New Honda NX500 takes on the middleweight crossover class

Honda has launched a number of new models in 2024, including the new Honda NX500, although this is essentially a restyling and renaming of a previous Honda model.

The best way to summarise the Honda NX500 is that it is what we have called ‘CB500X’ until now. The letters ‘NX’ mean ‘New X-over’, Honda says, wishing to make clear this bike’s identity seems to be the reason for the name change, since it says that part of the model’s popularity has been down to its useability “for a wide variety of owners.”

It is also down to new, more aggressive styling, and upgrades in terms of technology and specifications which include Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and acceleration-focused ECU updates.

Honda RoadSync is also featured, connectable via the five-inch TFT display taken from the Honda XL750 Transalp, while lighting is fully LED now, thanks to the introduction of an LED taillight.

The motorcycle's chassis specifications include a 41mm Showa SFF-BP front fork, dual 296mm front discs with radial-mounted four-piston Nissin callipers, a single-tube rear shock, a single 240mm rear disc with a single-piston Nissin calliper, and new five-spoke Y-shape wheels that save 800g at the front (19-inch) and 700g at the rear (17-inch) compared to the seven-spoke versions used on the previous CB500X.

There are four accessory pack available: ‘Adventure’, ‘Travel’, ‘Urban’, and ‘Comfort’.

The Adventure pack includes fog lights, front crash protection, hand guards, a smoked screen, wheel stripes, and tank pads; the Travel pack adds to 16.5-litre plastic panniers and a 22-litre rear seat bag; the Urban pack gives a 38-litre top box with a pillion backrest and an inner bag, and a main stand; and finally the Comfort pack includes heated grips, wind deflectors, an ACC socket, and a three-litre tank bag.

The 2024 Honda NX500 will be available in the colours ‘Grand Prix Red’, ‘Matt Gunpowder’, ‘Black Metallic’, and ‘Pearl Horizon White’, and will retail for £6,799 with availability expected from early 2024.

2024 Honda NX500 specifications