Exclusive: Honda CB500X India Launch Timeline And Expected Price Revealed

It’ll be Honda’s first mid-displacement ADV for the Indian market

• Expect the bike to be launched in April.
• Will be available solely through Honda’s premium BigWing dealerships. 
• Won’t be localised for now, hence it is expected to be priced at a premium.

After debuting in the 350cc segment with the Honda H’Ness CB350 and then the Honda CB350RS, the Japanese brand is now set to expand its portfolio under the premium Honda BigWing dealership network. According to our sources, the brand is likely to launch its first middleweight adventure tourer, the Honda CB500X, in the country in April. It will not be localised for now, so expect the motorcycle to command a hefty price tag of around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom), making it dearer than its only rival, the Benelli TRK 502, by a massive Rs 1.21 lakh.

The bike will be powered by a 471cc parallel-twin engine that produces 47.5PS of power and 43Nm of torque. It will be mated to a 6-speed transmission with an assist and slipper clutch. Honda uses the same motor for the internationally sold CB500F and the CBR500R. Expect top-notch refinement worthy of the Honda badge in this bike. The claimed mileage of this motorcycle stands at 28.6kmpl. This, coupled with the 17.7-litre fuel tank, should ensure a range a little over 500km on a tankful, at least theoretically.

The Honda CB500X will be sprung on a long-travel 41mm telescopic fork and a 5-step preload-adjustable linked monoshock setup. The larger 19-inch front and smaller 17-inch rear alloy wheel setup should help in mild off-roading.  But don’t expect it to be a hardcore mud plugger as the ground clearance isn’t really high at 180mm.  For reference, the KTM 390 Adventure gets a healthier 200mm clearance. 

And it doesn’t get spoke wheels either. That said, the tubeless block-pattern tyres should handle punctures much better than the tubed ones. The braking hardware will comprise a 310mm front and 240mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS as standard.

At 197kg, the bike is no featherweight. Also, Indian riders may find the 830mm standard seat a bit too high. To give you perspective, the Royal Enfield Himalayan’s seat is 800mm.  We hope Honda offers a lower seat as standard in the India-spec CB500X.

The Honda ADV rivals the Benelli TRK 502 BS6. However, you could also take a look at the Kawasaki Versys 650 that’s priced at Rs 6.94 lakh. By paying a lakh more than the CB500X, you get a better road-biased tourer with a bigger, more powerful engine and a versatile suspension.