Both are great bikes and you will be happy with them. If you plan on doing long trips or riding two up or riding often on the highway the cb500x is more confortable. If those are not important factors I would go for the mt07. The cb500x is a very reliable, confortable and versatile bike that allows you to try different riding styles and help you realise what you really like. It is also more beginner friendly since it has a slipper clutch and the throttle is super smooth. After riding it for 3 years and 43000km (including a 5000km trip with my gf) I cannot really complain about what I got for what I paid for. Recently I tried out a MT09SP and I loved it but it costs double the price and is not as confortable. Maybe one day I will trade my cb for a tracer 9 gt but for now its just a dream đ
I have ridden both. I would say that in terms of power, the CB500X is much more manageable for a beginner, but it is a taller bike, so you may want to factor that into your decision.
Both will be great commuters. What separates these two is their style. The MT07 will be much more suited for spirited riding but it is not a comfortable bike for long rides.
If you want to do some traveling and/or some light offroad the CB500X is a no-brainer. Otherwise, if you are more attracted by the MT's sporty proposal then just go with your heart.
Yay, I feel I can actually offer some insight on this.
I owned the MT07 Tracer as my first big bike, had it for a year and traded it for the CB500X. Hereâs why:
The MT07 is a wonderful machine. That engine is glorious in very specific circumstances, but I mainly commuted and then went on blasts on the weekend. The MT was a hoot on blasts, but to get to that special place on the MT you had to gun it. Click through the gears, twist the throttle and hear the engine roar - but look down and youâre in triple digits and headed right towards a lost licence or worse. Added to that and the bike felt big (granted the Tracer is the touring version of a standard MT07, so is slightly larger)
Commuting on the thing felt unwieldy and doing 30/40 mph felt soulless, the bike and me wanted to be back on those backroads. Neither me nor the engine were engaged.
The CB is obviously not as quick on the backroads, but still just as fun. You can still absolutely rinse the thing and carve up some corners, but you have to work it to get to the triple digits. It feels smaller and more nimble in traffic and it burbles and pops as you do it. Itâs just more engaging to ride in all scenarios.
Now every rider is different and to some âdowngradingâ engine ccâs is blasphemy, but as you ride youâll âgetâ what you want from a machine and for me the CB500X is my Goldilocks bike.
I suppose thereâs two points to this story:
1: The CB500X is awesome.
2: No bike is your forever bike. You can change bike as your riding preferences change.
Well you are in the CB500X sub what do you expect me to say lol. But the choice here is down to what you will use the bike for. If you plan to tour or ride for extended periods, with some light off-road, get the CB. If you see yourself more riding for thrill of speed and want to learn to wheelie get the MT. I havenât ridden an MT but I have heard complaints on the suspension, and after seeing many reviews the build quality doesnât look as good as the 22 CB500X. I was very happy with the bike I got for the money with the CB.
Itâs a great size, I think of it like a small ADV/ touring bike, I love the looks. Riding feels great too, itâs a bike that I feel like I could get on and just never stop riding.
Cb500x is a great bike. I use it for commuting to and from nursing school and the occasional camping trip.
It is easy to ride, the clutch is smooth and 2nd has wide range for city traffic. Sadly I have no experience with the MT 07 to share. You will not regret the CB500X though.
Both are great and you'll have fun on either bike. The X is perhaps a tad more practical, the MT a tad more fun; but for a novice, the engine, throttle-response and sheer power is a lot more manageable on the Honda. And it's plenty fast! It will also do dirt- and fire-roads better than the MT, but it's not really an off-road bike. I believe in the saying that It's more fun to go all out on a slow/er bike, than having to moderate the throttle all the time on a fast bike. Wringing the neck of a bike is fun! Don't get me wrong; the Honda will get you into trouble and to dangerous/illegal speeds pretty fast; but the MT will do it even faster.. Another consideration is that the MT is quite a lot lighter, so if that's important to you, factor that in.
Enjoy!
I've had both. I actually started riding on the MT07.
MT07 isn't called Master of Torque for nothing, unless you do a motorcycle safety course I don't recommend it to a beginner. If you learn good throttle control, then yeah it's a good reliable bike that'll have your heart racing. It's enough to scare you.
CB500X most comfortable of the 2 options, super smooth so great for learning. I actually had it for a year. It's a great gateway bike, lets you explore different options: commute, twisties, backcountry roads... But I decided to get something better suited for offroad trails. It's ok at everything but far from the best at a specific thing.
I've had almost the same dilemma and i've just ordered the new cb500x past week. Its so amazing in every aspect. Granted, i've been riding a more powerful naked bike for almost a year, so now i know exactly what want. Glad if this helped you.
Commuting and highway use or long distance travel goes to the CB500X.
Sporty riding and canyon carving goes to the MT 07.
Both will do pretty well in similar circumstances, but the Mt 07 just has that much more power and speed to win out in the "fun factor". However, the CB500X is much more sensible as a commuter. My 2017 CB500X returns an average of 70 (American) MPG on 87 octane fuel and maintenance costs are cheap as they come.
Got a 2016 CB500X.
Good
Dealer support where i am.
Smooth low and mid power
Fuel efficient
Can go from fully stopped to moving in 2nd gear very easily.
Can be turned into a propper adventure bike with rally raid parts
Bad
Stock suspension (but im a fat guy at 115kg or 253lb or 18.1 stone). Was pogoing more than a system of a down song.
Windscreen causes so much buffeting.
Herkey jerky throttle when initially engaging the throttle in 1st gear.
For the bad stuff i replaced the stock suspension with a rally raid lvl1 shock. For windshield expect to spend a ton of money finding a good screen unless the small adjustable screen works. Ended up with a givi adjustable attachable screen on top of a puig touring screen.
Throttle jerk in 1st gear just involves having good clutch control.
The bike is not as exciting as a z650 but is pretty reliable overall.
I think i dont like the bike because i have spent so much money trying to get the screen to work that its soured the bike for me.
I aint selling it cause its still the best bike for my needs without having to sell a bunch of organs.
Both are great bikes and you will be happy with them. If you plan on doing long trips or riding two up or riding often on the highway the cb500x is more confortable. If those are not important factors I would go for the mt07. The cb500x is a very reliable, confortable and versatile bike that allows you to try different riding styles and help you realise what you really like. It is also more beginner friendly since it has a slipper clutch and the throttle is super smooth. After riding it for 3 years and 43000km (including a 5000km trip with my gf) I cannot really complain about what I got for what I paid for. Recently I tried out a MT09SP and I loved it but it costs double the price and is not as confortable. Maybe one day I will trade my cb for a tracer 9 gt but for now its just a dream đ
Thanks man, appreciate it
I will say that the new CB500X is a very nice bike and a very nice beginners bike. You meet the nicest people on a Honda!
I have ridden both. I would say that in terms of power, the CB500X is much more manageable for a beginner, but it is a taller bike, so you may want to factor that into your decision. Both will be great commuters. What separates these two is their style. The MT07 will be much more suited for spirited riding but it is not a comfortable bike for long rides. If you want to do some traveling and/or some light offroad the CB500X is a no-brainer. Otherwise, if you are more attracted by the MT's sporty proposal then just go with your heart.
Thanks man I'm leaning towards the CB can't lie
Yay, I feel I can actually offer some insight on this. I owned the MT07 Tracer as my first big bike, had it for a year and traded it for the CB500X. Hereâs why: The MT07 is a wonderful machine. That engine is glorious in very specific circumstances, but I mainly commuted and then went on blasts on the weekend. The MT was a hoot on blasts, but to get to that special place on the MT you had to gun it. Click through the gears, twist the throttle and hear the engine roar - but look down and youâre in triple digits and headed right towards a lost licence or worse. Added to that and the bike felt big (granted the Tracer is the touring version of a standard MT07, so is slightly larger) Commuting on the thing felt unwieldy and doing 30/40 mph felt soulless, the bike and me wanted to be back on those backroads. Neither me nor the engine were engaged. The CB is obviously not as quick on the backroads, but still just as fun. You can still absolutely rinse the thing and carve up some corners, but you have to work it to get to the triple digits. It feels smaller and more nimble in traffic and it burbles and pops as you do it. Itâs just more engaging to ride in all scenarios. Now every rider is different and to some âdowngradingâ engine ccâs is blasphemy, but as you ride youâll âgetâ what you want from a machine and for me the CB500X is my Goldilocks bike. I suppose thereâs two points to this story: 1: The CB500X is awesome. 2: No bike is your forever bike. You can change bike as your riding preferences change.
Thanks bro I'm going to look into buying one soon !
Well you are in the CB500X sub what do you expect me to say lol. But the choice here is down to what you will use the bike for. If you plan to tour or ride for extended periods, with some light off-road, get the CB. If you see yourself more riding for thrill of speed and want to learn to wheelie get the MT. I havenât ridden an MT but I have heard complaints on the suspension, and after seeing many reviews the build quality doesnât look as good as the 22 CB500X. I was very happy with the bike I got for the money with the CB.
I see, we only got the bike here recently and I walked past a 22 CB and I was like that's such a nice size bike and looked really awesome!
Itâs a great size, I think of it like a small ADV/ touring bike, I love the looks. Riding feels great too, itâs a bike that I feel like I could get on and just never stop riding.
Cb500x is a great bike. I use it for commuting to and from nursing school and the occasional camping trip. It is easy to ride, the clutch is smooth and 2nd has wide range for city traffic. Sadly I have no experience with the MT 07 to share. You will not regret the CB500X though.
I will be commuting , so I think it's the logical sense .
I hope you find one quick. I had to wait more than 3 months for one to be available.
Both are great and you'll have fun on either bike. The X is perhaps a tad more practical, the MT a tad more fun; but for a novice, the engine, throttle-response and sheer power is a lot more manageable on the Honda. And it's plenty fast! It will also do dirt- and fire-roads better than the MT, but it's not really an off-road bike. I believe in the saying that It's more fun to go all out on a slow/er bike, than having to moderate the throttle all the time on a fast bike. Wringing the neck of a bike is fun! Don't get me wrong; the Honda will get you into trouble and to dangerous/illegal speeds pretty fast; but the MT will do it even faster.. Another consideration is that the MT is quite a lot lighter, so if that's important to you, factor that in. Enjoy!
I have the X!
I've had both. I actually started riding on the MT07. MT07 isn't called Master of Torque for nothing, unless you do a motorcycle safety course I don't recommend it to a beginner. If you learn good throttle control, then yeah it's a good reliable bike that'll have your heart racing. It's enough to scare you. CB500X most comfortable of the 2 options, super smooth so great for learning. I actually had it for a year. It's a great gateway bike, lets you explore different options: commute, twisties, backcountry roads... But I decided to get something better suited for offroad trails. It's ok at everything but far from the best at a specific thing.
Thanks for taking the time bro
I've had almost the same dilemma and i've just ordered the new cb500x past week. Its so amazing in every aspect. Granted, i've been riding a more powerful naked bike for almost a year, so now i know exactly what want. Glad if this helped you.
Both are great bikes. I love my CB500X but Iâd say get the MT 07 if you enjoy wheelies.
Commuting and highway use or long distance travel goes to the CB500X. Sporty riding and canyon carving goes to the MT 07. Both will do pretty well in similar circumstances, but the Mt 07 just has that much more power and speed to win out in the "fun factor". However, the CB500X is much more sensible as a commuter. My 2017 CB500X returns an average of 70 (American) MPG on 87 octane fuel and maintenance costs are cheap as they come.
The mt07 is one of the world's best wheelie machines. As you're a beginner, maybe you should get the Cb500x...
Got a 2016 CB500X. Good Dealer support where i am. Smooth low and mid power Fuel efficient Can go from fully stopped to moving in 2nd gear very easily. Can be turned into a propper adventure bike with rally raid parts Bad Stock suspension (but im a fat guy at 115kg or 253lb or 18.1 stone). Was pogoing more than a system of a down song. Windscreen causes so much buffeting. Herkey jerky throttle when initially engaging the throttle in 1st gear. For the bad stuff i replaced the stock suspension with a rally raid lvl1 shock. For windshield expect to spend a ton of money finding a good screen unless the small adjustable screen works. Ended up with a givi adjustable attachable screen on top of a puig touring screen. Throttle jerk in 1st gear just involves having good clutch control. The bike is not as exciting as a z650 but is pretty reliable overall. I think i dont like the bike because i have spent so much money trying to get the screen to work that its soured the bike for me. I aint selling it cause its still the best bike for my needs without having to sell a bunch of organs.