I am buzzing, riding the Honda NX 500 Adventure bike and feeling like I am 17 on my DT 100. I am dashing around, hands wide on the bars, throwing the NX 500 around in the corners and roundabouts and having fun. That is what biking should be, and I haven't ridden a bike that has made me feel like this in a long time.
The Honda NX 500 is a middleweight adventure bike that can be ridden on an A2 licence, and after spending two weeks on it, it delivers adventure and much more.
The 500 cc engine delivers its power smoothly, and for riders moving up to a bigger cc bike, it will give you plenty of confidence. There isn't the thrust of power to catch you out, and it is all nicely controlled and progressive. For those riding it after being on higher cc bikes, you will need to adjust to not having such instant power to overtake quickly or pull away at junctions; you need to plan and give yourself more time. Back to basics as such, which is no bad thing. It won't impact your enjoyment of the NX 500; you will love the lightness and agility on and off-road.
Honda's NX 500 has a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine producing 35kW, equivalent to 46.2bhp, and is A2 licence-compatible. It combines revised suspension settings and new wheels with 19" front and 17" rear cast aluminium wheels, and to save weight, the bike has five spokes instead of the previous seven. The chassis mainly comprises a diamond-tube mainframe to which the engine is mounted. It sits low, keeping the bulk of the weight low too, handy for agility, which is also accentuated by how narrow the bike is and how much steering angle from lock to lock is available.
The Honda NX500's price is a major attraction, and to achieve that, Honda has had to be careful with what equipment has been included as standard and what can be fitted as part of the accessory range. The NX500 is a narrow, lightweight crossover adventurer with a comfortable saddle and riding position that lacks the luxuries that many machines have now, but you get a satisfying ride with the superb build quality. Low running costs are also attractive to purchasing a Honda NX500, and with an estimated 80mpg economy and a 17.5-litre tank, you get nearly three hundred miles between fill-ups.
The Honda NX500 is a back-to-basics bike with little intervention from rider aids, modes or wheelie control settings. You get a 5" colour TFT screen operated via new and simplified backlit switchgear. Honda offers a RoadSync connectivity app for on-screen turn-by-turn navigation for IOS and Android devices. You'll need a Bluetooth helmet headset to enjoy the other functions, including making calls or listening to music.
The Honda NX500 comes with Traction Control, which is new for the 2024 model, and many official accessories are available. Four packs from Honda can be purchased, known as Adventure, Travel, Urban and Comfort, which include the type of accessories the manufacturer believes will enhance your kind of riding, from heated grips or a centre stand to fog lights and panniers.
Honda NX500 Rivals
Competition is fierce among the A2 licence holders and those wanting to experience a light and upright option, perhaps as their first bike, additional bike, or when returning from a bigger adventure machine.