Honda CB500X 2019
Page Updated 8-25-20
About 9,000 miles on bike------zero issues.

Purchased June, 4th, 2019
I traded in my Africa Twin to get this bike as I was wanting something lighter---this is a lot lighter.
Probably doesn't look as offroad worthy as my Africa Twin---but at 68 years old---neither am I.

My continuing opinion of the bike will remain here at the top---and I'm sure will changed as time passes.
But for now it has proved to be a great change for me---and I've ridden it quite a bit and done some offroading
with it. As my Africa Twin was-------this is my road and easy offroad bike. I have other bikes for
tougher riding. This is not my "dirt bike". I have one.

 

In this picture I'm just getting started with accessories---so read on.

 

 

 

The stock mirrors were pretty good---but 1/2 of what I was seeing was my shoulder---so a pair of
Double Take mirrors fixed that. Probably don't need the fold in option but is what it took so I could see good.
You can see my gps mount too----I can pop in either my Garmin Montana or 276CSX whenever I please.

 

 

 

 

I love oxford heated grips and have them on my Honda rally also.
I never use power distribution thingy's that are so popular---wast of time and money.
I just wire straight to the battery------these shut themselves off automatically.

 

 

I kept the Mosko Moto tankbag that was on my Africa Twin.

 

 

 

 

Power for my heated vest-----or powering my tire pump--or to charge my stuff.
I have connectors to do all that.
Again------ straight to the battery--------with a fuse of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crossbar behind the windshield should have had a sign on it.
"Mount GPS Here"

The bar is steel and I drilled holes thru it for 2 small diameter stainless bolts to mount the Ram Ball.

 

 

 

 

GPS power can be turned off here with this waterproof push button switch.

 

 

 

On my Honda 250 Rally or my KTM 350 EXC I always wear a backpack for water and snacks.
On my bigger bikes I don't want to wear one. So the drinking system in the Mosko Moto tankbag
works out perfect. I didn't think I'd like this tankbag at first. But it spent a lot of time on my Africa
Twin and I grew to luv it. It's different.

 

 

 

 

 

Installed Cycra Pro-Bend Handguard and shields.
I anticipated problems and thought they might hit the windshield--- especially since I moved the
handle bars forward-----------but they didn't ---------barely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brackets they sent to attach to the bars made this pretty easy.
It's always problematic now-a-days doing this as we have so much stuff on the handlebars.

 

 

I new I had the Atlas throttle lock I took off my Africa Twin----------and finally found it.
Works great and can be over ridden easily.

 

 

 

Will need tires someday---will need to lube the chain So I installed a Centerstand--from Honda.

 

 

 

 

Getting some saddle bags installed for traveling was a big thing I needed to get done.
Had a bit of a time finding some racks to fit the bike---then decide what bags.
Ordered these Hepco Becker racks from Caribou Luggage systems.
Had to make sure they fit this new 2019 model---Caribou was a bit miffed about the fit but
got it straightened out. About $350 with quik release bolts. The racks can come off in 12 seconds
with one allen wrench.

 

 

 

 

While waiting for the Pelican cases me and the wife were going to go for a ride.
And I had no where to put anything-----not even her cell phone or purse.
Found these brand new "Dirt Bagz" sitting on a shelf in my shop--------perfect.
Quick on and off---------this is what I'll use for day trips. I've had several sets of these over the years
but they are out of business now I do believe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But that won't work for traveling with camping and cooking gear.
These are Pelican "Storm" 35 litre cases.
Not been a fan of hard cases for a long time. My Mosko Moto BC35's just weren't going to work
on this bike. I had them on my Africa Twin I sold.
Again-----12 seconds on------12 seconds off.
24 seconds and I can have the bags and racks off.

 

 

 

 

I really wanted top loaders---but that won't work if I lay my tent over the seat.
So Caribou suggested this accessory--------he knew what he was talking about.
My stuff won't fall out if I open the bag.

 

 

 

There are 4 of these allen bolts holding the rack on. 1/4 turn and everything comes off.

 

 

So---------I've got no tail rack ??????
Ordered one on E-bay........don't ask me what one...... I got the last one from Taiwan I think ???
Problem........which I new from the start---this rack bolts to the same place the panniers racks bolt to.
So bolting the rack there is not an option------I knew from the begining this would require some
fabrication and welding----------I'm a welder by trade.
I cut the rack mounts and welded them to the pannier mounts----3 hrs. and I was done.
This still allows pannier rack removal via the quick release bolts.
Awesome--------and I mounted my wolfman "wolftail" bag to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11-5-2019
Installed Seat Concepts seat cover and foam.
Why ???----to create some for space from the top of the seat to footpegs...this
makes is easier to stand up-------I'm 5'11". And my knees are not as bent.
This seat is 1 3/4" taller than the stock seat...I'm still flatfooted, but just barely.
I head already put risers on my handlebars so this caused no problem there.
I did not want lowered footpegs.
About $230 from Seat Concepts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I abandoned the wolman rear luggage bag and installed this Pelican case.
Again-------I bolted it to the rear race as I have no reason to ever take it off----this was simpler
to removeable methods also.

 

 

 

I had a wider Pelican on there for quite awhile and had been riding it with just that
on short rides----but when I tried to put my Caribou cases on the Pelican top case was too wide.
Dummy me---so I got this taller and narrower one. Now all is well.