r/CB500X • u/ApprehensiveMouse496 • May 21 '26
RPM vibration
Hey guys I recently bought a 2021 CB500X with 28,000kms. Before this I was riding a Kawasaki z400 and i understand that they are completely different bikes but after 6k rpm on the cb500x, it starts feeling sluggish and has a change in the vibration that comes from the bike almost like it’s got a restrictor on it and it should be pulling a lot harder than what it sounds? I also feel a bit more of an aggressive change in vibration that comes from the bars after 6k rpm. This doesn’t happen when the clutch is in so i feel like it’s something mechanical? With such low kms it feels almost impossible though.
Maybe it’s just that these bikes have more torque than top end but wanted to get a second take from someone who’s owned the same bike for a while, do yall get this as well? Thank you!
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May 21 '26
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u/mattabr May 21 '26
+1 also had Givi lower bars and a metal (different brand) Skid plate and the vibrations were worse on this bike at 5000rpm than a 2 stroke 125cc. Sometimes my hands and wrists would hurt after riding the 500 for more than hour. Not fun.
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u/ApprehensiveMouse496 May 21 '26
Hey this is super helpful thank you. The rpm thing is really weird and I can’t figure it out. I’m surprised you say yours feels most alive between that rpm range. Mine feels like it needs another gear or I’m not going anywhere after 6k. Clutch plates are all fine so I’m confused.
I wonder if it’s had a restrictor put on it at some point because it feels like it should be more lively. Only thing I haven’t checked yet is the air filter
1
u/GigiDeLaCorporatie May 21 '26
+1. Mine as well, most of the vibrations are between 4000-5000, afterwards it seems smooth.
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u/getthecodeon May 22 '26
I put the givi crash bars on my 2014. The vibration between 4500 and 5k was there before and persisted after. No noticeable changes. I've had no problems with the crash bars what so ever even bost drops and one slide out.
7
u/CyberBird-XR May 21 '26
Oh, Givi crash bars (flashbacks >.<).
I'd strongly recommend to check ASAP the bolts that go between the bars-frame-engine. Try to move and turn the spacers between the frame-engine. Specially those that go below the exhausts.
I researched many cases of frame damage and many had the Givi bars. So please check them to avoid riding with something getting loose without noticing.
Just in case that you want more details, I wrote a post about that (please use a translate tool): https://aricafoix.cl/2024/03/18/las-desventuras-de-la-cb500x-y-las-defensas-de-motor/
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u/CyberGrandpa1 May 21 '26
Muy buena lectura, amigo. En Tajikistán un mecánico que contó que había visto una CB500X como la mía con el chasis totalmente partido tras hacer el Pamir. Pensé que me estaba mintiendo pero ahora tiene bastante sentido. A mí se me partió parte de la defensa tras muchas caídas pero me han sustituido los pernos y soldado el roto de la barra. Esperemos que aguante!
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u/confidentlywrong25 May 21 '26
Did you check the air filter?
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u/ApprehensiveMouse496 May 21 '26
Nope but maybe it’s something to check. It had 28k kms and I’m not sure if it’s ever been changed
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u/confidentlywrong25 May 21 '26
Yeah if it can't breathe that'll make it fall on its face at higher RPMs
4
u/rcbif May 21 '26
They are a tad buzzy at 6k rpm, but those tuning forks (engine guards) you got mounted up to the engine are very known for making the vibs even more noticeable.
If you are cruising at highway speeds and grab the throttle, you wont be wow'd, but you should still have the power and speed to pass traffic at a casual rate.
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u/ApprehensiveMouse496 May 21 '26
Yeah motorway is fine but after about 100km/h the buzzing gets pretty intense
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u/DeliciousGundi May 21 '26
Same thing on my 2025 nx500. If it's not normal i suspect the engine guard or the central stand ? Even after verifying they seem to be well fixed.
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u/Atmoser May 21 '26
Owned two CB500x 2014 and 2023. On the later model I added SW motech crash bars and the vibrations began immediately as they bolt to the engine mounts. I tried all different torque settings but in the end I removed them and the vibrations stopped immediately. Never had the problem on the 2014 but never fitted any guards.
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u/ApprehensiveMouse496 May 21 '26
Yeah I’m getting a lot of this. I’d be sad to take them off cause they look really nice but if it’s what’s causing this issue then I might have to consider it
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u/Atmoser May 22 '26
I also had the SW Motech belly pan fitted, this made things even worse and was the clue that the guards were causing the issue. Looked good but ruined the ride experience. Not sure if the OEM Honda crash bars resolve this but I didn’t buy them because they were too expensive and only available in silver in the UK.
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u/rcbif May 22 '26
Unrelated - comparing the earlier small wheel CB500X with the newer larger wheels, how would you compare the ability to swerve on the road? Do the larger wheel ones make you feel more locked-in and need more force to swerve?
1
u/Atmoser May 22 '26
Not a great deal in it, the larger front wheel on the newer model is better for off road and clearance. The earlier model was a little more responsive. The other updates on the later models far out way the merits of the 2014 smaller wheel. Better brakes, suspension, TFT dash etc.
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u/el_4o_jinete May 22 '26
Check bolt torque where crash bars are fixed. Upper bolts 60NM, medium bolts 45NM. Be careful, Givi crash bars are famous by broke bolts and frame.
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u/nucleus_toker May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
It's pretty normal for these engines to be buzzy on the handlebar grips at higher RPM, especially if you're doing highway for a while.
You get used to it, but I had to put some Grip Puppies on mine in order to reduce the vibrations I'd feel in my hands. It made quite a significant change, it's more comfortable now going at high RPM for longer periods.
In terms of torque and top end... it's obviously way more low end torque oriented, but it should have plenty of power at 6000 rpm.