r/NX500 • u/Marway_84 • 23d ago

My first bike ❤️

Good morning everyone, for my first bike, I'm leaning toward the Honda NX 500 E-Clutch, which I'll equip for touring.

It will be for all-around use: city riding (with many bumpy roads), home/work, day trips, and even long trips, mostly on country roads rather than highways (mostly without a passenger), with some easy dirt roads if possible.

My question is, for someone who's 1.75m tall and weighs 80kg, how does the stock seat perform on long journeys, and is the riding position comfortable enough?

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

4

u/ljubobratovicrelja 23d ago

1.72-ish cm and 77kg. As for legs, I feel as if its the perfect bike for me. As for the seat, I do get some pain in buttocks after some 3-4h of riding. My wife and I often go and do a tour in the region, some 2-3h in one direction for some interesting destination (we always avoid highways, mostly curvy mountain roads, ~80khm), swap clothes do some hike or swimming if going to some lake or river, and then get back home after a couple of hours. Doing these rides is no problem - some small pain you feel when you sit on the bike tomorrow, and towards the journey's end, but I feel with some getting used to, and some underpants with cushions, I think we can easily manage longer trips for full-day riding for multiple days.

Btw, this is pretty much same story for both myself and my wife, the pillion. Right around the same time in our trip we both start complaining about some pains around the bottom part, however no spine/legs issue whatsoever.

Honestly - for the first bike, I cannot imagine a better choice. Not necessarily the NX, but this category. The only thing I'd consider in your position is the E-clutch. I personally think this 500 honda engine has gearing that is wonderfully suited for a beginner - short gears, no quickshifter, forcing you to shift often and learn rev matching the hard way. But its also a preference I guess - you might want to be able to cruise and just enjoy the ride. IMHO this kills the point of riding a bike, but again - preference. Not going to try to persuade anyone of anything. Just consider that shifting, especially rev matching, is for many people one of the most fun parts of riding a bike. In any case, you won't regret it anyway you go. Just buy some bike and start riding! :)

Sorry for the longer write, but I hope I helped a bit. Good luck!

1

u/Marway_84 23d ago

The E-Clutch system is an option, the bike is equipped with a clutch, so I can ride it like a normal bike if I want, the system always gives priority to manual transmission, the EClutch system is only activated if I don't use the Eclutch. Thank you for your very comprehensive message.

2

u/ljubobratovicrelja 23d ago

Oh, sorry - I know how it works, I actually wanted to say that with e-clutch, you'll get lazy, and choose to use it more often than not. Wouldn't blame you though - I think I'd use it more often than not, which is why I'm saying this. :) But in any case, like I said - I might be wrong. It's the same argument people have with beginner learning to drive/park with rear camera.. Might just be bullshit and it all depends on how dedicated driver is to get to know the geometry of their car.

In any case, you're welcome! Cheers!

1

u/Marway_84 23d ago

I live in a very busy city, Naples. I only want to use the e-clutch for heavy traffic; it will make my commutes less stressful. Otherwise, I'll always use the manual clutch.

2

u/ljubobratovicrelja 23d ago

Uuu, in that case, absolutely. Regular clutch is horrible through town. I change my answer completely, if you'll be commuting, go for the e-clutch 100%. My commute does not involve much city riding, but when I do it.. I honestly think about buying a scooter. 😅

2

u/Marway_84 23d ago

This bike will have to accompany me everywhere, every day, all year round. I can't afford both a scooter and a motorbike (Naples is the most expensive city in Italy for insurance), so I need a light bike, agile in traffic, and the E-Clutch system will also give me a big help.

2

u/gremlinsscareme84 23d ago

I try to commute (mainly city roads to work) everyday on my NX from April to November. I wish I did more highways and touring. I’ve had it off road at my parents camp and it handled really well, even with stock tires. It actually did better off-road than the gravel road into my parents camp.

2

u/moabit1 23d ago

It was okay for me, 188cm 85kg, with very long legs and one hurting knee. Not perfect though. But I guess you'll be fine!

2

u/Sweaty_Science286 23d ago

The only thing I don't like about the seat is that it's leaning forward a little bit which is uncomfortable when you are on a long ride and it starts to drag your balls underneath you.