Honda CB500x - A BRUTALLY HONEST deep-dive on mods, long term ownership and RTW suitability.

I've owned this bike for 60,000km and have done some spectacular adventures on it.

This is my Brutally Honest, deep-dive review of the bike.
In this video we will touch on:
* A brief model history
* Its design
* Reliability
* Maintenance
* Flaws
* Suitability for short riders
* What it's like to own
* A better than the 19" front wheel on 2019+ versions and from Rally Raid
* What it's like for: commuting, touring, twisties (canyon carving) and dirt
* Its suitability for Adventure around the outback and the world

That'll also cover all the mods I've done to turn the CityBike into a true overlander inluding:
Luggage racks, top box, phone mount, charging, lighting, spot lights, tyres wind protection, crash bars and skid plate

For those who came to see my video from there or my Facebook page. Great to see you again 😎

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Model History
2:35 - Engine
3:03 - Engine Vibrations
4:48 - Engine Reliability
5:23 - Coolant - What kills these
7:10 - Maintainability & Servicing
9:10 - Weight
10:10 - Why weight distribution matters?
11:02 - Tyres
12:43 - 19" equivalent front tyre. 120/90-17 Shinko 705.
13:53 - Cast vs spoked rims
15:45 - Suspension
16:24 - Mods
16:35 - Rally Raid - skid plate
17:14 - Givi - crash bars
17:34 - Phone Mount
18:01 - Phone chargers and 12V outlets
18:43 - Relays for 12V accessories
19:41 - Headlight + spotlights
20:24 - Windscreen
21:24 - GPS / windscreen bracket
21:43 - Emergency beacon
22:33 - Dashboard & fuel range calculation
23:28 - Lifting & extending front mudguard
24:01 - Kickstand
24:37 - Seat
24:59 - Pannier Rack
26:57 - Top box carrier
27:53 - Top Box - Givi Outback Trekker
29:04 - Toolbox
30:17 - What it's like to ride?
30:36 - What it's like: Daily ride or commuter.
31:15 - What it's like: On the open road.
31:50 - Fuel range
32:08 - Brakes
32:50 - What it's like: Dirt and Trails.
33:47 - Dirt weaknesses
34:30 - What it's like: Canyon carving and twisites.
34:59 - What would I change and weaknesses.
35:12 - What I'd change: Extend tyre life.
35:38 - What I'd change: Drop centre of mass & comparison with Transalp and NC750x
35:59 - What I'd change: Valve drive
36:20 - What I'd change: Footpegs
37:10 - Suitable to take around the world?
37:30 - Short rider friendly?
37:57 - Suitable for RTW? Access to parts.
38:23 - Suitable for RTW? Compare part access with DR and KLR.
39:06 - Would I take a CB500x around the world?
40:01 - RTW costs: Shipping costs
40:13 - RTW charm factor and appearance of wealth

[ukjeeper]

6 years, 10 countries and 89, 000 miles on my 2017 CB500X, including an 11, 000 miler across the US and French, Belgian, Spanish, Netherlands TAT's. Still smile when i walk in the garage. Zero real problems or mechanical issues, apart from the cush drive bearing in the rear wheel failing at about 50 something thousand miles.
It was an ex-demo bike from Rally Raid with the 'level 1' upgrades, which i later swapped in the 'level 2', giving the raised suspension and 19" front wheel.

[katonanexartitos]

It is very satisfying to see a person who rides real routes on a small motorcycle, instead of the usual bloggers who talk about what big and powerful motorcycles they need to travel 10-20 kilometers on city streets and roads with a speed limit 😂

[incognito]

Long but probably the most comprehensive and honest review on the internet - thank you.

[notp]

I've watched hundreds of motorcycle review videos, and many with 100's of thousands of subscribers, and rarely have I seen one done better than this. Excellent Excellent Excellent; looking forward to future content.

[jrcsobm]

30, 000 klm on my 21 CB500X.
No issues, no trails. Just a great little all-rounder. Glad it's still getting upgrades, will buy another when the time comes.
Age 70 Vancouver Island, Canada

[pilotsproject]

awesome review, this shall be a standard informative video for every CB500X owner and interested ... thank you so much !

[djpunisha]

Great video, I just bought a brand new CB500X, gonna go through the video carefully, thank you

[ralfmatters]

I like your realistic, non hyped summation of the cb500x: a bike that will get you through.

[person.X.]

This is a really good review. Honest and comprehensive. I fully agree with you about the weight and high centre of gravity. I have short legs and have dropped my cb500x a couple of times due to slippery and uneven surfaces. Once it starts to go over there is no stopping it! 😄I think it is a great bike for the back roads in Australia but I wouldn't really want to ride it in a place like Vietnam for example. I think I would prefer a really light bike for a RTW too. I rode a Honda 150L the length of Vietnam recently and I thought that would be a great RTW bike. Versatile and surprisingly comfortable.

[mvjoshi]

Brilliant video. Full marks to you, Tom. Waiting eagerly for the NX500.

[seanb]

Bloody brilliant revie of the CB500X mate. I also own one, and whilst not ideally situated to all conditions, it can still handle just about anything! (I have subscribed )

[castcrus]

Than you for the video, the information density beats 99.9999% of all videos in YouTube.

[mechwarrior]

Dude this is such a fantastic breakdown! I can't believe you are under a 100 subs, what a hidden gem!

[MrPoz]

This is a great review. Bravo. I learned a lot about my CB.

[CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Superb video Tom - so much information, it's like you've answered every question I've ever seen on the CB500X Group!!

[macalacalan]

I enjoyed the 29, 000 km I rode on a 2015 model so much that I upgraded to a 2021 model on which I've now ridden another 24, 000 km.

Phenomenal motorcycle. Smooth, comfortable, reliable, aesthetically gorgeous (red tank), versatile (the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles) and super economical - my 2021 steed is currently consuming only 2.8 L/100 km (100 UK MPG). Now THAT takes a lot of beating!

Rode it alone yesterday through the bush on a corrugated gravel road to enjoy the freedom ... and 6 hours after writing this I will ride it with fellow club members (on a range of motorcycles (including two CB500X's)) to enjoy the camaraderie.

The seventh motorcycle I've owned in 52 years of motorcycling and, all round, by far the most enjoyable. 🦘

[SmallBikeStuff]

Really well presented. It's clear info that held my attention all the way through - twice! (I got to watch a secret preview). Well done Tom. Look forward to more eloquent explanations about stuff on this channel.

[markeverard]

Really well made video on the CB500x Tom, I have the 2021 model for 3 years now and can not recommend this motorcycle more for taking on adventures and have done many tours and camping trips on mine so far. Have 65000km on mine already and no major faults so hoping for many more years with this great machine

[sunhead-x]

I don´t even own the bike yet, but man, what a GREAT video and what GREAT content it provides. Thanks a lot for the work you´ve put in!!

[djsaidjsaiof]

Excellent video mate. Happy you're enjoying both the bike and our Aussie outback. Stop in for a beer if you come through NSW :)