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I've officially abandoned my delusions of second-hand Ducati's and buying a more hard-edged street bike, and only wanting to be a 1-bike-guy, have really started looking into building a bike. I want to combine everything I love from all my previous bikes into 1 bike that can do it all, and hit some single-track without being a lumbering pig, but also hit 80 on the freeway with no issue.
I started looking at old BMW's, KTM's, KLR's, XR650L's, and nothing really gave me any desire to dig into a project. So I looked at taking a normal bike, and ADV'ing it... Something smaller than 800cc's, parts everywhere, light, but then... do I really want to have a full-on custom bike to commute and bash around off road once in a while?? No...
Then I stumbled on what looks like the best idea Honda never built... (discounting the TransAlp of course)...
WTF IS IT!?!?!?
So, Honda came out with the 500 series of bikes back in 2013... the CBR500R, CB500F, and CB500X... of which, none really made my tinkle wiggle. But then Rally Raid (British Company) came out with a kit for the CB500X that upgrades the rear suspension, and front forks to give you a genuine 7.2" of ground clearance and more "plush" feedback for off-road... a 19" and 17" spoke wheel set... crash bars... sump guard... top clamp... levers, etc... etc...
You can basically pick a package from $1000 for a basic suspension and protection pack, to a full on "LVL 3" which is everything turned up to 11 for $3200 there-abouts.
The kits are currently on back-order until next year, sourced through North American company "Giant Loop".
I contacted them and they said they were having trouble sourcing 19" rims, and also dealing with a couple of re-design issues on the sump guard to support a center stand.
They should be ready to ship again come January.
I thought this was a really cool way to liven up an otherwise boring bike.
I, personally, would probably stick to a "LVL 2" type conversion, and keep the stock alloys. Just to keep the price tag down a bit... but in all honesty, a used CB500X will run you $3500-$5000, and the kit is $3200... so $6700-8200 when all is said and done might be worth it.
This is the stage 2. I would probably go with a less aggressive tire.
Probably would keep the price to $4200-$5000 on a used donor.
Seems like a pretty good base for a do-it-all bike, no?
Here's a video side-by-side, and his videos do a great job of walking through the install on all the Rally Raid parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4fZoqMqb0c