Rally Raid Honda CB500X adventure conversion

[nerrrd]

Been watching the development thread for this on advrider for a while now, looks like it's almost ready for production.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1012021

Just wondering what those in the know would think of doing a conversion like this:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=26494902&postcount=650

Basically revised/improved suspension with 2" extra travel plus spoked wheels 19" front/17" rear plus sundry other custom parts to make it simple swap out/bolt on conversion, all for only $2000 pounds! Not that I could afford this, especially with freight + gst + fitting, but I must admit it's piqued my curiosity as to why they've put so much time and effort into something like this.

[Gremlin]

Torque over HP is desirable for your average adventure rider. You want something that can just tick along, it's reliable, relatively low maintenance etc. Apparently the NC is quite popular too.

From my point of view (and experience with 990SM), turning something into something it wasn't really designed for, is asking for trouble. The shop was looking at me weirdly when I'm asking them to make a SuperMoto more economical, better luggage options etc. Then I was breaking parts no-one else was... :facepalm:

Eventually I switched for a proper adventure tourer (yeah, it cost a bit) but I've been very happy. I can't help but think the CB500 is still a commuter, just dressed up to look like an adventure bike.

[nerrrd]

I can't help but think the CB500 is still a commuter, just dressed up to look like an adventure bike.

Yeah that's what I bought it for really, I've taken it on some gravel and forestry roads very occasionally which is all I'm ever likely to as well so not really for me; but will be interesting to see how it performs anyway, they're taking it on a couple of shake down trips and I think they've got some magazine reviews lined up. Motorcycle equivalent of a 'soft'-roader maybe?

[Night Falcon]

Rally Raid make quality stuff and I hope this does well for them....I wont be getting one any time soon though, I mean why not just get a beamer?

New CB500X $10,500 + kit $3,500 + freight + taxes = say $16K That's a fully sorted BMW Sertao or an F800 or even a second hand GS800 - for that money and style of riding a 2nd hand Tiger XC800 would be my choice http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-868757038.htm :yes:

[Tazz]

New CB500X $10,500 + kit $3,500 + freight + taxes = say $16K That's a fully sorted BMW Sertao or an F800 or even a second hand GS800 - for that money and style of riding a 2nd hand Tiger XC800 would be my choice

Must be around the same weight too?

Still cool, and I want one, but I will never actually buy one.

[nerrrd]

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm169/Adam_Mitchinson/DSC_4457-3_zps9pdwqhtb.jpg

First outing on the production ready version coming up, if anyone else is interested:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=26682218#post26682218