Honda 500s or KTM Duke 390

[Aaron702]

Hello all. I'm currently on the post-lockdown waiting list for my MOD 1 & 2 and will hopefully be gaining an A2 licence. I'm looking at upgrading from my CBF125 to something A2 friendly. My current shortlist is the Honda 500 range: CBR500R, CB500F and CB500X and the KTM Duke 390.

The main use of the bike will be commuting - 13 miles each way into central London with some dual carriageways up to 70mph. I will also take the bike out on weekends (rural and town riding) for fun and hopefully some touring (Europe and Scotland on the list currently)

Insurance has ruled out sportier offerings such as the Ninja 400 and R3. I am willing to buy brand new but am reluctant to do so in case I damage it. Budget for a used bike is about £3000 but can stretch if a good deal arises. LED lights and ABS are a must.

So, does anyone have any recommendations or owns any of the bikes mentioned? I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

[TTBen]

Out of those two I would go for the Honda every time. It'll be reliable and that is what you need to get to work. Those Xs are actually great fun too.

Come and see us if you need some new tyres.

[Jakey123]

As already said.
Honda all the way.

The KTMs are poorly built and riddled with problems.

[carinaman]

If your 125 has been problem free I'd suggest sticking with Honda.

[NorthernSky]

I learned and rode for a year a Honda Grom. Hilarious thing and 120mpg.

After passing the main tests I bought a CB500x. Plenty of power, and a huge leap in terms of a proper riding position, more comfortable, great wind protection, and cross-country ability... Still would give 75mpg as well, I had a similar distance commute to you and the 500x made me enjoy that part of my daily work!

Good 2nd hand examples are around 3k, you'll want heated grips and a taller screen in your used bargain, perhaps a nice aftermarket exhaust can as well. Mine set me back £3500 back in 2017, had triple luggage and all the above extras too, and only 5,000 miles. Similar ones will be out there. By far the best of the 500 range.

Mine also took me on some light touring - to Holland and back over a weekend, each leg of the journey completed easily inside a day. The bike never once had a problem, it is a Honda after all!

Get one of those and don't look back. I put 20,000 on mine before selling it, and only did that to acquire some 100hp+ machines. A 500 will give you the post-test real world riding experience you will need on your motorbike journey. Enough useable power, but not too much to tempt you into death defying acts on the road!

[NorthernSky]

Here's one similar to mine, although mine was a private sale. This is the same colour scheme, even has the same Fuel exhaust, heated grips as well, and very low mileage.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Interesting to note the prices haven't changed a lot, if anything most examples are closer to £3800+... Another good reason to buy yourself one, it'll hold value extremely well.

Even after 20,000 miles I sold mine for just £300 less what I paid for it in the first place.

[pip t]

Another vote for the Honda.

I had a 500X for a couple of years with very similar use to yours and it’s a great little machine. And actually not that little feeling - of the 500 range it’s the one that feels most ‘full size.’

Ok, never going to rip your arms off, but in reality it’s got plenty of power for most situations, and it’s very happy up to and well beyond the motorway speed limit, if not desperately punchy once you get above 80ish.

Pretty light, lovely revvy engine, fun without doing silly speeds - I kinda miss it in some ways!

Nicely built, and mine was faultlessly reliable. I think the 2016 model and newer have your LED lights etc, but it may be later than that.

Edited by pip t on Thursday 6th August 19:42

[hellsbuddha]

I would suggest the Honda as well, especially for commuting. You need some reliable to get you to work and not have to worry about small, niggling faults.

[ash reynolds]

500X is a cracking bike for commuting. 77mpg, quite tall - good visibility over cars, good luggage options, well made and good suspension for poor roads. All the 500's have a brilliant fizzy motor, they love revving. I use one for the same job and it does a stirling job.

[NS400R]

My son has the 500R. Cracking motorcycle. Honda build quality despite being made in Thailand, sensible riding position with raised handlebars above the triple clamps, 80mpg, faultless. No need for extended warranties unlike the European bikes.

As happy on the Black Forest B500, the Italian Alps as it is on the commute.