It commands a good road presence, striking a balance between being noticeable, yet not drawing undue attention.
BHPian MandarMax recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Today I visited Pashankar Honda at Dhole Patil Road, Pune, with two friends who have also booked the Honda NX500. Although we were only allowed a very short ride due to the pending temporary registration formalities, I could spend sufficient time with the bike, and here are some observations I’d like to share:
The bike lives up to the expectations based on the online pictures and videos I had seen. The design is both appealing and practical. Its quality, fit, and finish are impeccable, leaving nothing to be desired.
It commands a good road presence, striking a balance between being noticeable, and not drawing undue attention.
The engine’s sound profile is modest at regular RPMs but gives a very nice and pleasing note when revved harder. Again, just like the looks, the sound will not draw unnecessary attention to the bike.
The ride experience was good. The engine runs smoothly, I didn’t notice vibrations at lower speeds. The bike pulls cleanly in high gear at low speeds without any fuss. During my brief test, I reached speeds of around 70 kph effortlessly, a speed which felt much slower due to the bike’s stable ride (I thought I was doing only about 40!).
The bright LCD is easily legible even in direct sunlight, though it does tend to attract fingerprints. Despite this, I didn’t notice any distracting reflections from the rider’s vantage point.
Despite the bike being taken for multiple short rides before mine, I experienced no noticeable engine heat on my legs, though further testing on longer rides would be more telling. The seat is sufficiently wide and feels very comfortable. This is a bike you can ride for long distances without feeling tired!
The pillion seat is also comfortable, and you are perched higher for a good view ahead. Unless you are over 6 ft, most pillions will have to use foot pegs for mounting and dismounting.
The bike’s design is user-friendly and non-intimidating, making it accessible even to newer riders. At 5′ 8″, I could almost flat-foot comfortably.
The bike was displayed in both red and black, the red variant stands out and would be my personal preference. The black would appeal to those preferring a more understated look.
The headlight seems adequate. A test in the dark can confirm whether one would need aux lights.
The front indicators are dimly lit by default, providing a distinctive look, though the rear indicators do not have this feature.
Other bits:
- Unlike the dual-tone horns found on more affordable Honda models like the CB350, the NX500 comes with a single, but sufficiently loud horn.
- Deliveries are expected to start in March.
- White colour is expected to be available only from April.
In conclusion, my initial impressions of the Honda NX500 are overwhelmingly positive. The bike stands out for its blend of performance, comfort, and practicality, making it an attractive option for those in the market. While the price point is still a concern, the NX500’s offerings position it as a compelling choice within its segment.
A longer test ride would be required to assess further heat management, overall comfort, brakes/ABS/traction control, suspension, etc.
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