Honda CB500X

Holy shit; does it really matter?

Point taken, but what about the person in the car coming in the opposite direction? They might not want to have as much fun as you, but end up paying the price anyway. I saw at least a few cars whip by in that video. I have to imagine those journalists were doing triple-digit speeds on public roads.

What if a frog had wings?

Like I said, I nor you have no idea the skill level of those riders. For some, riding at that level is safer than some I know that if observed, followed all laws, regs and appeared to be safe otherwise. I know people sometimes "play" too hard or take this sport too seriously and they pay for it. Sometimes, others who may be innocent bystanders might even pay. That's bad but I'll tell you right now, there are some riders who's skill set isn't safe even when trundling along at a "safe" sedate speed. I see at least as many busted asses in the mountains due to lack of skill as opposed playing too hard. I've been yelled at by "safe, responsable" riders that brought all the "what if scenerios". Then guess who busted their ass cause they ran outta skill?

Let others determine their acceptable level of skill, unless they are really asshatting it up. I saw the vid, they were not pulling any outright asshat manuvers for the most part. To you that looked like the risk wasn't worth the danger to them or others. To the one's doing it, they might well have been riding well with-in their particular performance and skill envelope.

But hey, I have already done my part to derail this thread. I'll bow out and quit cluttering up.

http://www.youtube.com/v/cuNYLbCNeBQ

sportive looking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEJzpEGTexY&feature=player_detailpage#t=168s

No, but it makes for a nice diversion while we are waiting for something of substance to come out about the X.

Any ideas what they're saying about it in this video? Youtube CC doesn't seem to translate this one

Sorry mate, I only speak spanish (barely )

Put my deposit down on a cb500x today. I am PSYCHED!

Had long been considering the BMW F650/700/800 gs series and/or the Tiger 800, but with our first baby arriving in March, life, and our finances, suddenly took a 180 degree turn. Spending $11 - $12k on a toy (albeit one that I would use on a near daily basis, 8 months out of the year) no longer seemed like the responsible thing to do, so I figured that a larger displacement bike was not in my future.

My wife and I have ridden our little TW200s upwards of 1,200 miles round trip (NE to Mont Tremblant, CND and back), but despite that fact, the daily highway commute to and from work still leaves a little to be desired!

While searching the internet for the latest and greatest in "ADV" type bike offerings, up popped the 500x. I was intrigued by the specs.

Long story short: I sat on the F version at my local shop today and man did it ever impress in person; MUCH nicer looking than anything I saw online. A very sharp looking bike. I loved how compact and nimble it looked compared to the bigger bikes around me. The V-Strom seemed like a bike made for a giant compared to the 500F. Although the "X" was not to be in stock until July, I felt as though I got a good enough feel for the machine by spending some time with the F. After a bit of haggling, out came the plastic and a deposit. Bike has been ordered and I could not be happier.

After having spent so much time putting around on a little 200cc bike, stepping up to the CB500x is just the ticket. I've come to really appreciate all that a smaller, nimble bike has to offer, and the 500x, though a lot more bike, still retains much of what I've come to love about the T-Dub.

The big question now: Do I sell my T-Dub to help offset the expense of a new bike purchase?! My wife is dead-set against my doing so, as she worries that we will no longer be able to go "T-Dubbing" together

I wouldn't sell it if possible. The two bikes are very different and will allow you to have a bike for nearly any reasonable need/want.

I hear you man and, I won't - I love my T-Dub. We've been through a lot together! She may be small, but I don't think you find many bikes capable of doing everything she can.

Also, the fact that my wife loves "T-Dubbing" together is worth the extra coin I'll have to spend out of pocket on the 500x anyway.

I rented a brand new 500x in Thailand 2 weeks ago and while it was too small framed for my 6'1" body, it was otherwise a great bike. Very smooth motor. Good acceleration. I rode a rocky, dirt road and was worried about the cast wheels. If I was a couple inches shorter, it would be on my list.

Same here.

My wife learned on a TW200 and I wish I hadn't sold even though I have a xr and she has a DR now and the TW was sorta redundant which was the justification for selling it. Every time I ride in mud or snow I remember just how good the little TW was.

:eek1 Where did that pic come from???

Just remember that the 500X is a street bike with body work. It doesn't have the suspension for much beyond simple gravel roads without modification. I'd keep the TW200's.

I notice a few usernames from the new CB500Riders forum.

Good work folks, I may well join the ranks in 2014.

Good to see Hepco Becker, Ermax, and others, already getting busy with the 500X farkles.

Exactly my position; here in the UK living costs are up across the board, $8 a gallon for fuel, the economy is flat-lining, no pay rises for the last 4 years. It gets hard to justify that dream purchase.

I figure that 50bhp and very good mpg will mean I can ride more miles, more often, just a bit slower than usual . And there are just as many options on the bike for comfort and luggage, as on larger ADV tourers.

A Asian cb500 forum.

MCN (UK) reviewed in the X in their print issue, and declared it the best of the 500 series.

Admittedly, this is in part to the larger dimensions of the bike, which probably suit the post-40 years old guys (most of us) who like the bike as a down-sizer option, rather than a starter bike.