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Himalayan or Honda CB500X Himalayan or Honda CB500X
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 24 May 2020
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Himalayan or Honda CB500X
Royal Enfield Himalayan. 300 miles, 69 reg
Or
Honda CB500X. 9000 miles fsh with Honda panniers.
Both the same price £3700!!!!!!
Last edited by Chris Scott; 28 May 2020 at 14:03.
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  #2  
Old 24 May 2020
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The Honda, I have got fed up with fixing things.
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  #3  
Old 25 May 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
The Honda, I have got fed up with fixing things.
I didn't know you had a Himalayan.

Tell me about your experiences.
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  #4  
Old 25 May 2020
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Japanese over Indian tech any day of the week, even a classic Jap bikes pisses over anything India can come up with.

Mezo.
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  #5  
Old 25 May 2020
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I was in the same dilemma recently - My brain said Honda CB500X but my heart said Royal Enfield Himalayan.

I bought a Honda Crf250 Rally...
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  #6  
Old 25 May 2020
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Thanks for the replies.
I get it the Honda is bullet proof reliable.
But it needs revs. Is soul less.
The RE looks the part, feels under stressed.
Nora Lee has given one a workout.
A bit similar for me in head says Honda, heart says RE. Had a crf.
Glad I didn't buy a baby gs Ted.
A few horror stories. Ok while in warranty
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  #7  
Old 24 May 2020
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I guess the first question has to be "What for?"

Is this a run-around, weekend toy or travel bike?

I don't know much about the RE (read "next to nothing"), but I can say my father had a CB500X as his run-around and liked it. He'd had a TA 700 and wanted something lighter and this was it.

As a travel bike in more populated areas, I suspect the CB would do well. I'm not sure how self-serviceable it is, as seems to be the case with newer bikes these days.

Unless things have changed, REs are supposed to be easy to work on.

To be honest, and speaking personally only, I'd go with the Honda. I just think it's more useable, day to day.
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  #8  
Old 24 May 2020
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?
Honda.

dont know what you want to do. but you could give me two RE and I would still take the Honda.

enjoy your ride.

mika
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  #9  
Old 25 May 2020
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Never has there been an easier question to answer.

Royal Enfield VS Honda.


I'd rather ride the Honda with 100,000 miles on it than a R.E with 69.


To be fair, the Himalayan has a cult following. And there are people successfully riding it around the world. But that's because its REALLY cheap. And it's design does tick a lot of the boxes for a good Overland bike.

Look up "Itchyboots" on youtube. She's riding hers around the world and not had many issues.


The earlier models were horrendous with frames snapping etc. The suspension and brakes are AWFUL on all of them. They're also really heavy and they're really slow.

Did I mention how cheap they are. That's their only saving grace. And it has a cool name. It's the same reason I bought my first Africa Twin twenty years ago. I'm just lucky it's one of the best Overlanding bikes EVER made.


Anyone with half a brain would buy a second hand Jap bike for the same price which is far better in every way and will still outlast the R.E by decades.
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  #10  
Old 6 Aug 2020
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My 2019 CB500X was a great bike but had this slight buffering at highway spend that caused it to weave enough to get tiring over time.

I am sure you could have changed the screen or seat height or something to fix it as it got worse with my daughter on the back.

Great bike otherwise.


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  #11  
Old 7 Aug 2020
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The CB500X screen is literally starting to do my head in.

Currently on lower setting, 3mm spacer bottom, 6mm top. Going to try this on Sunday.

These spacers on the top setting reduced the point at which is passes my test* from standing on the pegs at 90 mph (private autobahn etc.) to sitting at 50 or standing at 70.

Could decide if it was better with the screen removed.

No weaving though.

Andy

*the test is the ability to hear enough of Vaught Williams Lark ascending to enjoy it, without being deafed by the following tracks while stationary. The CB500F passed at any speed it would do.
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  #12  
Old 7 Aug 2020
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Interesting reading the thread I've pretty much ended up at the option of the same two bikes ruled all the bigger beemers out once my rd250c sells.

Thanks for posting the motorway opinion up Jay that's a big help for those of us who are looking at the same bikes. One bike I did consider was an f800gs again had one two years ago which I sold for the 250c.

The Honda does look an interesting bit of kit quite fancying the new shape on myself.
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