First Ride: 2016 Honda CB500X

[@hildtonmcconnell5626]

It is a all round bike, it does every thing very good, on and off road, compared to what we rode in the 60's it is a great bike, after riding bikes from 80 cc to 1000 cc and a lot in between I find the CB 500 X a great bike to retire on at 70 yr and over 55 years of riding it is the bike for me and I will be doing long distant touring on it, as I did on my 500 cc Royal Endfield , and enjoyed 800 + Km days. After all going fast on a slow bike is much more fun than going slow on a fast bike.

[@MiddleagedRider]

The 500cc parallel twin engine is very nice. I wouldn't mind if this was my commuting, daily bike at all.

[@sabeillard]

You said the magic words: good for commuting and to have some fun at weekend! ☺ After passing the last frete weeks watching every tivesse on net about this bike, defenitly this will be my next bike. Nice and complete test in this video. Congrats from Portugal!

[@sabeillard]

*last few weeks

[@sabeillard]

*watching every videos on net

[@MiddleagedRider]

Really glad you enjoyed. I've ridden the 500 (in CB trim, not X) a couple more times since as a loan bike and like it more and more - Just not enough fun for me to have as my only bike.

[@EinkOLED]

I test riden one a month ago, a bit cheap looking and small but not a bad bike. Went for Kawasaki versys 650 instead as it looks fantastic and has more power. But the fuel economy on this and the nc is unbeatable

[@Grasshoppa65]

Nice video. One thing though, dont forget, biike designers and other traffic are not there to assist you "filtering". Filtering is risky so its your decision whether to take the risk or not. The other drivers dont have to look out for you filtering, as long as they stay in their lane.

[@MiddleagedRider]

Filtering is always a risk and there's sensible filtering and dangerous filtering. Other drivers *SHOULD* be aware of all other traffic around them including filtering bikes, that's in the Highway Code! "Rule 211: It is often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists, especially when they are coming up from behind, coming out of junctions, at roundabouts, overtaking you or filtering through traffic. Always look out for them before you emerge from a junction; they could be approaching faster than you think. When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for cyclists or motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing. Be especially careful when turning, and when changing direction or lane. Be sure to check mirrors and blind spots carefully." That doesn't mean they have to make it easy for you by any means and as a motorcyclist you don't have a god given right either. Always best to play it on the safe side IMO but many drivers could be far more aware.

[@gary613whiskers]

Great vlog, helpful and informative. Would love to see more. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@MiddleagedRider]

Cheers. Thanks for stopping by. I don't get to ride many different bikes - only when one of mine goes into the dealer for servicing etc but I'll always try and give my thoughts on any bike I do get to ride.

[@Karras353]

Considering getting one of these (or the f version) to replace an NC750s that got stolen. The 750 was nice but I'm thinking the lighter bike might be nicer for town riding, which is about 99% of what I do. Regarding the indicator switch position, I find it falls under where my thumb wants to go. I've used both layouts and having it at the bottom works well, after a short adjustment period, is fine.

[@MiddleagedRider]

I think you'd be really happy with this for town riding. Peppy enough and light and easily manoeuvrable. Nice to filter with too. Think I'd be fine with the indicators every every bike I rode was like this. As you say it's a short adjustment period. However, my CBR650 has the indicators like this and my Blade has them the other way round and the first couple of times riding one directly after the other and I'm tooting when I mean to indicate!!

[@DaddyBiker_Reviews]

I had a CBR500R back in 2013. After not very long I found it quite boring. My biggest bugbear was needing as much overtaking room as you did on the 125, due to an utterly gutless mid-range. Amazing mpg though and ideal around town. Looks good to the untrained eye, but there's not a great deal to back up the impression given by the aesthetics.

[@MiddleagedRider]

Actually, I didn't find the midrange a problem. I thought it was lacking in the top end, but it's a reasonably torquey engine and found overtaking fine as long as you plan it well in advance.

[@DaddyBiker_Reviews]

+Middleaged Rider It sounds as though they may have improved that then because - from my experience - would have thought you would notice a massive difference between it and the 650 in the mid range. I'll have to get Honda to lend me a new one!!

[@MiddleagedRider]

+Holderness Biker it certainly hasn't got the poke and midrange of the 650, but for A2 licence bike it's not totally "gutless"

[@1990-t1j]

8:20 build quality. It's made in Thailand. I'd cut the screen down. Can you take it off? All three of my bikes have no screens. Who needs them? Great review. Very informative. In fact, the best I've seen on here for this bike. I've subscribed.

[@MiddleagedRider]

Thanks for watching. The screen issue is a combination of the height of it and my upper torso size! If you were 5'10" or 6'3" it wouldn't be a problem! As others have commented there are lots of aftermarket bolt on bits for this bike and you could change it out for a more suitable screen.....and I would. I like a screen to take some of the wind blast especially on the motorway!!

[@kulter20]

This type of adventure/off-road bike without a windscreen? I'd imagine that would look ridiculous.

[@1990-t1j]

I don't think it would. My Buell Ulysses doesn't have one, and it looks really good. Goes well, too.

[@1990-t1j]

Very interesting. Thanks for telling me that.

[@MiddleagedRider]

I agree that the build quality is sub-optimal. The difference between my Blade and the 650F is night and day BUT...... the 650F isn't that bad. You hear of reports of rust etc and I've no doubt there may be some examples of "Friday afternoon" bikes and those which have got by quality control. My 650F is now 17-18 months old and done nearly 9,000 miles and is used nearly every day throughout the year in British weather. It gets washed every now and again and I do use ACF50 to help protect it. I can honestly say that I haven't noticed one speck of rust on the swingarm or the frame. A little bit of furriness on some bolts buts that's it.

[@saviorJay51]

From what I see on other vids...people use this bike to go everywhere especially with the rally raid conversion.

[@MiddleagedRider]

Yes indeed - and after I'd made this video I've seen some of those and also had some other comments correcting me. Feel a bit of an arse now for saying that I bet nobody goes offroad with it!!!!

[@fredbiscuit...413]

Great video with really useful commentary. Thank you :)

[@MiddleagedRider]

Glad you found it useful and enjoyed. Thanks for stopping by

[@TheDervMan]

Useful video, thanks for sharing.

[@tamagorider2225]

Can't decide whether I should get this or nc750 due to the DCT.

[@MiddleagedRider]

They are two very different bikes with the NC750 designed for low down torque. You should ride both and go for whatever ride you prefer.

[@tamagorider2225]

My father has the 400x which is only available in few countries like Japan and Singapore. I will try his as it is similar to cb500x when I'm back in my country.

[@tamagorider2225]

I will think through it.

[@Billy520917]

Please edit out the gas station. Then you've got a nice, informative and useful video,

[@johnrocker2986]

Nice job

[@GarryThomassaltyreefers]

it pisses me off living in the usa. its $1.12 a gallon now!

[@MiddleagedRider]

Lol - I'm sure you do realise how lucky you are to have such cheap fuel. I filled up this morning and paid £1.12 a LITRE!

[@InsaneLegenD756]

Lol, in Belgium it's 1.3 euro per litre which is 1.44 dollars. 1 litre is 0.26 gallon.

[@GarryThomassaltyreefers]

Middleaged Rider I have just spent 2 months, back home in the UK. OMG the cost of fuel is really horrendous. I am shocked that almost every car these days are diesel. There are not many cars available in diesel in the USA

[@robincarlson9921]

Why are you ruining the 650 turning it into a race bike there is no 650 class like the 750 class that went away im 53 and was looking at the 650 for comfort you have now lost a sale put bars on top good forks full fairing low pegs etc and you could have mega return sales for older bikers as is RUINED