The Honda NX500 arrived in 2024 with the promise of offering a perfect compromise between urban use and light escape off the asphalt. Its modern trail look, its proven engine and its comprehensive equipment make it a model to watch closely if you are looking for a versatile and easy to live motorcycle. Discover its strengths below, illustrated by our tests carried out throughout the past year. This bike was one of the favorite bikes of Good Motors agency customers, and we understand why!
A twin-cylinder designed for efficiency
The 2024 Honda NX500 hides under its fairing an in-line twin, double ACT, 8 valves, liquid cooled, 471 cm³ under its fairing. The motor delivers 35 kW (47 hp) at 8,600 rpm, for a torque of 43 Nm at 6,500 rpm. In practice, we found that this block reacted particularly well when exiting the 3rd turn, especially when you want to accelerate to quickly get into traffic. As such, the torque curve available at low revs prevents downshifting too much, which greatly simplifies city driving.
In terms of fuel consumption, the NX500 speeds around 3.6 L/100 km, as we were able to verify by making a trip of around 150 km combining urban areas, expressways and small country roads. CO₂ emissions are measured at 82 g/km (Crit'Air 1), an asset for driving in low-emission areas without worrying about the new regulations in force on January 1, 2025!
A “diamond” frame that absorbs everyday life
The 2024 NX500 uses a diamond-like steel frame. This design provides a good balance between stiffness and flexibility. On our daily journey through small paved streets, we appreciated the stability of the bike, despite the irregularities. At low revs, for example, when you're slaloming between stationary cars, the frame is accommodating enough to avoid unpleasant jolts.
The 27.5° chase angle and 108mm of drag also make it easy to change directions, including on sharp turns at the exit of the roundabout. We even pushed the NX500 up a few dirt roads (nothing too extreme), and the frame's stiffness proved to be reassuring during short impromptu jumps over bumps.
Braking and safety: peace of mind, in the city and on the road
At the front, you'll find two 296 mm discs combined with double-piston calipers, a choice that proved to be very effective during our tests in urban areas. In particular, we carried out emergency braking tests at 50 km/h, and the dual-channel ABS managed the wheel locking perfectly. At the rear, the 240 mm disc is sufficient to correct the trajectory or slow down gently in traffic jams.
The HISS immobilizer system and the HSTC torque control (anti-traction) complete this safety device. On wet or slightly gravelled asphalt, we often saw that by accelerating frankly, the HSTC prevented the tires from losing too much grip. Always appreciated when you find yourself on an unattractive surface.
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, for a wheelbase of 1,445 mm. We were able to measure the ease of sneaking between the lines of cars: despite its trail look, the bike maintains a fairly compact size. The ground clearance of 180 mm also allowed us to cross sidewalks or slightly high speed bumps without hindrance, which is very practical for avoiding certain obstacles in the city.
With a seat height of 830 mm and a full weight of 196 kg, the NX500 remains accessible to a majority of riders. Even when you put the bike into a cramped garage, you don't feel excessive heaviness, unlike some larger trails. General ergonomics, including the position of the handlebars and the location of the footpegs, also facilitate maneuvers at low speeds.
Transmission and clutch: fluidity and control
The 6-speed gearbox, coupled with a multi-plate clutch in oil bath, offers a gradual ramp-up. In practice, we had the opportunity to test this point in peri-urban areas, where you often have to juggle between 2nd and 3rd gear. Thanks to the incredibly soft clutch, it is easy to precisely dose the handle to avoid jolts when you start again after a stop.
On the expressway, the 6th is long enough to maintain a comfortable cruising speed of 130 km/h, without the engine screaming. This proved particularly pleasant during our trips on the highway, where we were able to enjoy a trickle of gas while maintaining good power reserves to overtake.
Connectivity and instrumentation: modern life on two wheels
The 2024 Honda NX500 has a 5-inch TFT screen, which can be read even in direct sunlight. To verify this, we took a clear highway under a large blue sky, and everything remained perfectly visible, including the gear indicator and the fuel gauge. The Honda RoadSync system also allows you to pair your smartphone to follow a GPS route or answer a call, ideal if you're venturing to a destination you don't yet know.
During our tests, we also appreciated the emergency braking signal function, which activates the hazard lights in the event of sudden deceleration. This is a real plus for safety, especially on motorways or in tunnels where visibility is sometimes reduced.
In a few words, why bet on the 2024 NX500?
In short, and in our opinion, the 2024 Honda NX500 has something to appeal to a large audience. The 471 cm³ twin-cylinder engine is both flexible and energetic enough to meet the needs of mixed use, the suspensions absorb rough edges well, and the ABS coupled with HSTC reassures in terms of safety. Thanks to its measured consumption (3.6 L/100 km) and its 17.5 L tank, you can easily consider longer trips without planning too many stops at the pump.
Our overall feeling? On small country roads, the NX500 is more than honest and comfortable enough to drive for two hours at a time without marked fatigue. In the city, its lightness and turning radius help you feel immediately at ease. And if you want to venture on a small dirt road, it will not mind getting off the asphalt, within the limits of classic trail use. In short, an excellent choice if you are looking for a versatile motorcycle that is easy to handle and yet rich in sensations!
If you haven't tried it yet, we have this model available in all our cities, for example marseilles, Nice, bordeaux or lyons. Available for Young A2 licenses Also, we can only recommend that you go and consult our site and to book a rental slot, we will be happy to have it tested for you!
