All Tests – Honda CB500X test: escape at a friendly price – Honda CB 500 X technical update

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Honda CB500X test: escape at a friendly price

All Tests - Honda CB500X test: escape at a friendly price - Honda CB 500 X technical update

The Honda CB500X, the latest addition to the CB 500 series relaunched in 2013, is the trail-road alternative of the family: more versatile than the CB500F and CBR500R, its range of 490 km and its price make it a well under all reports. Test.

Honda CB 500 X technical point

Motor: linear but available

The twin-cylinder of 471 cc is the new engine which equips the range of CB 500. It develops the power of 35 kW or the equivalent of 47 hp. And although it is of a low displacement, Honda has not neglected its exterior appearance because frankly, it is nice to watch. !

Inside, the new generation powertrain has been designed to be efficient and economical in order to preserve the environment. This twin is equipped with a double overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder and the cooling is provided by a liquid system whose water pump has a minimal footprint..

Contrary to appearances, its operation has been designed to remain discreet while being easy to use. Thus, the crankshaft pins set at 180 ° and the balance shaft – which counteracts vibrations – have been mounted behind the cylinders so as to be as close as possible to the center of gravity..

Thanks to this placement, the inertia of the twin cylinder is low and the torque of 47 Nm is favored at 7000 rpm. As for power, it reached its maximum threshold shortly after: 47 hp at 8,500 rpm. Timid figures which still leave a large part in fuel consumption since Honda announces between 3.2 and 3.7 l / 100 km.

Sports genes, the engine of the CB 500 is not lacking. And for good reason, a lot of parts have been designed or mounted as on the CBR 600RR. Thus, the use of roller rockers and grooved skirt pistons has reduced friction.

Small novelty, we also find in the air box a guide which separates the two air intake ducts to the cylinders. This guide allows a better distribution of the air, more balanced, without loss and therefore more efficient! In the low engine, the "triangle" system used on the CBR 600 RR there too, determines the position between the crankshaft, the gearbox primary shaft and the counterbalance counter shaft has made it possible to reduce the size and this compactness offers narrower housings.

To conclude on these common parts with the CBR 600, the CB 500 also takes the same measurement between the bore and the interval between the cylinders, ie 7 mm. Service intervals are 12,000 km apart.

Cycle part: solid and inexpensive

It is thanks to its platform concept around three motorcycles that Honda succeeded in reducing its manufacturing costs. The principle and simple: like the NC 700 range, the CB 500 are manufactured around a common basis. We therefore find the same chassis and the same engine, but a body and some different details..

On the CB 500 F, CBR 500R and CB 500X, the chassis is strictly identical. It consists of a new frame made of 35mm steel tubes which provides a good balance between flexibility and rigidity. This choice makes it possible to design machines that are both efficient and easy to use..

The measurements of the CB500X nevertheless differ from those of the CB500F and CB500R: its wheelbase is 1421 mm (against 1410 mm), while its caster angle and its caster are more open (26.5 ° and 108 mm, against 25 , 5 ° and 102 mm). If the "X" shares the same 41mm telescopic fork, its travel increases to 140mm instead of 120mm on the F and R.

On the other hand, the same fight for the rear suspension with mono-shock absorber which sees itself equipped with a pre-stress adjustment in nine positions. Not the most accessible, this adjustment will allow using a specific key to adjust the spring travel..

On the "X", it is advisable to increase the standard setting to find a better compromise between efficiency, comfort and rigor. In the end, the CB 500X is the heaviest of the three, with 195 kg on the scale (192 kg for the CB500F and 194 kg for the CBR 500R X).

Some differences in the controls are also to be noted: the "F" is equipped with a wide roadster-type handlebar, the "R" with a sport handlebar while the "X" receives a straight and open handlebars allowing to dominate well. the road.

Finally, their braking system is similar on the three motorcycles with a 320 mm disc with double piston caliper at the front and a ø 240 mm disc with single piston caliper at the rear. They are fitted with standard ABS as standard, but without a coupling system.

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