I've owned this bike for 60,000km and have done some spectacular adventures on it.
This is my Brutally Honest, deep-dive review of the bike.
In this video we will touch on:
* A brief model history
* Its design
* Reliability
* Maintenance
* Flaws
* Suitability for short riders
* What it's like to own
* A better than the 19" front wheel on 2019+ versions and from Rally Raid
* What it's like for: commuting, touring, twisties (canyon carving) and dirt
* Its suitability for Adventure around the outback and the world
That'll also cover all the mods I've done to turn the CityBike into a true overlander including:
Luggage racks, top box, phone mount, charging, lighting, spot lights, tyres wind protection, crash bars and skid plate
This is following my contribution on @SmallBikeStuff where I have presented my Wave 125i: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvYcqBdZp54
For those who came to see my video from there or my Facebook page. Great to see you again 😎
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Model History
2:35 - Engine
3:03 - Engine Vibrations
4:48 - Engine Reliability
5:23 - Coolant - What kills these
7:10 - Maintainability & Servicing
9:10 - Weight
10:10 - Why weight distribution matters?
11:02 - Tyres
12:43 - 19" equivalent front tyre. 120/90-17 Shinko 705.
13:53 - Cast vs spoked rims
15:45 - Suspension
16:24 - Mods
16:35 - Rally Raid - skid plate
17:14 - Givi - crash bars
17:34 - Phone Mount
18:01 - Phone chargers and 12V outlets
18:43 - Relays for 12V accessories
19:41 - Headlight + spotlights
20:24 - Windscreen
21:24 - GPS / windscreen bracket
21:43 - Emergency beacon
22:33 - Dashboard & fuel range calculation
23:28 - Lifting & extending front mudguard
24:01 - Kickstand
24:37 - Seat
24:59 - Pannier Rack
26:57 - Top box carrier
27:53 - Top Box - Givi Outback Trekker
29:04 - Toolbox
30:17 - What it's like to ride?
30:36 - What it's like: Daily ride or commuter.
31:15 - What it's like: On the open road.
31:50 - Fuel range
32:08 - Brakes
32:50 - What it's like: Dirt and Trails.
33:47 - Dirt weaknesses
34:30 - What it's like: Canyon carving and twisites.
34:59 - What would I change and weaknesses.
35:12 - What I'd change: Extend tyre life.
35:38 - What I'd change: Drop centre of mass & comparison with Transalp and NC750x
35:59 - What I'd change: Valve drive
36:20 - What I'd change: Footpegs
37:10 - Suitable to take around the world?
37:30 - Short rider friendly?
37:57 - Suitable for RTW? Access to parts.
38:23 - Suitable for RTW? Compare part access with DR and KLR.
39:06 - Would I take a CB500x around the world?
40:01 - RTW costs: Shipping costs
40:13 - RTW charm factor and appearance of wealth