2019 HONDA CB500X
R I D E R E V I E W
P94
Aesthetically, the 500X has come in for a nip and tuck, with
a new color scheme (you can have any 500X you want, as long
as it's red), a slightly shorter front fender, new fuel tank, radiator
shroud, headlight, clear taillight lens and new LED turn signals.
Plus, there's a 20mm taller screen adjustable via a 5mm Al-
len key and a new digital dash that's finally got a gear position
indicator in it.
Honda is marketing the 500X as an
entry-level ADV option, but it's a bike sea-
soned off-road riders can still enjoy. Real
ADV riders will still notice the lack of spoked
wheels, despite the fact the cast front
wheel comes in a 19-inch size—but in the
day of midlevel off-road terrain we rode in,
no one got a pinched rim or flat tire despite
the repeated pounding we gave the wheels.
That bodes well for riders who want a light,
easy ADV bike that can handle most of the
terrain humans will dare take it. Riding one
of these in Baja should be no problem.
(Right) Backroad
riding is great fun
on the 500X. And
there's a substantial
amount of grip
on offer from the
Bridgestones, but
you'll have to buy
them separately.
(Above) The screen is 20mm taller.
It's adjustable but requires a 5mm hex
key. The 500X gets a slightly reworked
exhaust. There's a four percent jump in
claimed power with the 471cc twin.
Honda has
taken the 500X
to the plastic
surgeons for a
slight nip and
tuck at the
front.
