Had an hour on a cb500x.
For those thinking anywhere near negatively about it... test one. I did q little while back.
Plenty of power low down, feels like a twin with the vibes, then get past 4k and she sings and takes off. Nimble, good suspension but limited by lack of adjutlstabily. Light weight compared to the glee.
Personally if I had the money id have both or either over anything else on the market.
The glee/wee would be far better for touring 2up, but riding solo the cb500x over long distance would be fine, luggage options should be typically comprehensive with a Honda product.
Styling is nice, I prefer the look compared to the very simular nc700x. But the 500 has less of the little details that get overlooked- like the differences betwee the vee and wee.
Finish is good, very good when you look at the price tag.
I test ride it as I fancied seeing what a bottom of the price range adventure style bike was like compared to something like the GS (rode one last year and hated it) the glee was tested recently, tigers didn't do it for me just sitting still and the other options fell short of my requirements. Well I was very surprised and put it this way... if I wanted an economical play thing that could be practical and do some touring (ICBM tours would be too fast for a 47bhp bike) I would have one. I left thinking was there a way I could sneak one past the mrs, hide it and afford to run 4 bikes.
Only real negative was the bloody screen was appalling, but many hate the stock glee screen and options will soon be out to solve it.
For a smaller stature person the cb500 would be the predured bike, new riders will remain happy as the power2weight is good and hooligan fan can be easily had. The glee is physically bigger, taller and faster. if some offroad action is desired the cb has 17" front wheel but I'd be more likely to take a cb500x with their stock tyres offroad than a glee with trailwings.
Test ride will show its a practical, comfy little bike that's bags of fun with a good grab of the throttle.
