KIWI RIDER 03 2020 VOL1 | Page 56

The motor is very frugal, extremely easy to ride with a lovely power delivery that won’t intimidate anyone. Yet, it’s still quite perky and capable of effortless, quick-ish motorway cruising and will top out at over 170km/h. The weakest aspect of the CB500X’s arsenal is true adventure style riding in the Kiwi sense. In standard trim it is happily gravel road capable, but not much more. It has alloy wheels fitted with around 80/20 percent tyres – meaning 80 percent road suitable in sizes of 160/60 17- inch rear and 110/80 19-inch front. The Dunlop MixTour tyres work great on tarmac, are average on gravel and simply don’t grip grass or mud. It’s fair to say the Honda is an adventure-styled road bike. And that’s not a bad thing –it genuinely covers all roads touring, the daily commute and 56 KIWI RIDER everything in between in the nicest way possible. Yip, damned versatile. The engine is a 471cc liquid cooled, DOHC, parallel twin with perfect fuelling producing a healthy 47hp. It has a slick-shifting six-speed gearbox. The power delivery is faultless from the difficult to stall take-off point, through the completely linear progression on to red line and the rev limiter. She’s perky enough to wheelie in first and a pop of clutch can just help the fun factor along nicely. On the road the power feels modestly brisk and quick enough in most situations. Through commuter traffic the 500X is a breeze with smooth, useful power and light, agile and accurate handling. Out on the open road the handling is lovely. Turn-in is light, nimble and planted, while mid-corner stability is excellent.