Perspective

[ThunderGuts]

It's an interesting one; while my Crossrunner was in for servicing yesterday, I was given a CB500X as a loan bike; the only other bike I've ridden since last Christmas (thanks to only having one bike and COVID preventing the usual trying of mate's bikes).

When I used to have my ER5 I thought 500cc and about 50hp was "plenty". I thought the bike had "some weight"; on at least once occasion I can recall nearly dropping it when moving it around in the garage and being surprised how heavy it suddenly felt as it moved off the vertical (fortunately recovered it). Jumping on the (nearly new) CB500X yesterday, it felt small, light, overwhelming basic and underwhelmingly powered! This is doubtless a bike that would have felt hard work if I'd jumped on straight from passing my test and possibly even after riding about on the ER5 for a while. Yet, it was fun; the twin was reasonably plucky and surprisingly smooth (certainly compared to the ER5, I guess that's 14 years of development for you). The low weight meant it could be crawled along at 1mph with a bit of zen-like balancing (what could possibly go wrong) and being so narrow I could aim for filter gaps I'd never contemplate on the CR.

Jumping back on the CR, the transition back was interesting. Everything felt tighter and more precise (despite my CR being older and with double the miles), the engine was urgent and responsive (and sounded somewhat nicer too oddly enough). However, moving it about the dealership forecourt to leave it felt like it was twice the bike of the other one (in reality there's about 60kg difference all told with the accessories on my CR) and riding it away it felt like a yacht where the CB500X felt like a canoe. Of course, within a few miles I had re-acclimatised again and it was back to business as usual.

Quite interesting though. I had originally secretly hoped for a 125 loan bike (as I've not ridden one since my CBT) but even so, it was an interesting comparison. It certainly highlighted to me the value in narrow, light bikes in urban environments; if I had to buy a bike solely for that purpose, something like the CB500X would be up there.
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TG.

[Andy_Pagin]

I'd probably do the same if I had parking space for more than one bike. Much as I like the FZ1 it's not ideal in London, clutch out in 1st at idling speed it's doing about 10mph, bit of a pain in stop start traffic.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[stinkwheel]

And yet a CB500X is 10-15kg heavier than an ER5 depending on whose word you take about the weight.

It's heavier and less powerful than a 30 year old "proper" CB500 twin.

The GPZ500 was still the best 500 twin. I occasionally get to ride the KLE/GPZ hybrid I built years ago that a mate now has and it's still a total hoot to ride.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[ThunderGuts]

[arry]

[stinkwheel]

[MarJay]

It's an interesting question, that's for sure. My Street Triple felt like a 'big' bike until I bought the VFR which was a huuuuge heavy bus - definitely in comparison. A year and a half of VFR plus now owning my GSX-S1000F means the Street Triple feels like a BMX now.

I'm pleased I went from the VFR to the GSX-S because otherwise it would definitely have felt like a bus, but it does actually ride nicely and handle well so now it just seems like 'a bike'. So it's probably now my reference from which other bikes are measured.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[kgm]

I regularly swap between my Crossrunner and CRF250L. The massive power deficit has never really bothered me, I have plenty fun on the 250 and no issues taking it on longer trips. It's just so easy to wang about on.

The biggest difference I notice is jumping back on the Crossrunner. It feels like a big heavy beast, but after a few minutes it's home again. It's just so easy to make lots of progress with that bike. I love them both.

[droog]

Yeah, it's funny how perceptions change; I remember doing my DAS 20 odd years ago and finding the Honda CB500 riding school bike intimidating in terms of size, weight and power. Since then I've ridden various 600/750/1000cc bikes so the CB500 seems a lot smaller these days than it did back then (but I still have massive respect for the CB500 which is a supremely capable motorcycle and more than adequate for 'real world' road duties).

These days something Goldwing sized in terms of dimensions and weight would induce some trepidation, although riders say the feeling of weight and bulk reduces once the bike is on the move.

[ThunderGuts]

[droog]

[Polarbear]

Goldwings are incredibly easy to ride for the size simply because the CofG is so low down. The engine is a flat six. The fuel tank is below the seat. You can pootle them along at walking speed and they have a reverse so you never have to manhandle it backwatds if you don't want.

My Trophy is a much more awkward bike to manoeuvrer even though it handles OK.

I would have a new Wing in a heartbeat if I had 20+ grand going spare.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[ThunderGuts]

[droog]