Honda has announced pre-launch bookings for its upcoming adventure tourer, the NX500, in India. The motorcycle can be booked at Honda Big Wing dealerships across the country by paying a token amount of ₹10,000/-. The Honda NX500 is expected to be launched in India by the end of January 2024.
The Honda NX500 is a mid-capacity adventure bike that will replace the CB500X. The bike was first seen at EICMA 2023 in Milan, Italy, and has received positive feedback from enthusiasts and experts. The NX500 features a rally-inspired design with a tall windscreen, a fairing with integrated LED headlights, a high-mounted exhaust, and a luggage rack. The bike also comes with a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster that offers smartphone connectivity and navigation features.
The NX500 is powered by a 471cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that produces 47.5 hp and 43 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. The bike has a diamond-type frame and a USD fork and a mono-shock. The motorcycle gets 19-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels with block-pattern tyres. The braking duties are performed by twin discs at the front and a single disc at the rear, with dual-channel ABS as standard.
The NX500 will compete with the likes of the Kawasaki Versys 650, the Moto Morini X-Cape, and the Royal Enfield Himalayan. The bike is likely to be priced around ₹6 lakh (ex-showroom), which is slightly higher than the CB500X, which was last sold at Rs 5.79 lakh (ex-showroom). The NX500 will be imported as a completely built unit (CBU) from Thailand and will be available in two colour options – red and black.
Honda has not revealed the exact launch date or the delivery timeline for the NX500 in India. However, sources suggest that the bike could be launched by the end of this month and the deliveries could begin in February or March 2024. The NX500 is expected to attract a lot of interest from adventure bike enthusiasts who are looking for a reliable, versatile, and capable machine from a reputed brand.