After over a decade, the CB500X—Honda’s midsize adventure bike—is no more. Okay, that’s a bit disingenuous. Although the popular motorcycle has been renamed, it retains all that we love about this approachable, versatile machine. However, the 2024 Honda NX500 comes with more than just a name change. It integrates a new fairing with a TFT display, updated fuel mapping with traction control, lighter wheels, and revised suspension settings into the stealthily badged NX500.
- The 2024 Honda NX500 is a broadly accessible and practical bike that has you covered seven days a week. Big enough to handle freeway duties without being too heavy or too tall for casual riding, the NX500 works as both a commuter and weekend adventure partner. Its ADV classification means you can stray down a dirt road for light adventuring, and also scratch your sporty itch in the canyons. And, because it’s a Honda, everything is well-sorted, reliable, and built to last.
- ADV styling without the lofty seat height keeps the NX500 relatively accessible. The NX looks taller than it is. Although it has a 19-/17-inch wheelset, the suspension travel is modest at less than six inches at each end. When I straddle the seat, I can get my boots flat on the ground with my 30.5-inch inseam, despite the 32.7-inch seat height. The upright seating position makes it easy to keep an eye on surrounding vehicles, the 432-pound curb weight is not overwhelming, and the wide handlebar enables effortless maneuvering. All three elements contribute to the NX being a stress-free ride around town, especially in low-speed situations.
- The 471cc DOHC parallel twin is at once responsive and forgiving, making the NX500 an unintimidating and fun ride. Newer riders will appreciate how easy it is to get underway without having to finesse the throttle. The perfectly agreeable engine has a flat torque curve, and the smooth power delivery needs no managing. Should you forget to downshift all the way to 1st gear at a stop, there’s enough torque to pull from 2nd or 3rd gear, making the NX one of the easiest bikes to ride.
- Honda updated the ECU setting for stronger acceleration. While I don’t doubt the engineers made some changes, the 2024 Honda NX500 doesn’t feel much different from the CB500X—perhaps it’s noticeable if you ride them back-to-back. At the same time Honda allowed the motor to spin up more freely, traction control was added as a measure of compensation. In tandem, the motor feels as good as ever. In the process, we get the traction control safety enhancement, which is always welcome.
- The NX’s transmission works perfectly, adding to the carefree experience of riding this bike. Shifting is seamless and effortless; there’s no hunting for neutral at a stop, and the assist side of the slip-and-assist clutch means the clutch pull is light. The NX500 is geared low for its off-road forays and has short overall gearing. This works well for around-town duties, though if you spend a lot of time on the freeway in the fast lane, you’ll be pushing over 6000 rpm and feeling like you want to shift into seventh.
- The NX500 feels secure and stable at high speeds but is not quick on the overtake. As a Honda, the NX500 can run high in the rev range all day. However, above 6500 rpm, there’s a buzz in the seat and handlebar, and the mirrors start to lose their sharpness. The NX has a solid feel on the road, even just shy of triple digits. You have to downshift for any fast moves, or you’ll quickly be reminded that you’re on a 500.
- Speaking of high speeds, you might notice something different about our test bike. The NX500’s new Africa Twin-inspired fairing and non-adjustable windshield did not get along. Even at boulevard speeds, I was getting excessive turbulence and noise. Other staffers experienced it to a lesser extent, but it made it difficult for me to concentrate on riding the bike. We called Givi and procured the Italian company’s two-piece AF1203B windshield. The Givi windshield was installed in minutes and solved the problem. The upper screen’s adjustment range allowed me to fine-tune the height to conditions—you can do it on the fly, though we don’t recommend it. It’s an improvement at all speeds, and the Givi AF1203B looks good on the NX500—a superb solution for $199.
- The upright NX500 is a great urban warrior, ready to split lanes and move to the head of the queue. Its well-positioned mirrors and wide handlebar height don’t compete with car mirrors, and the NX has a presence moving through traffic that allows me to confidently navigate busy conditions. The predictable and linear power delivery never distracts my attention, and the compliant suspension capably handles the deteriorating urban/suburban roadways. The Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires have no issue with freeway rain grooves. Putting that together makes battling across the city on the NX500 an enjoyable challenge instead of a chore as I ask myself, “Can I better the ETA on my nav app?” I arrive at work energized and ready to take on the day.
- New, lighter wheels mean the 2024 Honda NX500 has altered suspension settings. The new wheels shave 3.3 pounds off the NX’s curb weight and led to complementary damping adjustments to the inverted Showa SFF-BP fork and linkage-assisted shock. With a 5.9-inch fork stroke and 5.3 inches of rear wheel travel, the suspension works nicely, soaking up bumps and road irregularities at around-town speeds. Suspension remains non-adjustable, save for shock spring-preload.
- The NX500 does a respectable job in the canyons, outrunning a poorly driven BMW M3 on a favored test route. The NX’s suspension does decently well when pushed aggressively in the twisties, allowing for an enthusiastic ride, even with the dirt-shaded Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires. Downshifting into corners aggressively with the slipper clutch and twisting the throttle hard on exit makes it easy to overtake a slow vehicle on a well-paved road. When the asphalt becomes bumpy, I am reminded that the NX is not a sport bike; the non-adjustable rebound damping is too light for my 115-pound weight, and I get tossed around. At a more casual pace, the NX is light on its feet thanks to the wide handlebar and the 19-inch front wheel.
- The 2024 Honda NX500 is an adventure bike, so off-road I went with success. The ergonomics work in the dirt, and standing up isn’t awkward. The Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires handle the NX’s split duties competently, and traction control can be turned off when you leave the pavement. It’s fun spinning up the rear tire with the peppier tuning, and the suspension works well within its travel-induced limitations—I was even able to get minor air on some dirt roads. The 19-inch front wheel rolls over off-road irregularities, and the NX’s 432-pound weight keeps the bike manageable in the dirt. Certainly, a pair of Pirelli Scorpion Rally or Michelin Anakee Wild tires would help in the dirt, at some cost to on-road performance.
- Nissin calipers working 296mm discs confidently take care of braking duties on the NX500. Initial engagement feel at the six-position adjustable lever is soft—no radial mounting here—though the linear response is predictable. The brakes are up to the task of slowly the NX quickly when using the rear brake as a supplement. There’s good feel at the pedal for finessing slow speeds coming to a stop. ABS is standard and non-obtrusive, even in the dirt.
- A five-inch TFT display replaces the CB500X’s LCD dash, giving the 2024 Honda NX500 a crisp, modern cockpit. A small backlit toggle switch on the left-side handlebar switchgear enables easy navigation through the menu. Scrolling through the basic menu, I discover I’ve been getting close to 60 mpg on the thrifty NX—impressive, considering I’ve been flogging the engine while keeping up with the holiday-fueled frenetic freeway pace around Los Angeles. A small, dedicated left-thumb switch disengages traction control on the fly.
- With updates and a new name, Honda hasn’t lost sight of what makes their midsize adventure bike so appealing. The 2024 Honda NX500 is the same reliable, versatile, broadly accommodating motorcycle it has been for over a decade with the CB badge. While the NX500 isn’t likely to be the most adventurous, sportiest, or coolest bike you could have in your garage, it might be the most versatile and practical. The good news is, it’s only $100 more than last year’s CB500X‚ that’s a steal.
Photography by Don Williams
RIDING STYLE
2024 Honda NX500 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 471cc
- Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 66.8mm
- Compression ratio: 10.7:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Fueling: EFI w/ 34mm throttle bodies
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Wet multiplate
- Final drive: 520 O-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable Showa SFF-BP 41mm inverted fork; 9 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted spring-preload adjustable shock; 5.3 inches
- Wheels: 5-Y-spoke aluminum
- Front tire: 110/80 x 19
- Rear tire: 160/60 x 17
- Front brakes: 296mm discs w/ 4-piston Nissin calipers
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 56.8 inches
- Rake: 27 degrees
- Trail: 4.3 inches
- Seat height: 32.7 inches
- Fuel capacity: 4.7 gallons
- Curb Weight: 432 pounds
- Color: Matte Black Metallic
2024 Honda NX500 Price: $7399 MSRP ($7598, as tested)
2024 Honda NX500 Review Photo Gallery
