CB500F How does it compare to my CB500X?

[@Bimble]

You should've tapped on that coppers' window and when he rolled it down asked in a bored voice - "Been drinking this afternoon have we, Sir?" ;) Cracking bikes, I'd happily have either...or each...both!

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Next time! And then I'll find out what a sense of humour a copper doesn't have no doubt! 🤣 I'm pretty lucky to have access to both. Wifey hasn't ridden much for a couple of years and it's up to me to take it out for spins to "keep the battery good" ;-)

[@Nick_of_Time]

I’ve just added Rally Raid’s standard height suspension to my 500X, and it was worth it. It’s slightly firmer but very well damped, and it doesn’t get upset on rough surfaces. Very flickable.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Man, I'd love the full RR, but I can't spend that much - sounds great Nick, glad it was worth it for the ride!

[@MrAusadventure]

Great to see Wifey's bike out for a blast again! Great little comparison mate.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah - it's always fun to have a fang on the F - cheers mate :)

[@johnofypres]

Excellent accurate review. I've got a 2020 CB500F. Lovely bike but slow corners the front end tries to dig in too deep. Manageable but nearly caught me out first ride . Could be tyre related but I'll live with it for now. Thanks for posting . Ride safe.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Cheers mate, might be tyres, we had Angel GT's on for while and didn't like the feel, changed to Michelin PR4's and I can't fault the bike, feels absolutely planted on a lively twisty mountain ride :)

[@filoIII]

It's the bike. The F just doesn't corner well.

[@jbean530]

Check the air pressure in the tires. Might need new tires. Makes a big difference.

[@findingneutral]

Great comparison from someone who has both. Being only 5'6 my CB500X feels too tall at times. Don't want to tinker with my linkage as I prefer to keep the suspension as Honda created it. Thought switching to an F platform might suit me better. But there's no twisties where I live and besides that I get the vibe the CB500X is a more stable and comfortable choice. I need a mostly upright riding position due to back, shoulder, and neck injuries as well. Thanks for posting this as it helped me realize I still made the right choice back in 2021. I put Michelin Road 5's on mine and it handles like a street bike mostly 😎 👍

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Cheers mate. Agreed on not changing the geometry of the bike 👍 The F is a fun bike but really more painful to ride long distance, I have a physio regime I keep up, without which I'd spend a lot of time unable to function due to long term back problems, so I can relate, and affirm that the upright position on the X allows me to ride long days (have done 10 hour days many times, butt gets sore but that's a given). Long trips on the F have seen me stopping every hour for a rest and stretch. Michelins are awesome tyres, somehow combining miraculous grip on wet tar with longevity. and funny enough, I did many of my first few years of dirt/gravel road adventures on PR4's! Thanks for the feedback, happy riding!

[@findingneutral]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger Awesome additional information Captain. Thanks again 🙂👍

[@NickMasseyRideon]

I think the CB500 title is how I found you in the first place, as my wife had a CB500F or R I cant remember , but we loved it

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah I remember that mate!

[@HippoDrones]

Am definitely preferring the more upright riding position on the road of the ADV style bike over the more sporty nature of what it replaced. Nice comparison Cranky :-)

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah, I can see that in your rides on the lovely new bike! Many thanks Peter, be safe mate.

[@reljoy]

I love the red. I hired a 500f once and quite enjoyed it.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

It's quite a lot of fun mate, yeah love the red, Wifey picked well :)

[@OldManTony]

At our age I have to admit I find the adventure bike style more comfortable these days hahahahah! Mind you I’d like something a little more sporty in my garage for a quick burst now and again.

[@NickMasseyRideon]

I agree, I am thinking of trading in my VFR800 for something more upright.

[@paullee6663]

@@NickMasseyRideon I wouldn't be too quick to 'jump ship'. If I were you I'd try to get an 'extended test ride' on any adventure bike first. Sitting bolt upright puts all your weight on your lower back, it's not the best riding position for everyone.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

It's funny Tony, I find the X - OEM seat very comfortable on long rides, but others say the opposite! Guess it's down to how much bum and how much it's supporting ;-)

[@toby7504]

Before l took my wifes sv out for the back roads to have some fun, but now the tiger seems to do the same job. Not as nimble as t sv and that cb500f, but dam that bike goes if you open it up. Long time since l ridden a cb500, but remember how good it was for its purpose. Ride safe buddy

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Oh man, I still remember my one ride on an SV - bloody loved it!! RSM8

[@toby7504]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger yeah they are great fun. 😊

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

Nice comparison mate.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Thanks buddy! 👍

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Great comparison and video, brother, I'd wondered just how different they could be (being based on basically the same DNA), never ridden one 😊✌

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Many thanks my friend, yeah it's like the X's naughty cousin, but definitely only on-road.

[@chrisbrown4396]

Just bought this identical bike as my first big bike. Just wish I had the same roads and weather here in London as you do. Was hoping to take it on a euro tour next summer to see an old flame in Vienna.. but looks like Europe is locking down forever 🙄

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah, here it is approaching the "too hot to ride" season - but it's pretty short and the odd loony (me) goes out in 40C anyway. Yeah who knows how this will all end now :(

[@chrisbrown4396]

I grew up in South Africa and remember being 17 riding my Yamaha DT50 wearing just a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops 😂. Crazy.

[@Twilight-cl3zc]

@@chrisbrown4396 That was a great looking bike and my friend had it in black back in '86/87. I had a Suzuki ZR50 X1 in white with gold wheels.🤣😂

[@jimh2061]

I almost bought the 500f as a first bike because The X is completely out of inventory and is like a ghost here in tge USA. Sitting on the F I felt like if I braked too hard I would fly over the handlebars. I am 6 feet tall with a 32 inch inseam. I've never seen the X but I'm assuming it's lower ergo is the same which I felt crouched too much.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

The X is much taller - I'm 6'5" and have done hundreds of long days in the saddle, whereas I ache within an hour on the F. I got lowered pegs for the X (2" lower) and raised the bars 2" after a few years and this increased the comfort considerably - but on later models I think this isn't as much of an issue. As an alternative to the big ADV bikes, at 1/3 of the price, it's hard to beat the X I reckon.

[@molnarzsolt3921]

Dreaming to get a 500f once I got my A license(hopefully this summer) . Only reason I’d go for this over the x because it’s naked, less panels to brake 😅

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

So is the X - the F would actually fare worse in a crash. I've had 8 off-road crashes on the X and not hurt any panels (I only have lower engine guards). If you are tall the F will be uncomfortable on long trips, but if you're not it's still an awesome bike :)

[@molnarzsolt3921]

CaptainCranky not tall at all :) 500x is more expensive than 750 x here in U.K. Any experience with dct bikes?

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

No - but by all accounts Honda is doing DCT really well :)

[@thejcruz1]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger How tall is too tall for the 500f?

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@thejcruz1 Well it's different for everyone, and I am only one height, so all I can say is 6'4" (my height) is too tall. Best thing is to go sit on one and see how it feels.

[@BaptistIndividual]

Where'd you buy those pants ,looks awesome

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Shark Leathers on the Gold Coast. Great moto gear and good people 👍

[@paullee6663]

I can't do without some sort of screen these days. Too tiring for me, especially on a tour or even a long weekend. It usually means at least an hour on dual carraigeway / motorway for me to get to see anything worthwhile. If only I had a 'Transporter' like in Fireball XL5 / Star Trek.... Tidy CB500F though....nice colour too. I kind of thought 500Ks was 'just up the road' for you guys....

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Totally agree, this is not a bike for long trips... just a 500K nip around the block ;-) OMG, I've thought of that transporter idea too!!

[@Quepasaaqui718]

I slapped risers on my cb500f changed the whole ride I love it ALOT more now I’m 5’8

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah that would certainly help. Since I'm 6'5" though it's a bit too low.

[@Quepasaaqui718]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger absolutely not the best bike for someone over 6ft leave it to us shorties lol KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN BRETHREN! 🤙🏽✌🏽🏍️💨💨💨

[@02bigkev]

I do think adventure bikes are more appealing , good comparison. RSM8

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Me too mate. Was almost going to the VStrom Xmas party on the F, but a new tyre for the X arrived today so I'll be adventuring on the way there :)

[@namelesssnitchy]

i want a fuel efficient bike that can do normal highway speeds. max highway speed in my country is 130km/h. im riding a suzuki gs500e from 94 now and its almost perfect but i want a newer one with injection and less fuel consumption

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yep- this would be a great choice, easily sits at 130, will quickly get up to 150 then a bit more slowly past 160.

[@MrSkinnyWhale]

​@@CaptainCrankyMotovloggertested on a private road, I'm sure 😉

[@AdventuresinRealLife]

Maybe the turning is from wheel size? Or the rake? Oh....you thought ahead of me. Riding the 140 is pretty different, but the tire size and weight are substantially different from my bike. Does anyone actually need a liter bike?

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah the X and F have the same 17" wheels front and back... Honda finally put a 19" on the X in 2019 (damn them!) - it's all in the rake, as the farmer said after making hay... I certainly don't need a bike that breaks all speed limits in 1st gear!!

[@rusticthumper5500]

So, 1 bike to do it all....what would you pick?

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

From these 2 - definitely the X mate :)

[@filoIII]

You say the f handles better in the corners? Why is that?

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Different tyres, PR4's on the F, Shinko 705s for the X.

[@filoIII]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger Would the F handle better if the X had road tires?

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@filoIII Pretty much the same, I used to run PR4's on the X and, yeah could push them a little more in the twisties. The longer travel on the front forks is the only difference between the 2 bikes geometry-wise. The slightly more aggressive bars and seating on the F make it feel like more fun on the twisties.

[@filoIII]

CB500f is pretty upright. It ain't forward like the CBR.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

True - and the X more upright still

[@TheTriumfAnt]

6ft 5!!!!! You look shorter on my laptop.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Hahaha! Well you'd better not look at me on your phone then!

[@paullee6663]

Oh O Cranky rant and I'm only 1:31 in.... this doesn't bode well....

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Disaster averted... I calmed down 🤣

[@paullee6663]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger Yes, I know you did, I hate it when that happens. You're a constant disappointment these days.... :-) I've never heard anyone say on the 'lower' capacity Honda's how comfortable the seat is.....get yourself a sheepskin cover...you'll never look back.... my sheepskin is currently on my Dining Room chair while I'm working from home....well, at least I can pretend.... bikes not turned a wheel this year....

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@paullee6663 Having almost no ass and even less mass I have found the oem seat very comfortable, even in 10-12 hour days! Once again, I disappoint :( ;-)

[@paullee6663]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger Fair do's, my seat seems much better since I invested in some better riding gear. But I love my sheepskin on the bike or the Dining Room chair..... :-)