You first read about the Honda NX500’s India launch in our exclusive story, and now, the Japanese bikemaker has launched the 500cc Honda bike in the country at a fantastic introductory price.
The Honda NX500 is priced at Rs 5,90,000 (introductory, ex-showroom Delhi), and is brought here as a full import (Completely Built Unit), replacing the Honda CB500X. Bookings are now open at Honda’s premium BigWing dealerships across the country, and deliveries will start from February 2024. For perspective, it is JUST Rs 11,000 more than the Honda CB500X, back when it had received a massive price cut in February 2022! The ADV will be available in Grand Prix Red, Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, and Pearl Horizon White.
The Honda NX500 primarily rivals the Benelli TRK502, and is the second most affordable twin-cylinder adventure bike in India. However, in terms of performance, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (starts from Rs 2,85,000) and the KTM 390 Adventure (Rs 3,38,746 for the standard version, both ex-showroom Delhi) are close, while being fairly more affordable.
Well, the Honda NX500 is a sleeker, prettier-looking (in our opinion) version of the Honda CB500X that our Editor PD fell in love with, back when he rode in 2021. The name is a clear throwback to the Honda NX range of the 80s and 90s which were well-known for their off-road prowess. However, this modern avatar is more of a soft-roader than a ‘proper’ ADV. 
It’s now got a bit of a Dakar-esque appeal thanks to the new, narrow headlight cowl that flows coherently into the redesigned fuel tank extensions. The side panels have also been slightly tweaked for a fresher look. Also new are the all-LED headlights, TFT console with smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, call and music control, and a backlit 4-way toggle switch on the left handlebar. It also gets a 0.2-litre smaller fuel tank than the CB500X, at 17.5 litres. This, coupled with the new bodywork and cast aluminium wheels, has resulted in a 3kg weight reduction, at 196kg kerb.
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More importantly, it also gets a switchable traction control and an updated ECU that’s claimed to improve acceleration (even though the output figures are unchanged). All these changes really bring the motorcycle up to speed in the modern times.
The core mechanicals have remained the same, as the bike gets the same, sweet 471cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine churning out 47.5PS at 8600rpm and 43Nm at 6500rpm. It works in conjunction with a 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch. The claimed mileage of the Honda NX500 is 27.8kmpl. 
The underpinnings are also the same as the one in the updated CB500X that was sold abroad: 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork, and a linked 5-step preload adjustable monoshock. Braking is via the same dual 296mm petal discs with Nissin axial callipers, and a 240mm disc with a single-piston calliper, with dual-channel ABS. It rolls on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels wrapped with block-pattern tyres. It’s got a healthy 180mm ground clearance and a fairly decent 830mm seat height.
At its introductory price, the Honda NX500 offers great value for money, especially for a premium twin-cylinder adventure bike. We couldn’t help but wonder if Honda offered a more hardcore variant with a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels with more purposeful tyres. That would’ve made the NX500 truly live up to its forefather’s moniker, don’t you think?
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