2021 Honda CB500X

If hulking, 1,200cc-plus, techno-blinding, $18K-plus starship ADVs aren’t your thing, and you want a little bit of adventure in your diet for less than $7,000, the Honda CB500X is worth a serious look.

Debuting in 2013, the CB500X originally was intended as an economical midsize commuter bike with adventure styling. But as the adventure-bike market continued to expand in popularity, motorcycle manufacturers saw demand for bikes in this category that weren’t so intimidatingly huge in size, engine displacement, and most of all, cost. So in 2019, Honda upped the off-road ante in the CB500X, adding a 19-inch front wheel, tires with a bit more off-road intent, longer-travel suspension, a taller windscreen, and other bits to make it more appealing to this segment.

For 2021, the non-ABS version of the CB500X has been dropped, with only the ABS version available. The only available colorway is Matte Black Metallic.

The 2021 Honda CB500X retails for $6,999. Numerous accessories are available from Honda, including heated grips, 12V accessory socket, light bar, and keyed/removable hard bags.

Competitors for the Honda CB500X include the KTM 390 Adventure, Kawasaki Versys-X 300, BMW G 310 GS, and Suzuki V-Strom 650/650 XT.

The 471cc DOHC parallel-twin engine is a willing partner, both on and off-road. “It’s the engine’s loping character that’s most appreciated,” remarked CW’s testers in this CB500X and Kawasaki Versys-X 300 comparison test, adding, “It’s happy to lug along in the dirt with plenty of low-end torque or trot along the highway at a few thousand rpm, all the while netting at least 50 mpg.” The transmission action is smooth, with CW’s Serena Bleeker noting, “Clutch pull is light and modulation is easy thanks to the slipper/assist function,” in her First Ride Review of the 2020 model. On the CW in-house dyno, the 2020 CB500X cranked out 42.45 hp at 8,130 rpm and 29.25 pound-feet at 6,500 rpm.

The CB500X’s 41mm conventional nonadjustable front fork and single rear shock (only adjustable for spring preload) have damping and spring rates that are fairly firm for the off-road spectrum, and they handle that area adequately, absorbing bigger hits without bottoming harshly. The 19-inch front wheel rolls over bumps better, but also makes on-road handling just a tad slower. The ADV-style tires also compromise on-road handling and grip a bit.

A single 310mm disc and two-piston slide-pin caliper up front works with a 240mm disc/single-piston slide-pin caliper out back to provide good stopping power that lacks aggressive initial bite, which is probably a good thing for less-experienced riders in the dirt.

In CW’s test of a 2020 model CB500X, it recorded an impressive 54.6 mpg, equating to roughly 250 miles per 4.6-gallon tankful.

The CB500X’s ergos are fairly comfortable for even taller riders, in both sitting and standing positions, and the adjustable windscreen (requires tools to adjust, however) does a good job of redirecting windblast away from the rider. The single-piece seat provides adequate passenger accommodations as well.

Other than ABS, the CB500X is devoid of electronic rider aids. A plus is that the lighting is all LED.

The CB500X comes with Honda’s standard one-year/unlimited mileage warranty. Extended coverage is available through HondaCare Protection Plan.

Build quality on the CB500X is basically like any Honda: excellent. The overall fit and finish of the bike has a quality feel, and everything works as intended.