2024 Honda NX500 Review | LAMS Motorcycle Test

2024 Honda NX500 Assessment

Honda’s entry-level mushy roader CB500X has been up to date and rebranded for 2024. Meet the NX500. The NX mannequin prefix will carry again recollections for some, with the outdated Dominator NX650 being a extra off-road-oriented possibility from 20-odd years again. However that’s not fairly the case this time round. Honda has caught to what they name their Journey Cross line, which is extra of a mushy roader-do-it-all kinda deal.

You could have seen some tweaked NX500s on social media smashing off-road trails, and whereas that could be potential with some critical suspension amongst different issues, let’s be clear, as delivered from the manufacturing unit they’re very a lot road-oriented. Tarmac sure. Clean gravel, sure. 4WD tracks? Mmmm… doable with higher rubber however that’s not likely the design transient.

Whether or not or not a extra rowdy variant is on the playing cards for these seeking to go additional off the crushed observe stays a type of unanswered mysteries, very like the query of why there isn’t mouse-flavoured cat meals. However what I can inform you after spending just a few weeks on-board the little 500 is that this bike could be very a lot a multi-purpose device that can attraction to a reasonably broad unfold of riders.

Very like its sister-bike the CBR500R I reviewed just lately, the NX is comparatively small and comparatively gentle. The key phrase there may be comparatively. It nonetheless suggestions the scales at 196 kg however holds that heft properly resulting from its low general top in comparison with greater Journey choices. Lifeless straightforward to manoeuvre round at standstill. Very learner pleasant.

At 834 mm its a simple factor to throw the leg over and sit flat-footed. The bars are additionally comfortably low, which makes for a simple sitting experience place for every single day using, though I discovered them somewhat low for standing. For me, at simply over 180 cm, it wasn’t a present stopper, however I’d in all probability think about bar risers if I had been to have one within the shed and throw some mods at it.

One of many huge variations from the CBR500R is the suspension. Longer journey 41 mm Showa SFF-BP forks and a Showa pre-load adjustable shock. That’s a number of letters for these uninitiated into the world of Showa, it stands for Separate Perform Fork Large Piston which suggests the spring is in a single fork leg and the damper within the different. A design that ought to give the very best suspension efficiency. I discovered the usual setting of two (out of 5), to be too mushy for my 85 kg, even with out baggage or a pillion, however tweaking that to setting 4 did enhance issues.

At that setting, it’s nonetheless skewed in direction of consolation quite than efficiency, however it was noticeably much less liable to fall by means of the stroke, the place it might wallow and bounce off repeated bumps on the manufacturing unit setting.

I feel for those who’re taking a look at loading the bike up with baggage or a pillion often you’d in all probability do effectively to contemplate a stiffer spring (not in contrast to the Transalp then in that regard). But when it’s simply you more often than not, and you’ve got extra willpower in opposition to the evil that’s raspberry and white chocolate muffins, it’ll be shut sufficient.

That seat wasn’t as snug as I believed it could be after just a few hours within the saddle. Should you’re not doing huge seat time it received’t be a difficulty, however I used to be in search of respite after one 300 plus kilometre morning.

Steers properly although. There’s a 3 kg weight enchancment over the outgoing mannequin and the spring charges have been revised – I can’t inform you how that compares to the outdated mannequin as I didn’t experience it, however I can inform you it suggestions in properly and offers loads of suggestions from the entrance mid-corner. Most likely helped there by a mixed 1.5 kg saving off the wheels. The longer I had it, the extra I gelled with it.

Not a number of grip in rocky gravel with these road-oriented tyres, as you’ll count on.  One thing like a Pirelli Scorpion STR could be a pleasant alternative for this one I reckon, for those who had the occasional gravel observe in thoughts.

Rounding out the consolation facet of issues, I did discover somewhat little bit of wind getting round that display screen. I wouldn’t say it felt like buffeting as such, although I’m fairly resilient to that at the very best of occasions. So I’m conscious that some are extra delicate in that regard so it’s price a check experience to see what you suppose there. I’m positive there’d be loads of optionally available and aftermarket taller screens accessible if it was a difficulty for you. Not sufficient of an issue to concern me and I’d depart it as is.

I’ve talked a lot in regards to the pretty little 471 cc parallel-twin beforehand, so received’t dwell on that an excessive amount of right here aside from to say it’s a peach. Tuned for somewhat extra torque on this guise, it’s nonetheless superbly fuelled, delivering its energy from good and low in probably the most no-fuss Honda approach conceivable. Backside finish and mid-range are easy and robust – which is the place you’ll be more often than not on the street.

It has a 17.5 litre tank which is sweet sufficient for round 400 km from a tank in regular circumstances. It’s fairly frugal on the juice that little engine, which simply provides to the low value of possession, remembering that lower-powered bikes use much less tyres and brakes too.

Straightforward controls and switch-gear features a easy one press button to deactivate TC for those who really feel the necessity for wheelies or skids. Appears to work… 😉

And on the street it’s a correct adaptable factor. Nice for day journeys. I took it down the coast with a mate. I used it on my 230 km return commute into the town a lot of occasions. I bumped into city for procuring journeys. And in the end obtained the sensation that there wasn’t something it wasn’t up for on-road. Fairly the enjoyable factor to only leap on and experience.

Brakes look the identical because the CBR500R and I had no points in any respect with them right here. I feel you’re much less more likely to be hammering them as onerous as that bike and so they felt proper for the longer journey setup on the NX.

That new 5 inch TFT sprint is sweet and shiny and clear, with a good design. It’s somewhat reflective in some gentle circumstances however undoubtedly worthy. On-screen turn-by-turn nav is included on the NX which will probably be a serious tick for lots of riders.

The lights then again are a bit ho-hum. Full beam was fairly tight and the auxiliary lights are very a lot that. Not what I’d think about spotlights.  I’d be wanting into upgraded bulbs for prime beam and higher spotties to provide me a bit extra kangaroo-dodging confidence if it had been to remain longer at Casa del Wayno.

It did come to me with some good equipment although as you possibly can see within the pics. Centre-stand, crash-bars and fog-lights, plastic hand-guards, rim stickers and a bunch of baggage choices.  I had a tank bag, high field and mushy panniers. All the bags! Tank baggage aren’t actually my factor however it was a cinch to placed on and off – as all of them had been really. The highest field didn’t appear tremendous robust in its plastic materials, however was lockable nonetheless.

I preferred the mushy panniers probably the most. Lifeless straightforward to placed on and off onto the accent racks (with out the necessity for a key), and I feel they appeared fairly good too. I did spot an optionally available 15-22 L rear seat-bag that may be placed on with out the rear platform too, which I’d personally in all probability go for as I wouldn’t have a pillion.

So the place does that depart us. Fairly the first rate possibility for an entry degree Journey-Tourer slash crossover. Good construct high quality, straightforward, accessible, forgiving street manners.

It’s in all probability not superior at something specifically. Nevertheless it’s fairly rattling good at every thing. Cruise management and an adjustable display screen can be good, however in all probability aren’t present stoppers on the value Honda is asking I don’t suppose.

A worthy bike to contemplate for those who’re out there for positive. The purple seems to be very good, however I feel I just like the white much more.

Honda NX500 Hits

• Good and low, straightforward to experience, snug experience place.
• Does practically every thing fairly effectively (on-road)
• Pretty parallel twin engine is a peach
• Properly priced on the entry degree market and may very well be tweaked over time because the rider beneficial properties extra expertise and desires to broaden their horizons somewhat.

Honda NX500 Misses

• Suspension is on the mushy facet for those who’re carrying pies, baggage or pillions.
• Plastic hand guards received’t guard from rather more than bugs
• Lights are a bit peculiar for those who’re attempting to maintain an eye fixed out for wildlife
• Seat will begin to really feel agency after just a few hours on it.

2024 Honda NX500 Specs

2024 Honda NX500 Pictures

Pictures by RbMotoLens