2019 HONDA CB500X
R I D E R E V I E W
P96
they purchase a new 500X. The result is what
you see here: more off-road capability but still
an upright touring bike at heart.
On the road, the 500X is a pussycat.
Honda won't divulge power figures, and I'm
not game to print any here, but what's on offer
from the 471cc twin is more than enough for
90 percent of street riding. Sixth gear is an
overdrive, dropping the revs right down and
ensuring you get plenty of miles per gallon,
but the 500X still offers solid but un-intimidat-
ing acceleration in the first four gears to get
you up and moving.
Our test bikes were fitted with Bridges-
tone's brand new AX41 adventure knobby tires
(Dunlop's Trailmax is what the 500X comes
with as standard), which have an excellent
amount of grip on the tarmac. You can push
these things pretty hard if you like, and they'll
give you plenty of warning before letting go.
However, transfer the 500X off the road, and
you'll really start to see the fruits of not just
Honda's, but Bridgestone's, labor.
The AX41's worked stupendously on the
light dusty trails in San Diego County with
plenty of front-end grip, which allowed the
(Top to bottom) If you
take this thing real
ADV riding, you'll want
an engine guard and
sturdier footpegs. The
seat has been slightly
reworked and is now
0.8 of an inch taller at
32.7 inches. Slightly
more suspension travel
gives the 500X more
off-road capability. The
suspension is still non-
adjustable at the front.
