BMW G650GS vs Honda CB500X

The BMW G650GS vs the Honda CB500X, which is the best budget adventure motorcycle? This is how we decided between these two motorcycles and which one I think you should buy.

#bmwg650gs #hondacb500x #advrider

[tycotoys]

I owned a 2014 CB500X and sold it and ended up with a 2015 G650 GS, Why ? The Honda is classified as an adventure bike on the Honda website but with the aluminum wheels and less suspension travel it is more of a street bike with an Adventure look. My GS came with spoked wheels from BMW and Metzler dual sport tires from the factory.
Heated grips, ABS and I was able to find tons more accessories for the BMW than the Honda. I added a taller BMW windshield, Barkbuster HD hand guards, SW Motech foot pegs, factory skid plate and engine protection. Garmin GPS, Givi rear mount with quick removal mount for a Weightless Givi storage suitcase. Also had a Seat Concepts taller seat made for me. It’s an awesome bike.

[michaelscott]

My dearly departed father was my guru for all things motorcycle. He owned DOZENS of bikes over HIS lifetime and mine, and he taught me many gems of the road AND hints in the garage that I still live by to this day.

One of his favourite expressions...which subsequently became a rule of LIFE for me was...."If you've got all the road, USE IT!"

Think about that the next time you're heading too fast into a reducing radius sweeper and your only two options are 1. lay it down, 2. run wide. Go with dad's choice...#2, obviously...and take as much road as you need. (assuming you're the only one out there, of course!)

This is my long way of getting around to Adrian's comment about the Beamer's 1st gear being too low on the street.
In that case...DO WHAT DAD DID. IGNORE FIRST GEAR.
At the end of a long ride, once back in the city and fighting downtown traffic to get back to the house, dad (tired of all the upshifting and downshifting) simply dispensed with 1st gear and just let the clutch "earn its keep" by slipping its way through 2nd gear starts.
Saved gas (higher ratio in 2nd), saved wear and tear on the foot (one less shift at every freakin stoplight/sign on the way home).
COUNTING THE DAYS TILL SPRING?

[HarleysDinersRides]

Been a long time since I went off-roading and do all of my ridings on a bagger. It's nice to watch these kinds of videos to keep up with the industry. Who knows maybe one day I'll pick up a dual sport. Thanks for sharing, Dave

[RidingHumboldtCounty]

I’m a Harley guy but I think I’ll save this video as I’ve recently been thinking about the possibility of an adventure bike! Yes me too! In my area there’s a lot of dirt roads I can’t ride on with my road king lol 😂. Great review brother

[HippoDrones]

Both bikes are great, but also different from each other. I've ridden the G650GS Sertao on green lanes and it is so very competent, and proper rugged with some very nice though out design features (tank fill on the side at rear etc), but the CB500X is so very much underrated, and have spoken to so many who massively rate it.

[howrrmr.]

Both are great and I ride F650GS but when the apocalypse comes up, I will choose Honda cub 50cc in the town.

Nice review.!

[Motoramblings]

Great review of the 2 bikes! I have a 2012 Suzuki VStrom, for what I do it’s petty capable. I like the idea of a smaller, lighter bike, and BMW makes some amazing bikes! I came over after seeing Krakens’s shout out!

[Heroesworkshop]

Great video, bro. I’d take the GS in any model for an adventure bike option just from everyone giving it such high praise everywhere I’ve seen it.
On a side note, man, I love the look of that 919. It’s always been on my radar.

[JonBennett-ztwk]

Great video and am considering both options now. To be honest, my main consideration has to be reliability and breakdowns. Honda right now is in the lead but

[Theophilus]

Thanks for the vid. I’m looking at buying a black 2014 g650gs with factory spoked wheels and a couple extras. It has 18000 miles and looks clean but the dealer wants $7200 out the door. I offered $6200. Wish me luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻. Great video!

[EpicAdamMotovlogs]

I've ridden both but neither of them long enough to have a real opinion but I did prefer the Honda straight up. I'll be taking the Honda on a proper test soon though. Might have to test the BMW again.

[toddwmac]

Thanks...good stuff. Was wondering if you've ever swapped/replaced the bars on a G650 GS? The wife has a habit of crashing it when we hit the sandy trails and the OEM bar bends easily. My main concern is removing/replacing the controls, grips and such on the bar. I see BMW uses notched/drilled bars which I can probably recreate on a non-BMW bar, but was hoping others had done it before me. Thanks!

[ChopperFett]

Very informational man. I’m just now starting to look into dual/adv stuff as it’s appealing more and more to me. Perhaps I missed it while watching but I would assume the Honda for repairs and what not might be cheaper to come by as well?

[DeweyRides]

There are a lot of versions of the 650, including twins, they aren't all thumpers. The Dakar version is miles ahead of others for off-road. If you can find a Dakar 650, with spoked rims, better suspension, etc out of the box, you save having to do a lot of modifications and get a darn potent little off roader out of the box.

[jamesbastiaanse]

I know this a i somewhat of an old review but I'm wondering about maintaining the BMW. Most routine maintenance seems like a lot of trouble, or expensive if you have a shop do it. Could you tell me your experience maintaining your G650gs?

[DiscipleW]

I know it is an odd comparison but how does the reliability of BMW compares to the Kawasaki KLR 650 ( excluding the electronics ) ?

[marisaf]

Do you have any comparisons with the Honda Nc 750x?

[marioing]

A cb500x e uma moto com pouca ou neuma capacidad offroad, a G650gs em qualquera das versões e mais apta a um uso on/off e algumas coisas como o cavalete central o ABS desligavel, os cubremao ja de fabrica fazem tambem uma melhor opçao

[peterjensen]

i wonder i you have ridden a honda cb 500x. i find the 1 gear very low on mine. and it has 48 hp like the bmw. i think the 42hp is on the rear wheel.

[Motoramblings]

Great review of the 2 bikes! I have a 2012 Suzuki VStrom, for what I do it’s petty capable. I like the idea of a smaller, lighter bike, and BMW makes some amazing bikes! I came over after seeing Krakens’s shout out!