New to the forum, new to motorcycles as well, just got my m2 today.
commuting/touring?
Big thanks to all of you! I am really appreciated that so many people put thoughts into my question and it is a big help. I actually never thought about adv bikes; now that I dig more into this type, I like what I found. Both cb500x and v-storm look amazing to me. I will do more homework and go to a dealer to sit on one. Again thank you all for your time and replies, will let you know what my final pick is in the future.
The best hop-on-bike-and-go-anywhere is the old "standard" bike and its modern "naked" equivalents.
Sport bikes are too uncomfortable. Full touring bikes are too big and heavy. Cruisers have a compromised riding position (feet forward = no good), and frequently the suspension is garbage.
The Honda CB500X is a great choice. I don't care for the CBR500; the sporty appearance promises something that the underwhelming engine doesn't deliver on. But the torquey and user-friendly (but not particularly powerful) engine seems right at home in the CB500X. I'd have no reservations about going cross-country on one.
I've got a trip coming up that involves a rental bike in Europe. My choice ... BMW F800R. I've had the F800ST on a similar trip before, and it was great in that application. (The R is the same bike but without fairings and I think it has chain drive instead of belt.)
The Yamaha FZ07-FZ09-FJ09 etc are also great choices.
Someone told me it goes higher than that....I also ride a CB500X. I commute about 50km each way to work on it. It revs high at highway speeds which always makes me try to shift into 7th and tops out at around 160kmh. Other than that, I can't see how it's not a capable tourer/commuter especially for a beginner.
Yep. I love my versys. I'm on my fourth season with it. There's a reason it was bike of the year, it does everything you ask of it really well.Versys 650 might also warrant a look. More capable than the CB500 stuff but still manageable weight, size etc.
Can the CB500x also do off road, dirt gravel out of the box? Or would something like African Twin or Triumph Tiger be more suited.