2016 Honda CB500X ABS Motorcycle First Test Review Video | Riders Domain
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- Опубліковано 25 вер 2024
- 2016 Honda CB500X ABS First Test Review: bit.ly/Honda-CB...
Honda has created a refined and accessible entry-point to its adventure segment with its CB500X. Built around the 471cc Parallel Twin platform that also powers machines like the CBR500R, CB500F and new Rebel 500, the CB500X prizes comfort and convenience with a neutral, comfortable ride position and ample wind protection.
The bike has some snap to it too, and both novice and experienced riders alike will find something to enjoy on this mid-range adventurer. The 2016 version we tested also came equipped with ABS, providing an added degree of safety and sophistication.
Priced competitively and remarkably competent on the road, the Honda CB500X is definitely worth a closer look if you’re in the market for a polished and approachable motorcycle.
Gear we wore:
Shoei Hornet X2 Adventure Helmet: goo.gl/ezWGhg
Tourmaster Transition Series 4 Textile Jacket: goo.gl/xKr9eo
Tourmaster Cold-Tex 3.0 Gloves: goo.gl/hbXKqK
Cortech GX Sport Pants: goo.gl/bTW2js
Tourmaster Solution WP Air Boots: goo.gl/sFhWVm
Just bought one of these, 7k out the door, came with some kenda big blocks, + stock tires, and some other goodies. Its super fun to ride, very comfortable for me at 5'10, 125 lbs.
Good to know - what part of the country do you live in? Any mods you plan on making to the bike?
Riders Domain I am very interested in adding a Rally Raid kit to it, but it is fairly expensive. Im in Ont Canada, and winter is finally over. We have lots of twisties and back roads here to explore, and the extra suspension from a stage 3 rally raid kit could take you pretty much anywhere here.
I have a 2016 model in this exact colour scheme.
Kitted out as a tourer, and let me say this, it is fantastic at sitting at 70mph on the motorway!
I also use it for my everyday commute (about 30 miles a day through 2 towns and a main roads) and it excels at that too!
2 years old when i got it, 8k miles, and it was 4,500 pounds, with all the tourer kit on it.
Bargain!
I have the original 2013 model, done 35000 miles so far and it's superb on fuel and as you say all day comfortable. The big let down for this bike is cheap suspension. I've changed mine out for Hagon, but I'm still not happy. I think R.R. is the way to go, but it is expensive front and rear. Great review. :)
From what I've heard, people snatch these up and put the Rally Raid kit on them for a long distance dual-sport.
I have this exact bike, it's a fine bike for light duty stuff off the show room floor. It's a good choice for fire roads etc., it does have a fair amount of buffeting from the windscreen if you raise it up. I run it in the lower position and that helps quite a bit. It's a great bike for beginners and for people my size, I'm 5'6" 155 lbs, 31" inseam.
i've been learning on a cb300f and am ready to upgrade, think i'm going to go for the cb500x. need to be able to lane split all day long for daily commute, will be doing some touring and would like to be able to go off road a little. this looks perfect...
It's definitely light and nimble enough to lane split with ease, and will be nice and comfy on some tours. How extreme are you thinking in terms of off use? - Byron
great review, very well done. I'm comparing to an FZ 07 - I like the windscreen and more upright riding position.
Nice review bro. Im 6,3ft and will be new to motorclycling and this is the bike I fell in love with. As soon as I sat on it, I knew that it was the bike for me.
That's awesome Alexis, glad you found a bike that works for you! Thanks for watching and circle back after you've logged some miles, would be cool to hear what you think. - Byron
Riders Domain Thanks a lot man!! I will. Take care
Byron, I appreciate the information and the quick responses.
If you don't mind the suggestion. For future videos when testing bikes that everyone likes to just call beginner bikes maybe have a section where you also address how the bikes would feel or might appeal to intermediate and experienced riders who might be wanting to move back to lighter, under 1000cc bikes for whatever reason. How would a particular bike feel for such a rider.
Thanks again. - Amos
Great idea Amos, thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching! Byron
Great review, gotta work on that upspeak though. Once you get that down it’s perfect
Been working on that exact thing! Thanks for watching - Byron
Hi ive got the 2017, i love it. I would like to upgrade in 2-3 years to a CB650X if it would be made by Honda; its a suggestion for honda 😁
thanks for the review. the exact bike to the color I'm looking at right now
Right on! We're glad it helps! Let us know if you go with this model, and what you think of it!
I would consider this bike as a street bike, not to be used off road because I already have a great dirt bike (XR250R). I just discovered this model CB500X and it looks pretty cool, and it's small, which I think is great! I always like the adventure bikes but they are all huge! So this one looks about perfect! Very cool.
Definitely won't be as good off road as your XR! This is a great small-sized adventure bike though, not too complicated but with a nice selection of the creature comforts afforded by the segment - Byron
Build quality? I heard these are made in Thailand and was wondering what you thought about the fit and finish vs a Honda from Japan.
Honestly the package felt pretty tight, as far as mechanical components working together to make you go forward. The engine and transmission in particular had a nicely polished feel for an entry motorcycle. It's a budget bike though so there's a lot of plastic, very simplistic controls, but nothing stuck out to me as off-putting or cheap in terms of build quality. Again, for a bike in this range. I wouldn't go so far to say that an engineer meticulously poured over every detail during construction as might be the case with a higher-spec bike built in Japan, but you get a quality machine nonetheless. Build quality rating in my opinion would be a 6-7 out of 10. Probably a bit higher if you only compare it to similarly priced and marketed bikes on the market. More like an 8. - Byron
What's up Johnny? Great question. Honda prides itself on superior engineering and quality, so they spent a great deal of time to ensure that the Thailand-based factory offers identical quality as the Japanese factory.
Even though this bike was assembled outside of Japan, up close, you'd be hard pressed to notice any difference.
Riders Domain Thank you for your reply. Great information. I am planing on visiting a Honda shop and sitting on one. Maybe a rally edition will come out like the 250.
Awesome! Please let us know how it goes. Also on a side note, we will be publishing a written review of the CRF250L Rally Edition motorcycle here in a couple weeks so stay tuned!
Solid bike especially for the price. I just done 13k miles on my bike in a year not a single problem never let me down. :)
good info. thanks.
Thanks for watching! - Byron
Why wold i need stiffer suspension?
In England you have to ride 500cc for two years before you can get a license upgrade to ride all bikes , thinking of buying this as my first bike, good option for a inexperienced rider?
Would you like me to sit on your face?
My Bike❤️
Nice review!
Would you consider this bike for a 6'4 tall 220lbs guy? :)
Between this and the Versys 650, which one would you consider, being the Versys $1000 more?
It's been a few years since I rode the Versys 650, so I can't make any definitive statements there. I think you'd probably be comfortable on the Honda though, I'm 6ft and was about 40 pounds down on you at the time of the ride and was pleased with the ergos. It felt quite roomy so I'd imagine there being space to fit a taller rider comfortably. You'd have to go sit on one to be sure though. The taller seat height of the Versys, suspension adjustment options and beefier engine could be worth the up sell though if I were in your shoes, just doing a spec sheet comparison. What kind of ride plans do you have, some exciting trips in mind? - Byron
Riders Domain my first objective would be not have 2 cars to commute. But I moved to Florida 10 months ago and there are lots of nice beaches around here that must be worthy the ride. So, it would be a very nice way to spend time on weekends.
I think the CB500X would be a great bike for beach to beach hauls in Florida, absolutely. It's a very comfortable, positive handling machine and I imagine you'd be grinning all day long. Plenty of room for luggage or a passenger, too. If you have a chance to sit on one, please send us your thoughts. I'd be interested to know how you, at 6'4, felt in the cockpit. - Byron
So would you recommend this to an 60 year old, 5'9 (30" inseam), 220 lb, experienced rider with a bad back as a commuter bike running 70-75 mph for a 30 minute ride and for off day longer rides? Currently I have a 94 Shadow 1100 and a 93 HD Electra Glide Sport. The later getting a bit too heavy for aging legs. I'm looking at downsizing and going to something fun, reliable, comfortable for putting some miles on. Also, how would it be stock for running gravel and caliche roads just poking around. Not trying to play Baja enduro race. I still get a pull when I see a gravel or dirt road to go explore it. I just don't intend to go trailing or all to the wall in doing so.
As a young'n I rode smaller bikes, and I was a lot smaller, that I ran off and on road. After 34 years off I started up again with a 2012 Shadow Aero 750 that I fit to myself with Mustang seat, Swingwing pegs, and a windshield I put a LOT of miles on that bike and it was my primary transportation.
The 1100 Shadow handles nice and is a nice bike, but it has worse tank range than the 750 did. The heavy HD has great range, but it's heavy around town, the original seat sucks, and it takes too long to warm up as in longer than it takes to get where I'm going around town. Also NOT my first or even third choice for buzzing up a gravel road. So I want to find an affordable bike that I can actually get my leg over and not stand on one tiptoe at a light with and still enjoy riding.
All the reviews I see of bikes for anything standard or sport in the under 1000cc class always talk about how the bikes are great for beginners and leave it at that. Some of us have ridden bigger bikes and would like to consider going back to lighter, more maneuverable bikes that are still fun to ride and capable of getting out and running the highways without feeling like we've got the bike wound out with nothing to spare. I want something I can toss a few bags on for commuting and keeping rain gear in that I can get out and enjoy having put some miles under me on other bikes.
How would this be for an older, experienced rider for primary transportation and pleasure riding as well. Would I be better off looking at a NC700X? Unfortunately, the NC700X only has ABS with the DCT transmission. I still enjoy and prefer shifting my own gears on a bike. I'm not quite ready for a maxis scooter just yet. ;)
Btw, I'm on the Texas Mexico border so I ride year round and it get's freaking hot. Fuel stops play a part in your trip planning. There are roads I want to take, but can't with the Shadow 1100 because I'll run out of fuel before I get there over those roads. So the fuel mileage and range of a bike like the CB500X has some appeal.
Sounds like you're at quite the crossroads! As for the fun, reliable and comfortable aspect, the CB500X definitely checks those boxes. A seat upgrade/pad would be the only thing I could see needing for the longer commutes, just to really make the ride position really plush. After spending some full days on the bike, I never felt any undue back pain like I would on some more sport-designed machines. At 5'9" you'll have plenty of leg room and shouldn't have a problem flat footing at stops. I was really surprised by how small the 500X feels at the 'bars.
Considering your experience I think you'd be just fine on gravel and caliche. The bike doesn't feel top heavy and if you're not taxing the suspension too much the only big issue would be your level of comfort on the road-biased Dunlop tires.
I think the comparison with the NC700X reveals a few things that might make the CB500X the more appealing option. You get a lower seat height with the 500, larger fuel tank, ABS without losing the full manual transmission and almost $1000 left after purchase to dedicate to other goodies. I've not been on the NC700X, but have been on the CTX700N, which has a very similar engine, and don't feel that there's a large enough performance disparity between the two powerplants to give the 700X a huge leg-up from a pure power standpoint.
Highway travel will be no big issue. Power is deliberate and linear, so the snap you might want to make passes and such isn't really there, but you still will have enough on tap to get the job done.
I think that about covers things, but don't hesitate to reach back out if you have any other questions about this or any of the bikes on the channel. Thanks for watching and be sure to let us know if you go for the 500X, we'd be really interested to hear about your experience with the bike! - Byron
Appreciate the quick and detailed response. Thanks. I do have a question about wind buffeting and that eardrum thumping kind of noise. Is there any of either? I've heard of issues with adventure type bikes and how they handle the wind buffeting at speed. I know in the review that the windscreen worked well for you. DId you try any different helmets during the rides?
On one cruiser I had I tried to be cool and started with a lower shield because it looked better. Wearing a full face helmet at anything over 65 mph it was like someone taking their hand and just slapping it against your forehead at a very rapid cadence. On an 18 mile commute I would have a headache by the time I got to work or home. Moving to the next size up shield fixed it while still being able to look over the windshield.
I don't mind clean air, but need to keep it off they chest and not beating my head around. I tried riding one of my bikes naked. Was fine when I was young. Now riding a naked bike at highway speeds is too much pressure on the body and takes away from the enjoyment of the ride. However, getting a constant and rapid head slapping really detracts from the ride.
Thanks again for response. I definitely want to check out this bike. I just have to go three hours to get to a dealer.
I had no problem with any kind of eardrum thumping and buffeting was minimal at best. The Shoei Hornet was my primary helmet for this test, so I can't comment on any others, but there also wasn't any noticeable pain in my neck or headaches or anything like that after a ride. And even though the peak of the Hornet is pretty aerodynamically effective, there have been occasions on other bikes in strong wind that the helmet pulls. If you're rocking a full face without a visor, you'd likely be good to go. - Byron
I have a Puig windscreen on my '13 CB500X that is about 3" taller than the windscreens that Honda has been putting on them the past couple of years (early models were shorter like a sport bike). I'm 5'9" and the wind hits the forehead of my helmet. I wear custom silicone earplugs on trips. 500+ miles a day is no problem for me with a Corbin seat. A little buffeting but not bad; passing semis in the states with higher speed limits gets a little nerve wracking because of the severity and length of the backdraft. Cruising 75, 80, even 85 mph is no problem. Took it from Chicago to Yellowstone and back through Colorado this summer and rarely had it under 6000 rpm. Excellent bike for the money. I commute on it as well...great commuter bike. Averages about 58 mpg and I pull it to 8 grand at least once almost every time I'm on it.
Amos Iron Wolf ko
Which one did you like the most? This one or the Versys X-300?
Tough question! I guess I would look at it as a difference between practicality, as far as my actual riding habits go, and, for lack of a better word, fun. I think I might have more fun on the Versys-X 300. It's more off-road capable, so I'd be actively looking to beat it up in the hills on occasion and you ride the thing at the limit of its output so there's a sense of really getting everything out of the bike. Something satisfying in that. The reality is, though, I spend 80+ percent of my time on a bike on the road, and I think I'd be happier long-term on the Honda. The additional power, along with some luggage, would make it really nice on longer trips. It's light on its feet, mechanically really smooth, great around town and can still get you up a gravel road when you need. If I had to make the decision right now I'd go with the Honda.
Riders Domain I think the comparison between these two bikes is something you will often hear, because they are really cool and sought after city bikes! From a comfort stand point, for city and around town riding, which would you recommend for a guy 6'2ft and 200lbs if it involves traveling 2up also?
Very nice video
There arent good reviews to this bike, so ty :)
Glad you liked it. Make sure to subscribe so we can make some more!
My Bike
I'm a newbie considering this bike... Can a 12v socket be added for gps/ cell phone?
Hi Gary, you can absolutely add a 12v socket to the CB500X. Honda's got one for just a little over $50 bucks. Thanks for watching!
Does it lean over far enough to take fast corners? Thanks!
Clearance on the sides is pretty good, I think you could get pretty deep into a corner if you wanted to push - Byron
I am 5'7" will i be able to use it without problems? I am used to lower seat heights.
You should be fine, it's seat height might be a bit more than you're used to, but it's a light-enough bike to likely not be a problem. What do you ride currently?
Riders Domain kawasaki ninja 600. Pretty low. Thank you for the swift response. I love your channel.
kamuka po ng ducati hypermotard hehe pinaliit sya mini ducati hypermotard ayos
I'm 250lb and 6ft tall. Not sure this'll have enough power to haul me on the freeway.
gsx1138 100pmh easy they hit 115 no problem
fatty
that bike is almost 9500$ in Costa Rica, that's a big NOPE for me.
Costa Rica is the nope here, not the bike. Everywhere else it's a lot cheaper!
Pura Vida mae.
Would you consider TRK 502 ?
Haven't ridden that one, but just based on what I've read the Honda is the superior machine. - Byron
What are the RPMs at 75mph?
About 6k.
That looks like Oregon
Good eye! Southern Oregon's our stompin' grounds.
Matter of fact that looks like Medford out by Jacksonville. I live in Klamath Falls. My folks used to live in Medford.
Riders Domain used to live in applegate....great roads to ride...use to go to the coast, both on dirt and street
Yea I was thinking eastern Oregon.
that's a tourer, not an adventure bike, i don't think you can call "adventure" to any bike with a 17 inch front rim.
There's little to no options for dual sport/ adventure tyres for a 17 inch front wheel, also, the shorter diameter makes it not as great for driving on dirt.
If your bike can't go off road without going beyond it's blood type, then it's not an adventure bike, it's a tourer.
I've got 12k miles on my '16. I fitted it with TKC80's in front and a Mitas E-07 on the rear and I go everywhere my buddy goes on his KLR - and then some. No, its not a dual sport but it's amazing where you can take the bike confidently if you take your time. Tires transform the bike.
Stephen Bushway i like the pattern of the Mitas E-07 for the rear tyre, but the tkc-80 is too much of an off road oriented tyre for my taste, i try to avoid that type of tyres because i do 60% on road and 40% off road, i kill the knobs a little too fast and they don't feel as smooth (i believe).
Now, i looked for the TKC-80's on google but the only size for a 17 inch rim tyre is a 120/70/17, which is too big for a front tyre...
Does your bike has a 17 inch front rim? Because that's the main point of my complaint, that it's so hard to find 50/50 front tyres for a 17" rim.
Straight off the floor it's light duty ADV at best, if you want to go more extreme you'll definitely want to upgrade the unit.
Kirk Brooks what can a GS 1200 do that the cb500x can't? Or what is your example of a extreme ADV?
It's both. And I'll tell you out of my experience, it'll do both road and off-road perfectly. Nice asphalt or pure sand, no problem. Of course it's not a straight up off-road rally bike, but it does it's job very well.
👌💖💖
I think honda has used too much plastic parts on this bike.
The guy is big lier. The bike is stiff, the winshild is to short.
He sayng thet it is perfect. But its not