Here’s What You Can Expect From The India-bound Honda CB500X

[UPDATE: Honda has launched the CB500X, its first motorcycle of the 500cc series, at an eye-watering Rs 6.87 lakh (ex-showroom). Head here for all the launch details of the mid-displacement Honda ADV.]

Around a year back, Honda revealed its plans to offer its entire 500cc lineup in India, however, COVID-19 threw a spanner in the works. Good news is the delay did not deter Honda’s future vision for motorcycling in India. The bike maker is now ready to introduce the first motorcycle from its 500cc range, the 2021 CB500X. Here’s what you can expect from the mid-displacement ADV:

Launch Timeline

Thankfully, you won't have to wait too long to get your hands on the CB500X. The motorcycle is slated to be officially launched in April 2021.

Decent Feature List

The bike’s feature list may not be as impressive as other tourers, but it gets the basics right. You get LED lights all around, dual-channel ABS, and a fully digital LCD. The console comes with dual tripmeters, fuel level and consumption gauges, and a gear position indicator.

The Powertrain

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The CB500X’s 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin mill produces a humble 47PS and 43Nm, which puts it in the same ballpark as the KTM 390 Duke or the Kawasaki Ninja 400. However, this engine is one of the smoothest in the business, which is one of the biggest reasons we fell in love with it. You can read about it here. On a side note, the sportier, more powerful 2021 CBR650R will make its way to India pretty soon as well.

Adventure Genes?

The CB500X, although pegged as an adventure tourer, is pretty road-biased. So it gets a conventional telescopic fork and a monoshock, both adjustable for preload with 180mm of ground clearance and a 19/17 front and rear wheel setup with dual-purpose tyres. 

The bike is anchored by single disc brakes at both ends -- 310mm up front and 240mm at the rear paired with dual-channel ABS. The seat height measures 830mm and the bike tips the scale at 197kg kerb.

Expected Price And Competitors 

Honda could price the 2021 CB500X at around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom) which will help it slot the bike in between the Benelli TRK 502 and the Kawasaki Versys 650. Sure, that’s a premium price tag for a 500cc ADV that makes around the same power as 400cc motorcycles. 

It isn’t exactly the most feature-packed motorcycle out there either. But what you do get is an adventure tourer that’s been designed to keep you smiling for ages and a reliable engine that will last you a lifetime.