Not often you get to watch a review where the reviewer is literally reviewing the bike you are buying! Had to pause to check the reg but I am soon to be the proud owner of this ex Rally Raid demo!

Great review Nathan. I missed out on the new model because I bought my 2018 in October and had no idea that the new one was on its way. I have gone up a tooth on the front to make motorways more manageable. Fuel economy is incredible on the 500. I fancied a VFR800X crossrunner but running costs get doubled and I commute a thousand miles a month on it. Cheers for your hard work Nathan. Cheers.

I am trying to justify the cost of the spoked wheels. They were necessary on the earlier models because they lacked the 19” front wheel. I know that the spoked wheels are stronger, but $1500.00 usd is a lot of money and for 2019 model may be an indulgence.

16T sprocket (over 15T) makes a decent difference to the old CB500x, with it feeling a little revved up on the motorway. Nice little review 👍

can't go wrong with any Japanese 500 twin, proven reliability enough power to put a grin on your face and then its just down to what you want it to do and the ergonomics for the individual rider.

You need Giant Loops Siskiyou bags. Great kit there. Excellent review. Very informative.

Great review. Have you experimented with the suspension settings or just leaved it in default values? I have increased slow speed damping 2 clicks and decreased rebound and high speed damping 2 clicks. To get a more plush ride without sacrify stability in the corners. Im no sure if it will be my final settings yet.

Good honest size-up as usual Nathan. On the soft luggage... I have the larger sized Great Basin and like it on the KLR 650. I team it up with their large dry bag, I can't remember if it is the Tillamook or Columbia.(It is freaking huge if it needs to be.) But, I agree, it can be frustrating to get to stuff in the bottom of the "legs". If money isn't a barrier the Mosko Moto stuff would be hard to beat, in fairness.

Would you still choose this over the HImalayan if the CB500X was stock?

How would you compare the stock 500X to the Himalayan. It would seem to be a better road bike, but what about the rougher stuff? I can't find any comparisons of these two bikes anywhere and they seem like the most logical bikes to compare for the lower capacity adventure / entry level.

Hi Nathan I have a 2020 cb500x I changed the front sprocket to a 16 tooth and in my opinion its much better with longer gears its now not as frantic and not revving its nuts off at 80mph

I assume the himalayan is old news now lol, Nathans video of the himalayan actually cought my attention of the bike, and now I have one 👍 having mega fun with it! I suppose I'll start watching the next himalayan owner because that's what I do..... Watch people ride my bike while looking forward to the weekend lol

So it seems RR is made in the Uk. I’m in Canada. Regardless. Thanks for the suggestions on riding it for a bit. I was thinking on trading my crfl 250 in for a 2021 cbx 500 it seems the 2019 model is the way to go. Shall I bite the bullet and trade it in for a 2021 cbx ? I like the idea of upgrading as I go. We do do off-road as well as roads, service roads, I understand the cbx can do single track if it’s not too technical . I just need a bit more powa. We are loaded up with camping gear as well Any thoughts ?

I was going to get one, had a test ride but unfortunately not enough power at higher speeds ie 70+ on motorway riding to get out of any trouble. Honda should of given it an unrestricted/higher power version then nearly perfect!

Your accessment on the motorway is spot on 70 onwards the engine is now working too hard, I know I own one! Would a swap of an earlier ecu corrcet this?

@johncrittenden9107

3 жыл бұрын

I fitted a 16 tooth front sprocket on my 2020 cb500x and its a better all round bike with longer gears and its not revving its nuts off at 80mph

Hi Nathan. Really good review and it sounds like the bike has been transformed but doesn't the cost make impractical? I totted up the prices of the items you mentioned on the RR website and it came to about £3700 and if you add this to the cost of the bike that gets you close to £10k ie more expensive than bikes such as the KTM 690 Enduro, Yamaha Tenere and no doubt a number of others. I suppose the 500x might be considered more user friendly ie lower seat height and possibly softer power delivery? Cheers Mike (in Worcester)

Hi Nathan. Thanks for the review, I think the CB is a good bike, and Rally Raid have designed some good quality products for this and other bikes. Where this falls down for me is the economics. The list price of the Honda is £6069, add in around £3300 for the Level 2 suspension and wheels, the engine bars, the rack, and pegs, and you now into almost £9.5k. You could get a new Yamaha Tenere and still have a grand to add extras, or you could have 2 RE Himalayan's for the same cost. There's also other offerings from SWM and AJP which would be in contention. Where it probably makes more sense is if you have an older CB500X or buy a used one, and put the money in to upgrade it with the RR parts. Just my thoughts, look forward to your next video!

@motohobo

5 жыл бұрын

Peakrider: more or less exactly what I was going to say. Iike the RR upgrades. I like the cb500x. Together they're a great combination. But for £9500 or thereabouts? I donk think so. If I can find a good, well looked after cb500x for about £3,000 I might be tempted to go with the RR upgrades. What I can't understand is why Honda don't stick spoked wheels on, upgrade the suspension etc. The things would fly out the showrooms!

@peakrider4886

5 жыл бұрын

The moto hobo I agree, it’s not like Honda couldn’t raid the existing parts bin, especially amongst their pure off-road enduro range and take a shock and forks from one of them. At least the CB’s reliability and build quality is top draw, so even a used one will be a good solid bike.

@wanderlpnw

5 жыл бұрын

The suspension is much better tho. To make the Tenere's suspension equal, you'd have to spend another $1500. If that doesn't matter to you, then yeah the Tenere is a better value.

@adamnagel7436

5 жыл бұрын

@@wanderlpnw exactly

@harrybrown4815

5 жыл бұрын

If you are going to spend 9k I'd go down the NC 700 route and customise it. Better weight distribution more grunt I think it's a mop brainer. That said and as I've already mentioned any map 500 twin is a great base to build into an adventure tourer

Hi Mate. I finally did it and got CRF250l (couldn't justify the extra 'everything' of the 450!), just a question, on the green lanes is it worth lowering the tyre pressures on the stock tyres? I haven't messed around with them yet so no rim locks, etc. Currently running 22psi on the roads. I have heard a great deal of conflicting info on this!!

@atzepeng4110

5 жыл бұрын

I got crf250l with dunlop d605 tires currently. For regular commuting I run them on 25psi, single track a bit under 20. Lower than that would only make sense for sand. My 0.02$.

Can we see the kit?!

Have I missed something, what happened to the Australian Garbage run? Been months since I saw anything.

@motogusnz

5 жыл бұрын

Kirky007 likewise, but pleased to hear obviously in one piece. Wondering if an update is on the cards.

I was planning on picking one up soon. How much is the stage 3 RR package.? And how long shall I ride it stock to get the ‘feel’ of it before I go RR .?

@nathanthepostman

3 жыл бұрын

I think if you bolted on everything it's about £2.5k. have a look here; www.rally-raidproducts.co.uk/

@nathanthepostman

3 жыл бұрын

But the good thing about it is you can just pick and choose what you need depending on what you're going to be doing with it. But I'd just ride it a bit and see what you like, what you don't like and then look to upgrade that particular area. Depends on your budget as well obviously

I have no interest in this bike, but your reviews are always interesting and informative.

I would have liked to have seen moor of the bike.

Which tyres did you say are fitted?

@johnw2758

5 жыл бұрын

Anlas Capra X

Hi nathan..Have yu still got himalayan if so how's it performing... do like rally raid spec honda probably all the bike most of us want,..... cheers from versys 650 owner dave......ps been thinking of getting himalayan for second all rounder...👍👍👍..

@kirky0073

5 жыл бұрын

Just get one. Get two, great bike.

@danwilson8390

4 жыл бұрын

Did you get one in the end?? I had a versys 650 and thought the same..... I'll get a himalayan as a second all round fun bike - long story short - the versys has been sold 😂

@caroldave4037

4 жыл бұрын

@@danwilson8390 yeah bought a himalayan 2 weeks ago only done 150 miles it seems absooooooloooootly brillant forget big speed it's brill to ride back roads here in cumbria. and will do off roading too.....I do think the seat foam is in need of a firmer density...cheers from dave

@kirky0073

4 жыл бұрын

@@caroldave4037 Told ye!

@danwilson8390

4 жыл бұрын

I quite like the fact of no big speeds, had a few fill your pants moments on the versys but not once on the himalayan! I like (and used to) the fact that I have to take the more scenic route to go where I'm going 👍

You wanted a bit more power on the CB 500X but not so much on the Himalayan. Strange.

@nathanthepostman

4 жыл бұрын

No I think I've said a bit more power on the Himalayan would be nice as well. But they're very different bikes. The Himalayan gets away with lower power as it works so well on the trails. I can't remember exactly what I said about the Honda but from memory I wanted stronger brakes, not more power

What was the MPG

@jonthepomiamtheone

3 жыл бұрын

low to mid 70's i think he said

I've had one for a few years now, sans 19" front wheel. It's great for riding within 300 miles with a lot of offroad. I can pick it up relatively easily when I'm alone, which is important. Where I've really met its limitation is in the Canadian Rockies. It is just useless on highways in high mountains.

Mmeh.. it could have been something in-between the rally crf 250 and the Africa twin but it just looks like a commuter for the road. If it was more rally styled they'd have a winner.