 600 multistrada type bike ive no idea why theybdont go for it. Honda have pretty much got this segment to themselves

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 3 měsíci

      Ducati doesn't care to build anything practical or affordable. Just look at their Bentley and Lamborghini special editions

  • @podunkman2709
    @podunkman2709 Před 7 měsíci

    It was the first motorcycle I tried after a 30-year break.
    And in the first seconds I felt that... the engine was too weak. That the first gear has too high rpm.
    If this engine was really 500cc or 550cc it would be perfect.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 7 měsíci +2

      1st gear is great for technical trails. How much power did you expect? Did you do no research or expect too much?

    • @ramsay892
      @ramsay892 Před 3 měsíci

      I had a 15 year break kids then cancer had sports bikes and a 650 dominator single back in the day and that bike had similar horsepower as the cb 500 which I now have and the power and torque is all you need ,hitting 50 year old now a don’t need warp speed a want reliable comfortable bike that can do a bit of everything and that bike is CB 500 X ❤

  • @juandediossalazar9909
    @juandediossalazar9909 Před 5 měsíci

    Any link for crankcase protector???

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 5 měsíci

      You mean the skid plate? I don't have crankcase guards on this bike

    • @juandediossalazar9909
      @juandediossalazar9909 Před 5 měsíci

      I mean Just T-REX Guard ... Skidplate 😅

  • @franhanson4844
    @franhanson4844 Před 9 měsíci

    Which windshield is that?

  • @scat4me
    @scat4me Před 3 měsíci

    I was excited about teh 2023 CB 500 X until I sat on one. It seemed somewhat bulky( to me) but the real deal breaker was the Dashboard display and the shift lever. I could barely read the display and I could not get my boot easily under the lever. I', 5'10 and 160 lbs. I got on a Honda Scrambler 500 SCL and although that display is just as bad the shift lever was not an issue. After riding an FZ07 for 7 year I was spoiled. Looks Like its either going to Be the Scrambler wth an after-market display or A tenere with that incredible FZ/MT o7 engine.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 3 měsíci +1

      The brightness on the display is adjustable, and the shift lever is also adjustable up and down.....

  • @grominwithrob1339
    @grominwithrob1339 Před 8 měsíci

    Could you imagine a skid plate mounting to the case. 😂😂😂😂 Dumb to say the least.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 8 měsíci

      What is cringey is that a lot of companies do it. And if they aren't doing that, SRC Moto and SW motec use the flimsiest little brackets. They're a gravel guard at best, for sure not skid plates

  • @klano8443
    @klano8443 Před 8 měsíci

    Have cb500x and himalayan, honda great on road , not offroad himalayan great offroad on road ok just gutless , horses for courses

  • @Agonelli
    @Agonelli Před 2 měsíci

    Too much waffling on buddy. You need to get to the point. Terrible review.

    • @KorysRides
      @KorysRides  Před 2 měsíci

      And what have you ever made that we could compare it to? Nothing? Just like what your opinion is worth?