2013 Honda CB500X

                                     2013 Honda CB500X

The mid-sized Honda introduced new for 2013 is aimed squarely at the beginners market and is the tallest and most adventure-looking of the three sister CB500 motorcycles.

The CB500X delivers plenty of performance to adventure sport touring riders, with its thoroughly modern, torquey 500cc parallel-twin DOHC engine. Its upright handlebar naturally accommodates a wide variety of riders, and the shape and height of the seat give more rider freedom. The CB500X is an excellent choice for riders ready to move up a displacement class, or for anyone who appreciates a great middleweight motorcycle for practical in-town riding, or fun adventure-sport touring.

The agreeably wide bars afford extra control over rough pavement, which happens to be the range of the suspension.The CB500X is comfortable and strong enough for light weekend touring duty. Honda Genuine Accessories offer such options as a centerstand, rear trunk, saddlebags, and a tall windscreen. However, adding those four options adds $2000 to what starts off as an inexpensive machine. Still, for touring on a budget, it’s doable.

The engine is the same 471cc, 47bhp parallel-twin that does duty in the F and the R. Though wearing a silver-coloured coating rather than black, it has the same untimidatingly linear power delivery, same brisk acceleration and torque-rich roll-ons, same approx-115mph top as its brothers. It’s a good, healthy engine – not madly exciting, but capable enough for most (sensible) needs, economical and forgiving.

While the F and R were designed for a global average rider, the X is an ever-so-slightly bigger bike that aims to please the (taller) average European. Its seat is 25mm higher, its forks 20mm longer, its ground clearance 15mm higher, and its wheelbase 10mm longer. All of which makes for a bike that feels just little bit more grown up than the F.

The 17-in. wheels, shod with a 120/70 front tire and a 160/60 rear, give a good indication of the bike’s asphalt intent. But that’s not to say dirt roads are out of the question. Braking is handled by a 320mm wave-style disc with a twin-piston caliper up front and a 240mm disc and single-piston caliper out back. Optional ABS braking is available.

As it’s built down to a price, equipment is necessarily basic, but you’d hardly tell. For your money the X is somehow the most pleasing of the three on the eye despite sharing the same clocks (albeit in different hues), switchgear and cycle parts. There’s a nicely textured seat, neat stainless exhaust cover, wavy discs and even hexbolts on the engine cases. None of them look cheap.

The 2013 CB500X has a base MSRP of $5,999, right in line with expectations for a member of the 500cc class of adventure motorcycles (the average price is $5,999). A 12-month factory warranty from Honda helps protect new buyers.