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ADV BikesUpdated 2016 Honda CB500X Unveiled in Tokyo

Updated 2016 Honda CB500X Unveiled in Tokyo

New styling and technical updates for Honda's smallest Adventure Tourer.

Published on 10.28.2015

The free-revving, fuel-efficient Honda CB500X is getting updates for 2016. Honda has announced their smallest-displacement adventure-touring model will receive improvements in both form and function. Honda unveils the updated CB500X at the Tokyo Motor Show this week.

The 471cc parallel twin middleweight will benefit from more aggressive styling, a 100mm taller windscreen, LED lighting for the headlight and taillight, and a stylish new muffler design. Other upgrades include externally adjustable front fork preload, an adjustable front-brake lever, plus a hinged fuel cap, a “wave”-style key and an improved shock setting. Finally, a revised gear shift mechanism makes for smoother-feeling gear changes.

2016 Honda CB500X Matte Black Metallic
The new 2016 Honda CB500X in Matte Black Metallic color.

The CB500X will be made available in two colors in the US — Matte Black Metallic and Matte Brown Metallic. The new models will begin arriving in US dealer showroom floors this February 2016. Pricing is $6,499 USD for the standard model and $6,799 USD for the ABS model.


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The updated 2016 Honda CB500X will be on display, alongside the NC700X, VFR1200X and CRF1000L Africa Twin, at the November 20-22 International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California.

2016 Honda CB500X led headlight
The 2016 Honda CB500X receives a new LED headlight and taillight.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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18 Comments
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Jim
Jim
October 28, 2015 9:29 am

I have a 2015. It’s a wonderful bike; very versatile.

Paulo
Paulo
October 30, 2015 9:10 am

That’s a badass little bike, very underestimated!

As much as I like a KLR 650 this little bike with a stage 3 Rally Raid kit makes the KLR look like it was built in the 50’s!

RobG
RobG
November 7, 2015 9:31 am
Reply to  Paulo

The difference is the KLR is actually meant to go off-road. It has a 21″ front wheel, a lot more ground clearance, and a lot more suspension travel. I’ve never been a fan of the KLR (too heavy), but it’s a much better off-road bike than the CB500X ever will be.

Jim
Jim
November 13, 2015 11:14 am
Reply to  RobG

Actually, as Paulo says, with the Rally Raid level 3 kit — giving it a much-improved suspension, larger wheels, more ground clearance, etc. — this becomes a very capable little off-roader, and is apparently much nicer for long-distance travel than the KLR.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
November 13, 2015 12:01 pm
Reply to  RobG

In an upcoming story, we evaluate both the CB500X with Rally Raid Adventure Kit and the KLR650 on technical off-road trails. Keep an eye out for it Rob.

Jimbo
Jimbo
November 15, 2015 3:53 am
Reply to  Rob Dabney

Wondering when the CB500X vs. KLR article will be released. Very interested in the outcome.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
March 17, 2016 6:33 pm
Reply to  Jimbo

Just in case you didn’t see it yet, here it is!
https://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/rally-raid-cb500x-review/

turbinewinder
turbinewinder
December 7, 2015 8:40 am
Reply to  Paulo

Why would any one want to spend $3k on an aftermarket kit, + labor to install, on a mundane machine such as this? Like putting earrings on a pig!

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
December 7, 2015 9:49 am
Reply to  turbinewinder

Hi TurbineWinder.

I think the main reason someone would do this are:

– Fuel-injected twin-cylinder engine
– Fairly light and compact
– Honda reliability
– Fuel efficiency
– Good off-road capability and durability (with the kit)
– Adequate power and comfort for highway use
– Still cheaper than buying an F800GS

wildone
wildone
November 3, 2015 9:21 pm

Another turd. From Honda!

trails4fortyyrs
trails4fortyyrs
November 19, 2015 11:21 am

Wait a minute. Last year, it was a bike for commuting, with a tame engine, supposed to get great fuel mileage. Now suddenly, it’s an “adventure” bike! Sounds a little fishy.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
November 19, 2015 11:33 am

Hi Trails4FortyYrs. The CB500X is still the same tame commuter it was last year. Honda classifies it as an Adventure Bike but in stock form it really is a street-biased motorcycle. check out the off-road kit from Rally Raid if you want to transform the CB500X into a much more versatile adventure bike!

More Info Here:
https://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/cb500x-adventure-great-bike-for-the-tat/
https://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/honda-cb500x-off-road-kit/

mark p
mark p
November 22, 2015 4:46 am
Reply to  Rob Dabney

Anxious to see more on the Rally Raid CB500x!

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
March 17, 2016 6:34 pm
Reply to  mark p
Chris PC
Chris PC
March 17, 2016 4:07 pm

The suspension travel for the 2015 and 2016 CB 500 X models on the Honda Canada website are listed as different for the stock bikes.

2015 front = 5.5 and rear = 4.7

2016 front = 4.9 and rear = 4.6

Does anybody know if this is correct? Seems odd that Honda would reduce the travel on their “adventure” bike. No matter how small the reduction, it’s wrong to reduce travel on an “adventure” bike that already does not have large amounts of travel.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
March 17, 2016 4:36 pm
Reply to  Chris PC

Hi Chris. That is strange. Honda has not reduced front suspension travel for 2016 here in the US. On the U.S. website it says front travel is 5.5 inches for 2016.
http://powersports.honda.com/2016/cb500x/specifications.aspx

Chris PC
Chris PC
March 18, 2016 2:03 pm
Reply to  Rob Dabney

It’s hard to know what is correct and what is the mistake. The link you showed does describe the suspension travel as the same for 2016 as in 2015…but, you’ll notice there is no mention of the fork preload. They added preload to the fork for 2016, at least that is what I have read, so it’s not hard to imagine that the info could simply be a copy of the specs for 2015. I got a reply from Honda Canada saying that the 2016 CB 500X info is not released in Canada yet so I don’t understand.

Here are the Honda Canada website links:

http://motorcycle.honda.ca/model/adventure/cb500x/2015

Front Suspension 41 mm telescopic fork; 140 mm (5.5 in.) travel
Rear Suspension Pro-Link single shock with spring preload adjustment; 119 mm (4.7 in.) travel

http://motorcycle.honda.ca/model/adventure/cb500x/2016

Front Suspension 41 mm telescopic fork with spring preload adjustment; 125 mm (4.9 in.) travel
Rear Suspension Pro-Link single shock with spring preload adjustment; 118 mm (4.6 in.) travel

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