Just to put it into context.

I did a 20,000 mile service on a kids Suzuki GSX-S 125 yesterday. Valve clearance check. This kid is a food delivery rider and rides this thing like he stole it. Cold starts, red-lining, zero craps given.

100% in perfect spec. The top end looked new. The motor is quiet, crisp and tight. It purrs away in perfect balance.

That's a £4000 bike. Brand new.

A Royal Enfield sounds and feels like a Skeleton pleasuring himself in a biscuit tin. The techs I know who have worked on the R.E tell me of valves needing regular attention and head gaskets leaking. That is either poor assembly or poor manufacturing of components. Neither I want anything to do with.

No comparison whatsoever.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

At the risk of self-promotion... Some soulful riding on a CB500X. (Left my panniers at the hostel for this...)

Hi Floyd - oh yes, I certainly do have my bike still - which is why I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone else of course as I've been very happy with it's all-round ability over the years...



To clarify it's not Touratech, but Rally-Raid Products (in the UK) which make the upgraded suspension and spoked wheels for the CB500X, and if you've followed my adventures in the ride reports section on here in recent years, then you'll know that I helped John develop their upgrades originally back in late 2014/early 2015 - before taking a US bike across the country from Oregon to Virginia; and then returned following the complete Trans-America Trail which had been newly updated and extended into Idaho that year...

I mention this because I was particularly inspired by that trip, and subsequently proud of that ride report - and if anyone is still twiddling their thumbs during lock-down and looking for something to read and some nice pictures, the blog style ride-report I complied at the time has since been condensed here on the Hubb:

Trans-Am 500 - The Seven Year Itch

...together with a follow-up trip a couple of year's later (2017) on my own bike, where I also explore some of Canada, and Montana/Wyoming etc. too:

Northern eXposure

So all in all, I'd say I've covered at least 60,000+ miles on an array on CB500Xs - from bog-standard versions to various iterations of the Rally-Raid upgraded ones - including 35,000+ miles on my personal bike - and all of which has included a mix of terrain, including a high proportion of 'off-road' riding as you might imagine.

If you're interested in the bike, there is an ever expanding owners/riders community online, one with a dedicated forum - out of respect for Grant & Susan I won't link directly to those, but the name of the bike and dot com ought to see you find one useful resource; plus those 'adventure riders' out there have also created couple of huge threads dedicated to the CB500X - again with plenty of useful information and real-world owners' feedback...

Certainly as the model has become more established (since it's introduction in 2013) there are an increasing number of riders who have posted impressively high mileages from their bikes, and all with very few (if any) issues and only modest maintenance requirements.

Please understand I'm not trying to steer anyone away from the Royal Enfield - all bikes are great fun, and the Himalayan has a certain charm (albeit with an ugly headlight assembly ;o) - but as I always say, ultimately you need to decide what what your priorities are, and hopefully choose something which is most appropriate to your actual needs - or at the very least, something you can live with.

And as I always say, don't forget that ultimately these are only bikes - machines - tools to help you move... You don't have to own any bike forever, well, unless you want to of course!

Hope that helps...

Jenny x

Sorry, yes rally raid. It was a while ago. I remember you changing your tyre. Not easy I remember.
What has gone wrong with your bike Jenny in that time?
Serviced regularly?
Valves stayed in spec!!

I get the basic drift.
Honda all the way.

I still think I would go NC rather than CB

Decisions decisions

Hee hee - if you mean Juan's [infamous] tyre changing video, then yes, that was a struggle - ironically changing the tube was easy (15 mins or so) - but it was a right faff trying to refit the rear wheel (particularly on your own) - although it is hampered by the rather budget design the rear axle adjusters on the 2013-18 bikes, fortunately the latest model CB500X (introduced last year in 2019, which also has a 19" front wheel as standard) has chain adjusters which are integral with the swing-arm now.

Absolutely nothing of any note has happened with my bike - other than one of the front indicator running light filaments burning out as I recall (the US bikes have a second 5w filament in the front turn-signals, which act as daylight-running-lights).

Otherwise all I have done is change the oil every so often (the schedule suggests 8000 mile oil and filter changes, and 12,000 mile air filter changes - note. it is a cartridge paper filter on the CB, and very efficient), and I had the valves inspected at around 16,000 miles (again as per the service schedule) and they were all well within spec - so much so that I've not bothered with getting them checked again yet, despite the mileage being over 35,000 now.

As for the NC [750X] - although superficially similar looking, they are quite different bikes. As I replied to a similar question on Facebook recently, if you spend the vast majority of your time on the road, it is a nice bike - however, physically the NC is appreciably longer, and significantly more heavy... performance wise it really doesn't offer much more than the CB does, other than a bit more torque at higher speeds, for more relaxed overtaking for example.

The economy is a touch better on the NC too, but honestly in real world riding conditions, they are pretty much the same. Where the NC offers more is in potential pillion comfort and a bit more room for hard luggage. Plus there is a DCT transmission option of course. You also have the 'frunk' which is handy for small shopping trips or to stow your helmet when away from the bike, although conversely the under-seat fuel-filler is a pain if you have any luggage over the rear seat.

I'd take a ride on one and see how you feel - if you stay mainly on paved roads and do a lot of high mileage runs, it's a very comfortable bike. But it is very little soul compared to the CB which is basically much more 'fun' to ride everywhere, and much less of a handful off-road.

Put it this way, I enjoyed riding the NC for a the few weeks I had one, but I wouldn’t buy one unless I was specifically looking to commute in and out of a city for example.

Have fun choosing!

Jenny x

Definitely try before you buy on an NC. (I've had one of those as well!)

The engine is like a diesel car compared to the CB. No 7000 rpm in third gear stuff. It goes but the technique is to keep changing up. This is why the press will use phrases like gutless. It isn't, they just can't get past wringing the necks of every bike they are loaned.

Andy

I tried the NC700 s and x when they first came out. I thought they were a breath of fresh air. I don't need 10,000 rpm to have fun

Had an early RR 500X
https://adventure-motorcycling.com/h...0x-overlander/

and a Him
https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2...eld-himalayan/

(and briefly, an NC-X DCT too).


Took the 500 and Him to Morocco.
Greatly enjoyed plodding along the trails on the Him, but the 500 was effortless in getting there. It's the usual conundrum (for that destination).

For pootling around the Dales, the Him will be great fun, but try one first.
It's not some crappy Bullet but not everyone gets it.
3000-mile valves and oil (they say).

The Honda eats long miles, less maintenance, probably better on fuel (at matched speeds) but some find them bland. It's the sensible choice.


If Honda made a Him we could all pack up and go home!

__________________
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

Hee hee - they did... they stopped making it circa 1985 though ;o)

Jx

Good morning folks.
Right I have come across a CB500. It was accident damaged on the front end so was classed as a cat n.
It was covered from the road version to the x version. Front end wise.
15 plate. 10,000 miles. I haven't seen it, but advised it was in super clean condition (!!!!!). Good chain and sprockets. Nearly new tyres.
One key.
£2295
Your thoughts you beautiful people

P.s, I can add a link if it is allowed

I saw that one yesterday. Looks like a great deal.
But have a look first as it's unusually cheap.

__________________
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

That is an issue Chris, I would have to take a punt. No time and it is a 5 hour drive for me. The pics look good. I know that doesn't mean much.
I have asked some relevant questions by mail a little while ago

Not sure about the "conversion"?

What was if before? If it was an F they've changed the tank, fairing, shock, goodness knows what in the way of brackets and wiring. Two crashed bikes used to make one better one? The conversation with the sewer ants could be long, tedious and in the worst case pointless.

Another £400 gets you a 31000 miler in London that even has a Rally Raid sump guard. I think I'd take one that's just been ridden over one with low miles due to the time Dr. Frankenstein had it. 31K is nicely run in, even if its been dispatched.

Mine will be going next year. The offers for it will be derisory, simply because of the mileage. I've ridden the average number of miles for a 500cc commuter/ learner bike, I've just done it in three years rather than seven The prices reflect what else is out there.

Andy

Fair dues trb. Personally I want a bike with around 10k or under.
I do see what you mean though