The Honda NX500: the ideal compromise between a daily and an escape

The Honda NX500 arrived in 2024 with the promise of offering a perfect compromise between urban use and light off-road escapism. Its modern trail look, proven powertrain and comprehensive equipment make it a model to keep a close eye on if you're looking for a versatile, easy-going motorcycle. Discover its strengths below, illustrated by our tests over the past year. This bike was one of Good Motors agency customers' favorites, and we can see why!

A twin-cylinder designed for efficiency

The Honda NX500 2024 hides under its fairing a 471 cm³, liquid-cooled, 8-valve, DOHC, in-line twin. The engine delivers 35 kW (47 hp) at 8,600 rpm, and 43 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. In practice, we found this block to be particularly responsive when exiting corners in 3rd gear, especially when you need to accelerate to get into traffic quickly. In this respect, the torque curve available from low revs means there's no need to downshift too much, which makes city driving a whole lot easier.

In terms of fuel consumption, the NX500 runs at around 3.6 L/100 km, as we were able to verify on a trip of around 150 km mixing urban areas, expressways and small country roads. CO₂ emissions, meanwhile, are measured at 82 g/km (Crit'Air 1), an advantage for driving in low-emission zones without worrying about the new regulations in force on January 1, 2025!

A "diamond" chassis that absorbs everyday life

The NX500 2024 uses a steel diamond frame. This design provides a good balance between rigidity and flexibility. On our daily ride through narrow cobbled streets, we appreciated the bike's stability, despite the irregularities. At low revs, for example when slaloming between stationary cars, the frame is sufficiently forgiving to avoid unpleasant jolts.

The 27.5° caster angle and 108 mm drag also make it easy to change direction, even on tight bends coming out of traffic circles. We even pushed the NX500 on a few dirt roads (nothing too extreme), and the frame's rigidity proved reassuring during improvised jumps over bumps.

Braking and safety: peace of mind in town and on the road

At the front, you'll find two 296 mm discs combined with twin-piston calipers, a choice that proved highly effective during our urban testing. In particular, we tested emergency braking at 50 km/h, and the dual-channel ABS handled wheel lock-up perfectly. At the rear, the 240 mm disc is sufficient to correct trajectory or slow down gently in traffic jams.

The HISS immobilizer and HSTC torque control (traction control) complete the safety package. On damp or slightly gravelly roads, we often found that when accelerating hard, HSTC prevented the tires from losing too much grip. This is always appreciated when driving on a surface with little grip.

Size and ergonomics: the right balance for everyday life

In terms of dimensions, the NX500 is 2,165 mm long, 830 mm wide and 1,415 mm high, with a wheelbase of 1,445 mm. We were able to gauge how easy it is to weave between queues of cars: despite its trail-like appearance, the bike retains a rather compact format. The 180 mm ground clearance also enabled us to negotiate curbs and high speed bumps with ease, which is very useful for avoiding obstacles in town.

With a seat height of 830 mm and an all-up weight of 196 kg, the NX500 remains accessible to most riders. Even when the bike is tucked away in a cramped garage, it doesn't feel excessively heavy, unlike some larger trail bikes. General ergonomics, including handlebar position and footrest location, also facilitate low-speed manoeuvring.

Transmission and clutch: fluidity and control

The 6-speed gearbox, coupled with an oil-immersed multi-plate clutch, offers a progressive rev-up. In practice, we had the opportunity to test this point in suburban areas, where you often have to juggle between 2nd and 3rd gears. Thanks to the incredibly smooth clutch, it's easy to dose the throttle precisely to avoid jerking when restarting after a stop.

On fast roads, the 6th gear is long enough to maintain a comfortable cruising speed at 130 km/h, without the engine screaming. This proved particularly pleasant on our freeway journeys, where we were able to enjoy a trickle of throttle while retaining good reserves of power for overtaking.

Connectivity and instrumentation: modern life on two wheels

The Honda NX500 2024 features a 5-inch TFT display that's easy to read even in bright sunlight. To check this out, we took a clear road under a bright blue sky, and everything remained perfectly visible, including the gear indicator and fuel gauge. The Honda RoadSync system also lets you pair up with your smartphone to follow a GPS route or answer a call, ideal if you're heading off to an unfamiliar destination.

During our tests, we also appreciated the emergency brake warning function, which activates the hazard warning lights in the event of sudden deceleration. This is a real plus for safety, especially on freeways or in tunnels where visibility is sometimes reduced.

In a few words, why invest in the NX500 2024?

All in all, in our opinion, the Honda NX500 2024 has what it takes to appeal to a wide audience. The 471 cm³ twin-cylinder engine is both flexible and energetic enough to meet the needs of mixed use, the suspension absorbs roughness well, and the ABS coupled to the HSTC reassures on the safety front. Thanks to its measured fuel consumption (3.6 L/100 km) and 17.5 L fuel tank, you can easily envisage longer trips without too many stops at the pump.

Our overall impression? On small country roads, the NX500 is more than honestly lively and comfortable enough to drive for two hours at a time without noticeable fatigue. In town, its lightness and turning radius help you feel at ease immediately. And if you feel like venturing out onto a little dirt road, it won't mind getting off the tarmac, within the limits of classic trail riding. All in all, an excellent choice if you're looking for a bike that's versatile, easy to handle and yet full of thrills!

If you haven't tried it yet, we have this model available in all our cities, including Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon. Also available for young A2 drivers, we can only recommend that you visit our website and book a rental slot - we'll be delighted to give it a try!