Switched from CB500X to CB500 Sport

Location (the bike, and sometimes me) North West London.

Today I sold a 2014 CB500X and bought a 1998 CB500 Sport, red, 108,000 miles (half of that for dispatching). And surprisingly (perhaps not to people here) I couldn't be happier.




The price was low, and it needs cosmetic work, so I will be scouring the 'for sale' section. A new fairing and new headlight would be nice... A neighbour who rides called it a peach of a bike. And a mate who has just bought a new BMW gave the impression that he wouldn't be seen dead on it

There is a more detailed comparison with the CB500X on my usual forum therevcounter.co.uk/threads/113375-Traded-2014-CB500X-for-1998-CB500S-comparison

It has a newish battery. How long can be they left to stand without an Optimate? If I park at the airport for two weeks, will it start OK?

Hello! Looks good!

It should be fine after two weeks standing at the airport, especially as the weather isn't too cold at this time of year. That is, of course, assuming that the charging system is all working OK so you arrived at the airport with a fully charged battery.

I've never left my bike at an airport (let alone one near London) - is there anything to lock your bike to?

Thanks for the answer.

eternally_troubled wrote:Hello!  Looks good!
I've never left my bike at an airport (let alone one near London) - is there anything to lock your bike to?

Yes, the airports have free parking, and at Heathrow it is covered though open, with a solid beam along the middle, and I have a good Almax lock, though on the CB500X it would not go through the frame. There are cameras everywhere, and I think airport parking is probably among the safer places in London. Also, it is a low cost bike--though maybe still not immune from the plague of thieves, especially as the luggage may contain gear which cost a lot more than the bike

And here's me thinking I'll have to go in the other direction once the ulez looms! Having ridden a variety of bike, I'm totally dedicated to the reliability and charm of these bikes.

Thus far, my own slightly battered 500s has been far under the radar of any thieves, especially when parking in London next too far shinier beasts.

Re the battery, two weeks should be fine, charge it up fully before you go though. And worst case scenario, they bump in second (or third) like a dream. I'd never bumped a bike on my own before my reg/rec failed, and after a few tries, I reckon I can get it to bump within ten paces.

Considering the mileage, it looks to be in pretty good order.

Mine will easily start after two weeks of not being used. Sometimes even 4 weeks.

louis_sutton wrote:And here's me thinking I'll have to go in the other direction once the ulez looms!

Yes, Ultra Low Emission Zone will be a problem if you need to be right in the centre of London. The newer ones are nice, and similar, though the build quality on mine was questionable--for more, see the URL (I cannot post a link) to my detailed comparision in opening post. If choosing again, I'd take another look at NC750. The latest Zero electric bikes also look nice, if expensive.

louis_sutton wrote:And worst case scenario, they bump in second (or third) like a dream. I'd never bumped a bike on my own before my reg/rec failed, and after a few tries, I reckon I can get it to bump within ten paces.

Reminds me of my old Ducati single. The kickstarter was so useless that bumping was the norm. A light bike, but embarrasing to try to start when you stalled having filtered to front between the lanes on Park Lane!

John_B wrote:

louis_sutton wrote:And here's me thinking I'll have to go in the other direction once the ulez looms!

Yes, Ultra Low Emission Zone will be a problem if you need to be right in the centre of London. The newer ones are nice, and similar, though the build quality on mine was questionable--for more, see the URL (I cannot post a link) to my detailed comparision in opening post. If choosing again, I'd take another look at NC750. The latest Zero electric bikes also look nice, if expensive.

louis_sutton wrote:And worst case scenario, they bump in second (or third) like a dream. I'd never bumped a bike on my own before my reg/rec failed, and after a few tries, I reckon I can get it to bump within ten paces.

The big manufacturers are really starting to get on the electric bike game. KTM are developing an electric version of the Duke (probably roughly similar in terms of performance to the current 390), Yamaha have just announced two new electric bikes and Honda have the Mugen TT team so are doubtless well in development for something of their own. I've ridden the current KTM Freeride E models (all apart from the sumo version) and can say that they are really good offroad. Quick, incredibly torquey and lighter than I would have thought. I'm really excited to see what comes out in the next few years.

I did read your post, very interesting. The major benefit over the nc750 is the cost really. Parking on the street means I want the cheapest (and preferably cosmetically horrifying) bike in the rank. Yet I'm still tempted by an mt07.

Re the electrics-soon as they sort the battery and recharge technology, that'll be it. Paris is intending no petrol vehicles by 2040- I suspect they won't be alone in that intention.

No petrol vehicles at all... Hopefully I will be dead by then!

John_B wrote:Location (the bike, and sometimes me) North West London.

Today I sold a 2014 CB500X and bought a 1998 CB500 Sport, red, 108,000 miles (half of that for dispatching). And surprisingly (perhaps not to people here) I couldn't be happier.




The price was low, and it needs cosmetic work, so I will be scouring the 'for sale' section. A new fairing and new headlight would be nice... A neighbour who rides called it a peach of a bike. And a mate who has just bought a new BMW gave the impression that he wouldn't be seen dead on it

There is a more detailed comparison with the CB500X on my usual forum therevcounter.co.uk/threads/113375-Traded-2014-CB500X-for-1998-CB500S-comparison

It has a newish battery. How long can be they left to stand without an Optimate? If I park at the airport for two weeks, will it start OK?

Hi,  welcome.  Nice bike, you'll love it.  


These characters that ride beemer rg12s/ktms/twins (just guessing) , think they're the only bikes.  I can see the beauty in riding a c90 or a rg12s, there's so much snobbery around.  

TheWizardofOdds wrote:
These characters that ride beemer rg12s/ktms/twins (just guessing) , think they're the only bikes.  I can see the beauty in riding a c90 or a rg12s, there's so much snobbery around.  

Ha ha... one of my best mates picked a brand new F700GS today, with all the toys and BMW jacket and £700 helmet thrown in. It is just a different side to motorcycling. I am happy with what I've got :-)

I think most 1200GS riders are stupid, can't ride very well, and have status anxiety. They ride no differently than I drive, on a machine with weight and dimensions not significantly different than a small family car. To make the most out of the GS you need to be an accomplished rider - I know a few who are just that. They chuck that damn behemoth around. Most don't, can't and never will.

I digress!! Here's a funny quote from the Rev Counter thread: "Oil and filter changes every 15-20,000".

Dem's some intervals for the cb500, hell, any bike!!

trevor machine wrote:I think most 1200GS riders are stupid, can't ride very well, and have status anxiety. They ride no differently than I drive, on a machine with weight and dimensions not significantly different than a small family car. To make the most out of the GS you need to be an accomplished rider - I know a few who are just that. They chuck that damn behemoth around. Most don't, can't and never will.

I come from the enduro/greenlane school of offroading so the idea of taking a 250kg GS with the kitchen sink on the back offroad puzzles me. Granted I wouldn't take my KTM 125 EXC around the world, but then neither would the vast vast majority of GS riders. I've never ridden a big GS, but I don't like the idea of a bike, which is designed to be on its side, that I can't pick up by myself.

There are a good few GSs in the IoM, (a country 32 miles long by 14 miles wide!) and I sometimes wonder what amazing adventures they get up to on their Sunday morning rides. 

That said, I still nod to them and most nod back. To each, their own.

ratatooie wrote:
There are a good few GSs in the IoM, (a country 32 miles long by 14 miles wide!) and I sometimes wonder what amazing adventures they get up to on their Sunday morning rides. 

That said, I still nod to them and most nod back. To each, their own.

For most people, I think the more you spend on a motorcycle the less you use it. If you can afford an expensive toy, why not.

Fact is, I too am a middle-aged guy who does not ride to or at work, or race, or do track days. I don't have the skills to exploit a big bike, so mine's a Sunday afternoon toy too. I am just not able or willing to burn the running costs of a GS or Multistrada on the hobby

A middleweight which is a little raw, is easy to chuck around, and which I can and should maintain myself feels like keeping it real. The CB500 is perfect.

Enjoyed reading your thread, thanks. I've sometimes wondered about 'changing up' to a new(er) bike, but for me I can't really see the point. The CBs ride very nicely, and because of the low value and cheap spares I don't worry about using it.

John_B wrote:Location (the bike, and sometimes me) North West London.

Today I sold a 2014 CB500X and bought a 1998 CB500 Sport, red, 108,000 miles (half of that for dispatching). And surprisingly (perhaps not to people here) I couldn't be happier.




The price was low, and it needs cosmetic work, so I will be scouring the 'for sale' section. A new fairing and new headlight would be nice... A neighbour who rides called it a peach of a bike. And a mate who has just bought a new BMW gave the impression that he wouldn't be seen dead on it

There is a more detailed comparison with the CB500X on my usual forum therevcounter.co.uk/threads/113375-Traded-2014-CB500X-for-1998-CB500S-comparison

It has a newish battery. How long can be they left to stand without an Optimate? If I park at the airport for two weeks, will it start OK?

I totally agree with you.

In fact, I sold a TDM 900, big bike, and 85 horsepower. Shortly after buying it, I hated her. Incredible boring, incredible heavy, the wind affected him too much. In one word.. HORRIBLE.

I went back to the CB500, and turned the smile on my face.

Good luck with your CB John_B