10-29-2018, 10:35 AM
When I returned to motorcycling after a 25 year hiatus, I bought a CB500XA for my 68th birthday. I really enjoyed the three summers I rode it. It had 33,000 kilometers on the odometer when I traded it in for my 2017 CB1100 EX.
It was light, nimble, had a comfortable riding position, and was surprizing strong for a 500cc motorcycle. The Pirelli tires allowed me to ride anywhere I pleased. I found first gear very short and learned to shift to second quickly. Bought a digital gear indicator so I could find second when down gearing for a city corner.
Like our CB1100s it had small rock hard handle grips, but Grip Puppies solved that. The seat was also uncomfortable after 2 hours of riding. Great gas mileage and range however.
Because I am tall, I bought a tall California Scientific windscreen for it that blocked the wind without any turbulence or noise.
It was light, nimble, had a comfortable riding position, and was surprizing strong for a 500cc motorcycle. The Pirelli tires allowed me to ride anywhere I pleased. I found first gear very short and learned to shift to second quickly. Bought a digital gear indicator so I could find second when down gearing for a city corner.
Like our CB1100s it had small rock hard handle grips, but Grip Puppies solved that. The seat was also uncomfortable after 2 hours of riding. Great gas mileage and range however.
Because I am tall, I bought a tall California Scientific windscreen for it that blocked the wind without any turbulence or noise.