Honda’s NX500 road-tested in review as CB500X successor

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• Price, colours and availability
• How the NX name returns
• What’s new
• Brakes, suspension and packaging
• First ride impressions
• Practicality and everyday use
• Fuel economy and range
• Should you buy one?
• Key specifications

Honda has returned to the dual‑sport arena with the 2024 NX500, reviving a name linked to long‑range reliability while introducing upgraded cycle parts and modern electronics. The new model sits alongside Honda’s 500cc family but aims to carve out its own niche with improved low‑end punch, a fresh look and a more capable chassis.

Price, colours and availability

The NX500 is priced at £6,799 in the UK and is offered in three finishes: Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, Pearl Horizon White and Grand Prix Red. Orders and test rides are being handled through Honda dealerships now.

Against rivals the NX500 sits slightly above the KTM 390 Adventure (£6,599) and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (£6,250). For riders who spend a lot of time on tarmac, especially long motorway miles, the NX500’s parallel‑twin layout is likely to feel the more composed choice.

How the NX name returns

The NX badge harks back to the NX650 Dominator, a versatile, no‑nonsense machine popular with both commuters and off‑road riders until it was discontinued in the early 2000s. Honda positions the NX500 as an evolution of that spirit—accessible, durable and able to do a bit of everything—while updating the package for modern riders.

What’s new

Styling has been substantially revised from the outgoing model, and the cockpit now features a five‑inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity via Honda’s RoadSync app. One of the headline additions is switchable traction control, operated from the left handlebar.

Under the skin the NX500 uses the same 471cc liquid‑cooled parallel twin architecture familiar from the CB500X, but Honda says ECU refinements have improved low‑end acceleration. The chassis benefits from upgraded components, including Showa 41mm SFF‑BP forks and new Y‑shape wheels that shave roughly 800g from the 19‑inch front and 700g from the 17‑inch rear compared with the previous seven‑spoke items.

Brakes, suspension and packaging

The NX gains more robust cycle parts than earlier 500 models. Up front it runs twin 296mm discs with Nissin calipers and a Showa fork, while the rear uses a single 240mm disc and a mono shock with preload adjustment. There is 135mm of wheel travel at both ends, a 1,445mm wheelbase, and a claimed kerb weight of 196kg.

Seat height is 830mm and ground clearance 180mm, figures that keep the bike usable for a wide range of riders while leaving enough under‑seat room for long days in the saddle.

First ride impressions

Riding the NX500 on roads around the Causeway Coast and inland toward Ballymena—on a trip organised during the Northwest 200 and with machines supplied by Ballymena Honda—the bike felt very familiar to riders of the previous CB500X. Ergonomics are comfortable, controls fall naturally to hand, and the gearbox is a strong point: short‑throw shifts are crisp and positive, whether you use the clutch or a blip‑free technique.

The engine starts with the distinctive burble common to Honda’s 500 twins and delivers smooth, usable power. On twisty country lanes the NX felt notably composed thanks to the suspension and brakes. Honda has also addressed an earlier tendency toward front‑end weave at higher motorway speeds.

Practicality and everyday use

The bike is at home in town as well as on open roads. Steering is light and there’s plenty of lock for urban manoeuvres. The clutch is notably light and the contoured 830mm seat gives shorter riders confidence when stopping.

One recurring drawback is the throttle’s initial response—there can be a slight jerk at very small openings of the throttle, a trait also observed on the CB500X. Riders can reduce the effect by rolling on gently or setting off in second gear when appropriate.

Fuel economy and range

Despite a spirited day of riding that pushed the engine hard, the test bike returned an average of about 63 mpg (imperial), a figure that translates into a practical touring range. With the 17.5‑litre tank you can reasonably expect between 200 and 250 miles per fill under typical mixed‑use conditions.

Should you buy one?

The NX500’s strength is versatility. It will tour comfortably, cope with everyday commuting, tackle enjoyable B‑roads and is forgiving enough for occasional light off‑road work. With modern tech, improved suspension, a user‑friendly engine and the backing of Honda’s dealer network, it represents a compelling option for riders seeking a do‑everything motorcycle in the 500cc class.

Honda’s pricing and claimed running costs—plus availability of PCP finance that can put monthly payments below £100—make it an accessible choice for many buyers.

Key specifications