Great bike. I've just ordered one in white. I bought a new CB500F in 2022 and am perfectly happy with the power but needed more protection for touring. After a test ride, I had no hesitation in getting one on order. Picking it up from Fowlers, Bristol on 6th April. Happy days!
Congratulations on your new Honda. You won’t regret it. I spent three months wild camping touring Scandinavia last summer and you don’t have to spend a fortune on off road accessories. I did a lot of gravel and forest roads. Fitted to my bike, (CB500x) front fender extender, Barkbusters, radiator protector, Oxford heated grips, Givi outback Trekker 42 litre top box, Givi detachable soft luggage rack bars and soft luggage panniers and Givi roll bag that went on the pillion seat. Garmin XT satnav was super useful as well. The tyres that come with your bike will be just fine for light off-roading, the knobbly extreme off road tyres make an irritating noise on the tarmac and don’t last long. I didn’t bother with a skid plate or crash bars. I didn’t want the extra weight or risk of extra vibrations. I did 12,000 miles plus and the bike came home unscathed. If you want advice on any of the above I’d be more than happy to help, just contact me as a reply to this comment 😁✌🏻 Best of luck and enjoy your new bike !
This is great advice. Thanks. I guess if I have any questions they would be. What would be your average comfortable distance per day? I saw one video saying in Norway don't plan for more than 300km per day. Also did you wild camp at all. I think it is legal in Norway but is there anything to be aware of?
I’d say a comfortable distance for a day, 150 > 200 miles. But obviously it depends on how much of a rush you’re in to reach that days destination. I’ve done 640 miles in one day on the European motorways, but I wouldn’t recommend that ! You can wild camp in all of Scandinavia and the Nordic countries. It’s called everymans right. And I did. You wouldn’t do it on someone’s private land or in view of someone’s house, but other than that you’re free to do as you wish. I’d usually find a lake, via forest roads and camp there. In three months I never had any problems, thieving etc. The country side in these countries are the safest places in Europe.
@@warrenr4 Great info thanks. Yeah so max 200 miles seems right. I will be in a slight rush as I've only got 3 weeks, not the 3 months you had. I'm going to blast through the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark in a day and a half as I have a ferry to catch. Don't like taking motorways but if I have to then I have to. I guess distance depends on the roads, and I think as I go further north it'll be more main roads which you can probably average 50/60mph on. I'll be doing a mixture of B&B, campsites and wild camping.
Ye was thinking the same. Definitely getting the 12v, not sure about hand guards and heated grips yet. We'll see how it goes. How's the bike after a few weeks?
I want the NX500... as my forever bike :) It's such a beauty that can do w/e you need with it and if you are willing to upgrade it, even more. Of course that may change in the future but I really appreciate what Honda is doing with the 500 class bikes.
I agree with you that the front end of the 2019-2023 CB500x looks nicer, more slick. Despite deposit & PCP payments being very close I went for a used 2021 as I don't really like the square boxy front of the NX. I have just added a Chigee Play that gives phone mirroring via carplay or android auto and it fits really well onto the bar above the dash display.
Passed my DAS in December 23. I bought this bike brand new for my first bike. Did my DAS on the Yamaya NT07I’m 6ft 2 19 stone. This bike is very comfortable, sounds great, plenty of torque and fast enough for me as a new rider. I’ve done 1300 miles and loving it. Approximately £20 to fill her up. Brand new bike, heated grips, wing deflection, main stand, hand guards, black smoked screen and 12v battery attachment attachment for £7,200. Great on the motorways, around town and twisty roads. It’s very comfortable and I did my first big ride from Manchester to Whitby in one go and felt fine doing it on this bike. If you are new to riding or experienced rider this is a great bike. It’s not going to pull your arms out your socket but personally I prefer comfort to speed. The tft screen is fantastic in all weather conditions. Very smooth clutch and bright led lights all around. Double disk break that gives you that confidence in breaking. Overall great bike, fun and feels well balanced on all roads. Can’t wait for spring /summer. P.s I recommend buying the black smoked screen. I ordered mine from my local Honda dealer and it cost £35. The black screen changes the whole look of the bike and looks much better even a little sportier. I’m 43 years old and brand new to riding. The cheapest insurance was £1000 and that’s with a host of security and a data tool tracker installed.
Great review, thanks. I agree the clutch is great, especially on down shifts considering the slipper clutch, which for me (someone who is yet to master blipping) is very nice. Your insurance is a lot cheaper than mine, I guess for me one of the downsides to living in London without a garage. I considered the tinted screen, but thought it looked great with the clear one. Maybe I'll reconsider.
Which tires are mounted stock? Looks like they can handle shallow gravel fine. I had good results with Pirelli Scorpion Rallye STRs and Heidenau K60 Scouts!
I’ve gone to a 16 tooth front cog ⚙️ on my cb500x wasn’t sure at first but after two rides I won’t change back it gives the bike a much more useable 1st gear and is so easy to do would definitely recommend.
@@get_to_the_lunchbox No, there's no modification at all to do. It's a straight and easy swap. It makes a very, very noticeable difference for the better. I cover many miles (all for recreation) and sometimes I have the need to do a bit of motorway miles. The 16 tooth front sprocket drops the rpm down about 400 rpm in 6th gear and makes it much less 'busy' at legal freeway limits. It also helps a lot with that very low 1st gear which you feel you need to get out of after about 10 metres. Just watched your video again and regarding your bar end removal. They actually come out very easily without destroying them. Just Google it on TH-cam.
Congratulations! Picked mine up last Monday (pearl white). Did over 300km over a weekend and love it! I'm coming from a Trident 660, so can certainly notice less power, but it's enough. On the other hand the gearbox and overall fit and finish is much better on the little Honda. I considered a Transalp or even a Tiger 900, but this is my first ADV bike, so I went for something light and nimble. My only complaint is the wind buffeting above 100km/h, but I plan to remedy this by fitting a PUIG clip-on deflector. Ride safe and enjoy this lovely machine! Ps. Love that „rally” design. 🥰
I love that this bike appeals to people who've come from larger capacity engines as well as smaller. It's really a jack of all trades and appeals to a wide audience.
Nice bike-i will be test riding one monday they finally got a test bike available these NX have been selling like hotcakes here in Thailand....i bought a Triumph400X twi months ago and after 6000km touring its too much of a pain for that purpose as i suspected ...the NX was not available until now so i will jump ship from the Triumph which is an excellent bike a real looker and a fun back road bike but i want the boxes and windscreen...btw there is a cheap windscreen extender aluminum kit that you can extend the stock windscreen up...following to see what you get done....i am going for Michelin Road 6's on right away--my only upgrade on most bikes i own is to a premium tire and i want a great rain and road tire.
The bike is great on the back roads. I have so much confidence on this bike to just drop it into the corners and that also translates to city riding too. Enjoy your purchase!
Size and weight mainly. This is a much more manageable bike, I plan to do a bit of off-road and I just don't feel at my skill level it the bigger adventure bike would be a good choice. I rode the transalp immediately after the NX500 and although a great bike, it didn't give me the feeling the 500 gave me. Yes it has more power but it's less nimble. If they put the 750cc engine in the NX/CB 500x I think it would be an even bigger seller.
Im thinking the same bike once i pass my DAS. I regularly travel to Belgium so im hoping its good for long Journeys. My only concern about buying new would be dropping it, did you look at any any drop guards, etc?
I did a little motorway riding today and found it very comfortable so I think those longer rides to Belgium would be easy enough. I haven't looked into crash guards yet.
I’ve dropped every bike I’ve owned at some point. Crash bars will save your skin in these situations. I’ve been lucky not to damage mine tho. Snapped a front brake lever in half on my cb500x think a new one was About £20 on eBay and took two mins to fit. To be fair a cb or nx 500 is a cheap bike to start with and out of all the bikes I’ve owned it’s the most manageable. Can’t go wrong with them.
Perhaps I'll do a video about it. Basically, I wanted to upgrade my insurance which was for a 125cc. They told me I couldn't because apparently it was a "small bike" insurance. I was unaware of this when taking out the policy. So my only option was to cancel it, and start a new policy. I had about 9 months on the policy so, about 3 months off getting 1 year no claims. But that is now scrapped and I have to start again. The salesman at the showroom told me that the same thing happened to him. So look out for this.
@@get_to_the_lunchbox I see. I was fearing they were trying to say that 125cc no claims discount was not compatible when progressing to A2 but it was more of a time thing in your case. Thanks for reply 👍.
I actually think some of them do so read the small print. So the story the dealer was telling me was that, he basically kept a cheap 125cc in his garage to build up his no claims (I guess when he wasn't riding), apparently when he wanted to use those no claims the insurance company said they weren't transferrable to a larger bike policy. At least that's what I understood from what he was telling me.
Great choice! I’m about to buy one of these myself.
Great bike. I've just ordered one in white. I bought a new CB500F in 2022 and am perfectly happy with the power but needed more protection for touring. After a test ride, I had no hesitation in getting one on order. Picking it up from Fowlers, Bristol on 6th April. Happy days!
I think my biggest choice was which colour to go for. I like the black that I have but that white one also looks really cool.
Congratulations on your new Honda. You won’t regret it. I spent three months wild camping touring Scandinavia last summer and you don’t have to spend a fortune on off road accessories.
I did a lot of gravel and forest roads.
Fitted to my bike, (CB500x) front fender extender, Barkbusters, radiator protector, Oxford heated grips, Givi outback Trekker 42 litre top box, Givi detachable soft luggage rack bars and soft luggage panniers and Givi roll bag that went on the pillion seat. Garmin XT satnav was super useful as well.
The tyres that come with your bike will be just fine for light off-roading, the knobbly extreme off road tyres make an irritating noise on the tarmac and don’t last long.
I didn’t bother with a skid plate or crash bars. I didn’t want the extra weight or risk of extra vibrations.
I did 12,000 miles plus and the bike came home unscathed.
If you want advice on any of the above I’d be more than happy to help, just contact me as a reply to this comment 😁✌🏻
Best of luck and enjoy your new bike !
This is great advice. Thanks. I guess if I have any questions they would be. What would be your average comfortable distance per day? I saw one video saying in Norway don't plan for more than 300km per day. Also did you wild camp at all. I think it is legal in Norway but is there anything to be aware of?
I’d say a comfortable distance for a day, 150 > 200 miles. But obviously it depends on how much of a rush you’re in to reach that days destination. I’ve done 640 miles in one day on the European motorways, but I wouldn’t recommend that !
You can wild camp in all of Scandinavia and the Nordic countries. It’s called everymans right. And I did. You wouldn’t do it on someone’s private land or in view of someone’s house, but other than that you’re free to do as you wish.
I’d usually find a lake, via forest roads and camp there.
In three months I never had any problems, thieving etc. The country side in these countries are the safest places in Europe.
@@warrenr4 Great info thanks. Yeah so max 200 miles seems right. I will be in a slight rush as I've only got 3 weeks, not the 3 months you had. I'm going to blast through the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark in a day and a half as I have a ferry to catch. Don't like taking motorways but if I have to then I have to. I guess distance depends on the roads, and I think as I go further north it'll be more main roads which you can probably average 50/60mph on. I'll be doing a mixture of B&B, campsites and wild camping.
Thats a nice trip.I am thinking of getting one of this 500 Honda Bikes.Got 3 bikes now,the most i enjoy are the lightest
Great vid! Getting this next month once I pass my test - in black as well. Can't wait!
Did you get any extras on the bike or is it as standard?
The only extra I got was the 12v socket. Everything else is stock as I plan to make upgrades myself.
Ye was thinking the same. Definitely getting the 12v, not sure about hand guards and heated grips yet. We'll see how it goes. How's the bike after a few weeks?
I want the NX500... as my forever bike :) It's such a beauty that can do w/e you need with it and if you are willing to upgrade it, even more. Of course that may change in the future but I really appreciate what Honda is doing with the 500 class bikes.
I agree with you that the front end of the 2019-2023 CB500x looks nicer, more slick.
Despite deposit & PCP payments being very close I went for a used 2021 as I don't really like the square boxy front of the NX.
I have just added a Chigee Play that gives phone mirroring via carplay or android auto and it fits really well onto the bar above the dash display.
Passed my DAS in December 23. I bought this bike brand new for my first bike. Did my DAS on the Yamaya NT07I’m 6ft 2 19 stone. This bike is very comfortable, sounds great, plenty of torque and fast enough for me as a new rider. I’ve done 1300 miles and loving it. Approximately £20 to fill her up. Brand new bike, heated grips, wing deflection, main stand, hand guards, black smoked screen and 12v battery attachment attachment for £7,200. Great on the motorways, around town and twisty roads. It’s very comfortable and I did my first big ride from Manchester to Whitby in one go and felt fine doing it on this bike. If you are new to riding or experienced rider this is a great bike. It’s not going to pull your arms out your socket but personally I prefer comfort to speed. The tft screen is fantastic in all weather conditions. Very smooth clutch and bright led lights all around. Double disk break that gives you that confidence in breaking.
Overall great bike, fun and feels well balanced on all roads. Can’t wait for spring /summer.
P.s I recommend buying the black smoked screen. I ordered mine from my local Honda dealer and it cost £35. The black screen changes the whole look of the bike and looks much better even a little sportier.
I’m 43 years old and brand new to riding. The cheapest insurance was £1000 and that’s with a host of security and a data tool tracker installed.
Great review, thanks. I agree the clutch is great, especially on down shifts considering the slipper clutch, which for me (someone who is yet to master blipping) is very nice. Your insurance is a lot cheaper than mine, I guess for me one of the downsides to living in London without a garage. I considered the tinted screen, but thought it looked great with the clear one. Maybe I'll reconsider.
Beautiful bike! Congrats
Thanks!
Nice, looking forward to more content with that bike :)
I'm proberly going for a nx500 when the snow disappears in 2 months or so.
Nice, you'll have fun for sure.
Well done, want to replaced my 650 Strom with one
Congrats! Looks incredible in that triple black colorway!
Which tires are mounted stock? Looks like they can handle shallow gravel fine. I had good results with Pirelli Scorpion Rallye STRs and Heidenau K60 Scouts!
Thanks, yeah the black is nice, although I think the white looks good too. The stock tyres are Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour. I believe an 80/20 tyre.
I’ve gone to a 16 tooth front cog ⚙️ on my cb500x wasn’t sure at first but after two rides I won’t change back it gives the bike a much more useable 1st gear and is so easy to do would definitely recommend.
I've considered. I think I saw one video where the owner said they had to make some slight modification to fit it. But I could be mistaken
@@get_to_the_lunchbox No, there's no modification at all to do. It's a straight and easy swap. It makes a very, very noticeable difference for the better.
I cover many miles (all for recreation) and sometimes I have the need to do a bit of motorway miles. The 16 tooth front sprocket drops the rpm down about 400 rpm in 6th gear and makes it much less 'busy' at legal freeway limits.
It also helps a lot with that very low 1st gear which you feel you need to get out of after about 10 metres. Just watched your video again and regarding your bar end removal. They actually come out very easily without destroying them. Just Google it on TH-cam.
Congratulations! Picked mine up last Monday (pearl white). Did over 300km over a weekend and love it! I'm coming from a Trident 660, so can certainly notice less power, but it's enough. On the other hand the gearbox and overall fit and finish is much better on the little Honda. I considered a Transalp or even a Tiger 900, but this is my first ADV bike, so I went for something light and nimble.
My only complaint is the wind buffeting above 100km/h, but I plan to remedy this by fitting a PUIG clip-on deflector.
Ride safe and enjoy this lovely machine!
Ps. Love that „rally” design. 🥰
I love that this bike appeals to people who've come from larger capacity engines as well as smaller. It's really a jack of all trades and appeals to a wide audience.
Congratulations 🎉even i brought the same in red color🤩
Nice, it looks great in all 3 colours
Your bike is definitely a sensible choice for touring.
Good to know!
@@get_to_the_lunchbox just guessing
This will be the longest lasting and most economical bike you will ever own in terms of reliability, fuel and service.
Nice bike-i will be test riding one monday they finally got a test bike available these NX have been selling like hotcakes here in Thailand....i bought a Triumph400X twi months ago and after 6000km touring its too much of a pain for that purpose as i suspected ...the NX was not available until now so i will jump ship from the Triumph which is an excellent bike a real looker and a fun back road bike but i want the boxes and windscreen...btw there is a cheap windscreen extender aluminum kit that you can extend the stock windscreen up...following to see what you get done....i am going for Michelin Road 6's on right away--my only upgrade on most bikes i own is to a premium tire and i want a great rain and road tire.
The bike is great on the back roads. I have so much confidence on this bike to just drop it into the corners and that also translates to city riding too. Enjoy your purchase!
Very nice bike. I considered getting one. But in the end I bought a Triumph Tiger Sport 660. Enjoy!
Great choice. I haven't tried one but it seems nice.
Is there a reason you chose this bike over transalp?
Size and weight mainly. This is a much more manageable bike, I plan to do a bit of off-road and I just don't feel at my skill level it the bigger adventure bike would be a good choice. I rode the transalp immediately after the NX500 and although a great bike, it didn't give me the feeling the 500 gave me. Yes it has more power but it's less nimble. If they put the 750cc engine in the NX/CB 500x I think it would be an even bigger seller.
Im thinking the same bike once i pass my DAS. I regularly travel to Belgium so im hoping its good for long Journeys. My only concern about buying new would be dropping it, did you look at any any drop guards, etc?
I did a little motorway riding today and found it very comfortable so I think those longer rides to Belgium would be easy enough. I haven't looked into crash guards yet.
I’ve dropped every bike I’ve owned at some point. Crash bars will save your skin in these situations. I’ve been lucky not to damage mine tho. Snapped a front brake lever in half on my cb500x think a new one was About £20 on eBay and took two mins to fit. To be fair a cb or nx 500 is a cheap bike to start with and out of all the bikes I’ve owned it’s the most manageable. Can’t go wrong with them.
@@get_to_the_lunchboxdid you ever consider the Yamaha Tracer 7? That’s another one on my list. Bigger engine but still a light touring bike
How much for insurance?
There are so many factors that influence insurance.
What about vibration ?
The bike begins to vibrate over about 6k revs.
Can you explain a bit more the issue you had with insurance please.?
Perhaps I'll do a video about it. Basically, I wanted to upgrade my insurance which was for a 125cc. They told me I couldn't because apparently it was a "small bike" insurance. I was unaware of this when taking out the policy. So my only option was to cancel it, and start a new policy. I had about 9 months on the policy so, about 3 months off getting 1 year no claims. But that is now scrapped and I have to start again. The salesman at the showroom told me that the same thing happened to him. So look out for this.
@@get_to_the_lunchbox I see. I was fearing they were trying to say that 125cc no claims discount was not compatible when progressing to A2 but it was more of a time thing in your case. Thanks for reply 👍.
I actually think some of them do so read the small print. So the story the dealer was telling me was that, he basically kept a cheap 125cc in his garage to build up his no claims (I guess when he wasn't riding), apparently when he wanted to use those no claims the insurance company said they weren't transferrable to a larger bike policy. At least that's what I understood from what he was telling me.
@@get_to_the_lunchbox Insurance is such a racket man. The new Triumph Scrambler is 3 X the cost of the Speed. Same 400cc single cylinder engine.
Honda Bah! Not for me until they swap the HORN and INDICATOR switches back to normal and turn off those always on front indicators.
Ha, admittedly you have a point.
Is it only me that find indicators/horn much better the way Honda sets it up? I got used to it right away.
@@get_to_the_lunchboxYes but will admit that engine is very good and versatile being used in many models.
I believe you can get a real honkin' aftermarket horn. I'll be looking for one.