There is also nice summary of my original Trans-America Trail trip here, together with some photos of the Colorado sections of the TAT that I was finally able to ride this summer on my own red bike.

Jx

What make is the pannier racks / Engine guards? I like the look of those more than the RR product

Later thread states the racks / crash bars were custom made. :thumbup1:

Wow...!! Didn't realise this thread existed but nice to skim through and feel justified at what I built. Just finished my second CRF500L build for a travel mate of mine, can't say enough good words on that engine choice for a true RTW contender...!! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...59c5346aad.jpg

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

Cb500x
 

Hi Scott ,
I have owned a factory 500x I bought used . It had continantal TK knobby's and I loved it . I bought another used 500X with the Rally Raid package and sold my factory 500X . I loved both bikes and still have the RR CB500X . The difference between the 2 bikes is alot . The RR feels and rides like a completely different bike suspension wise and added height with the larger spoked wheels . The power is the same on both obviously but everything else is truly a huge improvement of the already very reliable bike . Yes you can easily drive the RR version around the world . If you want or need loads of power and weight then this is not the bike for you but it is surely enough power and great economy to get you there and back . It has already did at least one RTW trip by a woman named Jenny ? She also had the RR version . I am 6 feet and 225lbs and I find the bike very comfortable to ride on the pavement or offroad .

This is an older thread of course, and as RR2017 mentions above, over the years the CB500X has proven itself countless times as a very solid and reliable RTW style 'adventure' bike - with people having now ridden them all over the world - the length of Africa, through Europe and Scandinavia, from the UK to India, from Asia to Europe, across Australia and all over North and South America - often multiple times on the same bike.

You can of course significantly improve the 'all-terrain' performance and ability of these bike with aftermarket upgrades, but equally plenty of people have also enjoyed some pretty extensive overland trips on more modestly equipped versions too (I wouldn't say 'stock' of course, as most people will be fitting things like better all-terrain tyres, hand-guards and under-engine protection at least) since fundamentally the core bike is very easy to live with, comfortable, ultra reliable, economic (250mile/400km range) and requires very little maintenance other than those things you'd typically check and adjust/replace during a RTW style trip anyway.

It is also substantial enough to carry luggage without upsetting it's overall balance (strong subframe etc.) and handle long stints on the open road; while it's compact dimensions/relative lack of weight and short wheelbase means it remains nimble and easy to ride in more spirited back-road or off-road conditions. In fact I'd go as far as to suggest it is the 'perfect' size for the solo rider with a realistic travelling luggage load.

Indeed there are very few other bikes I can think of [and by that I mean none] which offer the same combination of utter reliability, compact dimensions, and a easy and forgiving twin-cylinder engine (meaning you can comfortably cruise on the open road above the speed limit of any country should you wish, for hours at a time if needs be), while still offering more than enough all-terrain performance [certainly with the right upgrades and accessories] you'd encounter on a RTW style trip.

There are arguably more 'off-road capable' machines on the market, but still I'd consider none which offers the versatility and easy of riding both on and off-road that the smaller CB offers (at least not once fitted with the Rally-Raid suspension and wheels you understand) - of course if you're comfortable handling a taller/larger/heavier bike off-road, have at it - but as the saying goes: No-one* wishes they'd taken a larger bike once they got back from a RTW style trip.

*Well, unless they did it on a Trail-Cub perhaps, that would be pretty miserable unless you're young and impetuous!

Something to consider I trust?

Jenny x