Ha ha! Thanks for the mention mate, not sure about bravery, I'm still having to overcome the actual fear of what I do sometimes, having started riding so old, I missed out on the "no fear" years! I've been following you since before I rode even, as well as many names we would both know (Skeggy, Andy, Blah, Non-Angry etc. etc.) - not many of the old crew still vlogging. You did bloody great, some gnarly stuff there - the CB500X is not a bad bike for it, handles it well, especially with the 19' front. If it was me with a 19", I'd be after something like Mitas E07's - but I go for Shinko 705's as there's bugger all off-road tyres available for a 17" front. Saying that, I did my first 3 years of "off-roading" on Michelin Road 3 and 4's - looking back at the videos I did just fine, although changing to the Shinkos gave me a little confidence boost. If you're just gonna "dip your toe" so to speak, maybe the Shinkos would be a good choice? Not pricey and very long lasting. You have a choice of 170 60 R17 or 150 60 R17 on the rear, I use the narrower one now, as it gives me more bite in gravel, but ran the wider one for a couple of years no problem. The OEM size is supposed to be 160 60 R17 but that's not available. I wouldn't run a deeper tyre (like you mentioned you wouldn't either) but width I'm prepared tp play with. Otherwise I see what Len Scapoff suggested as well, I reckon they would be a good option too.
I definitely missed the "no fear years" too, also coming to riding late. I never had any worries taking a fast car around a circuit but have ummed and ahhed about doing the same on a bike. I've proven that I have moved from the bendy bones to the breaky bones stage of life! It does seem that the rear 160 size is the problem one for the little Honda. I wonder if it's just not a common size so the manufacturers haven't bothered.
I have the Pirelli MT60s on my 2016 500x. Really confidence inspiring in the wet and handles the pot holed gravely UK roads really well. Perfectly adequate for roads in this video too 👍
Awesome explore. Captain Cranky has a great channel, have also been watching his content with envy for years too! 🙂 I always recommend the Michelin Road tyres... with the Road 6 now very established, the Road 5 may be offered at better prices. the 5 & 6 are fantastic in all weather. I'd not bother getting a more dirt focussed tyre unless you plan on doing more dirt that is sloppy, they are always a compromise on tarmac with a loss of wet weather performance, longevity or road noise or a combination of those.
The good captain said he started his off-road journey on PR3 and PR4s. I didn't really expect they would be usable on the soft stuff. I did hit a few bits of sloppy stuff today but not on purpose. The flooding has dragged a lot of slick mud onto the lanes around here. It definitely wakes you up when you hit it!
Avon offer two matched tyres for the 2019 - 2024 models - the Spirit ST and the Trailrider. The first is an all-out sport touring tyre, the second a 90-10 road-biased tyre with a tread pattern that accommodates some light off-roading. If we had the abundance of long-distance dirt and gravel roads Cranky has on his doorstep, I might be tempted to look at something more aggressively off-road but since we don't, and at my age my bones don't bounce well anyway, I'm not. Trailriders for me.
Good response to Calm's question mate, I must admit the original Avons on my bike seemed pretty good, and if you're not looking to go green laning, but handle some gravel and dirt with a little more confidence, they are a good choice. Probably similar to the Shinkos I use.
I think that, as basic as this was, that type of road is probably my limit too. It would be nice to be able to do a little more but my bones certainly break too easily too!
Best advice I was ever given for riding on gravel roads. Relax, and put more power on.. lol !! You handled that with aplomb Richard. (No, I don't know what that means, but it kinda sounds good. 😎)
Not a 500x owner, but the obvious choices,which you probably have already looked at, include, Avon Roadrider, Bridgestone Battlax, Pirelli Phantoms & Michelin Classic. Dunlop may also have something along with Continental. Good luck😂
I had 3 punctures in the rear Dunlop tyre of my brand new bike in the first couple of months. I couldn't get a replacement for the original so opted for Michelin Road 6's. Not cheap but much improved handling and confidence inspiring in the wet. Recommended. I avoid North Cave now, that's where I picked up 2 of my punctures.😢
That's pretty bad luck. I got two last year, one in the Peak District on the Kawasaki and a slow on in the Honda within a few weeks of buying it. I used to use the Pilot Road 4's and bought some Road 5's for my first CB500X. I didn't get around to fitting them though before the bike was written off. The 6's look like a great tyre but definitely on the pricey side!
@@CalmBikerNo, not bad luck. I’d not had a bike puncture since I passed my test in 1969. The gods must have realised I’d slipped through the net and decided it was payback time. Incidentally, I called the RAC for assistance only to be asked if I had a spare wheel! They then told me they were busy and I could be waiting up to 8 hours.
@@Dave_East_RidingA friend had so much trouble with the RAC that I'll never use them. He was left at the side of the road in the early hours alone for hours. Evetually they turned up, couldn't do anything so put his bike on the back of a flatbed and damaged it.
A lot of times with seeing new roads and public right of ways, I go down them just to find out they are a dead end. Or there are two or three ways to go, but there are no signs to say which way to go. All the wasted time and everything just to go back. There is a public footpath between Winestead and Hollym. I went down it and had to get the bike over a style on to a narrow footbridge. There was no sign to say which way to go. I eventually got on to the a main track to Withernsea. I went about a quarter of a mile (more or less) and there was a sign saying about it being a private road and no public right of way. So I went back and asked someone who lives in a house down there. They said their daughter's husband owns the land and lets people use the track. They said that people go down there all the time so I should be alright. I cannot find the proper way for the path (there are signs, one at each end but it is easy to get lost in the direction you are supposed to go) so I just followed the road round. Someone said that it was private land and no one is allowed on there. So I do not get to go down that track any more. Some places you find different places to go. Most of the time it is a waste going. I could not find a the public right of way at Weel. Someone said it goes next to a farmers field. The farmer has been banned from having guns and anyone that goes down the public path, he gets his illegal shotgun and threatens them.
There's something brilliant about just exploring these little routes. Your exploring sounds fantastic - you're definitely braver than me. Not sure about getting over stiles and avoiding shotgun pellets though! I do a lot of that type of exploring on foot too. I've found a couple of areas that look like they are legal to ride, if dodgy in places. I'm tempted to ride the one from South Cave past the quarry and the vineyard (Swinescaif Road / Comberdale Hill). There's a "no motorcycles" sign half way down but that's for turning off towards the plantation. It does say that it's a public highway but I'm not fully sure of the rules. The Comberdale hill end where it narrows is definitely one that would test me though!
@@CalmBiker I like going to different places. But I never break any laws on purpose. If I know I can't go or don't know if I can, I won't go. I've only trespassed (very rare) in places by accident. Once I found out I went back. A few years ago, a part of the Hull to Withernsea track split in two directions. The easiest way was through a small private wood with a big sign saying not to go through it. But someone seems to have done something to the track. I can get all the way to end (of the track, not to With, doesn't go that far) and I cannot find that wood any more and the track is more straight. Do not ride motor vehicles down there though. It is against the law. But on the Hull part people do. Hull end of the track is where a kid had a leg took off by a &%^$ on a dangerous bike a few years ago.
Ha ha! Thanks for the mention mate, not sure about bravery, I'm still having to overcome the actual fear of what I do sometimes, having started riding so old, I missed out on the "no fear" years!
I've been following you since before I rode even, as well as many names we would both know (Skeggy, Andy, Blah, Non-Angry etc. etc.) - not many of the old crew still vlogging.
You did bloody great, some gnarly stuff there - the CB500X is not a bad bike for it, handles it well, especially with the 19' front.
If it was me with a 19", I'd be after something like Mitas E07's - but I go for Shinko 705's as there's bugger all off-road tyres available for a 17" front.
Saying that, I did my first 3 years of "off-roading" on Michelin Road 3 and 4's - looking back at the videos I did just fine, although changing to the Shinkos gave me a little confidence boost.
If you're just gonna "dip your toe" so to speak, maybe the Shinkos would be a good choice? Not pricey and very long lasting. You have a choice of 170 60 R17 or 150 60 R17 on the rear, I use the narrower one now, as it gives me more bite in gravel, but ran the wider one for a couple of years no problem. The OEM size is supposed to be 160 60 R17 but that's not available. I wouldn't run a deeper tyre (like you mentioned you wouldn't either) but width I'm prepared tp play with.
Otherwise I see what Len Scapoff suggested as well, I reckon they would be a good option too.
I definitely missed the "no fear years" too, also coming to riding late. I never had any worries taking a fast car around a circuit but have ummed and ahhed about doing the same on a bike. I've proven that I have moved from the bendy bones to the breaky bones stage of life! It does seem that the rear 160 size is the problem one for the little Honda. I wonder if it's just not a common size so the manufacturers haven't bothered.
I have the Pirelli MT60s on my 2016 500x. Really confidence inspiring in the wet and handles the pot holed gravely UK roads really well. Perfectly adequate for roads in this video too 👍
I hadn't seen those ones and they have the correct size too! I shall investigate, thanks!
Awesome explore. Captain Cranky has a great channel, have also been watching his content with envy for years too! 🙂
I always recommend the Michelin Road tyres... with the Road 6 now very established, the Road 5 may be offered at better prices. the 5 & 6 are fantastic in all weather. I'd not bother getting a more dirt focussed tyre unless you plan on doing more dirt that is sloppy, they are always a compromise on tarmac with a loss of wet weather performance, longevity or road noise or a combination of those.
The good captain said he started his off-road journey on PR3 and PR4s. I didn't really expect they would be usable on the soft stuff.
I did hit a few bits of sloppy stuff today but not on purpose. The flooding has dragged a lot of slick mud onto the lanes around here. It definitely wakes you up when you hit it!
@@CalmBiker yup, can be lethal if you are caught off guard!
Avon offer two matched tyres for the 2019 - 2024 models - the Spirit ST and the Trailrider. The first is an all-out sport touring tyre, the second a 90-10 road-biased tyre with a tread pattern that accommodates some light off-roading. If we had the abundance of long-distance dirt and gravel roads Cranky has on his doorstep, I might be tempted to look at something more aggressively off-road but since we don't, and at my age my bones don't bounce well anyway, I'm not. Trailriders for me.
Good response to Calm's question mate, I must admit the original Avons on my bike seemed pretty good, and if you're not looking to go green laning, but handle some gravel and dirt with a little more confidence, they are a good choice. Probably similar to the Shinkos I use.
I think that, as basic as this was, that type of road is probably my limit too. It would be nice to be able to do a little more but my bones certainly break too easily too!
Best advice I was ever given for riding on gravel roads. Relax, and put more power on.. lol !!
You handled that with aplomb Richard. (No, I don't know what that means, but it kinda sounds good. 😎)
Is "aplomb" something about needing bigger plums to put on more power? 🙂
Not a 500x owner, but the obvious choices,which you probably have already looked at, include,
Avon Roadrider, Bridgestone Battlax, Pirelli Phantoms & Michelin Classic. Dunlop may also have something along with Continental. Good luck😂
Thanks! I've been hunting and watching a lot of videos on the subject. So many different opinions though!
I had 3 punctures in the rear Dunlop tyre of my brand new bike in the first couple of months. I couldn't get a replacement for the original so opted for Michelin Road 6's. Not cheap but much improved handling and confidence inspiring in the wet. Recommended.
I avoid North Cave now, that's where I picked up 2 of my punctures.😢
That's pretty bad luck. I got two last year, one in the Peak District on the Kawasaki and a slow on in the Honda within a few weeks of buying it.
I used to use the Pilot Road 4's and bought some Road 5's for my first CB500X. I didn't get around to fitting them though before the bike was written off. The 6's look like a great tyre but definitely on the pricey side!
@@CalmBikerNo, not bad luck. I’d not had a bike puncture since I passed my test in 1969. The gods must have realised I’d slipped through the net and decided it was payback time.
Incidentally, I called the RAC for assistance only to be asked if I had a spare wheel! They then told me they were busy and I could be waiting up to 8 hours.
@@Dave_East_RidingA friend had so much trouble with the RAC that I'll never use them. He was left at the side of the road in the early hours alone for hours. Evetually they turned up, couldn't do anything so put his bike on the back of a flatbed and damaged it.
Run a 70/30 Dunlop on my old 550F. Handles gravel well though I do avoid mud!
I found some mud today on the 80/20s on the CB500X. It was nearly brown trousers for two reasons 😀
A lot of times with seeing new roads and public right of ways, I go down them just to find out they are a dead end. Or there are two or three ways to go, but there are no signs to say which way to go. All the wasted time and everything just to go back.
There is a public footpath between Winestead and Hollym. I went down it and had to get the bike over a style on to a narrow footbridge. There was no sign to say which way to go. I eventually got on to the a main track to Withernsea. I went about a quarter of a mile (more or less) and there was a sign saying about it being a private road and no public right of way. So I went back and asked someone who lives in a house down there. They said their daughter's husband owns the land and lets people use the track. They said that people go down there all the time so I should be alright.
I cannot find the proper way for the path (there are signs, one at each end but it is easy to get lost in the direction you are supposed to go) so I just followed the road round. Someone said that it was private land and no one is allowed on there. So I do not get to go down that track any more.
Some places you find different places to go. Most of the time it is a waste going.
I could not find a the public right of way at Weel. Someone said it goes next to a farmers field. The farmer has been banned from having guns and anyone that goes down the public path, he gets his illegal shotgun and threatens them.
There's something brilliant about just exploring these little routes. Your exploring sounds fantastic - you're definitely braver than me. Not sure about getting over stiles and avoiding shotgun pellets though! I do a lot of that type of exploring on foot too. I've found a couple of areas that look like they are legal to ride, if dodgy in places. I'm tempted to ride the one from South Cave past the quarry and the vineyard (Swinescaif Road / Comberdale Hill). There's a "no motorcycles" sign half way down but that's for turning off towards the plantation. It does say that it's a public highway but I'm not fully sure of the rules. The Comberdale hill end where it narrows is definitely one that would test me though!
@@CalmBiker I like going to different places. But I never break any laws on purpose. If I know I can't go or don't know if I can, I won't go. I've only trespassed (very rare) in places by accident. Once I found out I went back.
A few years ago, a part of the Hull to Withernsea track split in two directions. The easiest way was through a small private wood with a big sign saying not to go through it. But someone seems to have done something to the track. I can get all the way to end (of the track, not to With, doesn't go that far) and I cannot find that wood any more and the track is more straight. Do not ride motor vehicles down there though. It is against the law. But on the Hull part people do. Hull end of the track is where a kid had a leg took off by a &%^$ on a dangerous bike a few years ago.
@@angelwarrior8013I remember that story on the local news. Terrible 😞
Hi look at a 60/40 or 70/30 tyres 👍
Will do! Cheers!
Can't help with offroad suggestions Richard.
No probs Nev, thanks for passing by! 🙂