CB500x - anyone got one?
Discussion
Contemplating a CB500x as my first big bike. (like this)
does anyone have one? - I'm interested in opinions. Most (95%) of the time I have a couple of miles to ride to the station and back, so really don't need a big bike - but would be nice to have something that I could do longer rides on - and I don't want two bikes.
I have a friend who has one who raves about it, and most of the reviews (e.g the ones on MCN) say it's good, also, the PCP deals seem very attractive. However on the cb500x forum (which I think is american) - it was getting a bit of a kicking for being dull.
Specific Questions:
does anyone have one? - I'm interested in opinions. Most (95%) of the time I have a couple of miles to ride to the station and back, so really don't need a big bike - but would be nice to have something that I could do longer rides on - and I don't want two bikes.
I have a friend who has one who raves about it, and most of the reviews (e.g the ones on MCN) say it's good, also, the PCP deals seem very attractive. However on the cb500x forum (which I think is american) - it was getting a bit of a kicking for being dull.
Specific Questions:
- when does it run out of puff? - will it happily cruise at 75ish?
- Given I did DAS and have a full license, am I nuts to buy an A2 bike?
I dont have a 500X but I do have one of its stable mates, the 500R. Its an enjoyable enough bike to ride, smooth to operate etc. Good fuel economy and accelerates well when you hook it up right. I also have a full license so the fact it is aimed at A2 category riders shouldn't put you off. Mine is primarily used for commuting to work, but I have taken it on weekend rides in the past and it is certainly capable.
I cant comment on the ergonomics of the X but I find the R is comfortable on long rides. It will happily sit at 70+ mph on the motorway with enough spare grunt for a quick overtake, although your size and weight might have an affect on this.
I cant comment on the ergonomics of the X but I find the R is comfortable on long rides. It will happily sit at 70+ mph on the motorway with enough spare grunt for a quick overtake, although your size and weight might have an affect on this.
I had a go on one as well as a NC750 when I was looking for a commuter recently. The 500 is more fun than the 750 as it enjoys a good thrashing.
As has been said though nothing with an engine stuck between two wheels is dull. Most of the dispatchers around London seem to be having a right laugh ragging the 500.
I went for a super scoot in the end as I just fancied something different but will probably go for a 500x when I'm bored of being a scooterist and getting spat on by proper bikers.
I got an S1000XR as well recently. Now, that is fun but a touch overkill for Central London commuting.
As has been said though nothing with an engine stuck between two wheels is dull. Most of the dispatchers around London seem to be having a right laugh ragging the 500.
I went for a super scoot in the end as I just fancied something different but will probably go for a 500x when I'm bored of being a scooterist and getting spat on by proper bikers.
I got an S1000XR as well recently. Now, that is fun but a touch overkill for Central London commuting.
Yep, I got one about 3 weeks ago and it's a hoot :-)
I also have a full licence not an A2, and I don't find it underpowered at all really, not for real world use. It'll happily sit at 80, and gets there with enough vigour to be fun. It's great on a fun road - small, light and agile, and again, as long as you hit the right gear, it's got plenty of puff available for overtaking and firing you out of corners. Sure, it's not a Fireblade, but plenty of usable performance. Bear in mind that I'm a bit waif like, so it doesn't have much to move when I'm on it....
The only faults I've found so far is the exhaust note could be a little fruitier, and the stock screen isn't great, it buffeted me a lot, but taller screens are easily available.
On another note, I'm intrigued as to where on the cb500x forum you found it getting a kicking....I've been on there a few times and always found it a bit sycophantic towards it....!
I also have a full licence not an A2, and I don't find it underpowered at all really, not for real world use. It'll happily sit at 80, and gets there with enough vigour to be fun. It's great on a fun road - small, light and agile, and again, as long as you hit the right gear, it's got plenty of puff available for overtaking and firing you out of corners. Sure, it's not a Fireblade, but plenty of usable performance. Bear in mind that I'm a bit waif like, so it doesn't have much to move when I'm on it....
The only faults I've found so far is the exhaust note could be a little fruitier, and the stock screen isn't great, it buffeted me a lot, but taller screens are easily available.
On another note, I'm intrigued as to where on the cb500x forum you found it getting a kicking....I've been on there a few times and always found it a bit sycophantic towards it....!
BuzzBravado said:
jcelee said:
How much cheaper is it than an MT07? There are some modest discounts available on these now and its a superb bike with a little more go than the CB500 range but no additional size / weight.
And sounds much much nicer. I have sat on my brother in law's MT07 and it is extremely light, however a bike being too light can be problematic if you are caught out in windy conditions on it.
pip t said:
Yep, I got one about 3 weeks ago and it's a hoot :-)
I also have a full licence not an A2, and I don't find it underpowered at all really, not for real world use. It'll happily sit at 80, and gets there with enough vigour to be fun. It's great on a fun road - small, light and agile, and again, as long as you hit the right gear, it's got plenty of puff available for overtaking and firing you out of corners. Sure, it's not a Fireblade, but plenty of usable performance. Bear in mind that I'm a bit waif like, so it doesn't have much to move when I'm on it....
The only faults I've found so far is the exhaust note could be a little fruitier, and the stock screen isn't great, it buffeted me a lot, but taller screens are easily available.
On another note, I'm intrigued as to where on the cb500x forum you found it getting a kicking....I've been on there a few times and always found it a bit sycophantic towards it....!
It was here http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2846...I also have a full licence not an A2, and I don't find it underpowered at all really, not for real world use. It'll happily sit at 80, and gets there with enough vigour to be fun. It's great on a fun road - small, light and agile, and again, as long as you hit the right gear, it's got plenty of puff available for overtaking and firing you out of corners. Sure, it's not a Fireblade, but plenty of usable performance. Bear in mind that I'm a bit waif like, so it doesn't have much to move when I'm on it....
The only faults I've found so far is the exhaust note could be a little fruitier, and the stock screen isn't great, it buffeted me a lot, but taller screens are easily available.
On another note, I'm intrigued as to where on the cb500x forum you found it getting a kicking....I've been on there a few times and always found it a bit sycophantic towards it....!
So I lied (sorry) it wasn't the cb500 forums
phatmanace said:
- when does it run out of puff? - will it happily cruise at 75ish?
However from what I can see the MT-07 is only about £150 more, and is the bike I'd choose in this case. The extra VED is pretty insignificant over the course of a year.
Yep I have one as my main bike that I use for everything (apart from fast road and track work, obviously) when not using the R1
I kept a lengthy diary of it here http://www.cb500x.com/index.php?topic=798.0 as I have done some pretty big miles on it.
It's done a 3000 mile european tour, 2 up with full hard luggage loaded panniers.
It will sit at 90mph on the motorway and achieve 60mpg, sure its revving high but the engine can cope with it fine, if you want to drop the revs drop a tooth on the rear sprocket. Mine has done the best part of its 50,000 miles in 2 years at 90mph at standard gearing.
Its a nimble bike that is perfect for me in London traffic.
Only problem i have had is with the chain. The standard DID unit they fit is hilariously bad. But apart from that its been a brilliant bike and one that i will keep until its run into the ground.
I nearly replaced it with an MT09 but its was too snatchy and revvy for a commuter.
Let me know if you want more info. If you were local i would say you can borrow it for a day to give it a full test. Fowlers let me have one for 4 hours which made my mind up.
I kept a lengthy diary of it here http://www.cb500x.com/index.php?topic=798.0 as I have done some pretty big miles on it.
It's done a 3000 mile european tour, 2 up with full hard luggage loaded panniers.
It will sit at 90mph on the motorway and achieve 60mpg, sure its revving high but the engine can cope with it fine, if you want to drop the revs drop a tooth on the rear sprocket. Mine has done the best part of its 50,000 miles in 2 years at 90mph at standard gearing.
Its a nimble bike that is perfect for me in London traffic.
Only problem i have had is with the chain. The standard DID unit they fit is hilariously bad. But apart from that its been a brilliant bike and one that i will keep until its run into the ground.
I nearly replaced it with an MT09 but its was too snatchy and revvy for a commuter.
Let me know if you want more info. If you were local i would say you can borrow it for a day to give it a full test. Fowlers let me have one for 4 hours which made my mind up.
Mr2Mike said:
phatmanace said:
- when does it run out of puff? - will it happily cruise at 75ish?
However from what I can see the MT-07 is only about £150 more, and is the bike I'd choose in this case. The extra VED is pretty insignificant over the course of a year.
phatmanace said:
yammyfan said:
Only problem i have had is with the chain. The standard DID unit they fit is hilariously bad. But apart from that its been a brilliant bike and one that i will keep until its run into the ground.
sorry - dumb qn - what's a DID unit ?EagleMoto4-2 said:
phatmanace said:
yammyfan said:
Only problem i have had is with the chain. The standard DID unit they fit is hilariously bad. But apart from that its been a brilliant bike and one that i will keep until its run into the ground.
sorry - dumb qn - what's a DID unit ?Answering your initial question tho for odd trips to the station and longer rides on days when you fancy it, you can't go wrong with the 500x. The other CB500 models did nothing for me as its not a 'sporty' bike so I don't think it should be dressed as one.
I got the 'adventure' pack with mine which included:
Hard Luggage
Centre Stand
Heated Grips
Hand Guards
This cost an extra £1000 and the luggage locks are absolute s
t so i would suggest buying the base model CB500x and adding the extras for sub £500....unless they throw it in to sweeten the deal of course.yammyfan said:
EagleMoto4-2 said:
phatmanace said:
yammyfan said:
Only problem i have had is with the chain. The standard DID unit they fit is hilariously bad. But apart from that its been a brilliant bike and one that i will keep until its run into the ground.
sorry - dumb qn - what's a DID unit ?Answering your initial question tho for odd trips to the station and longer rides on days when you fancy it, you can't go wrong with the 500x. The other CB500 models did nothing for me as its not a 'sporty' bike so I don't think it should be dressed as one.
I got the 'adventure' pack with mine which included:
Hard Luggage
Centre Stand
Heated Grips
Hand Guards
This cost an extra £1000 and the luggage locks are absolute s
t so i would suggest buying the base model CB500x and adding the extras for sub £500....unless they throw it in to sweeten the deal of course.Thank you - I'm reading through the other thread - thanks for all the information here, its really useful!
yammyfan said:
Answering your initial question tho for odd trips to the station and longer rides on days when you fancy it, you can't go wrong with the 500x. The other CB500 models did nothing for me as its not a 'sporty' bike so I don't think it should be dressed as one.
Seeing as all 3 of the CB500 models share the same chassis, engine and drivetrain, couldnt the same argument you applied to the other models doing nothing for you be applied to the 500X as well? It appears from the outside to be an adventure bike but is it able to do things adventure bikes were designed for, as well as other ones that it has been made to look like?EagleMoto4-2 said:
yammyfan said:
Answering your initial question tho for odd trips to the station and longer rides on days when you fancy it, you can't go wrong with the 500x. The other CB500 models did nothing for me as its not a 'sporty' bike so I don't think it should be dressed as one.
Seeing as all 3 of the CB500 models share the same chassis, engine and drivetrain, couldnt the same argument you applied to the other models doing nothing for you be applied to the 500X as well? It appears from the outside to be an adventure bike but is it able to do things adventure bikes were designed for, as well as other ones that it has been made to look like?My point was coming more from the fact I have an R1 as a second bike so getting a bike with 1/4 of the horse power in sports trim would be a rather odd purchase. (admittedly this may not be the case for everyone!)
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