10 Things We Like About The Honda CB500X

Jun 09, 2023

The Honda CB500X is breaking the hearts of other manufacturers while impressing bikers of all experience levels

Call it a mid-sized adventure bike — which it is — or a street bike with ADV fairings; you can’t deny that the Honda CB500X is one of the most iconic bikes to come out of Honda’s lineup. It is a rare bike that suits almost anyone, whether you are a beginner adventure enthusiast, a comfort-oriented commuter, or an experienced rider looking for something versatile.

The Honda CB500X has been in business since 2013, and since then, it has been winning hearts, challenging the status quo, and making our community question what riding a bike should feel like. It won’t break your neck at every twist of the wrist, let you drag your elbows through a corner, or put your license at risk of suspension. But ride this bike once, and it will change your perception of the segment that is often riddled with spec-sheet performance and unrealistic use cases.

Related: Best Adventure Bikes Under $10,000

The Honda CB500X may be the smallest adventure bike from Honda, but that doesn’t mean it’s slow or boring. The CB500X is a peppy motorcycle that can entertain even the most experienced riders. Yes, it’s not the fastest of the lot, but the parallel-twin engine has a proven track record, no puns intended, and thanks to its nearly square layout and decent compression figures, this bike offers a strong mid-range and a perky top-end. Plus, with the slip and assist clutch mated to a slick gearbox, running through the six-speed transmission on the CB500X is engaging.

Engine Type

471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Valve Train

DOHC with four valves per cylinder

Transmission

Six-speed with slip and assist clutch

The older CB500X looked generic, but the new 2023 CB500X looks fresh and more aggressive. Honda has made subtle tweaks to the design, like a new fuel tank, updated engine cowls, redesigned headlights, and long radiator shrouds, which make this bike look modern and more prominent than it is. The new CB500X does not look dull, but you won’t mistake it for tacky, either.

Despite its tall stance and ADV form, the CB500X can almost be mistaken for a commuter bike. Ride it with ease, and the engine’s character turns supple, the suspension cushions the worst potholes, and the low seat height welcomes riders of all sizes. Plus, upgraded radiator shrouds also ensure your legs don’t turn into kebabs at the end of your commute, and if you get delayed at work, new LED headlights will light up your path better than streetlamps.

Rake and Trail

27.5 degrees with 4.3 inches

Wheelbase

56.8 inches

Seat Height

32.8 inches

Ground Clearance

7.1 inches

Fuel Capacity

4.7 gallons

Curb Weight

439 pounds ready to ride

Related: 10 Things We Like About The 2023 Honda Transalp XL750

It goes decently fast and is comfortable, but what about special occasions when you want to throw your bike around a set of twisties? Yep, CB500X can handle that, too. The CB500X has a diamond-tube frame, a lighter swingarm, a Pro-Link shock absorber at the back, and Showa inverted SFF-BP forks on the front. Put the right tires, and this bike can handle spirited rides almost as well as its street-oriented sibling, Honda CB500F. The only thing that comes in its way is the bigger tire up front and a not-so-low center of gravity, but you'd thank the tall windscreen on long tours.

Power

46.9 horsepower

Torque

31.7 pound-feet

0 to 100 mph

5.3 seconds

Top Speed

115 mph

But where the CB500X shines best is as an adventure bike. This bike’s engine is capable but non-threatening, and even a new rider can find this engine easy to exploit. The mid-range torque and a capable suspension ensure this bike can tackle rough terrains without losing character. Even shorter riders will find this an easy bike to ride off roads thanks to its slim, lightweight design. If you want a versatile adventure bike that’s almost as capable as bigger adventure bikes without weighing the same, CB500X is what you need.

Front Suspension

41mm Showa inverted SFF-BP forks with 5.9-inch travel

Rear Suspension

Pro-Link with 5.3 inch travel

Front Brake

Dul 296mm discs with four-pot calipers

Rear Brake

240mm disc

Front Tire

110/80-19

Rear Tire

160/60-17

Since its inception, Honda has been upgrading the CB500X lineup here and there, and in its latest avatar, the CB500X is better than ever. All these updates have compounded into making this bike a genuine future classic.

The 2023 Honda CB500X can be yours for $7,299. On the face of it, this price tag may seem high for what the bike offers in classic Honda fashion. You can find bikes from the next big segment at almost the same price, but ride this bike once, and you will see that it is worth every penny. It is incredibly reliable, approachable, easy to live with, and straightforward to maintain — these things are worth the premium.

Related: 5 Adventure Bikes To Buy (And 5 To Avoid)

The Honda CB500X sits in a weird category, but this allows it to compete with a much wider range of motorcycles. In the segment below it, the CB500X competes with sub-400cc bikes in the segment below and sub-700cc adventure bikes above it, and yet, this bike seems to be the better option than most. It is tractable, comfortable, and capable.

Honda has a reputation — some may call it a stereotype — they make reliable motorcycles that are super easy to maintain. Still, their bikes often tend to be “tamer” than their Japanese competition. But for what they’re worth, Honda motorcycles still outshine their competition in the real world — case in point: CBR 1000 RR-R, CBR650R, and Africa Twin. The CB500X is no different. It is light, narrow, and potent, striking the ideal balance of what a mid-sized adventure bike should be!

No bike in the same category comes close to offering what this bike offers. The CB500X is one of the few rare bikes that break convention and classification; it is so good that many experienced bikers have switched to the CB500X after owning superbikes or big-boy ADVs. This bike does not focus on speed, performance, capability, or anything in particular, but instead of becoming boring, it becomes the ultimate bike for a one-bike garage.

Meet Aayush, a motorcycle-loving writer from Goa. With almost a decade of riding experience and a (not so) trusty Dominar 400, you can find him exploring the Western Ghats on Sundays or tinkering with motorcycles during his free hours. From touring tips to DIY maintenance, he's got you covered. So, grab your helmet and join the ride!