after 30+ years I'm wondering what the replacement looks like.
The 650 Vulcan motor is used in the Versys 650 which is adventure styled but not offroad ready.Maybe they'll take the 650 Vulcan motor and build an ADV around it like they did with the EX300
Which begs the question - when does the Versys300 get upgraded to the EX400 motor ? Soon I hope.
The 2017 CB500X’s DOHC, 8-valve liquid-cooled parallel twin layout offers a great combination of compact physical size and flexible output. The ‘triangle’ proportion of crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft is very similar to that of Honda’s four-cylinder RR engines and much of the internal structure and engineering is taken directly from both the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR.
Bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 66.8mm; the crankshaft pins are phased at 180° and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s center of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia.
PGM-FI fuel injection provides superb throttle response; the gasflow route from airbox to exhaust is as straight as possible and a plate in the airbox separates the airflow to each cylinder. Peak horsepower of 49.6 arrives at 8,500 RPM, with 31.7 lb ft torque delivered at 7,000 RPM.
The 2017 CB500X engine acts as a stressed member, reinforcing the frame’s rigidity with four frame hangers on the cylinder head. Internally the cylinder head uses roller rocker arms; shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, for lower valve-spring load and reduced friction. A silent (SV Chain) cam chain has the surface of its pins treated with Vanadium, reducing friction with increased protection against dust. Inlet valve diameter is 26.0mm with exhaust valve diameter of 21.5mm.
Bore size of 67mm is identical to that of the CBR600RR. The piston shape is based upon those used in the CBR1000RR to reduce piston ‘noise’ at high rpm. Friction is reduced by the addition of striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area, introducing gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication). As with the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR, an AB 1 salt bath process, used after isonite nitriding, forms a protective oxidization membrane.
The crankcase uses centrifugally cast thin-walled sleeves, and the same bore interval as the CBR600RR helps them be as compact and light as possible. Their internal design reduces the ‘pumping’ losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. Using the same internal relief structure as that of the CBR1000RR, the oil pump features improved aeration performance, with reduced friction; a deep sump reduces oil movement under hard cornering and braking. Oil capacity is 3.4 quarts.
A six-speed gearbox mirrors that of its RR cousins which use the same gear change arm structure and link mechanism. In an update last year, the shift drum stopper spring load has been revised, along with the shape of the shift drum center, for smoother, easier gear changing.
That bike is not aimed at klr riders. Its is aimed at wr250r or drz riders who want to go more offroad but dont want to sacrifice the blue plate.I don't get this bike -- looks like another confused marketing move by Honda. $12K -- what? fuel range of 150KM? LOF every 1000km (vs 12000 for a KLR)? Rebuilds ever 30,000KM?.
I cant' see it appealing to KLR buyers, they are generally looking for low entry price, low cost of ownership, durability and farkleability.
That bike is not aimed at klr riders. Its is aimed at wr250r or drz riders who want to go more offroad but dont want to sacrifice the blue plate.
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I get that. Lots of drz riders do wind up wanting to get into more serious off road riding. Many wind up looking at buying a ktm as a more dedicated offroad beast with a blue plate. For those guys there is no difference in ktm or honda pricing.Too expensive for all the DRZ riders I know hahaha. I quoted one and it was over 14k. No thanks.
I cant' see it appealing to KLR buyers, they are generally looking for low entry price, low cost of ownership, durability and farkleability.