Motorcycle specifications HondaCB 500 X 2020 The sparrow of journeys

"I'd wear sneakers this morning. But Howard told me about a nice picnic trail; maybe I'd better wear my hiking boots. And tonight, I've got to get moving with Gérard; where are my all-purpose pumps?"
What anguish! In the CB 500 family, instead of asking all these questions, we've created the X version. The trail version, or rather crossover, of Honda's famous roadster, this machine has been thinking for some time about taking on more of its look. On one side the red lights, on the other the green lanes. Tempted? Tempting?

attempted in any case. It's an attempt to really (if not actually) find the places that justify its X. This CB 500 has a new front-tyre setup, swapping the previous 17-inch rims for 19". Larger but also narrower, with a 110-wide tire, the wheel is intended for trail-oriented handling and capabilities, without being truly off-road. It's not so much a change as a confirmation, as the CB 500's silhouette is designed to convey small, multiple escapes, under the alibi of everyday life; or vice versa.

the CB's looks have changed significantly, with more prominent flanks, a slightly reworked face, a more compact exhaust system, a little something airy and... the engine clutch missing. Unless, of course, the increased suspension travel gives the Honda full confidence. At 150 mm, the fork gains 10 mm of travel, while the new shock absorber increases from 118 to 135 mm.
So much for chassis modifications. The manufacturer did not touch up the tubular steel frame or the brakes. Instead, it continued its investigations elsewhere: on the seat, for greater finesse and better footing on the ground; on the trim, to improve protection; on the steering, for better steering (+3° on each side); and a small engine touch-up to season the whole.

the twin-cylinder is calibrated impec for the A2. It delivers the right amount of power in accordance with the regulations, stuffed into a docile character, under the yoke of an omnipresent benevolence and moderate enthusiasm. Enough to get the job done, while leaving the exhilaration to other productions. Without touching the block, but by slightly recalibrating its timing, Honda claims to have improved power and torque by 4% between 3,000 and 7,000 rpm. This is the rev range we'll be using the most. All that's left to do is let the 47.6 horsepower roar between streets and roads, hoping to find a path.

given the customer profile, we're surprised that there's still no 12V or USB socket as standard. Changes elsewhere include redesigned rear-view mirrors, a rear-mounted airbox to improve gas flow, a slipper clutch, smaller LED indicators, tapered handlebars and a new dashboard. Much nicer than the old one, with the gear display inlaid right in the middle of the rev counter. There's also a shiflight, adjustable in increments of 250 rpm.

not shy, more intrepid, the CB 500 X confirms its position with this evolution. It's still a long way from being a trail bike, but the machine wants to get closer. Above all, there's now more to it than just its clothes, but also more significant technical differences that set it apart from the CB 500 F.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos