The Honda PCX / Forza / ADV150 / SH Forums

Just wanted to throw this topic out there for some clean and happy discussion : ) I love my 2013 PCX 150 and I am going to keep it until it doesnt want me anymore, but I have been in search of a second scoot/bike that will be useful for longer distance and higher sustained speeds.
Here is a list of sccots and bikes that I have researched to death......
Honda Forza
Yamaha TMAX
Piaggio Bev350
Honda NC700
Honda Interceptor
Honda CB500/R-F-R
and a few others
After a few months of research and dreaming I have found that the Honda CB500X is the best of the bunch for MPG, top speed, price, reliability, available accessories, driving comfort......
The Honda CB500X seems like a great bike for everything the PCX cant do. I was trying to my hardest to get another scooter or DSG similar to a scoot but the 500X just makes perfect sense for my needs.

Did you look at the V-Strom 650? I just bought one for the same reasons, though I feel a little bad. The PCX is great and maneuverable and really fast, for 150cc. I've taken it on some rough roads and maybe the crack in the right rear fairing is from one of the spills it took earlier this year, but I feel like maybe the topcase bouncing on the rough roads hasn't helped. The V-Strom is amazing on crappy roads. The low-end torque is terrific. Very smooth. Wind screen sucks and I've got a stupendous roar of wind when riding above 45mph. I'll be trying shorter screens or something. If you look at these bikes, get a 2012 or later model. Better suspension, some engine tweaking, better gas mileage. Yesterday, I clocked 65mpg for 278 miles. Average speeds were low, because the roads are twisty and the group is mellow. 5.3 gallon tank! Lots of aftermarket stuff available.

I liked the NC700, but the gas tank is too small. One guy I know says he gets about 210 miles per tank. I was interested in the CBR500R, but not many available used here, and the insurance was crazy. A lot of owners must crash. :-)

Sharing two photos of my new ride. I'm keeping the scooter for now. Better for my four mile commute to work. But my parking space in the condo garage is getting crowded.

Out of the 6 bikes that you listed the Honda CB500x and possibly the Yamaha Tmax. I have 4 different bikes now. I enjoy riding all of them depending on the ride and distance. If I were to get a CB500x or a Kawasaki KLR650 I think I would also have to have a roomy transcontinental pavement burner. I'm talking about a bike over 1000cc or more. Now that I will be turning 60yrs old this year I look at 2wheelers totally different than when I was younger. Fuel economy, ease of maintenance, availability of aftermarket farkles and parts play in my decision more than ever. After owning about 45 different m/c's in my life I have figured out that you cannot find the ultimate single bike that will satisfy your riding needs. I love a smaller motorcycle for around town and small tight country roads. But if I'm going to be long distance 500-1000mi a day, I would like a big bike. I rode a 1982 Honda GL500 Interstate for 58,000mi cross country and all points in between. Did 2 back to back 1000mi days so I know you can go anywhere on any scoot if you are determined. Now I would need a serious bike to do that now. I did 326mi on my PCX150 couple of weeks ago. This was over the course of a whole day. Probably could have done 425-450mi a day and wake up the next day to do it again.

Now that you have a view into my motorcycle mentality I have to say my top pick on that list would be a 2016 Honda CB500x ABS. I know you could ride it as fast as you could get away with all day long, day after day and still have Honda reliability. I know fuel mileage can be between 60-80mpg on that Honda. Don't be afraid to put money into it on useful parts that make it more comfortable before wasting money only on useless upgrades.

CAUTION: The opinion of this motorcyclist is not certified in this field of expertise! Always consult your
inner self !

txpcx13 wrote:Just wanted to throw this topic out there for some clean and happy discussion : ) I love my 2013 PCX 150 and I am going to keep it until it doesnt want me anymore, but I have been in search of a second scoot/bike that will be useful for longer distance and higher sustained speeds.
Here is a list of sccots and bikes that I have researched to death......
Honda Forza
Yamaha TMAX
Piaggio Bev350
Honda NC700
Honda Interceptor
Honda CB500/R-F-R
and a few others
After a few months of research and dreaming I have found that the Honda CB500X is the best of the bunch for MPG, top speed, price, reliability, available accessories, driving comfort......
The Honda CB500X seems like a great bike for everything the PCX cant do. I was trying to my hardest to get another scooter or DSG similar to a scoot but the 500X just makes perfect sense for my needs.

+1 got to the same conclusion. All my friends are riding large BMWs for touring but I can't think of meself on those and the 500x seems to be a very sensible solution. As this year I'm very occupied and have no time to leave on the weekends (working on my MBA is is quite demanding on my weekends and on my free ones I have obligations to my kids) I'm planning to get one for next summer's riding season.
The way I am I cannot stand riding anything being stck so I already have plans to improve 500x. Actually I wanted to buy an already upgraded one with an RRP LV3 kit from the UK but the seller sold it to someone local.
I already have collected a few stuff (PCV, wideband O2 controller, suspension upgrade parts and plans) even though I don't have the bike itself yet.

The TMAX would be my choice--at least if I were looking for a displacement similar to the CB500. Reasons? Two: 1) Lots of storage 2) CVT trans. The mpg is probably not as good as the Honda, however, and that is a potent downside, I admit.

If you're buying a CB500 get a recent one.
The early ones had problems with oil loss due to a design flaw in the cylinder head.
Its the Thailand effect, just about every Thai manufactured Honda has had problems, Honda reliability is a myth.

No interest in the Kawasaki Vulcan 650 S? A good choice if you like the legs forward riding position of a scooter.
You can chuck some panniers on those for heaps of storage while still keeping the CG low.

Out of the bigger scoots, the Tmax interests me the most. It's not a barge, has decent power, and not designed for grandpa.
Although the Beverley has very good power to weight, it looks like a girl's scooter...

I like the CB500 as a cheap option. I think the X has a substantial price hike down this way, so I've never really considered it.

I had a Kawasaki ER6 for several years. 650cc, capable of motorway speeds all day long, reasonably upright riding position, fairing or naked versions available... good all round bike for those on a budget.

Here is the CB500X that I am interested in.

A little more detail why I am leaning towards this as a second bike.
Low cost insurance.
I found it for $4,000 NEW (2014 model and $5,100 after all fees and tax)
65MPG (from fuelly) and a 4+ gallon gas tank
Riding Position

I have done so much research reading, watching videos, etc.... and the 1 thing that I dont like about this bike is the 6speed manual doesn't have have a gear indicator(although the R and F do).
The other bikes mentioned are great bikes, but I am trying to stay away from too large CC bikes for most of the reasons stated above.
I want something as close to the PCX as possible but that can go longer and 70-80 MPH when needed without straining itself.
The TMAX was my 2nd choice but the Price and MPG are the big things keeping me away although it does have other benefits(under seat storage, 12V charging, automatic tranny)

: )

The NC700 isn't a huge cc engine and it's cruiser-ish design probably keeps it's insurance costs low. The small gas tank is the main killer for me with it. Get the CTX and you don't need a gear indicator. That would be the closet thing to the PCX.

Otherwise, 650 V-Strom isn't the same thing as 650 sport bike for insurance purposes. 2012- models include gear indicator. excellent gas mileage, huge tank. The gear indicator is nice, but really not necessary. So get the 500X. :-)

You get storage on the NC700 though. No need for rucksacks or boxes.

We are lucky to have so many great bikes to choose from..... that is for sure. If/when I pick up the bike I will post some pics and thoughts. I respect and like to hear other peoples dream second bike to go along with the PCX, so keep it coming.

I have several dream bikes, here's a few...

gn2 wrote:I have several dream bikes, here's a few...

Oh yes

gn2 wrote:I have several dream bikes, here's a few...

Oh yes

My favorite other

That is nice

txpcx13 wrote:Here is the CB500X that I am interested in.

I approve - looks great! One of my local dealers has this beauty in their showroom - I think the brown paint looks awesome:

txpcx13 wrote:Here is the CB500X that I am interested in.

Son has the same bike.
He added a white front fender to go with the rest of the bike (oem Honda panels surprisingly cheap!)....plus it makes him a bit more visible from the front.
Also added Yoshimura exhaust (for a nice rumble but not stupid loud) and Yoshi sliders, OEM center stand, reflective Honda 500X Logo'd wheel trim, fender hugger, Givi small screen which he really likes as it collects a LOT of bugs for him, and a halogen pulsing brake light bulb (very much brighter than LED)

He loves the upright riding position, ergos with bars vs seat comfort for long rides - while all his buddies have to do that one-handed riding thing so commonly seen due to the superbly uncomfortable "sport" bikes they mistakenly purchased! (great riding position for racing - lousy for the other 90% of riding)

He loves it - and it has been a bullet proof bike for him.
Sorry don't have a better picture of it - he's always riding it!

Fish