Honda's adventure-ready NX500 boasts a proven combination of a responsive twin-cylinder engine, agile handling and adventure-touring versatility. The result is a motorcycle that blends rugged capability with effortless operation, ensuring that every ride is a memorable journey—from the daily commute to weekend exploration.
HISTORY
Originally launched in 2013, the CB500X (as it was called then) brought crossover adventure style to Honda's fun-focused twin-cylinder light-middleweight engine platform. The model's usefulness was down to a straightforward equation—a perky, well-regarded twin-cylinder engine that produced real torque and drive from low rpm, and revved hard up top, plus a chassis that gave a comfortable ride around town and on the open highway, all wrapped up in distinctive adventure styling.
Driven by customer feedback, the model became more adventurous over time. A 2016 upgrade included a taller windscreen and fresh styling. The bike also gained LED lighting, a spring-preload-adjustable fork and an adjustable brake lever. Another evolution happened in 2019, with a switch to a 19-inch front wheel (from 17 inches) injecting even more "True Adventure" performance. The CB500X delivered competence and adaptability for a wide variety of owners, effortlessly slipping between the roles of short-hop commuter and weekend tourer. Long-travel suspension ironed out irregular road surfaces, a wide handlebar provided leverage and the upright riding position delivered comfort and a wide field of view. Having proved its popularity, the CB500X received additional improvements for the 2022 model year, including a high-quality 41mm SFF-BP inverted fork, dual front disc brakes, a lightweight swingarm and a redesigned front wheel.
For the 2024 model year, Honda refined the formula for this bike while preserving its core character. The name was changed to NX500, carving out the model's own identity, with aggressively redesigned styling, premium technology and a variety of detail upgrades.
DESIGN / STYLING
Directed by the design theme "Daily Crossover," the NX500 looks the part wherever it goes—city block, winding road, highway or gravel trail—with styling that mixes compact, adventure-ready usability with an imposing silhouette and solidity of form. An LED headlight design has excellent beam penetration but emits wide light distribution for exceptional visibility at night. It's matched to an LED taillight; all other lighting is also LED.
Meter / Controls
The five-inch full-color TFT screen uses optical bonding to maximize visibility in bright sunlight. The gap between the cover glass and TFT screen is sealed with resin to minimize glare and optimize backlight transmittance. Owners can customize the display patterns (Bar, Circle and Simple), and navigating through the TFT display settings is simple and intuitive thanks to the backlit four-way toggle switch located on the left side of the handlebar.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The NX500's 471cc, eight-valve, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin-cylinder engine layout offers a well-proportioned balance of physical size and enjoyable power, with an energetic, high-revving character and zippy top end. The engine's overall performance and character belie its relatively small capacity. Acceleration is impressive, due to good low-to-midrange power and torque in the 3,000 to 7,000 rpm range.
Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) responds to rear-wheel traction for peace of mind. The system compares front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear slip and, when needed, it controls the fuel injection to smoothly reduce torque. HSTC can also be turned off completely if the rider wishes.
Feeding the programmed electronic fuel injection (PGM-FI) is a relatively straight shot of air through the airbox and throttle bodies; the settings optimize torque feel and character, without compromising performance. The exhaust muffler features dual exit pipes, giving a sporting edge to each pulse, as well as a rasping high-rpm howl.
Bore and stroke are 67.0mm x 66.8mm, with a compression ratio of 10.7:1; the crankshaft pins are phased at 180°, and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike's center of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, minimizing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance, and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia.
Acting as a stressed member, the engine complements the frame's rigidity, with four hangers on the cylinder head. Internally, the head uses roller rocker arms; shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, for lower valve-spring load and reduced friction.
The pin surfaces on the silent (SV Chain) cam chain are treated with Vanadium, reducing friction, with increased protection against wear. Inlet-valve diameter is 26.0mm, while exhaust-valve diameter is 21.5mm.
The piston shape is carefully designed to minimize noise at high rpm. Friction is reduced by striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area and introduces gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication). The triangle proportion of crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft is efficiently compact. The crankcases use centrifugally cast thin-walled sleeves; their internal design reduces the pumping losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. A deep sump minimizes oil movement under hard cornering and braking; oil capacity is 3.2 liters. The smooth-shifting six-speed transmission is managed by an assist/slipper clutch, which reduces lever effort, as well as rear-wheel hop under hard braking and downshifting.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
Light and strong, the NX500's 35mm diameter steel diamond-tube mainframe has a tuned degree of yield that gives plenty of feedback to the rider as road surfaces change. The shape and position of the engine mounts, plus the frame's rigidity balance, keep vibration to a minimum.
Geometry
A slim seat profile allows for free movement around the machine and aids easy ground reach. To help maneuverability, the steering angle is 38° from center to full lock. A gunmetal gray tapered-steel handlebar further elevates control. Seat height is 32.8 inches, and the upright riding position is very accommodating, while providing excellent visibility. Overall dimensions are 85.2 inches long, 32.7 inches wide x 55.8 inches tall, with 7.1 inches of ground clearance. The fuel tank holds 4.7 gallons.
Wheelbase is 56.8 inches with rake and trail of 27.5°/4.3 inches (108mm) and front/rear bias percentage of 48.7/51.3. Curb weight is 432 pounds, with all required fluids and a full tank of fuel.
Suspension
With the aim to maximize all-around handling performance, this model uses a 41mm Showa inverted Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) fork with 5.9 inches of wheel travel. By dividing the functions—Big Piston pressure separation damper in one leg, spring mechanism in the other—reaction and ride quality are optimized.
The single-tube shock absorber, with 5.3 inches of axle travel and five-stage preload adjustment, has a large-diameter piston that ensures excellent temperature management. Constructed from 2mm steel, the swingarm employs a hollow cross member that is stiff rotationally and flexible laterally to optimize handling.
Wheels
The NX500 has cast-aluminum wheels with five Y-shaped spokes each, minimizing unsprung weight to optimize handling and feel in all situations. The 19-inch front wheel is matched to a 17-inch rear; trail-pattern tires are sized 110/80-R19 and 160/60-R17.
Brakes
Dual Nissin two-piston hydraulic calipers work the front wheel's 296mm petal-style discs. A single one-piston hydraulic rear caliper works a 240mm petal-style rotor.
