How would the KTM 490 Adventure compare to the Honda CB500X?
The middleweight adventure bike segment has been getting hot, with more and more manufacturers offering bikes with more capability than a beginner bike but not quite as much as a big-bore adventure bike. Very popular in this category has been Honda's CB500X, a reliable and versatile 'all-rounder.'. If the KTM 490 Adventure ever comes to be, it would be a direct competitor. All of this leads to debates on engine characteristics, off-road capability, reliability, and brand reputation. KTM is famous for its more daring, dirt-focused designs, and Honda is renowned as the maker of reliable all-rounders. Riders are interested in how these different philosophies would actually work in practice and be of value. It also covers maintenance costs, aftermarket support, and which bike would be better suited to different types of adventure riding.
The Honda will quietly win on reliability and lower maintenance costs, but the KTM would certainly be more powerful and better off-road.
I'd pick the KTM any day. Yeah, it'd certainly need more maintenance, but it would be way more fun to ride both on and off road.
The CB500X is tried and true. Why gamble on a first-gen KTM when you can have a bike that’s been refined for years?
They would have better suspension and more aggressive styling, something KTM would likely have. That could make all the difference for serious adventure riders.
Honda is very reliable, but KTM has the performance edge and would be a more future-proof bike as your skills increase.
If I were going to tour, the CB500X would probably be better, but if I wanted to navigate technical bits and pieces, the KTM would do the job better. Depends on your riding style.
I would worry about the KTM parts availability. With Honda, at least, you know you can locate parts anywhere in the world.
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Discussions and Questions How Would The Ktm 490 Adventure Compare To The Honda Cb500x
How would the KTM 490 Adventure compare to the Honda CB500X?
15 January 2025 07:35
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