What does it take to be nominated for “surprise of the year” Motorcycles nominated for this award should first and foremost surprise the jury by delivering more driving pleasure and functionality than can be expected within a segment and price range.
Candidates should be outside the mainstream category and not represent something everyone buys and be able to stand on their own two feet by satisfying the jury’s strict requirements:
- To surprise and or challenge everything in the “mainstream” category
- Quality
- Ergonomics
- Driving performance and production of driving pleasure
- Driving pleasure per dollar invested
- Design and sensuality/sex factor
- Smile factor
The nomination and the award will help the market to see new stars in the shadow of the mainstream models. Honda NX 500Segment: Adventure Technical key figures
Engine: Parallel twin, four-stroke DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder Cubic capacity : 471 cc Hp : 47 Nm : 43 Wet weight : 198 kg Seat height : 830 mm (NB narrow front seat) Rake : 27.5 degrees Wheelbase : 1445 mm Length : 2165 mm Tank : 17.5 liters Front wheel : 110/80R 19 M/C Rear wheel : 160/60R 17 M/C Front dampers : 41 mm Showa Front travel : 150 mm Rear shocks : Prolink mono, adjustable Rear travel : 135 mm Front brakes : Nissin, double disc 296 mm, radial mounted, 2p Rear brakes : Nissin, single disk, 240 mm, 1p Ground clearance : 180 mm Instrument : TFT/new The NX 500 was launched at EICMA in October 2023 and hit the road here at home this season.
Its predecessor, the Honda 500 X, was and is a very popular model ridden by experienced and new riders alike, loved for its manageable weight, good power output as an A2 model and the very good handling characteristics with the 19-inch front wheel giving the model stability and a wide range of use on both road and gravel.
The NX 500 has improved considerably due to some simple but very important steps taken by Honda.
This year’s model has been given a new ECU (electronic control unit) that ensures that the engine gets more pep and works better up the rev range.
The NX 500 has also been redesigned to give it better handling and a whole new sense of stability when cornering.
Honda has done this by pulling the fairing section up and forward to create some of the same effect found on the Transalp, Africa Twin and Yamaha T7.
This effect is large and noticeable while riding and contributes to the NX 500 having particularly good cornering characteristics in combination with an already excellent ergonomics and steering geometry.
The sound is good, Honda is consistently good at sound and the model’s design has really been given a boost.
Despite the fact that this is a fun motorcycle to ride, it’s a real cheapskate on gas (about 0.35 liters per mile) so the model is made for commuting.
The NX 500 has a fairly hefty steering geometry and is undoubtedly an excellent therapy instrument as well as a good touring companion that can easily be dragged through the length of Norway.
The 19-inch front wheel creates peace and quiet at the front and the new design ensures that you have an exceptionally good contact with your front wheel.
Don’t be fooled by the A2 stamp on your license, you may not be first out of the traffic lights, but in “straight an level flight” you can keep up with absolutely everything here at home.
Lower weight in combination with the nice weight, the balance of the bike and the good steering geometry ensures that you can match most things if desired.
But first and foremost, the Honda NX 500 is an absolutely outstanding motorcycle that’s affordable to buy and delivers buckets of riding fun and thrills.
It doesn’t matter if you’re going up or down in size, it’s still great and it’s very reliable, it’s a Honda.
The model will be presented in Vrådalsalen on Friday, September 20 at 18:00 together with the other nominees and will be available for test drives both Saturday and Sunday.
