There’s an expression that says “less is more”, which means that simplicity can lead to better results. The Honda NX500, formerly CB500x, is the perfect definition of “less is more”.
To begin with, I should explain that when I test a motorcycle, I make sure I know what type of customer it’s intended for. I then put myself in the shoes of a member of that clientele and ride. That’s how I can see if the manufacturer has done his homework or not. Then I open up my vision and exploit the bike beyond what the target clientele could do. The aim is to understand its potential and its limits. But all this only by exploiting the machine’s strengths. Always capitalize on the positive to “focus” on the pleasure of riding.
When I took possession of the NX500, I didn’t know why, but I had a feeling that something would surprise me…
Taking a seat on the NX500
The NX500 is a small bike. So it’s accessible for a new rider, or someone under 1.75 m tall… Pleasant, because getting a full foot on the ground is easy, and the bike handles very well at idle. I would have liked the handlebars to be wider. It made me feel a bit cramped. A wider handlebar would also have allowed me to see more than just my arms and shoulders in the mirrors. The NX500’s controls are easy to use. Kudos to Honda for placing a control to directly deactivate traction control, which can be activated or deactivated on the fly without having to navigate the screen menus. Honda offers a joystick-type control to access the menus on the 5” TFT screen. This small joystick is also backlit to facilitate night-time operation.
The display can be configured in a number of ways, and above all, it’s easy to read. It’s not flashy, but it’s all there. Except for the temperature, which can be selected in Celsius or Fahrenheit, but I couldn’t display the weather.
Apart from the somewhat narrow handlebars, the seated riding position is comfortable. The saddle didn’t cause me any discomfort, even on long rides. Standing up is a little different. The heel of the right foot is directly on the exhaust pipe. The latter is a real hindrance to a good standing position. I understand that Honda wants to keep the price under $10,000 by sharing the NX500 platform with the CB500 and CB500F. But since the latter two are not designed for stand-up riding, the NX500, as an adventurer, should be equipped with a different exhaust system to offer a good standing position.
The NX500 rides on a 41 mm Showa inverted front suspension with 133 mm of travel, non-adjustable. At the rear, the Prop-Link system with adjustable preload offers 119 mm. It all works very well. The bike is stable and reacts well to obstacles encountered on gravel roads. The 21” front wheel also helps with obstacles. On the NX500, these wheels are tubeless.
Go anywhere
An unladen weight of 196 kg and its small size make this bike easy to handle in city traffic. I like to test motorcycles in urban traffic. It helps me understand how the bike reacts to unexpected maneuvers. The NX500 handles wonderfully in city traffic. The engine is supple and doesn’t rush us during acceleration. The clutch works just as well, keeping the bike balanced at very low speeds.
Once out of the city, the NX500 is just as enjoyable on the open road, taking corners with precision. Out of the corners, the NX500 doesn’t lack power, but it doesn’t have too much of it. You simply have to take the time to understand its 500 cm3 engine, which develops around 50 HP. It’s capable of revving up and is coupled to a precise gearbox… I had a lot of fun with this bike.
When riding the NX500 on the freeway, it’s important to understand that, with its smaller size, it’s somewhat sensitive to crosswinds and turbulence created by heavy trucks. All in all, however, it manages quite well and is capable of maintaining highway speeds without any problems.
Capable of more than you think
It wasn’t until I got off the asphalt that I was able to exploit the NX500. I had the time of my life. With its size, pleasant engine and well-adapted suspension, I could see just how adventurous the NX500 really is. With 80 road 20 off-road tires, I had no trouble riding on gravel roads. I was able to place the bike in the perfect line for curves. I could also get it to take quite a few corners. All thanks to its handling and stability. I even tested the NX500 on single-track trails to see where the adventure ends. The NX500 can really go far. Its limits are imposed by Honda, which sells it stripped of all protection…
A little too simple
No hand protection. No crankcase protection, not even radiator protection.
Of course, you’ll tell me that these protections are offered on the market by manufacturers who specialize in protective equipment for motorcycles. Yes, I agree. You’ll also tell me that even when a motorcycle is fitted with protection as standard, it’s often replaced de facto by its owners. Yes, here again I agree. However, the NX500 is a small bike with too much potential for Honda not to offer protection as standard. At least, to be able to enjoy the bike as much as possible, as soon as it leaves the dealership. I’m not talking about equipping the NX500 like a tank going to the front. I’m talking about protection. I’m talking about engine protection. I’m talking about radiator protection, to avoid piercing the radiator with a rock thrown up by the vehicle ahead of us. And hand protectors. With these little additions, even if the price of the NX500 jumps a few hundred dollars, the whole thing would be very easy to justify. And if Honda decides to go ahead with the protectors, it could also add a must-have accessory for 2024: a USB port…
A coherent package
The world of adventure motorcycling is so attractive that many people are now interested in motorcycles purely for the adventure. I’m often asked what would be the best choice as a first motorcycle. But also as a first bike ready for adventure. I’ve often recommended the KTM 390 Adventure. While this remains a good option, I now recommend the Honda NX500.
The Honda NX500 doesn’t have one particular strong point. The engine delivers decent power. The suspension does the job. Comfort is fine. Nothing stands out, but when all these elements are combined, the result is a complete, accessible motorcycle with immense potential. Not to mention the meticulous finish that is so typical of Honda.
In a few words, as a first bike, if you’re looking for a little adventure, go for it. If you already have a motorcycle but would like a second, smaller one for everyday use, go for it. In my case, if the garage wasn’t already full, I think I’d buy one. I’d invest a few extra dollars and turn it into a project. A sort of NX500 Adventure X for everyday use and more, much more.
Highlights:
- The body of work,
- Capable of a lot
Areas for improvement:
- Muffler poorly positioned for stand-up riding
- Wider handlebars would be appreciated
- A minimum of protection would not be a luxury given the bike’s potential
Protective gear worn during testing:
- CKX ATLAS Carbon helmet
- Oxord Montréal 4.0 coat
- Forma Terra EVO Dry boots
