Honda has showcased a plethora of models at EICMA 2023. One model that garnered a lot of traction in Indian media is the new NX500 adventure tourer which is set to replace the CB500X in Honda’s global lineup. Likely to make its debut in India at a later stage, the NX stands for ‘New X-over’.
Despite claiming to be all-new, the NX500 is essentially a rebadged CB500X since underneath its body, the NX500 remains practically unchanged. Even the styling of the NX500 is a lot similar to the outgoing CB500X.
Honda NX500: Updated design, features
For starters, the NX500 gets a slightly larger fairing, a new LED headlight, and a taller windscreen up front. The dual-tone paint scheme with blacked-out internals give it a slightly sportier edge. Overall the design remains the same as CB500X with the same tall stance as the latter. Tail section is also revised which gets a slightly redesigned LED taillamp. Honda is offering three paint schemes– Grand Prix Red, Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic and Pearl Horizon White.
Honda has made some crucial updates in the equipment with the NX500 getting a new LED headlight which claims better illumination, a new 5-inch digital TFT instrument console that comes with Bluetooth connectivity via Honda RoadSync, in-built navigation, and a backlit four-way toggle switch.
Honda NX500: Engine specs
While NX500 retains the same engine as the CB500X, Honda has made some critical changes in the internals of the engine. For instance, the 471cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine gets a new ECU which Honda claims to make this unit smoother. The engine has been updated with a crank counterweight and balancer shaft for a smoother riding experience, however, the power output numbers remain the same
Besides powertrain updates, Honda has also made some crucial changes on the hardware of the adventure tourer. The NX500 is equipped with a 41 mm Showa upside-down fork and a monoshock at the rear. Braking is handled by dual 296 mm discs at the front and a single disc at the rear. The bike rides on lightweight wheels that are said to reduce unsprung weight by 1.5 kg, adding to an overall weight loss of 3 kg, thus tipping the weighing scale at 196 kg.
