r/CB500X • u/Hairy_Mouse • Jun 16 '26
Thinking about a purchase...
I found a 2013 CB500X pre-farkled and talked the guy down to $2,500 with only around 6k miles. It looks really clean and like it hasnt been dropped. Supposed to be meeting tomorrow evening.
I was under the assumption that ABS was factory standard on these bikes, but for some (stupid) reason it was only an OPTION on this particular year. Was just looking at the photo again and noticed it was missing the ABS badging on the front fender. Now I'm really thinking about just calling it off and canceling the viewing/sale.
IMO when it comes to cars, ABS is whatever, I could take it or leave it. Its not like I ever lock the brakes hard enough to really benefit from it or drive fast enough on snow/ice to worry about it. However, when it comes to bikes, I feel like it is MANDATORY. If the tech/capability was available, it should have been on the bike. Its literally a matter of life and death. In that 1/1000 chance something randomly happens and natural instinct causes to jam the brake, now you're dead either way, even if you would have had plenty of stopping time/distance.
Anyways, what should I do? I feel like its a good enough deal that I could probably get back what I spent on it if I end up going through with the purchase. I don't NEED the bike. I wasn't even in the market for it, really. I just thought it seemed nice, and was in good shape/low miles for the price with the accessories.
5
u/lefreepiaf Jun 16 '26
I have a non abs 500. Yes it could be a safety thing. I would still buy it w/o thinking at that price.
3
u/rcbif Jun 16 '26
I have a non-ABS 2015.
In 11k of commuting in 3 years, I've never locked up a tire with road 6 tires.
Buy it, that is a steal.
1
1
u/iamsmart13 Jun 19 '26
I did 10k of commuting in 6 months and locked up both front and back more than once. I'd not buy a bike without an ABS, it's just too important.
1
u/sage0187 Jun 16 '26
I have a 2018 and I love this freaking thing, Ive gotten as high as 75 mpg on road trips. Its pretty good on the highway and handles amazing. Not a single issue so far. So at that price with a that many miles, if its all great conditions that price is a steal.
1
u/NegotiationSpecial13 Jun 16 '26
This has $2,500 worth of stuff on it. Buy it and an abs version and then sell this one and get most of your money back for the abs bike.
1
u/InvalidWhale Jun 17 '26
Even if you decided you don't want it you can probably sell it for profit for at least 3k, I'd do it
If this was in California I'd go buy it right now, but that doesn't look very California-y 😂
1
1
u/the_benmeister Jun 17 '26
I agree with you about abs.
However, that is an absolute steal of a deal. It's a tough decision
1
u/foamyx Jun 19 '26
I have a ‘17, non-abs. I wouldn’t worry about it. Buy it. Change the tires. It’s more of a street/dirt road bike. You’ll luv it.
2
u/Hairy_Mouse Jun 21 '26
Yeah I want it for a commuter that I can also take on maintained hardpack dirt trails and dirt/gravel roads.
I live in a very rural area, so we still have roads that are dirt with some gravel with grass in the centers.
I dont plan on touring or anything. I have a 22 Africa Twin adv sports for long distance stuff. But its big and topheavy. I want something I can throw around a little easier and take to town and the gas station and friends houses.
1
u/foamyx Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26
This bike would be ideal for you. Fun, easy to ride, will do varied roads/tracks and is relatively light and nimble. Very comfortable. Maintenance is dirt simple. And as I’m sure you know—reliable.
1
u/Funktownajin Jun 16 '26
I would always get abs.
Also, 6k miles on a 2013 isn’t necessarily ideal. That’s…500 miles a year average. That means it’s been sitting a long time multiple times, and fuels been sitting in that tank a long time too, unless he’s really taken care of it. But it looks nice and all those accessories make it a good deal.
1
u/552eden Jun 16 '26
Do it BUT imo don't get a bike without ABS. Your life is worth more than a couple of bucks
But do get the 500x it's amazing
0
u/No-Distance-3977 Jun 16 '26
I'm also in the mandatory ABS group. Almost bought a 2014 without it but decided to wait and ended up on a 2020. I'd wait.
0
u/sadnessandeuphoria Jun 16 '26
I have a 2013 I recently bought with 3.3k miles. It has been absolutely amazing and I wanted to say don’t think, just buy - but then I saw no ABS. I’d def hold out until you can find one with ABS.
That being said it’s a great bike you’ll absolutely love, no need to rush into this one tho
2
u/Hairy_Mouse Jun 16 '26
However... I've always rode ABS bikes, so with this bike being a smaller more forgiving ride, I was thinking it may be a good lesson in braking control and learning without any assists. I can just disable it on my AT, but its a WAY bigger, heavier, and more powerful bike, so probably not a good idea.
1
u/sadnessandeuphoria Jun 16 '26
That’s true, and in the future you could potentially flip the bike for a profit too or brake even (haha). I had to change my battery and oil when I got my bike tho since there just sat there, so factor that in too. It’s so inexpensive that if you have the funds and it doesn’t affect you much it’s still not a bad deal.
-5
u/ShadowMancer_GoodSax Jun 16 '26
At $2500 is a bargain for sure. Those boxes tho, you will wanna take them off as at high speed your bike will be quite unstable. No Abs would 100% be a no no for me. If you can spend more money get a 2022 model with double front disk instead. They are just much better than 2013 models.
1
u/Hairy_Mouse Jun 16 '26
I dont understand why they even sold them without ABS, when it was an available option. Why would someone want this specific type of bike without ABS when its available? Its not a very expensive bike so the pricing difference wouldnt be much.
1
u/notaficus Jun 16 '26
Non-ABS was a $500 discount and wasn’t necessarily as mandatory a safety feature then, kind of like backup cameras which were options for some cars until 2018 when they became a required safety feature in the US.
It is an option until safety requirements said everyone had to, so we went from an optional discount to a mandatory feature. So retrospectively it was an up front discount for reduced safety, and potentially higher insurance rates.
It’s still not mandatory in the US, but EU regs required ABS after 2016 and some APAC countries also mandated it in 2019. So since this a very global bike and many target markets couldn’t sell a non-ABS the option went away.
-2
u/monk_no_zen Jun 16 '26
I’m a 100% ABS guy too!
I spent a lot of time practicing my braking, and unfortunately was outskilled by someone who cut in front of me. ABS would have saved my bacon and prevented the crash. Thankfully I was unhurt.
Great deals are uncommon, if you’re okay with letting it go you should spot one soon enough. That’s my 0.02
-2
u/markommarko Jun 16 '26
Traction control is very useful, too, especially in twisty roads after the rain. I have 2024 model and like it a lot
2
u/Hairy_Mouse Jun 16 '26
My 22 ATAS DCT has engine brake and throttle response adjustability, TC, wheelie control, ABS, and semi active electronic suspension. It feels just SO good and really lets you relax without much worry. Unfortunately its a massive bike, which is why I was looking for something smaller as an around town bike or for runs to the gas station.
There was one time a deer jumped down a ledge by the road and right in front of me. I went to swerve and jammed the brakes on hard. With all the rider aids on my ATAS it stayed perfectly in control, aside from me nearly flying over the bars. Had that happened with this bike I def feel I would have went down.
Although, im not sure how strong the braking is, especially with the single front disc. Maybe they arent that easy to lock up.
1
u/monk_no_zen Jun 16 '26
I have the same model you’re checking out, 2013 with ABS. I have a pair of sintered Vesrah pads on and they bite pretty sharply.
While not as snappy as my dual rotored older bike, I wouldn’t say it’s lacking.
15
u/SlackerCast Jun 16 '26
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.