Honda
Honda NX500
A refined middleweight ADV that costs a lot more than its closest rival
In short
The NX500 is Honda's entry-level adventure motorcycle, priced from ₹7,43,900 with a 471cc parallel-twin making 46.9 bhp and claimed mileage of 26.5 kmpl. It brings USD forks and dual-channel ABS but costs almost twice as much as the KTM 390 Adventure S while offering similar power, so the price gap is the real conversation starter.
- Engine
- 471 cc
- Power
- 46.9 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 26.5 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 196 kg
What works
- USD front forks and dual-channel ABS with traction control
- 196 kg kerb weight, light for a 470cc adventure bike
- 181 mm ground clearance suited to broken roads
- Real-world mileage of 25-28 kmpl
What doesn't
- Priced nearly double the KTM 390 Adventure S at similar power
- 830 mm seat height is tall for shorter riders
- No cruise control or keyless start despite the price
Best for: Long-distance touring, Mixed tarmac and light off-road use, Riders upgrading from a 390cc ADV
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
The NX500 comes in a single variant at ₹7,43,900 ex-showroom Delhi, so there is no trim ladder to climb: every NX500 leaves the showroom with the same equipment.
That makes it priced 10th lowest among the 14 adventure bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the 390 Adventure S (₹3,38,889 less) and the V-Strom 800 DE (₹3,57,641 more).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹8.33 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Standard | ₹7,43,900 |
Mileage
NX500's claimed mileage is 26.5 kmpl, and unusually, owners and our own riding land right on it: expect 25–28 kmpl in everyday use. Few bikes get this close to their brochure figure.
Among the 12 adventure bikes we have reviewed it ranks 9th for mileage, 2 kmpl below the group average of 28 kmpl.
Engine and ride
The 471cc liquid-cooled engine makes 46.9 bhp and 43 Nm through a 6 Speed. With a kerb weight of 196 kg that is 239 bhp per tonne, 6th best power-to-weight of the 14 bikes in this class we have reviewed.
The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.
Chassis hardware includes USD front forks, a rear monoshock, dual-channel ABS and traction control, with a disc, 296 mm, 4 piston caliper up front and disc, 240 mm, 1 piston caliper at the rear.
The 830 mm seat is on the tall side. Riders under 5'6" should sit on one before buying.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The NX500 is a competent, well-built middleweight adventure motorcycle that happens to arrive in India at a price that invites uncomfortable comparisons. At ₹7,43,900 it costs nearly double the KTM 390 Adventure S while making similar power, so buyers have to want the Honda badge and its build quality specifically to justify the gap. On its own terms it is a capable, comfortable long-distance machine.
Riding it every day
The 471cc parallel-twin's 46.9 bhp and 43 Nm deliver smooth, linear power that suits both city traffic and open highway stretches, and the 196 kg kerb weight keeps it manageable at low speed despite its size. USD forks soak up speed breakers and broken patches with confidence, and 181 mm of ground clearance means potholed service roads are less of a worry than on a road-focused motorcycle.
What to know before buying
Mileage figures of 25-28 kmpl are unremarkable, and the 17.5-litre tank helps offset that with reasonable range between fuel stops. There is no cruise control or keyless start, which feels like a miss at this price point, and the 830 mm seat height will be tall for shorter riders. Honda's service network for larger imported motorcycles is thinner than for its commuter range, so parts availability is worth confirming locally before buying.
Who should buy it
The NX500 suits a rider who wants a Honda-badged adventure tourer for long highway trips and is not chasing the lowest price per horsepower. Buyers cross-shopping purely on value should test ride the KTM 390 Adventure S first.
Features and colours
- Dual-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Rear disc brake
- Tubeless tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Traction control
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- USD front forks
- Rear monoshock
- LED headlamp
- +7 more
On safety kit the NX500 has dual-channel abs, front disc brake, rear disc brake, tubeless tyres, traction control and side-stand engine cut-off. Dual-channel ABS is the one item on this list worth paying for if it is variant-dependent.
Against 390 Adventure S, V-Strom 800 DE or Himalayan 450, it gets dual-channel abs, tubeless tyres and alloy wheels that most rivals skip.
What it lacks: single-channel abs, hazard lamps, slipper clutch and projector headlamp, which rivals at this price offer. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.
It is offered in 2 colours: Pearl Horizon White and Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 2 years, unlimited km.
Honda runs one of the largest sales and service network in India, at roughly 6,000 touchpoints. Spares and a mechanic who knows the model are rarely far away.
The NX500 launched in 2026, so long-term reliability and resale data are still thin. That is not a mark against it, just a reason to prefer the standard warranty and keep service records.
NX500: questions people ask
- What is the price of the Honda NX500?
- The NX500 is priced at ₹7,43,900 ex-showroom Delhi in its single variant, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance.
- What is the on-road price of the NX500 in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹8.33 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹7,43,900 ex-showroom plus ₹59,512 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹28,507 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the NX500?
- Claimed mileage is 26.5 kmpl. Owners typically see 25–28 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
- How much does the NX500 cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹3.58 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹2,790 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the NX500?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹23,590 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the NX500?
- It uses a 471cc engine producing 46.9 bhp and 43 Nm, with a 6 speed.
- Is the NX500 suitable for short riders?
- It is on the tall side at 830 mm. Riders under 5'6" may be on tiptoe at stops and should try it before buying.
- NX500 or 390 Adventure S: which is better?
- The 390 Adventure S is ₹3,38,889 less expensive to start and less efficient at 26.5 kmpl against 26.5 kmpl. Pick the NX500 for long-distance touring, the 390 Adventure S for long-distance touring with light off-road use. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the NX500?
- Among the 14 adventure bikes we have reviewed, the Xpulse 200 4V (₹1.45 Lakh), the Himalayan 450 (₹3.08 Lakh), the Xpulse 210 (₹1.67 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the NX500's 830 mm seat height manageable for a shorter rider around 5 feet 5 inches?
- It is on the taller side for adventure bikes, so a rider that height may need to tip-toe at a standstill; sitting on one before buying is worth doing if height is a concern.
- Does the NX500 need premium fuel to run properly?
- The data does not specify a fuel grade requirement, but typically a liquid-cooled twin of this type runs fine on regular unleaded, so premium fuel should not be necessary for normal use.
NX500 from
₹7.44 Lakh