Model updates: An accessible, easy to ride adventure sports style twin - member of a new family of motorcycles from Honda - big on fun, all-round ability, economy and practicality. Design cues from the 1200cc Crosstourer.
Please note: This information is from Honda Europe, some specifications may vary for the Australian market.

1. Introduction

For any rider making the move from a 125, the twin-cylinder CB500X, part of a new family of motorcycles from Honda that includes the fully faired CBR500R and naked CB500F, offers adventure sports style and substance in an agile, accessible package.

Sharing a common frame and engine, each machine features a riding position and a distinct design that is tailored to, and will appeal to, a wide variety of riders with performance parameters that cover a range of uses from commuting and sports, to touring.

While the CB500X, CB500F and CBR500R are focused in different directions they are all physically easy to manage, and deliver practical usability matched to excellent efficiency. As true middleweights, blessed with lightweight agility and an engaging power delivery, above all, they are enjoyable to ride in every scenario.

With an all-round ability that few motorcycles possess, matched to excellent build quality, affordable price point and low running costs, the CB500X is a great place to begin a lifelong motorcycling adventure. It's also an attractive alternative for experienced riders looking for an extremely practical and affordable  big bike that is ideal for commuting as well as fun for weekend adventures.

2. Model Overview

The CB500X, with its relaxed, upright riding position and wide handlebars will give anyone looking for their first adventure sports bike an exhilarating experience on a twisty, winding road. Its lightweight manouvrability and excellent visibility also ensure it works equally well in urban environments and it's a motorcycle designed to be ridden - and thoroughly enjoyed - by a variety of people of all shapes and sizes.

Physically taller, with longer travel suspension and a slightly longer wheelbase than its siblings, the CB500X has styling derived from the 1200cc V4 Crosstourer. It also has all-day riding potential and carries 1.6 litres more fuel, for extended tank range. Its DOHC twin-cylinder fuel-injected engine produces 35kW and returns an impressive 27km/l (75mpg) (Honda WMTC figure).

Its steel diamond frame and high quality suspension - 41mm telescopic front forks matched to Pro-Link rear monoshock - provide confident, precise handling as do 17-inch cast aluminium wheels and wide 120 front, 160 rear radial tyres. Powerful wave-pattern disc brakes are assisted by standard-fitment ABS.

3. Key Features

3.1 Chassis

The CB500X's 35mm diameter steel diamond-tube mainframe is light and strong, and has a tuned degree of yield that gives plenty of feedback to the rider as road surfaces change. The shape and position of the engine mounts, and the frame's rigidity balance, have also been carefully balanced to reduce vibration.

Wheelbase is 1421mm and rake and trail are set at 26.5°/108mm giving nimble, yet reassuring steering. Mass centralisation, with the engine in very close proximity to the swingarm pivot point, delivers turning agility and optimum front/rear weight distribution ensures stability. Kerb weight is 195kg. A seat height of 810mm makes the CB500X very easy to manage, and its relaxed riding position and high, wide handlebars offers plenty of room and comfort for longer journeys.

Overall dimensions are 2095mm x 830mm x 1290mm, with 170mm ground clearance. The fuel tank holds 17.3-litres, including reserve, and combined with the engine's excellent fuel economy gives great range of 467km (over 280 miles).  

The 41mm telescopic front fork, with 140mm stroke, delivers a compliant yet controlled ride and gives a great connection to the front tyre. Pro-Link monoshock rear suspension features optimised leverage ratios and 9-stage preload adjustment for the rear shock. It works with a rigid 564mm long swingarm, constructed from 70mm x 30mm box-section steel. Final drive is via 520 sealed chain.

Lightweight, 17-inch cast aluminium wheels employ hollow cross-section Y-shaped spokes. Front wheel width is 3.5-inch with a 120/70-ZR17 tyre, the rear 4.5-inch and 160/60-ZR17 tyre. A single front 320mm wavy disc and two-piston brake caliper is matched to a 240mm rear disc and single-piston caliper. ABS is fitted as standard.

The comprehensive dash features a digital speedometer, digital bar graph tachometer, odometer, dual trip meters, clock, plus digital fuel level gauge and fuel consumption. HISS (Honda Intelligent Security System) is built in to the ignition, and the single headlight features a 60/55W H4 Halogen bulb and multi-reflectors. There is space under the seat to store a U-lock, and a bash-plate is fitted to protect the engine's underside and exhaust pipe on rough, loose surfaces.

The CB500X will be available in three colour options:

Pearl Himalayas White
Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic

3.2 Engine

The CB500X's engine is a next generation power unit, looking to the future in both performance and environmental terms. The DOHC, 8-valve liquid-cooled parallel twin layout was chosen because of its light weight, all-round ability and flexible usability.

Bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 66.8mm; the crankshaft pins are phased at 180° and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike's centre of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia. PGM-FI fuel injection provides superb throttle response and peak power of 35kW arrives at 8,500rpm, with 43Nm torque delivered at 7,000rpm.

The "triangle' proportion of crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft is very similar to that of Honda's four-cylinder RR engines, making for a very compact unit. The six-speed gearbox also mirrors that of its RR cousins, allowing for a shorter engine and uses the same gear change arm structure and link mechanism. A deep sump reduces oil movement under hard cornering and braking; oil capacity is 3.2-litres. Flow analysis of the cooling system through CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) maximised efficiency and allowed use of a physically smaller, and lighter, water pump.

The DOHC cylinder head uses compact roller rocker arms; shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, which means lower valve-spring load and reduced friction. A silent (SV Chain) cam chain has the surface of its pins treated with Vanadium, reducing friction with increased protection against dust. Inlet valve diameter is 26.0mm, exhaust valve diameter 21.5mm. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) was used to maximise gas flow efficiency - the route from airbox to exhaust pipe was made as straight as possible, and a plate in the airbox separates the air flow to each cylinder.

Bore size of 67mm is identical to that of the CBR600RR. CAE was used to ensure the pistons had the optimum balance between weight, strength and rigidity. The shape of the piston itself was based upon those used in the CBR1000RR; as peak rpm was going to relatively high piston noise could have been a problem. Friction is reduced by the addition of striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area, introducing gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication). As with the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR, an AB1 salt bath process, used after isonite nitriding, forms a protective oxidisation membrane.

The crankcase uses centrifugally-cast thin-walled sleeves, and the same bore interval as the CBR600RR helps them be as compact and light as possible. Careful attention has been paid to their internal design to reduce the pumping losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. Using the same internal relief structure as that of the CBR1000RR, the oil pump features improved aeration performance, with reduced friction and allows use of a simplified oil pan.

The engine itself acts as a stressed member, reinforcing the frame's rigidity with four frame hangers on the cylinder head and the Iron Nail Silver finish on the crankcase and cylinders adds depth, complementing its taut overall styling.

A secondary air injection (AI) system is built into the cylinder heads, while an oxygen  sensor and catalyser inside the 2-1 exhaust ensures the CB500X's emissions are extremely low.

Media Contact:

Emma Kershaw
Coordinator Public Relations
Honda Australia Motorcycle and Power Equipment Pty Ltd
Telephone: (+613) 9270 1183
Facsimile: (+613) 9357 0826
Website: www.honda.com.au
Email: EKershaw@hondampe.com.au

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