Rally Raid CB-X also in the Simpson here:
Birdsville Loop-Australia-on a Honda CB500X(Adventure) | Adventure Rider

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Howdy all... just checking in - been rather busy these past couple of months as Chris has alluded to ;o)

Any questions about the all-road and trail worthiness of the CB500X with the Rally-Raid kit fitted, please ask away - I've just finished riding one over 12,500 miles - including a 1000 mile Iron-Butt, the whole of the Trans-America Trail and a week on the rocks in Moab.

Honestly, this bike is epic.

The KLR is dead, and so is the Transalp ;o)

I'll also be posting up a copy of my detailed ride report here on the HUBB shortly - in the meantime, a few photos that hopefully illustrate what I mean:


photo. Kane Creek Canyon, Moab UT.


photo. The TAT east of Monticello UT.


photo. Dead Horse Gulch nr. Salida CO.


photo. Pikes Peak, CO.


photo. TAT in Oregon.


photo. Lockhart Basin, Moab UT.


photo. Top of the World trail, Moab UT.


photo. Top of the World trail, Moab UT.


photo. Mengal Pass, Death Valley CA.

More soon,

Jenny x

seems like a great all rounder, I wonder how long before Honda realise and put the price up?

The MT07 engine seems like it would make a great basis for a modern day super tenere, lightweight skinny and capable.

Hi Stu - yes I agree, I've always felt the XT660Z Tenere is the best off-the-shelf adventure bike out there, and with that 700cc twin cylinder engine it would be even better... and they really wouldn't/shouldn't change all that much to be honest - perhaps a simpler/lighter exhaust system and a slightly lower seat height?

As you are probably aware, I have/had a good deal of experience with the 660Z - having bought one of the first ones when it came out in 2008, and certainly the XT was very much one of our benchmark bikes (along with the BMW F700GS) we used when drawing up the specification for the CB500X Adventure kit.

Having just completed a very similar trip on the CB that I did with the XT back in 2008/09, I can honestly say the CB (with the Rally-Raid kit fitted of course) was just as capable if not moreso on the Trans-Am Trail... and appreciably less intimidating on the more gnarly trails in Moab - primarily due to it's lower seat height, lower centre of gravity and shorter wheelbase.

It also destroys big road miles in a way only a multi-cylinder bike can, and is an absolute hoot on the twisty backroads too - it really is that good!

Jenny x

what is the price of such a conversion?

Hi Yokesman - Rally-Raid have a dedicated website for the bike here: cb500xadventure - that explains the various options available.

Basically the full Adventure kit with the spoked wheels (17" rear, 19" front) and front and rear TracTive suspension is the level 3 kit.

In simple terms, if you had two grand in your pocket, you could afford a Big Mac meal on your way home ;o)

Jx

PS. Ah, I see you are in Idaho - Rally-Raid actually have partnered with Giant Loop as their US distributor for the Honda kit and associated accessories (to save North America on individual shipping and import duty costs etc.) - more info here:http://giantloopmoto.com/reserve-you...adventure-kit/ I believe the price is around $2800 USD all in.

with good used examples costing around 4k that means you can have a very useful bike for around 6k.

For this price the supsension and added components are of far better quality than that offered by Yamaha on the tenere, bmw on the gs and triumph on the tiger, with the latter two bikes costing a great deal more to boot.

with the fuel economy etc I'd say your getting a damn good bike with a lot of the off road agility only offered by maybe KTM or CCM and yet a much better bike for soaking up the road miles.

I can't really see what a larger adventure bike would offer for RTW riding other than more weight, cost and speed (in reality how fast do you travel in countries where road safety and conditions are far more risky than in the UK)

Great job on the Rally Raid kit! Great review and pics! A very good value and nice upgrade over stock machine.

Seems the CB500X (with kit) will pretty much make bikes like the DL650 Vstrom redundant. (great as it is for road based travel)

Of course the challenge once put into service as a LD travel bike will be WEIGHT. I note an unloaded bike in your pics. RTW riders have this bad habit of overloading.

I would also be a bit concerned about crash survival off road. I did not see any crash guards on the bike (I don't like them as they add so much weight)

But IMO, for most travelers and the 90% of riding they may do ... this bike is a true step up ... and with your kit a slam dunk.

I love my modded DR650 but would consider an upgrade to this Honda.
I also look forward to see what Yamaha may do with an ADV version of the
current FZ-07. If built light and smart ... could be a contender?

Great work! Thanks for posting!

Hi Mollydog - Thanks for your enthusiasm!

If you have a little time free, do check out my recent ride report:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ven-year-83314

Which I feel ought to comprehensively answer any questions people may have regarding the all-road/all-terrain ability of this bike?

With regard to the crash-ability of the CB500X, take a look at posts #11 and #47 particularly - I think you'll be impressed with how the standard bike stands up to being slammed on the ground ;o)

As for luggage capability, the CB500X has a very strong subframe (and already has lots of rack options for luggage hard or soft) should that be required. Although as you suggest, there is a tendency for many people to try and load all manner of crap on their 'Adventure' bikes - negating the key benefit a lighter machine had in the first place!

Certainly in keeping with the whole 'lighter-weight' travel ethos of this particular bike, I trust my packing list will illustrate that with a little discipline you can carry everything you need for an indefinite length trip, in just some simple soft luggage like the Giant Loop Coyote, plus a tail-pack for tools.

With regard to a comparison with larger (and heavier) mid size Adventure bikes like the 650 V-Strom or GS 700/800 etc. I would draw the analogy with the Yamaha Serow vs. a traditional dual-sport/enduro thumper - in that the CB500X is effectively 4/5ths (or perhaps more accurately 7/8ths) the size of those larger capacity machines, and so immediately feels more nimble and manageable in more technical terrain for example. It's typically shorter wheelbase, low seat, narrow profile and low centre of gravity offers similar benefits on-road too; yet at the same time it's twin-cylinder engine means it is more than capable of cruising at 80mph all day if needs be, with great comfort, minimal vibration and excellent fuel economy.

I hope you get the chance to try one with the Rally-Raid kit fitted, I guarantee you'll be impressed ;o)

Jx

I've not caught up on your Ride Report ... but it looks good! Impressive routes off road and better crash-a-bility than I thought ... and I see you've fitted hand guards and engine guards as well, which I hadn't noticed at first.