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ADV NewsHonda CB500X Receives Performance Updates for 2022

Honda CB500X Receives Performance Updates for 2022

The A2-compliant adventurer sees improvements throughout the chassis & engine.

Published on 09.03.2021

Unlike the Africa Twin which was recently unveiled with only a few minor changes, Honda Europe has announced a new CB500X with a host of significant performance-focused updates for 2022. Big Red says the changes are aimed at increasing the versatility of the compact adventurer with improvements seen in the engine and throughout the chassis. Let’s look at what’s new.

2022 Honda CB500X adventure motorcycle

One of the biggest changes for 2022 is the brand-new front end setup. To improve all-round handling performance, the 41mm traditional telescopic forks of the previous design have been replaced by spring preload-adjustable Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks, clamped by new top and bottom triple clamps. By dividing the functions – Big Piston pressure separation damper in one leg, spring mechanism in the other – reaction and ride quality are both improved. To complement the upgraded forks, the rear shock has received optimized spring rate and damping settings.

2022 Honda CB500X adventure motorcycle

The chassis also benefits from improvements in braking performance. Specifically, the previous single 310mm disc front brake system has been replaced with dual 296mm discs. The introduction of the smaller discs not only keeps any additional weight gain to a minimum, but also reduces the required pressure on the lever when braking. Handling is further improved by a new swingarm, which Honda says is lighter, stiffer rotationally and has more lateral flex. 

2022 Honda CB500X adventure motorcycle

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For 2022, the CB500X also receives a lighter radiator and a redesigned 19-inch cast aluminum front wheel crowned by a larger mudguard. Honda says the wheels are now lighter “due to thinner spokes, reducing unsprung weight to aid turning ability.” Compared to the previous model, weight bias also moves fractionally forward for enhanced front tire grip and feel. 

2022 Honda CB500X adventure motorcycle

The engine also receives an update. Although the 471cc parallel-twin engine still delivers 47 peak horsepower, for 2022 it now features new fuel injection settings which according to Honda “further enhance both torque feel and overall character.”

For the new year, the bike also gains more powerful LEDs as well as revised front indicator position lights. But that’s not the only thing the CB500X gains. Despite lightening several components, Honda is reporting a gain of about 5 pounds for the new year model.

Finally, along with Grand Prix Red and Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic, Honda is introducing new graphics and the Pearl Organic Green color for 2022.

2022 Honda CB500X adventure motorcycle

We are still waiting on Honda America to confirm exactly which changes and colors will come to this side of the pond for 2022 but we expect an announcement soon.

2022 Honda CB500X Specs

Engine TypeLiquid-cooled, parallel twin
Displacement471cc
Bore and stroke67mm x 66.8mm
Compression Ratio10.7: 1
Max. Power Output35kW @ 8,600rpm
Max. Torque43Nm @ 6,500rpm
Noise LevelL-urban 74dB L-wot 76.7dB
Oil Capacity3.2L
CarburationPGM FI electronic fuel injection
Fuel Tank Capacity17.5L (inc reserve)
CO2 Emissions WMTC82 g/km
Fuel Consumption (WMTC)3.6L/100km / 27.8km/l (WMTC mode)
Battery Capacity12V 7.4AH
ACG Output25A/2000rpm
Clutch TypeWet multiplate slipper assist clutch
Transmission Type6 speed
Final DriveChain
TypeSteel diamond
Dimensions (L´W´H)2155mm x 830mm x 1410mm (Low screen) 1445mm (High screen)
Wheelbase1445mm
Caster Angle27.5 degrees
Trail108mm
Seat Height830mm
Ground Clearance180mm
Kerb Weight199kg
suspension FrontShowa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks, pre-load adjustable. 5.9 inches of travel
suspension RearProlink mono with 5 stage preload adjuster, steel hollow cross swingarm. 5.3 inches of travel
Type FrontMulti-spoke cast aluminium
Type RearMulti-spoke cast aluminium
Rim Size Front19 X MT2.5
Rim Size Rear17 X MT4.5
Tires Front110/80R19M/C (59H)
Tires Rear160/60R17M/C (69H)
ABS System Type2 channel
Type FrontDual 296mm x 4mm disc with Nissin axial-mount two piston calipers
Type RearSingle 240mm x 5mm disc with single piston caliper
InstrumentsLCD Meter with Speedometer, Bar Graph Tachometer, Dual Trip Meters, Fuel Level and Consumption Gauge, Clock, Water Temp, Gear position, Shift UP Indicator
HeadlightLED
TaillightLED
Security SystemHISS (Honda Intelligent Security System)

Author: ADV Pulse Staff
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19 Comments
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Bill
Bill
September 3, 2021 12:20 pm

Well done Honda. Now offer a R version with spoke wheels and higher spec suspension. A true mid ADV bike, you know other will soon enough.

Patriot159
Patriot159
September 7, 2021 5:03 pm
Reply to  Bill

Took the words out of my mouth. A 500 cc AT to compete with the upcoming KTM/Husky 490/501 Adventure would be su-weet.

David O
David O
September 13, 2021 11:32 am
Reply to  Bill

Agreed – do it, Honda!

MBG
MBG
October 20, 2021 1:59 pm
Reply to  Bill

With the success of Rally Raid, you’d think Honda would have figured this out by now. Lacking this, I’ll go to a T7 before I drop over $3K on a $7K bike. I’m guessing Honda could make offer these changes for a little over $1K and they’d sell like mad. Frustrating.

Bill
Bill
September 3, 2021 12:26 pm

The video shows it has a slipper clutch, but that was not really mentioned in the article? Those are a great addition that helps riding.

ADV Pulse
ADV Pulse
September 3, 2021 12:38 pm
Reply to  Bill

Hey Bill, that is not a new addition. The old model already had it. Cheers!

Bryan Miller
Bryan Miller
September 4, 2021 5:41 pm

Houston we have a problem… Someone forgot to bolt on the skid plate before pushing the new CB500X out the door.

Jenny Mo
Jenny Mo
September 8, 2021 4:31 pm
Reply to  Bryan Miller

OEM skid plates are notoriously flimsy, so you’d soon end up replacing it with something stronger from the aftermarket anyway. This way you save a few $$$ and Honda save a few lbs from the spec-sheet.

Bill
Bill
September 5, 2021 3:13 am

I’ve been thinking of getting a ‘boring’ cb500x for a while now… that suspension upgrade might actually tip me over the edge

J. Braun
J. Braun
September 13, 2021 12:20 pm

Spoke wheels with 21″ in the front might tempt me away from the upcoming Tiger 660. The weight seems like it could be a bit high too but I could live with it.

John S
John S
September 13, 2021 12:54 pm

What the heck? EIGHT pound weight gain? Where, and why? I understand that they kept the engine output exactly the same, because one of the goals of this bike is to be Euro A2 licensing eligible. But why INCREASE weight? Did the bee-Eurocrats implement a total bike power/weight ratio limit as well? Otherwise, it makes no sense. The bike isn’t known for having some glaring flaw that requires slapping on a few extra pounds of metal to keep the frame from potato-chipping or such.

Greg
Greg
September 13, 2021 5:31 pm
Reply to  John S

Second front disc for brake and the new fork is probably heavier than the outgoing?

Joe John
Joe John
September 14, 2021 11:32 am

The only gain I want to see is in ground clearance. Then I might consider one.

Axle
Axle
September 30, 2021 3:46 pm

Was anything done to the seat.

ADV Pulse
ADV Pulse
October 19, 2021 3:20 pm
Reply to  Axle

Honda didn’t list changes to the seat.

Thomas
Thomas
October 19, 2021 2:53 pm

Front brake calipers are not radially mounted as stated, just look at your own photos.

ADV Pulse
ADV Pulse
October 19, 2021 3:22 pm

Hey Thomas, Honda is calling that change ‘radially-mounted.’

Adam
Adam
October 27, 2021 3:39 am
Reply to  ADV Pulse

They are radially mounted on the new CB500R and CB500F, but the CB500X is not.

Look at them in the MCN review on youtube. https://youtu.be/xv4v__EJlUg?t=34

ADV Pulse
ADV Pulse
October 27, 2021 10:32 am
Reply to  Adam

Hi Adam, Looks like Honda had an error in their press release. It has been corrected. Thanks!

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