Motorcycle specifications HondaCB 500 X 2022 A young guide

Has the trail disappeared from the cities? No, it's just mutated. While the days of the DR, XT, Dominator and KLR are a distant memory, the crossover era is in full swing. This is where the CB 500 X really comes into its own - with the versatility of a trail bike, its accessibility to the widest possible range of riders, its appeal to young licence holders (as it is natively A2-compatible), its entry-level positioning and Honda's reputation.

It 's a motorcycleo..... Correction: it's a family of motorcycles with a teenage profile. Just the breeding ground for moments of protest. The X took advantage of a Sunday lunch with the F and R to ask Honda for a different kind of front end. The desire must have been strong, because a lot has changed for all three at once.

The first thing you notice is the addition of an inverted fork. Measuring 41 mm in diameter, it's a Showa SFF-BP with a large piston and separate damping functions. This should provide greater front-end rigidity, sensitivity and efficiency. Its mounting required new tees, but no other requirements on the "Diamond"-type tubular steel frame. The latter retains its previous characteristics. At the rear, the swingarm has taken advantage of the evolution to be redesigned, saving weight thanks to thinner steel sheets and improving its lateral flexibility.

Since its introduction, the CB 500 X has made do with a simple brake disc at the front, but now it's time for something more demanding. The 310 mm brake disc is replaced by 2 x 296 mm units. The clamps are very conventional, with 2 pistons each and a radial-like mounting on an axial bracket. The gain in power should be more than noticeable, while saving the force to be applied to the lever. An ABS is there to regulate excesses.

Engineers have also cut weight on the front wheel, with thinner spokes. As you'll recall, this wheel was upgraded from 17 to 19 inches in 2019, giving it a more trail-like feel. Work on the bike also focused on weight distribution. The old CB 500 X had a front-to-rear ratio of 48/52%; this tilts slightly towards 48.7/51.3%. The stronger front axle will be put to greater use to get the most out of the tire.

so , shall we go into the forest with this mini-Crossrunner? Yes, sparingly. The machine is designed more for urban use and the surrounding area, with an adventurous look - the potential is limited, but with its mixed tires, the CB 500 X is not averse to a little escapade. For the rough roads of the forest in question and a few small challenges. Hiking trails cracked by bad weather are best avoided.
The CB 500 X evolves quite naturally in the city and its traps, always ready for a little ride in the country. Its engine is calibrated for that, for young riders and without any fuss.

There's nothing new about this half-liter twin. Since its introduction, it has received the requisite touch-ups, including power enhancements, Euro5 compatibility, and a few odds and ends. On the other hand, the fuel injection system has received a minor update. Always to give a little more torque. No need to look for more power: the 471 cm3 is at the legal limit, with 47.5 hp. Honda doesn't want it to be throttled, even though it's originally rated at 35 kW. So, the engine-makers have to play on sensations and power distribution without touching the maximum watts.

And they've also managed to lighten the radiator by a hundred grams or so, not to save weight but to limit its inflation. The CB 500 X gained 2 kilos in the process. It is now very close to the psychological frontier of 200 kilos, give or take a unit.

As for the face, it's status quo. Nothing resembles the new X more than the old X. All the designers have touched up are the colors and the front mudguard. And that's just as well - the styling is pretty good, with a nice, edgy look. You'll notice a slight change in the look, with new, more powerful LEDs. The dashboard follows the trend, not giving in to the increasingly ubiquitous fashion for TFT screens.

The Honda CB 500 X concentrates most of its evolution on its front chassis, which, in addition to the expected gains in efficiency, unquestionably raises the level of perceived quality - without raising the price. All of which adds to the appeal of a machine that's already worth discovering.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos