Honda NX500
2026 Honda NX500 (ex-CB500X): 47.6 hp, 196 kg, €6,799, A2 licence, optional E-Clutch. Full specs, press reviews and generations.
At a glance
The 2026 Honda NX500, successor to the CB500X, is a 47.6 hp twin-cylinder adventure bike designed for the A2 licence. Priced at €6,799, it gains the optional Honda E-Clutch (€7,299). Reviewers praise its ease of use, economy and reliability, but note limited off-road ability and a non-adjustable screen.
World press review
Meta-score
9 sources
Press ratings
As much fun as the CB500X, comfortable and very frugal; slightly abrupt initial throttle, with a very short first gear.
Practical, reliable and without major flaws, with a very smooth gearbox; noisy, non-adjustable screen, firm seat, pricier than the CB500 Hornet.
Versatile A2 adventure bike most at home on tarmac, brakes clearly better than the CB500X; limited off-road, ABS cannot be switched off, stretched two-up.
The E-Clutch makes it even easier without taking away control; smooth engine, good protection; limited off-road ability.
Very smooth engine, frugal, agile and manageable; suspension a little firm off-road and rear ABS cannot be switched off.
A simple, pleasant travel enduro, far more road than off-road, adequate rather than outstanding.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
The NX500 scores 5/5 from MCN and 5/5 from Bennetts BikeSocial, on the 2024 model year. In France, Caradisiac gives it 16.1/20 (2024 test): a willing engine and a comfortable, agile chassis, but a narrow rev range and a slightly dished seat. Visordown, RevZilla, 1000PS, Motociclismo, Motorrad and SoyMotero (2026 E-Clutch version) rate it positively, without numeric scores.
What reviewers like: ease of use, the smooth engine and gearbox, economy, the brakes, reliability and running costs.
What they criticise: limited off-road ability, ABS that cannot be switched off, a non-adjustable screen, a firm seat and modest power two-up.
Key quotes
"Easy-but-enjoyable to ride, equally easy to live with and afford to run and versatile enough that you'll use it for more than just 12 Sundays each summer."
"It's an absolute joy to ride, effortless in bends and providing the rider with lots of confidence thanks to quality tyres and its light and manageable weight."
"The Honda NX500 was already one of the most balanced bikes in the A2 segment. The E-Clutch doesn't try to make it faster or sportier. It achieves something much harder: making riding easier without taking an ounce of control away from the rider."
"In short, the CB500X was a success and the NX500 takes over: it is obviously just as good but far better looking, it can't disappoint!"
Pros
- A2-compliant without restriction
- Very low fuel use and long range
- Easy and smooth
- Brakes clearly better than the CB500X
- Optional E-Clutch
Cons
- Limited off-road ability
- ABS cannot be switched off
- Non-adjustable screen
- No cruise control
- Stretched two-up
Our review
CB500X or NX500?
It is the same line. Honda renamed the CB500X the “NX500” for the 2024 model year, with new styling, a TFT screen, torque control and 3 kg less weight. The CB500X name is no longer used.
What’s new for 2026?
The novelty is the optional Honda E-Clutch: an electronic actuator handles the clutch when pulling away, stopping and shifting gear, without the rider touching the lever. It adds 3 kg according to the owner’s manual. Three new colours complete the model year. Engine and chassis are unchanged.
How much does it cost?
Honda France lists the NX500 at €6,799 and the E-Clutch version at €7,299. In the US it costs $6,899, without E-Clutch.
How good is the engine?
The 471 cc twin (67 x 66.8 mm) with a 180-degree crank makes 35 kW (47.6 hp) and 43 Nm at 6,500 rpm. It meets the A2 licence limit without restriction. Honda quotes 165 km/h. The peak-power rpm differs between Honda documents: 8,600 rpm on the Honda France website, 8,500 rpm in the 2026 press kit.
Tests describe it as smooth and linear; Caradisiac finds it willing, but with a narrow usable rev range. Visordown finds the initial throttle opening a little abrupt, and 1000PS notes slight vibration around 130-140 km/h.
How does it ride?
The NX500 carries over the 2022 CB500X chassis: a 41 mm Showa SFF-BP USD fork, a 19-inch front wheel and twin 296 mm front discs. MCN finds it “effortless in bends”, and 1000PS rates its brakes clearly better than the CB500X’s.
The reservations concern:
- limited off-road ability and ABS that cannot be switched off (1000PS, Motociclismo, RevZilla); Caradisiac sees this ABS as a risk on off-road descents;
- a non-adjustable screen, which RevZilla finds noisy; MCN also regrets the lack of adjustment;
- a firm seat after an hour (RevZilla) and a bike that is stretched two-up (1000PS).
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Honda quotes 3.6 L/100 km on the WMTC cycle. Tests record 3.5 to 4.5 L/100 km. With 17.5 litres of fuel, range is about 435 km; Honda claims over 480 km. The 2026 owner’s manual specifies an oil change every 12,000 km or every year and a valve clearance check every 24,000 km.
Recalls
No recall concerns the NX500 to date.
Specifications
| Displacement | 471 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 47.6 hp (35 kW) @ 8,600 rpm |
| Torque | 43 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| Weight | 196 kg (kerb weight); 199 kg with E-Clutch |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4.12 |
| Seat height | 830 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17.5 L |
| Fuel consumption | 3.6 L/100 km (WMTC cycle) — 82 g/km CO2 |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 12,000 km or 1 year — Valves: 24,000 km (2026 Honda owner's manual) |
| Engine type | 180-degree parallel twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8 valves, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, assist-and-slipper clutch (optional E-Clutch) |
| License | A2 |
| MSRP | €6,799 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 67 x 66,8 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 10,7:1 |
| Fuel system | PGM-FI fuel injection, 34 mm throttle bodies |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, shim adjustment |
| Max power RPM | 8600 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 6500 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | 35 mm steel tube diamond frame |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 27.5 ° |
| Trail | 108 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1445 mm |
| Ground clearance | 180 mm |
| Front suspension | 41 mm Showa SFF-BP USD fork, 135 mm travel, non-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Pro-Link monoshock, 5-step preload adjustment, 135 mm travel |
| Front brake | Twin 296 mm discs, Nissin axial 2-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | Single 240 mm disc, single-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 110/80 R19 |
| Rear tire | 160/60 R17 |
| ABS system | 2-channel ABS, cannot be switched off |
Performance
| Top speed | 165 km/h |
|---|
Electronics & rider aids
| Traction control | Yes |
|---|---|
| Quickshifter | No |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | 5-inch colour TFT |
| Connectivity | Honda RoadSync (navigation, calls, music) |
| Other features | HSTC torque control, can be switched off, Optional Honda E-Clutch: pulling away, stopping and gear changes without the clutch lever, Assist-and-slipper clutch, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), HISS immobiliser, Full LED lighting, Optional 12 V socket |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Upright, wide handlebars (adventure) |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Tall fixed screen (not adjustable) |
| Payload | 190 kg |
The NX500 offers an upright adventure-bike position with wide handlebars and an 830 mm seat. Its tall screen is not adjustable: SoyMotero rates the protection very good, RevZilla finds it noisy, and Caradisiac rates it adequate but improvable. Caradisiac also finds the seat slightly dished. The owner’s manual limits total load to 190 kg (rider, passenger and luggage), and 1000PS finds it stretched two-up.
Ownership & maintenance
3.5-4.5 L/100 km (tests: SoyMotero 3.5 L, RevZilla ≈ 3.7 L, BikeSocial ≈ 4.0 L, Visordown ≈ 4.5 L ridden hard)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~435 km (estimated: 17.5 L tank / real-world 4.0 L/100 km); Honda claims over 480 km
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 12,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 24,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 24,000 km |
| Chain | Check and lubricate every 1,000 km |
Warranty
2 years / Unlimited mileage; extendable year by year up to 6 years with servicing in the Honda network
Honda’s 2026 owner’s manual specifies an oil change every 12,000 km or every year; oil filter, air filter and spark plug replacement and a valve clearance check every 24,000 km; coolant every 3 years and brake fluid every 2 years. The chain should be checked and lubricated every 1,000 km. Honda France provides a 2-year unlimited-mileage warranty, extendable year by year up to 6 years with servicing in the Honda network.
Direct competitors
| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda NX500 | €6,799 | 47.6 hp (35 kW) @ 8,600 rpm | 196 kg (kerb weight); 199 kg with E-Clutch |
| Kawasaki KLE5002026 | €6,549 | 45 hp | 194 kg (wet) |
| Royal Enfield Himalayan 4502026 | €5,890 | 40 hp | 196 kg (kerb, 90% fuel) |
| BMW F 450 GS2026 | €7,500 | 47.5 hp | 178 kg (wet) |
| KTM 390 Adventure X2026 | €6,199 | 45 hp | 176 kg (full tank) |
Generations
- CB500X2013 – 2015
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 196 kg (road-ready)
Launch: A2 adventure-style twin inspired by the Crosstourer, 17-inch front wheel, single front disc.
- CB500X2016 – 2018
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 196 kg (road-ready)
Taller screen, bigger tank, LED lighting, preload-adjustable fork; Euro 4 and new silencer in 2017.
- CB500X2019 – 2021
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 197 kg (road-ready)
Redesign: 19-inch front wheel, longer-travel suspension, more mid-range torque, assist-and-slipper clutch; Euro 5 in 2021.
- CB500X2022 – 2023
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 199 kg (road-ready)
Showa SFF-BP USD fork, twin front discs with axial calipers, lighter swingarm and front wheel.
- NX5002024 – today
471 cc · 47.6 hp · 43 Nm · 196 kg (road-ready)
New name and styling, 5-inch TFT with RoadSync, HSTC torque control, 3 kg lighter; optional E-Clutch in 2026 (199 kg).
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB500X2013 – 2015 Launch: A2 adventure-style twin inspired by the Crosstourer, 17-inch front wheel, single front disc. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 196 kg road-ready |
| CB500X2016 – 2018 Taller screen, bigger tank, LED lighting, preload-adjustable fork; Euro 4 and new silencer in 2017. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 196 kg road-ready |
| CB500X2019 – 2021 Redesign: 19-inch front wheel, longer-travel suspension, more mid-range torque, assist-and-slipper clutch; Euro 5 in 2021. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 197 kg road-ready |
| CB500X2022 – 2023 Showa SFF-BP USD fork, twin front discs with axial calipers, lighter swingarm and front wheel. | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 199 kg road-ready |
| NX5002024 – today New name and styling, 5-inch TFT with RoadSync, HSTC torque control, 3 kg lighter; optional E-Clutch in 2026 (199 kg). | 471 cc | 47.6 hp | 43 Nm | 196 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
No known recalls for this model.