Words: Bill Hunter.
It’s been a long time since I’ve sat back and thought this particular bike is outstanding value for money, and this is most certainly the case with the new Honda NX500, a ‘refreshing’ choice for sure in our ever-increasing world of escalating expense.
It was a few years ago when I first sampled the previous version named the CB500X. Honda has now changed the prefix to NX, which was last used on their NX650 Dominator, which enjoyed a healthy 15-year production span and expired in 2003. Honda says NX stands for ‘New X-Over’, not really sure what that means but I think it means Adventure type bike in 2025. When one first walks around the NX500 there’s no denying that this is a lightweight/middleweight Adventure bike on all counts, right?
The CB500X first appeared in 2013 and it’s matured over the years into what we have here, the new NX500, without doubt the best incarnation of Honda’s budget friendly Adventure bike range. So what’s changed over the previous CB500X you ask to generate such a statement, and so you should?
Well the frame and swing-arm are the same steel and aluminum items respectively, and the engine is still the same vibe-free, 471cc, DOHC, PGM-Fi fuel-injected, parallel twin. However, with a few ECU upgrades and other modifications Honda claims it now has a more vigorous mid-range clout. Claimed figures are 47hp@8,600rpm and 43Nm@6,500rpm of the torquey stuff. Not particularly dramatic figures from a ‘500’ but it does feel stronger than that, especially when dive into the zappy top-end rush.
The CB500X had OK suspension but nothing to blab about, but Honda has changed that with improved internals from the Showa SFF-BP 41mm forks, which means Separate Function Forks, with a Big Piston inside. Basically one fork contains the springy parts and the other the damping parts, a system that’s been around for many years on many bikes and works well, so why change it? The rear Pro-Link single shock has also received similar attention and has a choice of five pre-load settings, handy if you’re a bit on the pencil thin or extra-chubby side. I’m somewhere in the middle (I believe), and became more than impressed with the ride quality of the new NX500 and, more importantly, a substantial improvement over the CB500X. Also helped by new and lighter 5-spoke wheels (from seven) saving a respectable 1.5kg of unsprung weight in the process. The braking is also improved with fancy twin 296mm wave discs chewed on by Nissin calipers.
Predictably the electronics had a good poke with a ‘stolen’ 5-inch TFT display from their Transalp 750. Now offering three display choices for the rev-counter, which are Bar, Circle and Simple (with the last one having nothing to do with intelligence levels). I chose the retro-like Circle option, because it looked the best choice in my simple opinion. Using the new left side, and very good, backlit, four-way, toggle switch you’ll now have many more option choices than found on the CB500X. HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) or traction control is installed that can be turned off, not really sure why it needs it though? You can also choose whether you prefer a backlight screen in either white or black, or leave in auto mode where ‘it’ decides depending on the available light at the time. Honda’s Road/Sync App can also be accessed for phone and navigation connectivity, a grand improvement over the CB500X’s display and functionality.
The new NX’s styling is the main talking point with its Rally inspired looks, which Honda says gives superior aerodynamics for better stability. A new L.E.D headlight sits proudly at the nose and with a few other additions, like a better seat, it all adds up to a better riding experience, which it most certainly is compared to the CB. Let’s be honest here it is a very good-looking motorcycle and a spot on mini-Adventure bike.
If you decide to go off adventure riding, or anywhere else for that matter, you’ll be please to know that the fuel consumption figures are commendable. The large 17.5-litre tank will provide a 450km range +-/, depending on how you ride of course. Honda does claim around 28km/litre, so I’d have to agree with their predicted range.
When I did depart on a long ride I was quite surprised how comfortable the NX500 is, and with a low seat height of 830mm it’s ideal for any type or age of rider. A (wet) weight of 198kg sounds average for such a bike with a steel frame but it feels much lighter and more agile than that figure suggests. Talk about easy to live with on a daily basis, I always chose the NX500 over the other bike I had in my garage at the time, also on test, a massive BMW 1300GSA. Yes the BM’ is an impressive motorbike for sure, but, the little Honda was so much more fun to tear around on, and certainly less intimidating.
The feisty parallel twin engine is bulletproof and loves to be thrashed within an inch of its con-rods. Not sure if I could feel the improved mid-range though without riding the CB500X at the same time, but the top end rush, when revved hard, was quite amusing. Top speed is over 170kmh, if you’re wondering, but cruising at 130kmh was effortless and enhanced by the super-smooth nature of the motor. Another attribute is possibly one of the lightest clutch actions I’ve come across, however the six-speed gearbox can be a bit sticky at times, which might fade away in time because it only had 800km on the clock. One more minor complaint, like the Translap 750, is that 5-inch TFT display has some tiny little figures scattered around that can be hard to see/read – or is that my ageing eyesight?
Anyway, if you’re looking for something that does everything, at a budget price, the new Honda NX500 is a refreshing choice, and then some. And now for the anticipated price you’ve been waiting for, all of this for only R128.699, or, you can buy nearly four of them for the same price as the BMW I mentioned.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Honda’s new NX500 and so will you if you choose to purchase one. It’s comfortable, refined, has a plush ride, good looking, extremely affordable, versatile, has Honda’s build quality, and it’s just such a joy to have and ride on a daily basis – need I say more?
Images: Gym Fidler.
Go to www.honda.co.za to book a highly recommended test ride at your local dealer, and for more technical information.
06/22/2025
