I'm almost certain someone will take the 500X round the world soon enough. Cheap purchase price is a very big plus. That said (and I haven't ridden it yet) it appears to be fully biased towards paved roads, still an unknown, how well it would handle some more rough stuff. And it's not particularly light.

After I rode the NC700X I thought it's a nice bike in many ways, but I'll keep my V-Strom, especially for 2-up touring, it just felt more like a bike for riding solo. This one at least appears a bit similar.

Sometimes, like now, it is hard to see where Honda are going with their range of bikes, and their marketing.
At the UK bike show, last November, this bike was squarely advertised for new riders (the "A2" licence holder, which I believe is a Europe wide qualification) yet it is very similar, not least in looks, to the NC700X, even down to the pricing.
But, 500cc or 700cc in capacity - there has to be a different riding experience in there, in some way or another?

It's a decent sized fuel tank at 17.2L though and it is in more or less the same price bracket as the BMW G650GS single cyl.

__________________
Dave

Sorry, OT post:

UK bike marketing is run by 50-year olds who back in the day wouldn't buy a Fireblade until they made it over a litre. They like to think of everyone buying a new bike every year three years in the order 125, 600 sports, 1000 sports, 1000 sports tourer, 1500 cruiser, 1800 mega tourer with possibly a 600 tourer for the little woman and a few twist and goes for the kids along the way. The off years should be filled with buying jackets and colour matched bits that can be binned when yo sell the bike.

Muppets

Andy

Threewheelbonnie

Has the previous OT email worked its cathartic charm? I happen to agree with you entirely about the UK marketing of motorcycles. When I tell salesmen that I am only considering a 500 or 650cc machine through personal choice, their expression is like, why? We have much bigger (And therefore better?) bikes in the showroom! Ummm, sorry, but it doesn't work like that!

Anyhow, what is your view on the CB500X? I arranged a test ride this weekend, but it got cancelled as someone on a test ride before hand dropped it!

Scott

Hi Walkabout

Good point, it is hard to see where Honda are trying to take this set of machines. With regards to the BMW comparison, that bike in the UK brand new is ~ £6,195.00 OTR, before any optional extras which immediately makes it £1250 more expensive.

Whether the BMW is worth that additional cost is another question though!

Scott

Not really a comparison with the small GS - more a comment about the single cyl Vs twin consideration (lots of people like a single for it's simplicity, but, nowadays, Honda don't have one in the 600/650cc category).

Honda were making a big deal of the A2 licence at the last UK bike show; their whole stand was full of it. I guess that is a key difference for them in differentiating the 500 from their 700.

As for the dealers; sure they will want to sell a fireblade rather than a 500/700 any day of the week.

In the meantime, the GS list price has risen a tad, or my memory is failing (I had it in mind as retailing at about 5.5K which is what the F650GS single cost back in 2005 by the way).

ps There is one common factor between the singles and this particular twin - in the fuel economy that you mentioned earlier.

__________________
Dave

My 2012 Weestrom (DL650X) is averaging 65 mpg with a confirmed high of 77 (next tank did 67, so it wasn't a bad reading). The Glee (Gladius engine) is supposed to be fractionally more efficient. I'm riding a mixture of motorway commutes restricted to 50-55 by tax cameras and UK/West European back roads. Tank range is practically about 280 as while the theory says 320 the flashing light joins the voices in your head and you go fill up with 18 litres not the full 22. I have nailed it half the length of the M62, fully loaded at illegal speeds and still couldn't get it to drop below 60 to the gallon. People getting 55 mpg aren't changing up soon enough IMHO.

I had a carbed F650 single and could get high 60's to low 80's mpg out of it. On the one tank BMW let me put through an F800 I got 76 mpg. Maybe I'm just a tight Yorkshireman but I wouldn't let the numbers put you off either way. All the modern 5-800's are way better than the 30-40 figures people are still reporting from 1000cc Vee's and the like.

47 HP is perfectly sufficient for two up and luggage. You only need the Wee's 67 for lazy gearchanges and breaking the speed limits. Having the option to autobahn cruise maybe does make the Wee/Glee superior? Wouldn't be a feature I'd really look for though.

TCK80's are decent all purpose rubber if memory serves. I last used them in about 2003-4 though.

Pity your ride got cancelled, I think this bike is a contender and wanted to hear how it went.

Andy

I am sure the bike is more than up to the task.
The only real caveat I see is that it is a brand new model.

What will parts support be like in countries where Honda doesn't import this bike?
?

__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

Hi brclarke

That is a very good question! I suppose at this moment in time it will be difficult to say. I am not considering setting off until 2015, so perhaps by then we will have a better idea of which countries will stock this bike/parts and perhaps, we will learn something about the reliability of the new 471cc engine.

I personally suspect this engine will be as good, if not better (Dare I say it) than the previous CB5 engine, which in itself is almost bulletproof!

Scott

It's a Honda, just carry a new rectifier and a camchain tensioner
All will be fine

Hi Andy

As soon as I get to ride the machine I will report back and give my opinion (For what it is worth!)

Scott

Getting back to the OP about the CB500X, I also think it looks like a contender for a real-world travel bike. Like many others it may only claim to look the part but it seems comfy and is economical, tubeless, <200 kilo dry with big tank, windscreen, ABS and adequate dirt road agility.

A few weeks ago an [at the time] local Honda dealer (Doble) was unusually offering day rentals of new bikes including the X. I enquired after an one but never heard back and I see now that all mention of rentals seems to have gone. So I haven’t ridden one or even seen one up close.

One can manage with less but I feel a smooth 500 twin is all the bike most people (especially larger, well-fed individuals) actually need for one-up overlanding while still having enough in hand to enjoy brisk biking when the fancy takes. I said as much here a couple of years ago when introducing a travel bike I was putting together (mixture of GS500/DR650/DL650) and which broadly speaking was trying to be what is now a far more refined 500X.

The major improvement a 500X has over Scott W's old CB would be fuel consumption which I'd expect to be up to 50% better while automatically adjusting to high altitude, unlike carbs.

Depends how well-off one is and if it's about the bike or the journey, but for a genuine RTW I’d consider sticking with an old CB which I’m guessing can’t be worth more that £2000 but is a reliable hack. Let’s say petrol is world average of £0.70p/litre: if old CB does 50mpg (17.7kpl) and new CB-X does 70mpg (24.8) - £3000 of fuel money works out at…. a lot of miles on the old CB. And that’s not accounting for new X depreciation.

As for spares out in the world, I was recently riding a CRF250L around the US to assess it as a travel bike (my conclusion here). SWUSA is hardly ’out there’ and the 250 had been sold for a year but things like rad hoses and even air filters had to be ordered in from Honda dealers, despite showrooms the size of an aircraft hanger.
My point being, once on the road in the places outside Pecha72’s list (what I call the ‘AMZ’) you’re on your own when it comes to specialist spares for the sorts of bikes most of us choose to ride - just like you always were and especially with 17” tyres. But we've always managed.

Talking of which, in principle I like my idea of running identical size hard-wearing front and rear trail tyres (likes cars, pushbikes and most scooters) and then taking one spare would give you at least 15,000 miles on a CB, new or old. Posting on or investing in long lasting tyres to avoid carrying spares is smart strategy that pecha points out, although Anakees are too ‘roady’ to be contenders for my riding prefs. I'd go back to a K60 any day.

Depends where you’re riding but I feel TKC 80s would be wasted on an X as the back may only last 5000 miles (as it did on a Tenere to Morocco). Better with some K60s or similar which will last more than double that.

Unless you're into hardcore exploration, I think true off road ability is an overestimated requirement for RTW, even if it helps sell adv bikes, just like 4x4s. Most of us are simply following occasional gravel roads which local 125s and 2WDs manage. It’s when things gets sandy, snowy or muddy that a 250 trail bike is so much easier to handle, but as long as the X seat is low enough (32” says the brochure) I'd be confident a 500X shod with K60s or similar could manage most tracks.

But as it comes off the same Thai-built ‘budget rrp’ template as the CRF250L, I'd expect to see corners cut on the X - possibly suspension (as it was on the CRF; let alone the XR-like subframe...). The older Jap-built CB may be better put together and less fragile. All I could find about the X was ‘9 preload settings’ on the back + non adjustable forks with no clear image of the subframe which didn't look that well triangulated for support. That doesn't really matter on smooth sealed roads where most ride but makes broken roads or corrugated tracks tiring and harsh which can stress other components, especially if you're a larger person or ride with a lot of stuff.

Both are plasticy, but I see the 500X as a 21st century Transalp, despite it’s 17-inch front. On any travel bike you’ll be adding 20+kg of stuff and although the V has surely got a nicer engine and is better for two-up, it’s already 20 kilos heavier and I suspect with higher CoG.
The X must be more economical too; my mate commuting with a 700 Trannie says mpg is unexceptional for an efi but Honda has got to grips with economy on some bikes in the last year or two. Shame it took a recession to get them to finally think like that.
V Strom also heavier and Versys.. a bit heavier, juicier, higher seat, better shock and £7k with ABS option.

Looking forward to actual impressions and close inspections from new X owners.

Ch

__________________
Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Scott, Go for it with the new Honda CB500X. Having owned a 500 you already know they have plenty of power and carrying capacity for a one up RTW. I presume you are comfortable riding within your limits and that of the machine, so that is already a bonus for you. You will get a touch more travel in the suspension with the new bike. Honda built it as a road machine with some off-road capability, which if you plan your route accordingly should be a nice combination.

Do the usual RTW upgrades, heavy skid plate, perhaps crash bars etc. throw on some Pelican boxes (which are not as cool looking as aluminum, but virtually indestructible), find the right screen if the stock model doesn’t hit right for you and you are almost ready to go. Take a few of the dollars you save and get a very comfortable riding suit, you will be living in it.

I would also suggest looking around for a dealer that can be excited for you so you have a back home contact if needed. That, and find one who will sell you a few hours of mechanical training if you are not mechanically minded. Someone to help you Loctite all the nuts and bolts, teach you how to change and adjust cables, repair a flat or plug a tire along the road, and do a basic tune-up. The new CB has been introduced around the world so major cities can provide service. Be meticulous in taking care of it and you can probably avoid most major issues with some luck.

The biggest advantage you have already mentioned, and that is price. The money you save will allow you, depending on your travelling standards, to save enough for 3 to 5 months on the road. And the number of the months you would have to continue to work to save that amount could easily cause you to never get around to actually leaving. Life has a way of sucking us in with one more thing that must be paid for or tended to. In sailing they say; “go simple and go now, or never get around to going”.

In a few of the posts concerns were expressed about tires. If you plan, you can pre-order from dealers in major cities and have replacement tires waiting for you, as well as other replacement parts for general maintenance. Just remember road conditions will shorten the usual life of the tires and you don’t want to be heading in on unsafe tires, or have spent money or time on emergency replacements before planned changes.

As to those who would recommend taking a 250cc instead. There are great bikes in that size. I would happily head out on one for any major leg of a RTW, but not a full RTW. If you follow any riders blogs to the end on 250’s, by the time they finish the machines are pretty well limping in and shot from riding the abusive conditions of poor roads and extra weight. To be fair my experience is not with 250cc, so take that thought with a grain of salt.

Best of luck and keep us all posted.

Surely this bike is proof that the the 'adventure' bike fad has hit it's peak and onto it's downwards trajectory. This is just a 500cc roadbike with some plastics styled in a vaguely similar way to some other 'adventure' bikes. What features of this bike make it more suitable for an 'adventure' than an old cb/cbf 500?

However in answer to the original question, this would probably be a great bike for a round the world trip.

__________________
UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350

Hi Frank

Thank you very much for this. The suggestion of finding a local dealer who could help me in the maintenance/repair department is a great idea. This is the area I am most concerned about as I have little experience with repairing/fixing motorcycles.

I will also give the Pelican luggage you speak of a good look!

I am still yet to get my leg over the new CB500X, but when I have, I will report back and compare its ride to my current CB500 (Which I was considering taking on the trip previously!)

Scott