Reviews/ Honda/ Cb500x
Honda Cb500x
7.8/10 Adventure

Honda Cb500x Review

"The most sensible used motorcycle purchase under six thousand dollars."

New riders wanting reliability without feeling patronised $4,500-$6,500 used 2019-2023
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Used Buyer Review

The CB500X is Honda's answer to the question nobody asked but everyone needed answered: what if a beginner bike didn't actually feel like a beginner bike? Used examples are everywhere right now, usually with low miles because owners either upgraded quickly or barely rode them. Either way, you benefit. The parallel twin is bulletproof — genuinely Honda-reliable in a way that makes Japanese engineering feel like a moral stance. It won't excite you, but it won't embarrass you either, which matters more than people admit. Used pricing is the real story here. A 2019-2022 example with under 10k miles typically runs $4,500-$6,500, and you're getting a bike that'll do 60,000 miles without drama. Check the chain, check for tip-over damage on the crash bars, and verify the ABS light doesn't throw a fit. Pre-2019 models lack the updated suspension tune — worth knowing. The seat height suits a wide range of riders and the fuel economy is genuinely embarrassing to sports bike owners.

Pros

+Essentially indestructible engine
+Abundant used supply
+Excellent real-world fuel economy
+Surprisingly capable on highways
+Parts cheap and plentiful

Cons

-Wind protection genuinely poor
-Suspension soft for loaded touring
-Resale drops fast
-Zero excitement factor
warning
Avoid if

You need pace or daily highway wind blasting

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