EASIEST RIDER

When I was first handed the keys to Honda’s new CMX500, I wasn’t really sure what to make of it. Slick, dark and minimalist, it seemed a little out of character for Honda. Yamaha maybe, but not the shining beacon of Japanese convention and respectability.

I immediately started to run through the possibilities. Is it a gateway model to wean new riders onto some new, secret big-bore bobber? Or perhaps just an insightful ploy to wrestle some market share back from Harley- Davidson’s highly successful LAMS-legal Street 500? Irrespective of the real reason, after a few hours in the saddle I soon discovered that there was a whole lot to like about this all-new incarnation of the liquid-cooled 471cc paralleltwin engine and its stripped-back styling.

The authentic look is set off with the ignition positioned below the left side of the fuel tank, along with some bespoke rubber inserts on the cross-bar to reduce vibes and protect the vitals. The front headlight is also a nice and understated design that showcases a 135mm glass lens with no distractions from untidy wiring harnesses or