I had a brand new CX in 1978, I still think it's one of the best bikes I ever had. I'll admit it was odd looking but it had everything a touring biker would want, the engine alone was a jem.
I took my black and red 1978 out after it was broken in and with brand new oil in it I ran it down the interstate to see what it would do top speed. I got 114 out of it. Since it was just a plain jane with no fairing I was pretty well tucked in. Everything went good until I decided to sit up again at around 90 mph. I thought I was going to peel off the bike. Scared the shit out of myself. I thought that wasn't too bad util I saw that Honda said it would run 105. For a 500 that wasn't all that bad.
@TBullCajunbreadmaker I hear you. I spent the first year riding my Deluxe fairly at posted speeds. Then one day I said hmmm this thing revs way higher than what I was riding it. Wo and behold it was quite a frisky engine up in the higher rpm range. A great machine overall. There still many out there that are well maintained and can be had for a reasonable amount.
Amazing how this was the first bike I ever went pillion on in 1985 as 13 year old and was so excited 😆 but it started me up and I’m still going good on any motorcycle I never owned one and never likely will but that memory from 1985 is beautiful!
I was 15 in 1985 my dad had a X reg honda cbx550FL2 with the fairing. The styling was very similar to the re styled white cx500 on here. The bike is still at dad's house hope to get it back on the road one day.
Had a black cx back in the early 80s. Regretted the day i sold it. Great bike. The only issue i had was numb fingers after being on the bike for a while. Frettons of Coventry suggested replacing the factory grips with foam aftermarket grips . Did the trick.
They have been triked , used with a sidecar , chopped , cafe racered , off roadbed ! , drag raced ....... I've done most since my first CX when 19 .....now at 55 I still have a maggot , all be it the 650 GL but without a fairing .....great bikes
A fun and interesting review. Thank you 🙂👍 As you say Honda being Honda. They know how to build a good looking quality bike that handles and performs well. The CX500 appears to be no exception. Just big enough to do well on the highway and nimble enough for around town. But I really don't like the plastic on the handlebars. It looks cheap and, well, plasticky. But other than that the CX500 looks like one awesome machine.
Plastic on the bars was very much of its time There was a heavy car industry influence at the time with clocks that resembled car dashboards commonplace
Had the sport with prolink. Served me as a magnificent bike for over 200000 trouble free Kilometers. Oil every 5000k and a yearly antifreeze replacement. Valves were easy to adjust. It did its job. It did however have the handling of a wet sponge, albeit squeaky between servicing the suspension. It rocked side to side and up and down due to the transverse configuration and shaft drive. It was a pig when asked to change direction once committed. It was underpowered and sounded like a slug. Loved the bike all the same. Would I buy one now if I had the chance... Yeah... Na... It had its job and carried me where I had to go on my daily commute. Unexciting, uninspiring and dangerous at times. That being said I still hold it in high regard. I keep all my awesome bikes and have 5 in the shed spanning 40 years. The CX is not there.
Honda cleverly ran the gearboxe in the opposite direction because it reduced the torque reaction in comparison to the European opposition. Honda some times almost too clever.
Was a courier throughout the 80's and 90's, had 250,000 miles out of one of my CX's until the head gasket let go on the M25, still got me off the motorway though. Really miss adjusting the camchain every Saturday morning Great bike.
Same here - I did almost 500,000 miles as a London courier between 1983 and 1996 - a lot of it on two CX 500. You had to be totally aware and focused to survive, which is why so much of that time is still vivid in my memory. The main downside to them, apart from the top-heavyness was the weak front brake compared to later bikes.
Love the version with the small fly screen. Don't really like the custom. Silver Wing is the perfect touring bike. Turbo is freaking awesome!! All are way different than anything at the time.
Just got back from an evening riding around the lanes on mine. It never fails to put a grin on my face, and you can't ask for more than that. I've lost count of the number of old boys who come up to me at gas stations and tell me they "used to have one of those". I've had four CX's over the years, all black ZAB's. I just ignore the haters who call it a plastic maggot - you either get it or you don't. Other bikes have come and gone, but it's my CX that I'll never get rid of. Thanks for posting the video!
Loving my CX650 Turbo, such character. Been off the road for a few months whilst I did the triple bypass. Looking forward to having a play again. Great upload, thanks. ☺
I owned a CX500 for a few years, loved it, had many bikes since the CX, still running a VTR 1000, but would prefer to still be running around on my CX.
The "Plastic Maggot" was an underrated bike. Early problems with the cam chain tensioner put a lot of people off them. Hugely popular with couriers it was a go anywhere do anything bike. The most surprising thing was how well they handled - they were absolute gems in this department.
I have owned 3 of these bikes over the years my first was a 1980 model brand new, i did 13000 Miles on it in 6 months in the UK before heading out to Australia, had a hell of a job finding a good one there and then sold it for a bigger bike, after moving to NZ found a basket case and rebuilt it over a 2 year period and had to sell it once completed due to young family and needed the money, almost impossible to find one here now,
Best bike i owned. I liked my 1979 GL 1000 Goldwing and Yamaha XS650 but the CX500 was the better bike to ride, more fuel efficient, smooth and good for city and high way driving. Only a bit ugly design but great and comfortable work horse.
One of the better touring i had in my life! i had in first the original 500CX , in second a 400CX custom, good mécanique but her handling was very just, and finaly a silver wing 650CX, too heavy and alls this damned plastics! The first one, the original stay the better and excellent in my memory! i make many nices rides with it alone or with passenger and keep it a long time. Before, in the 70' i had a MOTO GUZZI V7SPECIAL. Excellent also, and the HONDA 500CX was well after it! But all that is already an old story!
I remember having to do warranty work on these due to Honda using the wrong bolts to retain the cam chain guide and and tensioner. Instead of using high shear strength bolts they used high torque bolts which sheared off..
I had a 1979 CX 500 that was referred to in Canada as the standard model. The one I had was similar to the 1978 model with the 18 inch rear wheel and 19 inch front. I was able to beef up the rear suspension by purchasing after market shocks and springs. I also bought a fairing for the bike a Vetter Windjammer. I quit my job and went riding out to eastern Canada and the Province of Newfoundland. Once that was done we headed west. Yes I was two up! The bike ran very well we went right to the west coast of Canada. By this time the CX was into its third rear tire. What to do, what to do? Go south down to Southern California. I had checked the valves and reset the cam chain tensioner once on this journey and done regular oil changes. Other than that just kept riding. Arriving at our new home in Calgary, Alberta the ride ended more than 30,000 KM on the odometer. This was one tough motorcycle that I rode a further 50,000 KM. At the end of the first year I noticed some rattling in the engine like a loose cam chain. I was working for a local Honda dealer at the time and that got our attention as the 1978 models got a recall for the cam chain and the tensioner. The Honda rep was interested in having a look at what was going on as he had not seen any 1979 model CX 500's with this many miles or this type of problem. We took the engine out of the frame and had a look. The tensioners was broken and the reinforcement plate a modification was damaged. The rep was told about the issue and he was in touch with the factory. He made a point of coming to see the issue and report on it. To make a long story short I got an upgraded modification from the factory. There were no more issues after this though later on the alternator had to be changed out as it held the ignition triggering device and the bike would idle all day but would not rev beyond 3000 rpm. That's another story though. It ran strong for many more years before I sold it to buy a new Honda CX 650 E. This was another fine motorcycle. Thanks for sharing your story about the CX 500.
I think the first gen bike looked (s) better. The 80's weren't kind to most things stylistically (hair cuts, shoulder pads, leg warmers, square headlights, square everything pretty much!) They made a nice burble.
Bought a 1981 US Import CX500 Custom to get back into biking 14 years ago. Still have it although it doesn't get used much as I also have a 2013 HD Sportster XL883L to ride.
I was riding a CX500TC, That was fun bike. Only the problem was the alternator was located inside of the engine. Once it becomes inop, you have to disassemble whole engine.
Several of my friends had CX500 and they were very good bikes. The engine did look like an air compressor or something but we got used to it and grew to like it. Compared to the other bikes that size at the time, it was a luxury touring machine with great passenger accomodations. I do wish people would stop cutting these up. The styling of the original was quite good and it's distinctive, as opposed to yet another amateur bodge.
I am putting my bike back on the road after close to 20 years in storage. 81 model, near stock condition except for the headlight and front signals. I found used parts to put it back to original. I agree, the styling is classic although I understand how riders want their bike to be unique.
I bought a used one in 82 or 83 for road racing in WERA (western Eastern Road Rocing). Slow, heavy, but bullet proof. Ran it for one year before going to an RD350. Used Dunlop K81R tires in those days which wore like iron (and had just a bit more grip). Ran the 24 hour race at Rockingham, NC and won the light weight class - all the other light weights had problems, but we just kept that CX500 circulating for 24 hours. The next weekend we went to South Florida and rode a 2 hour endurance race on the same tires. Qualified for the WERA National Championships at Road Atlanta, and finished 6th against a horde of Yamaha TZ250s. They were all way ahead of me until it rained and the fast guys had to pit since they were on slicks. Good memories from when I was faster than everyone else on the track (or maybe I was really slow, but my memory isn't as good as it used to be).
I bought a nice clean one in the late 80’s…dirt cheap because it had a rattling cam chain (easily fixed, even though it was an engine out job) got the piss ripped out of me on a regular basis by my mates on cooler machines, but one by one they learned to respect the Plastic Maggot because when they broke down and needed a bike to borrow, it was always there, always working.
I was amazed to see the CX on a list of worse bikes ever, I think these things are just cut and pasted by someone who’s never ridden a motorcycle In their life
I had 2 cx's . One had plastic fenders and one had chrome fenders . I don't remember the years or letter designations yet my last one was around 2005 . It kept blowing out the cdi on one side . It was an old bike at that time so it doesn't surprise me that it acquired electrical problems however after it blew out the second time on the same side i sold it . The upside was one cylinder was still firing so even when it would blow I could still ride it home .
On older bikes as we have found recently with the SV the regulator rectifier is prone to failure so electrical equipment blowing out doesn’t surprise me at all
@@bikerdood1100 there was something about the cx 500 that was not esthetically pleasing to my eye . My very first bike ( and only brand new bike ) was the 50cc MB5 . It was ugly too lol . Yet both of those models have a cult following to this very day . What's crazy about the ugly statement is I believe all bikes are beautiful. Kinda like women . There are no ugly women , some are simply hard on the eyes.
I'm on a 1982 GL500 currently and unlike the CX, the GL's have a single rear air-adjustable monoshock and air adjustable front air shocks. This combination makes it a dream to ride and _super_ comfortable for long distance riding
I have had my 1982 GL500 Interstate for 15 years, used but still very road worthy. Wanted one new in '82, but I was only 17 then, so I had to wait my turn, lol! Even 2-up I have gotten 65 mpg, and ridden for hours without tiring me, my passenger, or the bike. It will always be my favorite with it's huge fuel tank, great handling, ample luggage, and low maintenance cost. It never struggles to carry a full load and is always a blast to ride. My son has one just like it, as well as an '82 Turbo, and commutes with both on a regular basis. It was offered as a commuter, cruiser, touring bagger, eurosport & supersport, all from one basic design. All done while maintaining affordability, reliability, and ride-ability for virtually everyone. Honda made this such a compact, innovative, and versatile platform, I don't think they will ever achieve the same again, especially not in a mid-size bike.
I was the Service Manager at a Honda Dealership in California in the mid-1980's. CX500/650's were very popular, with many in the wrecking yards because of expensive mechanical issues that required dropping the engine (stators, cam chains, clutches, water pumps). made repairing them cost prohibitive at times.
Bit of a Marmite bike do you think? I had a '79 bike, secondhand, tensioner mod done. Thrashed it for many, many miles. Never missed a beat, minimal maintenance. Not exciting, but dependable. Thoroughly enjoyed owning it, as many have said - it was the default courier hack back in the day. I don't think anyone has mentioned the cleverly engineered heads, which were twisted inboard so the carbs were out of the way. The whole package really was something when launched.
Well if sporty machines are your thing for example then it wouldn’t be the bike for you that’s for sure. I had a CBR600 after and never really got on with that bike
OK...this is only the 2nd Vid of Yours I have watched AND I was meant to FIND THIS because of THIS REVIEW as I believe that THIS BIKE HAS MANY POSITIVES....Yes...even FOR Today's times. I am an Ozark Mountain Dare-Devil from Southern Missouri....AND....>>>GET THIS...>>> my FIRST 3 CARS were MG MIDGETS...over-sized GO-KARTS...perfect for the Hill-Country DIRT ROADS
Back in 1979 I had a red CX500, which on a favourite left-hander could be laid over at the apex, then open the throttle and it just 'stood up' and purred away. Ah - memories!
I owned a CX500 Shadow 1989 and it was a fabulous bike for long distance travel on freeways or highways and could travel all day at 70 mph without any stress on the motor because it had a very torque engine for a 500 cc bike. It always needed the best engine oil available and barely needed topping up between oil changes,The motor was a gem and I covered over 250 Kilometres with daily trips of over 200 klm each day .I had my son two up many times and still did 100 mph .Remember to change the oil and oil filters regularly and check the water reservoir and gap your spark plugs often.Put cheap oil in it and you will lock up the or spin a main bearing on the crankshaft,Very much a under rated bike for its time .
I bought one of the very first bikes that were delivered to the dealerdhips in the U.S. I looked at the bike one time and I had to have one. This is one of only two bikes that I bought brand new that exceeded my expectations in just abot every way. It was an excellent bike for just about everything. I thought that it was one of the best bikes being made. In 1978 I could have bought other bikes that were faster but this bike punched all of the right buttons especially for a 500 cc displacement bike. I don't know why but it carried a premium price. It's one of those bikes that you only come across every once in a lifetime of owning a lot of bikes. The bikes that you didn't want to sell ad the one that you kick yourself for not hanging onto, even today. If you could find one that is half decent shape, you would probably pay what it cost new back then. They are one of the most desireable bikes you can have for turning into a cafe racer.
Always wanted a 650 Eurosport but couldn’t afford one I still think they are a beautiful bike and if and when I see one for sale in good condition I’m buying it
I've just literally got one, the '84 Eurosport version, in black with orange and silver lines. It has 18.743 miles on it, looks like new, the paint is in perfect shape, it just needs a little carburetor synchronizing and service...oil change, brake pads and such and it's like new. Can't wait to take it for a ride! Will keep it in it's original state, maybe 30 years from now it'll be worth a small fortune :)))). Cheers from Romania!
@@bikerdood1100 Hey brother! So, did everything I said above and last Friday I took the CX for a ride. It rides superbly....the shaft transmission is super soft and delicate and the clutch too. The only thing that comes as a surprise to me is the fact that the bike would not lean into corners as modern bikes do. Is that a thing for those motorcycles that were built back than? It doesn't bother me, and i understand that we're talking about 40 years old bikes, but i would like to know if mine has a problem or not. Of course i still have to get used to it, as i only drove it for like 20 miles or so (it was cold outside) :)). Thanks in advance for your response! Cheers!
@@MaramuresDualSport well not really But the thing is a CX is a little top heavy compared to say a Guzzi They tern ok but like an early GSXr they need a bit of encouragement You have to show them who’s boss It’s a feeling you get used to and riding them becomes second nature quite quickly
Die CX 500 war meiner Meinung nach ein ganz tolles Motorrad. Die gabs in Deutschland meines Wissens nach offen mit 50 PS und gedrosselt mit versicherungsgünstigen 27 PS. Und die Chopper-Version war schon richtig schick.
Lovely old bikes I wouldn't mind a white euro sport For a turn . I used to have a NTV 650 a transalp 600 both great bikes that I racked up big miles on and now my main bike is a Deauville 650 mark two with the linked missing brakes . I love it to bits my moto guzzi Norge 1200 is much faster but maybe strangely I prefer the Deauville to ride overall it's easier to stick to under the posted Speed limit it can fly too if I feel like it no doubt about it . Built like a tank they are easy to maintain and 65mpg uk riding easy .
I’ve had 3 cx500’s over several years all from new. One had a full fairing fitted and s&w air shocks. I loved them all. Although I would’ve loved say 65 bhp, would’ve made a lot of difference. You said about the cam chain, I need to correct you on that, it was the cam chain tensioner that was crap which led to the cam chain problems. In between these bikes I had a Honda cbx1000 a moto guzzi lemans 850 as well as Kawasaki z900 and the first gold wing 1000. Ended up with a Kawasaki z1000 mk2 before finally a Kawasaki kz1100 shaft.
@@bikerdood1100I knew the CX 500 was a great bike, but at the time, I had a Yamaha XS 850 Standard (not that stupid Special/chopper styled model). The Yamaha would pull an honest 130 mph w/ a slightly modified air box. Also, I owned a Meridian T-140V w/ a Velorex sidecar to transport my twin sons and their slightly older brother (I couldn’t afford a second car). BTW, carrying little twins and a seven year old on a sidecar rig was a tremendous chick magnet at stop signs, etc! Their helmets were too big/heavy at that time. Five minutes into the ride, the boys would be sound asleep with their helmets leaned against each other! I couldn’t believe such cuteness could spring from my loins! Back to the subject: Stuntman Bud Ekins, a close friend of Steve McQueen, and the guy who jumped the fence in the movie “The Great Escape” with a Triumph, was also an engineer. He designed a car with the CX 500 as the power plant. It was a very conventional layout w/ engine in the front, sending power to the rear differential. I’d love to know what happened to this project! Do you have knowledge of this? No
Nicely done ! I'm Canadian and have owned a 1982 CX500 Custom since 1984. I purchased it from my brother who rode it with a passenger from coast to coast with no issues. I took my wife from the East coast to New York, again with no issues. It did require the engine to be split to replace a stator and when the replacement failed I parked it in my shed where it has languished for some 20 years. I keep telling myself to dig her out and restore her however the elements have not been kind to her. The task is daunting... Perhaps this winter.
I had three of them at various stages. Including the Dresden Day Tripper which was painted up like a B17 Bomber. It did 350,000 miles before it simply refused to run any more. Solution, a friend bought it, tracked down an engine and it ran on and on...I think it eventually rusted away....
I owned a Z500 in 1982 , my mate owned a CX 500..... We swapped bikes once ...I was totally underwhelmed by its performance and it's weight. But if your after a reliable plodder I would recommend a CX500
Around the same time, I also had a Z500 and a neighbour had a CX500. We also tried each other's bikes. On acceleration and handling, especially on twisty roads, the CX ,was noticeably inferior. My neighbour totally agreed.
Had a Custom, 1983 I think it was, with a clear faring. Heavy for a 500 but very comfortable and engine was quite smooth. for its super short stroke, it would pull smoothly from low rpm. A person could do an oil change, plugs, valve lash and carb sync on a lunch break. Brakes and suspension were adequate by the era’s standards. Really a practical motorcycle, but practical isn’t really what causes shoppers to spend money at the dealer’s showroom.
True light they were not. People complain about modern bikes being heavy like it’s something new. A lot of bikes in this period were a bit lardy. Honda”s Super Dream 250 springs to mind as a bike in serious need of loosing a few pounds.
@@bikerdood1100 Yeah. Weight is not necessarily bad, depending on what you are trying to do. Heavy bikes are generally stable with a smooth ride. Safe to say the CX500 wasn’t intended to be flickable up a curvy canyon, but it is planted down the highway in gusty winds.
THE most underrated bike by a mile, I had a black original one in the early 80's and it did everyone admirably, I would love to find another one now.....
Worked in a Honda dealership in the 80's great bike, no warranty issues, built like a tank, if you want a bike to survive the apocalypse there you go, if you revved them on the centrestand they twitched to one side
I bought a used CX500 Turbo and had it for a few years. It was entertaining to say the least. It was like a truck, straightening your arms until you hit red line. One thing though, is that it was totally predictable, and never felt like it wasn't completely in control.
Ah, the indomitable Plastic Maggot. I loved the concept, sound, and looks when this first came out. Still love it today. It makes a great base bike for a cafe racer project.
@@bikerdood1100 - for me, I liked it because it was 'different' to the UJMs of that time. It looked, sounded, and felt different, and that imparted character. Its V twin configuration also seemed to connect to an older era of biking in some way. It was a bike I wish I had owned. Instead, I went for two very diffident bikes of that time - an XJ750 and an RD350LC. These days, many years later, I have a heavily modified R9T and a restored GPz900R A1. I'm old school like you 🙂
Had a white Canadian 1984 CX650E from new that I did 100k on. Working on it was easy, even for the dreaded stator and cam chain tensioner, which both involved dropping the engine and splitting the cases. Even still, the second time I had to do it, I had her apart on a bench in under 90 minutes. Loved that bike.
Yep. I’ve got one. Similar tale to yours too mate. My Best Man, (at that time, just my best mate and years before I was hitched) had one. We had loads of fun on his, so when I got back into biking (after a 40 year gap - I had to have one in my mini collection, and I have a stunning 1982 model. The lines of that bike are still utterly gorgeous. Looking sideways at the tank, or down from the tank to the engine are just stunning. I’ll never sell it. It will be my lads, and Grandsons’ along with my 1975 GL1000 “full fat” version 😉
At 18 years of age my first motorbike was a cx 500 c back in '89, what a bike! The sound in the video brings back memories. Btw upgraded the rear shocks to Dutch made Koni's, made a world of difference. No more wobbling above 100 kph. And the rock solid Conti Tour tyres also improved the handling.
Thanks for the nostalgia trip. I bought a second one back in 1982. It was the first proper motorcycle I ever had and loved it. I still remember the feel and sound of it, and not to mention the really comfortable seat. I, perhaps foolishly, traded it in for a VT500 a couple of years later. The VT was a good bike but it wasn't the CX. Watching your film makes me want to have one again. Thanks bud. Kind regards, Robert.
I had the CX500 Eurosport - lovely bike - much better brakes, beautiful wheels, little bikini fairing and a couple of extra horses. Great fun as my beginner bike.
@@bikerdood1100 I had one as by despatch bike after my CB250RS blew up-now that was an incredibly good 250, better than the N "wet" Dream. Never let me down.
@@b4rneypup1 I’m very familiar with the RS and indeed much better than the Super Dream. Cam shafts can wear in the heads at high mileage otherwise solid
I had a brand new one in 1979 HNE 676V red with full white Honda fairing & panniers ( had to wait an age for panniers as there was a Transport strike) wonderful experience for an 18yr old 😂
Had four CX500's and loved them. Not so keen on some of the modded bikes and I always lusted after a Eurosport but never got my hands on one. At least their value is going up enough, hopefully to keep the nice ones original. Never ride on the pillion of a CX Custom...it's a nightmare!
It is hard to hate the Plastic Maggot. They were hustled all over the London postcodes by rapid couriers for years. Duct tape on the saddle and often side panels a different colour from the tank. I am surprised to hear you say that the Guzzi Lemon was an aesthetic inspiration. It seems/seemed so very different, both to ride and yo look at. There is a whole PhD to be written about the differences between the CX and the V50. I still think the V50 was about the best "real world" motorcycle of the 80s.
London courier CXs had stellar miles on the clock, mechanics could strip them down with their eyes closed and time was money. It was odd how despatch riders alighted on the CX500, when there was no shortage of simple middleweights to choose from. Probably a mix of watercooling, shaft drive and cost. Some riders really threw the bikes around at speed between narrow gaps, so the CX couldn't have handled too badly.
@@borderlands6606 Ha ha.... Yes, the CX500 was a courier legend. But I think even its dear old mum would never say it handled well. There were some courier bikes that really did handle well back in the 80s and early 90s. Bikes that were also cheap to buy, easy to fix and not too thirsty: CB250RS. XBR500. SRX600. Any Elsie.... But the 350 and the later Power Valve being the best. GT550 (dull but effective and did handle). There many more. Then there were the "blunt instruments" that didn't handle so much as they tried to do what they were told and could be hustled and bullied through corners. I would put the CX500 in that group, along with the R65 and R80, the dependable CD200 Benly, various MZs, Honda VT500...... Long list and many would say I am being cruel about the VT. It is a whole book waiting to be written. For more than a decade but less than two decades, London was awash with motorcycle couriers. Then the modem and other gubbins killed the market. And the CX500 was a proud part of a noble tradition. How to find out if a courier bile handled? Hogarth Roundabout eastbound from the A316 onto the A4 on empty roads. There was almost no better gauge on the "transport routes" of inner and outer London. A lunatic could put three pegs down (left, right, left) in a about three seconds. I couldn't, but a lunatic could. There was a loon on our firm on an X7 who wasn't happy unless a scraping peg lifted his rear tyre on the Hogarth. The X7 was.... not a good courier bike. 😊
@@BanjoLuke1 Not sure I'd describe the LC350 as "not too thirsty". I heard enthusiastically piloted Elsie's could get into the low 20s mpg. Closest I experienced was an RD 200, which was a rocket in a moped frame, and great fun. I rode various little Hondas, including a Benly, and found them complete slugs, nothing special in the handling dept but utterly reliable. I disagree on the MZs, which handled brilliantly (with the possible exception of the Trophy which had Earles forks), and had their own grassroots racing class. Suzuki 2-stroke triples were quite nice, better behaved than the Kawasaki, certainly not courier material. Re. the SRX600, I was bemoaning the lack of big singles only yesterday. Someone was trying to point me to dirt and supermoto version, and I pointed out I didn't want to look like a character in a Manga cartoon. Hopefully Royal Enfield will come out with something suitable. Riding in 70s and 80s London could be grim, taxi drivers doing a no-mirrors 180, spilt diesel on roundabouts, unburnt diesel up your nose, 4-star in your eyes. I once saw a CX go straight through the front of a van. Mad times.
@@borderlands6606 Yeah.... Maybe that was one nostalgic pear drop too far. The LC was cheap, but more by virtue of being bulletproof than for its thirst. You remind me of all to he other stuff that was plentiful but not really for the sober-minded courier. GT380, GT550, KH400. You did see couriers on KH250s..... But not the other stuff..... And not mad (forgotten) stuff like the air-cooled RD400. And I forgot to tip my hat to 250 and 400 Super Dreams and the GSX twins from Suzuki of the same size. And Kawasaki did a little 305 with a belt.... They were nimble. A sort of Z250 after a steak dinner. But really quite a lovely thing. And I take back (partly) the snub on MZs.... I am too young to remember the older ones you mention, but a friend (and courier) put super-sticky Metzelers on a late, disc-braked ETZ 250 single and it was an absolute demon in town. I think it sat on 18" ROMs front and rear and could use the same rubber as a middleweight Guzzi.... But my memory might be failing me there.
This is a "Bike for the Ages", but it SHOULD have Started as the later-'Genius CX-650', --later going to a CX-850 which was never made/sold? The 500CX was Best for the Brits, but inadequate for US 80 mph cruising, imho. Timing Gears could've replaced the cam-chain,--don't know if they did. Honda Should still make the CX-650/850, with hydraulic valve actuation.
It could, perhaps should of but never did. I think a more conventional V twin in the Harley orientation was probably seen by Honda as more versatile. From their point of view it made good sense they managed to. Squeeze a version of that engine into cruisers, commuters, Tourers and even the early of the Africa twin
This was great I never owned one, but a friend had and wife always referred to it as the plastic maggot which made me laugh (she was a Ducati girl Panter 500), but I always thought it was good looking bike.
Ah I wondered if I’d got away with that gaff, bloody video has been up for months and you’re the first to spot it. I should gaff prizes away. 😂. You are correct. I played the video back just after I downloaded it and spotted it straight away , dam it . Still I’ve got away with it, well until now
I had a brand new CX in 1978, I still think it's one of the best bikes I ever had. I'll admit it was odd looking but it had everything a touring biker would want, the engine alone was a jem.
Totally agree
It was a bike I always liked but never had the money to buy one.
I'd still love one now even more so
I took my black and red 1978 out after it was broken in and with brand new oil in it I ran it down the interstate to see what it would do top speed. I got 114 out of it. Since it was just a plain jane with no fairing I was pretty well tucked in. Everything went good until I decided to sit up again at around 90 mph. I thought I was going to peel off the bike. Scared the shit out of myself. I thought that wasn't too bad util I saw that Honda said it would run 105. For a 500 that wasn't all that bad.
@TBullCajunbreadmaker
I hear you.
I spent the first year riding my Deluxe fairly at posted speeds.
Then one day I said hmmm this thing revs way higher than what I was riding it.
Wo and behold it was quite a frisky engine up in the higher rpm range.
A great machine overall.
There still many out there that are well maintained and can be had for a reasonable amount.
Amazing how this was the first bike I ever went pillion on in 1985 as 13 year old and was so excited 😆 but it started me up and I’m still going good on any motorcycle I never owned one and never likely will but that memory from 1985 is beautiful!
Similar story except I was 16
I was 15 in 1985 my dad had a X reg honda cbx550FL2 with the fairing. The styling was very similar to the re styled white cx500 on here. The bike is still at dad's house hope to get it back on the road one day.
Had a black cx back in the early 80s. Regretted the day i sold it. Great bike. The only issue i had was numb fingers after being on the bike for a while. Frettons of Coventry suggested replacing the factory grips with foam aftermarket grips . Did the trick.
I noticed that Because my thumbs would go numb on long rides
They have been triked , used with a sidecar , chopped , cafe racered , off roadbed ! , drag raced ....... I've done most since my first CX when 19 .....now at 55 I still have a maggot , all be it the 650 GL but without a fairing .....great bikes
Never had a 650 myself, rode my friends a couple of times . Lovely thing
Always fancied the E Sport version
They are pretty good
Not perfect of course
No bike is
@@bikerdood1100 Yer, Mate had one in a a chop, Springer front end hardtail frame the lot. Rode it everywhere, After doing the cam chain tensioner fix
A fun and interesting review. Thank you 🙂👍 As you say Honda being Honda. They know how to build a good looking quality bike that handles and performs well. The CX500 appears to be no exception. Just big enough to do well on the highway and nimble enough for around town. But I really don't like the plastic on the handlebars. It looks cheap and, well, plasticky. But other than that the CX500 looks like one awesome machine.
Plastic on the bars was very much of its time
There was a heavy car industry influence at the time with clocks that resembled car dashboards commonplace
Had the sport with prolink. Served me as a magnificent bike for over 200000 trouble free Kilometers. Oil every 5000k and a yearly antifreeze replacement. Valves were easy to adjust. It did its job. It did however have the handling of a wet sponge, albeit squeaky between servicing the suspension. It rocked side to side and up and down due to the transverse configuration and shaft drive. It was a pig when asked to change direction once committed. It was underpowered and sounded like a slug. Loved the bike all the same. Would I buy one now if I had the chance... Yeah... Na... It had its job and carried me where I had to go on my daily commute. Unexciting, uninspiring and dangerous at times. That being said I still hold it in high regard. I keep all my awesome bikes and have 5 in the shed spanning 40 years. The CX is not there.
Honda cleverly ran the gearboxe in the opposite direction because it reduced the torque reaction in comparison to the European opposition. Honda some times almost too clever.
@@bikerdood1100 rode a Guzzi and it was much worse than the CX. I have mixed feelings for the CX, it was a workhorse and never let me down.
Nicely done!
Thanks it’s a great bike and deserves more attention
Was a courier throughout the 80's and 90's, had 250,000 miles out of one of my CX's until the head gasket let go on the M25, still got me off the motorway though. Really miss adjusting the camchain every Saturday morning Great bike.
Indeed they were, cam chain could be a pain however
Same here - I did almost 500,000 miles as a London courier between 1983 and 1996 - a lot of it on two CX 500.
You had to be totally aware and focused to survive, which is why so much of that time is still vivid in my memory.
The main downside to them, apart from the top-heavyness was the weak front brake compared to later bikes.
😂
Love the version with the small fly screen. Don't really like the custom. Silver Wing is the perfect touring bike. Turbo is freaking awesome!! All are way different than anything at the time.
They certainly were
Just got back from an evening riding around the lanes on mine. It never fails to put a grin on my face, and you can't ask for more than that. I've lost count of the number of old boys who come up to me at gas stations and tell me they "used to have one of those".
I've had four CX's over the years, all black ZAB's. I just ignore the haters who call it a plastic maggot - you either get it or you don't. Other bikes have come and gone, but it's my CX that I'll never get rid of.
Thanks for posting the video!
Couldn’t agree more
Loving my CX650 Turbo, such character. Been off the road for a few months whilst I did the triple bypass. Looking forward to having a play again. Great upload, thanks. ☺
Nice
Enjoy getting back to riding
I liked the fairing on the Turbo
Don’t know why they didn’t use it on the standard bike too
I owned a CX500 for a few years, loved it, had many bikes since the CX, still running a VTR 1000, but would prefer to still be running around on my CX.
They are just so darn useful
The "Plastic Maggot" was an underrated bike. Early problems with the cam chain tensioner put a lot of people off them. Hugely popular with couriers it was a go anywhere do anything bike. The most surprising thing was how well they handled - they were absolute gems in this department.
Very true
The cam chain was always a week link even on my Eurosport. Honda ? But it was probably the bikes only weakness really
I remember these as 'plastic maggots' too.
Yes indeed. Me too. I think the expression must've spread across the UK and rightly so because mine certainly was. @@anemone104
I have owned 3 of these bikes over the years my first was a 1980 model brand new, i did 13000 Miles on it in 6 months in the UK before heading out to Australia, had a hell of a job finding a good one there and then sold it for a bigger bike, after moving to NZ found a basket case and rebuilt it over a 2 year period and had to sell it once completed due to young family and needed the money, almost impossible to find one here now,
Oh still a few kicking around our damp little island 😂
@@bikerdood1100 maybe but those I have looked at have been abused or have too much missing and price wise stupid money.
I still think the CX eurosport is a cracking looking bike.
I always liked the styling
Best bike i owned. I liked my 1979 GL 1000 Goldwing and Yamaha XS650 but the CX500 was the better bike to ride, more fuel efficient, smooth and good for city and high way driving. Only a bit ugly design but great and comfortable work horse.
Very true the first model in particular was not a looker
One of the better touring i had in my life! i had in first the original 500CX , in second a 400CX custom, good mécanique but her handling was very just, and finaly a silver wing 650CX, too heavy and alls this damned plastics! The first one, the original stay the better and excellent in my memory! i make many nices rides with it alone or with passenger and keep it a long time. Before, in the 70' i had a MOTO GUZZI V7SPECIAL. Excellent also, and the HONDA 500CX was well after it! But all that is already an old story!
Had the Eurosport model
Handled pretty well
Not Guzzi well of course
The plastic maggot!!! I had one pain to start bad handling overweight but I sort of liked it lol
Just something likeable about them
I was a London despatch rider in the 1980/90's as the cx500 was the pinnacle despatch bike, economical, reliable, shaft drive no outlay
Brilliant
I bought cx500 year 1982, fixed it, bit mod it and I'm loving it. It drives nice for a 40y old bike.
They are pretty refined by 1980s standards
Bought my first new bike, a blue CX500 in 1978. Changed fairings, seats and luggage on it. Toured around Europe. A great bike
They are great for munching up the miles
I remember having to do warranty work on these due to Honda using the wrong bolts to retain the cam chain guide and and tensioner. Instead of using high shear strength bolts they used high torque bolts which sheared off..
What is it with Honda and their Cam chain systems
I had a 1979 CX 500 that was referred to in Canada as the standard model. The one I had was similar to the 1978 model with the 18 inch rear wheel and 19 inch front. I was able to beef up the rear suspension by purchasing after market shocks and springs. I also bought a fairing for the bike a Vetter Windjammer. I quit my job and went riding out to eastern Canada and the Province of Newfoundland. Once that was done we headed west. Yes I was two up! The bike ran very well we went right to the west coast of Canada. By this time the CX was into its third rear tire. What to do, what to do? Go south down to Southern California. I had checked the valves and reset the cam chain tensioner once on this journey and done regular oil changes. Other than that just kept riding. Arriving at our new home in Calgary, Alberta the ride ended more than 30,000 KM on the odometer. This was one tough motorcycle that I rode a further 50,000 KM. At the end of the first year I noticed some rattling in the engine like a loose cam chain. I was working for a local Honda dealer at the time and that got our attention as the 1978 models got a recall for the cam chain and the tensioner. The Honda rep was interested in having a look at what was going on as he had not seen any 1979 model CX 500's with this many miles or this type of problem. We took the engine out of the frame and had a look. The tensioners was broken and the reinforcement plate a modification was damaged. The rep was told about the issue and he was in touch with the factory. He made a point of coming to see the issue and report on it. To make a long story short I got an upgraded modification from the factory. There were no more issues after this though later on the alternator had to be changed out as it held the ignition triggering device and the bike would idle all day but would not rev beyond 3000 rpm. That's another story though. It ran strong for many more years before I sold it to buy a new Honda CX 650 E. This was another fine motorcycle. Thanks for sharing your story about the CX 500.
Honda and their dam cam chain tensioners
I think the first gen bike looked (s) better. The 80's weren't kind to most things stylistically (hair cuts, shoulder pads, leg warmers, square headlights, square everything pretty much!) They made a nice burble.
They did indeed
I was a London dispatch rider in the late 80s. Maggots were the best dispatch bikes ever made.
That’s something I hear a lot
Never dispatched but used one for everything from Sunday blasts to my daily commute, brilliant
They were fascinating cult bikes...kinda like a 350 four cylinder...especially the turbo bikes!!!..they had their niche !
Pity the variety of bikes around today aren’t as varied. Back then the choice of machines available from Honda alone was marvellous really
Bought a 1981 US Import CX500 Custom to get back into biking 14 years ago. Still have it although it doesn't get used much as I also have a 2013 HD Sportster XL883L to ride.
Good to have a mix of machines
Two very different V twins
I was riding a CX500TC, That was fun bike. Only the problem was the alternator was located inside of the engine. Once it becomes inop, you have to disassemble whole engine.
It was a pain same problem form Guzzi but the clutch in their case
I owned a used 1981 Honda CX500 Custom back in 1989. It was one of the best motorbikes I ever owned. It was almost maintenance-free!
Pretty solid things
Well apart from the cam chain tensioner on some bikes
Several of my friends had CX500 and they were very good bikes. The engine did look like an air compressor or something but we got used to it and grew to like it.
Compared to the other bikes that size at the time, it was a luxury touring machine with great passenger accomodations.
I do wish people would stop cutting these up. The styling of the original was quite good and it's distinctive, as opposed to yet another amateur bodge.
I don’t mind some of the custom jobs, some are a bit pants, but I do worry if some day there’ll be no original bikes left
I am putting my bike back on the road after close to 20 years in storage. 81 model, near stock condition except for the headlight and front signals. I found used parts to put it back to original. I agree, the styling is classic although I understand how riders want their bike to be unique.
I bought a used one in 82 or 83 for road racing in WERA (western Eastern Road Rocing). Slow, heavy, but bullet proof. Ran it for one year before going to an RD350. Used Dunlop K81R tires in those days which wore like iron (and had just a bit more grip). Ran the 24 hour race at Rockingham, NC and won the light weight class - all the other light weights had problems, but we just kept that CX500 circulating for 24 hours. The next weekend we went to South Florida and rode a 2 hour endurance race on the same tires. Qualified for the WERA National Championships at Road Atlanta, and finished 6th against a horde of Yamaha TZ250s. They were all way ahead of me until it rained and the fast guys had to pit since they were on slicks. Good memories from when I was faster than everyone else on the track (or maybe I was really slow, but my memory isn't as good as it used to be).
Lightweight 2 stroke much better choice for racing
I suppose the real follow bike to the CX was the 650 Deauville. Would be nice if you did a video of that one.
True
My last bike and still remember it with fondness after owning Ariel, Triumph, Bmw and Ducati.
No better phrase than my first bike
No sadder than my last
Good Choice though
I bought a nice clean one in the late 80’s…dirt cheap because it had a rattling cam chain (easily fixed, even though it was an engine out job) got the piss ripped out of me on a regular basis by my mates on cooler machines, but one by one they learned to respect the Plastic Maggot because when they broke down and needed a bike to borrow, it was always there, always working.
They can plod on and on, which was of course the point on the thing. There’s a reason so many dispatch riders used them
Had a cx500 custom when 19. What a machine! Would sit on 130km/h all day long 2 up. Easy to work on but was thirsty. Was a great bike.
Yes easy in May ways.some jobs were a bit tricky however. I had to pull the barrel of mine, not easy, most jobs were pretty straight forward though
How thirsty was it?
I dispach rode a cx 500 Blue , for years in London the old plastic maggot served me well !
Ah the dispatch riders favourite
One of the best bikes ever, reason.. versatility simple , owned over 30 bikes 2 cx 500s loved em.
I was amazed to see the CX on a list of worse bikes ever, I think these things are just cut and pasted by someone who’s never ridden a motorcycle In their life
I had 2 cx's . One had plastic fenders and one had chrome fenders . I don't remember the years or letter designations yet my last one was around 2005 . It kept blowing out the cdi on one side . It was an old bike at that time so it doesn't surprise me that it acquired electrical problems however after it blew out the second time on the same side i sold it . The upside was one cylinder was still firing so even when it would blow I could still ride it home .
On older bikes as we have found recently with the SV the regulator rectifier is prone to failure so electrical equipment blowing out doesn’t surprise me at all
@@bikerdood1100 there was something about the cx 500 that was not esthetically pleasing to my eye .
My very first bike ( and only brand new bike ) was the 50cc MB5 . It was ugly too lol . Yet both of those models have a cult following to this very day .
What's crazy about the ugly statement is I believe all bikes are beautiful.
Kinda like women . There are no ugly women , some are simply hard on the eyes.
I lived in London in the mid 80s and it seemed like every second motorbike courier rode a CX500.
They were as common as the Vauxhall Cavalier at that time
The police in Ireland used these for many years.. Very distinct sound.
Great video
🇮🇪🍀👍
🙏
I sold my 1981 CX500 in 1984 and always regretted it
Still miss mine warts n all
Just getting one back on the road ,first start today runs Nic after sitting for a couple years
Just keep the battery healthy and boom 💥
I'm on a 1982 GL500 currently and unlike the CX, the GL's have a single rear air-adjustable monoshock and air adjustable front air shocks. This combination makes it a dream to ride and _super_ comfortable for long distance riding
Well of course the Eurosport is a mono on the back, I had a Guzzi with air shocks, they seemed to work pretty well
I love mine too. Bought it new.
I have had my 1982 GL500 Interstate for 15 years, used but still very road worthy. Wanted one new in '82, but I was only 17 then, so I had to wait my turn, lol! Even 2-up I have gotten 65 mpg, and ridden for hours without tiring me, my passenger, or the bike. It will always be my favorite with it's huge fuel tank, great handling, ample luggage, and low maintenance cost. It never struggles to carry a full load and is always a blast to ride. My son has one just like it, as well as an '82 Turbo, and commutes with both on a regular basis. It was offered as a commuter, cruiser, touring bagger, eurosport & supersport, all from one basic design. All done while maintaining affordability, reliability, and ride-ability for virtually everyone. Honda made this such a compact, innovative, and versatile platform, I don't think they will ever achieve the same again, especially not in a mid-size bike.
It was a great bike indeed, except possibly the cam chain on some bikes
I was the Service Manager at a Honda Dealership in California in the mid-1980's. CX500/650's were very popular, with many in the wrecking yards because of expensive mechanical issues that required dropping the engine (stators, cam chains, clutches, water pumps). made repairing them cost prohibitive at times.
Cam chains were always a problem, most of the other stuff improved over time
Bit of a Marmite bike do you think? I had a '79 bike, secondhand, tensioner mod done. Thrashed it for many, many miles. Never missed a beat, minimal maintenance. Not exciting, but dependable. Thoroughly enjoyed owning it, as many have said - it was the default courier hack back in the day. I don't think anyone has mentioned the cleverly engineered heads, which were twisted inboard so the carbs were out of the way. The whole package really was something when launched.
Well if sporty machines are your thing for example then it wouldn’t be the bike for you that’s for sure. I had a CBR600 after and never really got on with that bike
I've got a GL650 Silverwing owned it for about 25 years it still run as good as new
Well yes aperture from the odd cam chain problem they are pretty solid
OK...this is only the 2nd Vid of Yours I have watched AND I was meant to FIND THIS because of THIS REVIEW as I believe that THIS BIKE HAS MANY POSITIVES....Yes...even FOR Today's times. I am an Ozark Mountain Dare-Devil from Southern Missouri....AND....>>>GET THIS...>>> my FIRST 3 CARS were MG MIDGETS...over-sized GO-KARTS...perfect for the Hill-Country DIRT ROADS
Nice
Not really a car guy, but the Mrs had an MGB GT a few years back
It had a sound and smell all of its own
Back in 1979 I had a red CX500, which on a favourite left-hander could be laid over at the apex, then open the throttle and it just 'stood up' and purred away. Ah - memories!
I found it handle quite well for its size and weight
I owned a CX500 Shadow 1989 and it was a fabulous bike for long distance travel on freeways or highways and could travel all day at 70 mph without any stress on the motor because it had a very torque engine for a 500 cc bike. It always needed the best engine oil available and barely needed topping up between oil changes,The motor was a gem and I covered over 250 Kilometres with daily trips of over 200 klm each day .I had my son two up many times and still did 100 mph .Remember to change the oil and oil filters regularly and check the water reservoir and gap your spark plugs often.Put cheap oil in it and you will lock up the or spin a main bearing on the crankshaft,Very much a under rated bike for its time .
We didn’t get the shadow that I can remember. Great torque laden motors though brilliant for long journeys
Good bikes then and now. Sad to see survivors hacked up tofor so called "builds" in pursuit of a poser fad.
I don’t mind the odd customised machine, but will there be any originals left ?
Worked as a dispatcher in London in the early 90’s, and yep, did it on a 11 year old CX500.
Sure got a soft spot for them 👍
As do many of us
I do too
I bought one of the very first bikes that were delivered to the dealerdhips in the U.S. I looked at the bike one time and I had to have one. This is one of only two bikes that I bought brand new that exceeded my expectations in just abot every way. It was an excellent bike for just about everything. I thought that it was one of the best bikes being made. In 1978 I could have bought other bikes that were faster but this bike punched all of the right buttons especially for a 500 cc displacement bike. I don't know why but it carried a premium price. It's one of those bikes that you only come across every once in a lifetime of owning a lot of bikes. The bikes that you didn't want to sell ad the one that you kick yourself for not hanging onto, even today. If you could find one that is half decent shape, you would probably pay what it cost new back then. They are one of the most desireable bikes you can have for turning into a cafe racer.
We all have those machines, the why did I let it go bike
I've always respected these machines.
Yes they pretty much do what ever you ask of em
Always wanted a 650 Eurosport but couldn’t afford one I still think they are a beautiful bike and if and when I see one for sale in good condition I’m buying it
Me too , had a 500 Eurosport and a friend has a 650, loads of mid range punch, lovely bikes
How many years did Honda build the 650E? I was told only for 83.
I've just literally got one, the '84 Eurosport version, in black with orange and silver lines. It has 18.743 miles on it, looks like new, the paint is in perfect shape, it just needs a little carburetor synchronizing and service...oil change, brake pads and such and it's like new. Can't wait to take it for a ride! Will keep it in it's original state, maybe 30 years from now it'll be worth a small fortune :)))). Cheers from Romania!
Nice 👍
@@bikerdood1100 Hey brother! So, did everything I said above and last Friday I took the CX for a ride. It rides superbly....the shaft transmission is super soft and delicate and the clutch too. The only thing that comes as a surprise to me is the fact that the bike would not lean into corners as modern bikes do. Is that a thing for those motorcycles that were built back than? It doesn't bother me, and i understand that we're talking about 40 years old bikes, but i would like to know if mine has a problem or not. Of course i still have to get used to it, as i only drove it for like 20 miles or so (it was cold outside) :)). Thanks in advance for your response! Cheers!
@@MaramuresDualSport well not really
But the thing is a CX is a little top heavy compared to say a Guzzi
They tern ok but like an early GSXr they need a bit of encouragement
You have to show them who’s boss
It’s a feeling you get used to and riding them becomes second nature quite quickly
Die CX 500 war meiner Meinung nach ein ganz tolles Motorrad. Die gabs in Deutschland meines Wissens nach offen mit 50 PS und gedrosselt mit versicherungsgünstigen 27 PS. Und die Chopper-Version war schon richtig schick.
27ps and that weight would have made the poor thing pretty slow
Lovely old bikes I wouldn't mind a white euro sport For a turn . I used to have a NTV 650 a transalp 600 both great bikes that I racked up big miles on and now my main bike is a Deauville 650 mark two with the linked missing brakes . I love it to bits my moto guzzi Norge 1200 is much faster but maybe strangely I prefer the Deauville to ride overall it's easier to stick to under the posted Speed limit it can fly too if I feel like it no doubt about it . Built like a tank they are easy to maintain and 65mpg uk riding easy .
The Deaville was solid dependable but very much unloved by the bike press
CX500's comprise a large part of my biking history. Thanks for this :)
Glad you enjoyed it
I’ve had 3 cx500’s over several years all from new. One had a full fairing fitted and s&w air shocks. I loved them all. Although I would’ve loved say 65 bhp, would’ve made a lot of difference. You said about the cam chain, I need to correct you on that, it was the cam chain tensioner that was crap which led to the cam chain problems. In between these bikes I had a Honda cbx1000 a moto guzzi lemans 850 as well as Kawasaki z900 and the first gold wing 1000. Ended up with a Kawasaki z1000 mk2 before finally a Kawasaki kz1100 shaft.
Well the tensioner wasn’t great but on my machine the chain did stretch quite quickly
Most comfortable motorcycle seat ever made. Great bikes.
They were pretty comfortable for sure, it’s very much style over content today stylish but not a good place to sit
That’s right
I went round europe camping with my wife on the pillion on one of these.. Wonderful machines.
Yep very reliable, exempt the usual cam chain , Honda ?
I test rode one in the early ‘80s. I wasn’t impressed.
I probably like it now in my old age!😊
Think I was 21 when I owned mine
I loved how dam useful it was
@@bikerdood1100I knew the CX 500 was a great bike, but at the time, I had a Yamaha XS 850 Standard (not that stupid Special/chopper styled model). The Yamaha would pull an honest 130 mph w/ a slightly modified air box.
Also, I owned a Meridian T-140V w/ a Velorex sidecar to transport my twin sons and their slightly older brother (I couldn’t afford a second car).
BTW, carrying little twins and a seven year old on a sidecar rig was a tremendous chick magnet at stop signs, etc!
Their helmets were too big/heavy at that time. Five minutes into the ride, the boys would be sound asleep with their helmets leaned against each other! I couldn’t believe such cuteness could spring from my loins!
Back to the subject: Stuntman Bud Ekins, a close friend of Steve McQueen, and the guy who jumped the fence in the movie “The Great Escape” with a Triumph, was also an engineer. He designed a car with the CX 500 as the power plant. It was a very conventional layout w/ engine in the front, sending power to the rear differential.
I’d love to know what happened to this project! Do you have knowledge of this? No
Nicely done ! I'm Canadian and have owned a 1982 CX500 Custom since 1984. I purchased it from my brother who rode it with a passenger from coast to coast with no issues. I took my wife from the East coast to New York, again with no issues. It did require the engine to be split to replace a stator and when the replacement failed I parked it in my shed where it has languished for some 20 years. I keep telling myself to dig her out and restore her however the elements have not been kind to her. The task is daunting... Perhaps this winter.
The placement of the stator isn’t the best
@@bikerdood1100 Understatement ;)
Beautiful Bike, Honda don't make bad bikes, they just make some better than others.
Oh
They have had they moments
Good and bad
@bikerdood1100 the worst most unreliable bike I've ever owned was a 250 CZ the best most reliable was a honda cb 125
I had three of them at various stages. Including the Dresden Day Tripper which was painted up like a B17 Bomber. It did 350,000 miles before it simply refused to run any more. Solution, a friend bought it, tracked down an engine and it ran on and on...I think it eventually rusted away....
Solid old things
I owned a Z500 in 1982 , my mate owned a CX 500..... We swapped bikes once ...I was totally underwhelmed by its performance and it's weight. But if your after a reliable plodder I would recommend a CX500
Well sporty it was not
Around the same time, I also had a Z500 and a neighbour had a CX500. We also tried each other's bikes. On acceleration and handling, especially on twisty roads, the CX ,was noticeably inferior. My neighbour totally agreed.
good vid, learned a good bit and enjoyed it👍
Cool
Had a Custom, 1983 I think it was, with a clear faring. Heavy for a 500 but very comfortable and engine was quite smooth. for its super short stroke, it would pull smoothly from low rpm. A person could do an oil change, plugs, valve lash and carb sync on a lunch break. Brakes and suspension were adequate by the era’s standards. Really a practical motorcycle, but practical isn’t really what causes shoppers to spend money at the dealer’s showroom.
True light they were not. People complain about modern bikes being heavy like it’s something new. A lot of bikes in this period were a bit lardy. Honda”s Super Dream 250 springs to mind as a bike in serious need of loosing a few pounds.
@@bikerdood1100 Yeah. Weight is not necessarily bad, depending on what you are trying to do. Heavy bikes are generally stable with a smooth ride. Safe to say the CX500 wasn’t intended to be flickable up a curvy canyon, but it is planted down the highway in gusty winds.
Half lived on one , as a destpatch rider back in that day
They were the mount of choose for so many destpatchers in their time. I used mine for everything from holidays and weekend blasts to my daily commute
THE most underrated bike by a mile, I had a black original one in the early 80's and it did everyone admirably, I would love to find another one now.....
Mine was white
It was a lovely bike
I have a cx500 eurosport white - completely original for sale in Belgium :)
Long way to Belgium but good luck
@@bikerdood1100 tx!!
@@creatingspacesproducer no worries
Never owned one, but 2 of my mates had them in the early 80's. Super reliable. The London dispatch riders all had them after the 400/4's .
Loved mine great commuter bije
I meet some guy who had one from new he'd done 400 50 thousand miles and still loved his bike 🏍 ♥
Good to know, there must be reason there are so many still around
found one that had been sitting for 20 years in a shed , didnt take much to get it back on the road, also had a gl650 interstate great tourer
GL was pretty rare in Britain
Worked in a Honda dealership in the 80's great bike, no warranty issues, built like a tank, if you want a bike to survive the apocalypse there you go, if you revved them on the centrestand they twitched to one side
They do twitch but less so than a flat twin BMW
All the Beamer boxers did this 😊
I bought a used CX500 Turbo and had it for a few years. It was entertaining to say the least. It was like a truck, straightening your arms until you hit red line. One thing though, is that it was totally predictable, and never felt like it wasn't completely in control.
I think the only people who dislike or have no respect for these bikes never owned one
Ah, the indomitable Plastic Maggot. I loved the concept, sound, and looks when this first came out. Still love it today. It makes a great base bike for a cafe racer project.
Funny how the bike creates so many strong memories
@@bikerdood1100 - for me, I liked it because it was 'different' to the UJMs of that time. It looked, sounded, and felt different, and that imparted character. Its V twin configuration also seemed to connect to an older era of biking in some way. It was a bike I wish I had owned. Instead, I went for two very diffident bikes of that time - an XJ750 and an RD350LC. These days, many years later, I have a heavily modified R9T and a restored GPz900R A1. I'm old school like you 🙂
Had a white Canadian 1984 CX650E from new that I did 100k on. Working on it was easy, even for the dreaded stator and cam chain tensioner, which both involved dropping the engine and splitting the cases. Even still, the second time I had to do it, I had her apart on a bench in under 90 minutes. Loved that bike.
650 did have a handy extra lump of torque compared to the 500
My first roadbike was a blue CX500, and I bought another one a few years later. Very fuss free and smooth running machine.
Well said
Yep. I’ve got one. Similar tale to yours too mate. My Best Man, (at that time, just my best mate and years before I was hitched) had one. We had loads of fun on his, so when I got back into biking (after a 40 year gap - I had to have one in my mini collection, and I have a stunning 1982 model. The lines of that bike are still utterly gorgeous. Looking sideways at the tank, or down from the tank to the engine are just stunning. I’ll never sell it. It will be my lads, and Grandsons’ along with my 1975 GL1000 “full fat” version 😉
I really enjoyed mine although the dreaded cam chain gave trouble in the end
They were heavy and had stater problems, had to pull the engine. Love the v twin sound
Yeh very compared to my V50 Guzzi, but after api tried a BMW R80 it felt like a light weight
Dispatchers dream bike... bullet proof :)
Great when city commuting or motorway touring
At 18 years of age my first motorbike was a cx 500 c back in '89, what a bike! The sound in the video brings back memories. Btw upgraded the rear shocks to Dutch made Koni's, made a world of difference. No more wobbling above 100 kph. And the rock solid Conti Tour tyres also improved the handling.
Well they could be bouncy
Thank you for putting this together!
My pleasure
Thanks for the nostalgia trip. I bought a second one back in 1982. It was the first proper motorcycle I ever had and loved it. I still remember the feel and sound of it, and not to mention the really comfortable seat. I, perhaps foolishly, traded it in for a VT500 a couple of years later. The VT was a good bike but it wasn't the CX. Watching your film makes me want to have one again. Thanks bud. Kind regards, Robert.
Yes the VT lacks the charisma of the CX
What a gorgeous bike Honda made. I'm considering a CX500 someday, but for now I'm riding a Honda Elite 250 scooter, and a chopper.
Interesting mix of machines
I had the CX500 Eurosport - lovely bike - much better brakes, beautiful wheels, little bikini fairing and a couple of extra horses. Great fun as my beginner bike.
I did enjoy mine. Much underrated machine
London desptach riders tool of choice. Bullet proof.
They were indeed
@@bikerdood1100 I had one as by despatch bike after my CB250RS blew up-now that was an incredibly good 250, better than the N "wet" Dream. Never let me down.
@@b4rneypup1 I’m very familiar with the RS and indeed much better than the Super Dream. Cam shafts can wear in the heads at high mileage otherwise solid
I had a brand new one in 1979 HNE 676V red with full white Honda fairing & panniers ( had to wait an age for panniers as there was a Transport strike) wonderful experience for an 18yr old 😂
Nice
Favourite of DRs, tourers, but the "plastic maggot" early look was offputting.
GL500 was the "Silver Wing"
I no 🙄
Had four CX500's and loved them. Not so keen on some of the modded bikes and I always lusted after a Eurosport but never got my hands on one. At least their value is going up enough, hopefully to keep the nice ones original. Never ride on the pillion of a CX Custom...it's a nightmare!
I hade a Eurosport and appreciated the improvements
I hade a Eurosport and appreciated the improvements
It is hard to hate the Plastic Maggot.
They were hustled all over the London postcodes by rapid couriers for years. Duct tape on the saddle and often side panels a different colour from the tank.
I am surprised to hear you say that the Guzzi Lemon was an aesthetic inspiration. It seems/seemed so very different, both to ride and yo look at.
There is a whole PhD to be written about the differences between the CX and the V50. I still think the V50 was about the best "real world" motorcycle of the 80s.
I can feel a video
London courier CXs had stellar miles on the clock, mechanics could strip them down with their eyes closed and time was money. It was odd how despatch riders alighted on the CX500, when there was no shortage of simple middleweights to choose from. Probably a mix of watercooling, shaft drive and cost. Some riders really threw the bikes around at speed between narrow gaps, so the CX couldn't have handled too badly.
@@borderlands6606 Ha ha.... Yes, the CX500 was a courier legend. But I think even its dear old mum would never say it handled well.
There were some courier bikes that really did handle well back in the 80s and early 90s. Bikes that were also cheap to buy, easy to fix and not too thirsty: CB250RS. XBR500. SRX600. Any Elsie.... But the 350 and the later Power Valve being the best. GT550 (dull but effective and did handle). There many more.
Then there were the "blunt instruments" that didn't handle so much as they tried to do what they were told and could be hustled and bullied through corners. I would put the CX500 in that group, along with the R65 and R80, the dependable CD200 Benly, various MZs, Honda VT500...... Long list and many would say I am being cruel about the VT.
It is a whole book waiting to be written. For more than a decade but less than two decades, London was awash with motorcycle couriers. Then the modem and other gubbins killed the market.
And the CX500 was a proud part of a noble tradition.
How to find out if a courier bile handled? Hogarth Roundabout eastbound from the A316 onto the A4 on empty roads. There was almost no better gauge on the "transport routes" of inner and outer London. A lunatic could put three pegs down (left, right, left) in a about three seconds. I couldn't, but a lunatic could. There was a loon on our firm on an X7 who wasn't happy unless a scraping peg lifted his rear tyre on the Hogarth. The X7 was.... not a good courier bike. 😊
@@BanjoLuke1 Not sure I'd describe the LC350 as "not too thirsty". I heard enthusiastically piloted Elsie's could get into the low 20s mpg. Closest I experienced was an RD 200, which was a rocket in a moped frame, and great fun.
I rode various little Hondas, including a Benly, and found them complete slugs, nothing special in the handling dept but utterly reliable. I disagree on the MZs, which handled brilliantly (with the possible exception of the Trophy which had Earles forks), and had their own grassroots racing class.
Suzuki 2-stroke triples were quite nice, better behaved than the Kawasaki, certainly not courier material. Re. the SRX600, I was bemoaning the lack of big singles only yesterday. Someone was trying to point me to dirt and supermoto version, and I pointed out I didn't want to look like a character in a Manga cartoon. Hopefully Royal Enfield will come out with something suitable.
Riding in 70s and 80s London could be grim, taxi drivers doing a no-mirrors 180, spilt diesel on roundabouts, unburnt diesel up your nose, 4-star in your eyes. I once saw a CX go straight through the front of a van. Mad times.
@@borderlands6606 Yeah.... Maybe that was one nostalgic pear drop too far. The LC was cheap, but more by virtue of being bulletproof than for its thirst.
You remind me of all to he other stuff that was plentiful but not really for the sober-minded courier. GT380, GT550, KH400. You did see couriers on KH250s..... But not the other stuff..... And not mad (forgotten) stuff like the air-cooled RD400.
And I forgot to tip my hat to 250 and 400 Super Dreams and the GSX twins from Suzuki of the same size.
And Kawasaki did a little 305 with a belt.... They were nimble. A sort of Z250 after a steak dinner. But really quite a lovely thing.
And I take back (partly) the snub on MZs.... I am too young to remember the older ones you mention, but a friend (and courier) put super-sticky Metzelers on a late, disc-braked ETZ 250 single and it was an absolute demon in town. I think it sat on 18" ROMs front and rear and could use the same rubber as a middleweight Guzzi.... But my memory might be failing me there.
Remember the old joke about these: knock knock...........who's there.......
Cx 500 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Er ok
Loved the sound of this bike and was the first water cooled 4-stroke I ever saw. Wanted one but couldn’t afford one😢
They were solid bits of kit
Mostly
This is a "Bike for the Ages", but it SHOULD have Started as the later-'Genius CX-650', --later going to a CX-850 which was never made/sold? The 500CX was Best for the Brits, but inadequate for US 80 mph cruising, imho. Timing Gears could've replaced the cam-chain,--don't know if they did. Honda Should still make the CX-650/850, with hydraulic valve actuation.
It could, perhaps should of but never did. I think a more conventional V twin in the Harley orientation was probably seen by Honda as more versatile. From their point of view it made good sense they managed to. Squeeze a version of that engine into cruisers, commuters, Tourers and even the early of the Africa twin
This was great I never owned one, but a friend had and wife always referred to it as the plastic maggot which made me laugh (she was a Ducati girl Panter 500), but I always thought it was good looking bike.
They always had unkind nicknames
20 years old and I'm riding a 1981 cx500 custom as my first owned motorcycle 🫡
Brilliant
They are great bikes and full of character
I seem to recall that Honda named the touring version of the CX500 the "Silver Wing" the GL1000 flat four was the "Gold Wing".
Ah I wondered if I’d got away with that gaff, bloody video has been up for months and you’re the first to spot it. I should gaff prizes away. 😂. You are correct. I played the video back just after I downloaded it and spotted it straight away , dam it . Still I’ve got away with it, well until now