Best Tyres for Honda CB500X: Size Guide, Top Picks and Real Riding Advice
The Honda CB500X sits in an interesting position in the adventure bike segment. It is light enough to handle gravel and dirt tracks, capable enough for multi-day touring, and accessible enough that riders of very different experience levels end up on one. The tyre question comes up early for almost every CB500X owner because the stock rubber, while adequate, leaves room for significant improvement depending on how and where you ride.
This guide covers tyre sizes for both generations of the CB500X, the best options across road, touring, and off-road use, correct pressures, and what makes the most sense for riders tackling Vietnam’s mountain roads where the terrain demands more from a tyre than a standard commuter setup can deliver.
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CB500X Tyre Sizes: What You Need to Know First
The CB500X has run two different tyre size configurations depending on the year of manufacture. Getting this right before buying is non-negotiable. Fitting the wrong size creates handling issues and in some cases safety risks.
2013 to 2018 CB500X (First Generation)
The first generation CB500X runs a 17-inch front wheel with the following standard sizes:
- Front: 120/70-17
- Rear: 160/60-17
Both wheels are 17 inch, which gives strong road tyre availability but limits the off-road options somewhat compared to the larger front wheel on the updated model.
2019 Onwards CB500X (Second Generation)
Honda updated the CB500X in 2019 with a larger 19-inch front wheel, moving the bike closer to proper adventure geometry. This was a smart decision and opens up significantly more tyre choice, particularly for riders who want genuine off-road capability.
- Front: 110/80-19
- Rear: 160/60-17
The 19-inch front is a meaningful upgrade. It absorbs trail imperfections better, allows for a wider range of off-road tyre fitments, and gives the bike a more planted feel on loose surfaces. The rear stays at 17 inches across both generations, which means rear tyre options are consistent regardless of which version you own.
The stock tyre fitted to current CB500X models from Honda is the Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour, a dual-purpose tyre that performs competently on sealed roads and handles light gravel without drama. It is a reasonable all-rounder but not the best choice if you know you will be spending significant time on the dirt.
CB500X Tyre Pressure: The Numbers That Actually Matter
Running the correct tyre pressure on the CB500X affects handling, tyre life, fuel efficiency, and safety. These are the recommended pressures for the 2019 onwards model:
- Front: 29 psi unloaded / 32 psi with luggage and passenger
- Rear: 33 psi unloaded / 36 psi fully loaded
Check pressures before every long ride and at least once a week during regular use. On Vietnam’s mountain roads where temperature swings between valley floors and high passes can be significant, pressure fluctuates more than on flat terrain. A cold morning start from a highland town at 1,500 meters will read differently than mid-afternoon on a sun-baked valley road. Always check cold and adjust accordingly.
Running low pressure on gravel or dirt sections is a technique some riders use to improve traction, dropping to around 25 to 26 psi front and 28 to 30 psi rear. This works on proper off-road tyres but is not recommended on road-biased rubber where the sidewall is not built to handle the stress of low-pressure running.
Best CB500X Tyres by Riding Style
Best Tyres for Road and Touring Use
Michelin Anakee Road
The Anakee Road is one of the strongest choices for CB500X owners who spend the majority of their time on sealed roads with the occasional light gravel detour. Wet grip is a particular strength, cornering feel is predictable and consistent, and tread life is significantly better than most dual-purpose alternatives. For touring riders covering long distances across Vietnam’s main mountain roads, this tyre handles the demands of consecutive full days without degrading noticeably.
Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
The Scorpion Trail II has a long-standing reputation among adventure touring riders for a reason. It is genuinely excellent on wet tarmac, holds its performance characteristics across a long service life, and handles the kind of mixed surface riding that Vietnam’s mountain routes regularly deliver. On sealed passes like Pha Din and O Quy Ho where the road is good but the conditions can change quickly, the Scorpion Trail II inspires confidence.
Bridgestone Battlax T32
The T32 is a road-biased adventure tyre that prioritises cornering stability and mileage. For riders who do long touring days on Vietnam’s sealed national roads and want a tyre that does not need replacing every few thousand kilometres, the T32 delivers. It is not the right choice for serious dirt, but for sealed mountain roads and long touring sections it is hard to fault.
Best Tyres for Mixed Road and Gravel Use
Metzeler Tourance Next 2
The Tourance Next 2 sits comfortably in the mixed-use category, genuinely capable on sealed roads and confident enough on gravel and light dirt that you are not white-knuckling it when the tarmac ends. For CB500X riders exploring Vietnam’s secondary roads and highland village tracks where the surface switches between sealed, gravel, and loose dirt within the same day, this is one of the most balanced options available.
Continental TKC 70
The TKC 70 positions itself directly between the road-oriented ContiTrailAttack and the more aggressive TKC 80. For the CB500X, which sits in exactly that same middle ground between road tourer and light off-road machine, the TKC 70 is a natural fit. It handles gravel and hard-packed dirt with more confidence than a pure road tyre while remaining stable and quiet on sealed surfaces. Wet grip is solid and tread life is reasonable for a dual-purpose tyre.
Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour
The stock tyre on current CB500X models. It is not the most exciting option on the list but it earns its place here because it genuinely works across a wide range of conditions. Riders who are happy with the bike’s stock setup and are not pushing the limits of the dirt sections it encounters will find the Mixtour does what it needs to do without drama. Those who want more from either the road or off-road end of the performance range will upgrade.
Best Tyres for Off-Road and Trail Use
Michelin Anakee Wild
The Anakee Wild is the most capable off-road option for the CB500X that still maintains enough road manners for sealed riding days. The aggressive tread pattern bites into gravel, loose dirt, and rocky surfaces with real confidence, and the tyre transitions back to sealed roads without the excessive noise and instability that full knobbies produce on tarmac. For CB500X riders tackling Vietnam’s remote highland tracks, village roads, and the looser sections of the northwest and northeast circuits, the Anakee Wild is the benchmark choice.
Heidenau K60 Scout
The K60 Scout has a devoted following among adventure riders who ride in serious off-road conditions and need a tyre that holds up across thousands of kilometres of mixed terrain. It is slightly more road-friendly than the Anakee Wild while still delivering strong off-road traction on gravel, dirt, and packed mud. Tread life is a genuine strength. Riders who cover long distances on mixed surfaces and want a tyre that does not need replacing mid-trip rate the K60 Scout consistently.
Continental TKC 80
For CB500X owners who want to push the off-road capability of the bike as far as it will go, the TKC 80 is the most aggressive option on this list that remains street-legal. The knobbly tread pattern performs well on loose surfaces, gravel tracks, and the kind of remote dirt roads that connect highland villages in northwest Vietnam. The trade-off is noise and slightly reduced stability on long sealed sections. If your riding is primarily off-road with sealed roads as the transit sections in between, the TKC 80 makes sense.
CB500X Tyres for Vietnam’s Mountain Roads
Vietnam’s northern mountain road network puts specific demands on the CB500X and its tyres that standard touring conditions do not. The terrain here is varied and often unpredictable. A single day of riding can cover sealed highway, newly laid tarmac on a mountain pass, loose gravel on a descent, river crossing tracks, and village roads that have not seen maintenance in years.
The passes themselves, O Quy Ho, Khau Pha, Pha Din, and the secondary roads through Lai Chau and Cao Bang, are sealed but frequently wet, affected by roadfall debris, and crossed by water runoff that makes certain sections genuinely technical. A tyre that performs confidently on wet tarmac is as important here as one that handles loose surfaces.
For CB500X riders on guided tours through the northwest and northeast circuits, the Michelin Anakee Wild or Metzeler Tourance Next 2 are the most consistently recommended choices. Both handle the sealed pass sections with confidence and deal with the inevitable gravel and dirt stretches without requiring the rider to dramatically reduce pace or concentration.
For riders sticking primarily to Vietnam’s sealed national roads and main provincial highways on a CB500X, the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II or Bridgestone T32 are the better fit. They last longer on sealed surfaces and perform predictably on the wet tarmac that defines Vietnam’s mountain roads during and after rain.
Tubeless vs Tube Type on the CB500X
The CB500X runs tubeless tyres on cast alloy wheels. This is straightforward for the standard setup and means puncture repair is manageable roadside with a plug kit. Running tubeless also allows for slightly lower pressures on loose surfaces without the pinch flat risk that tubes carry.
If you fit spoke wheels for more serious off-road use, tubes become part of the equation. Tubes are simpler to replace mid-route with basic tools, which matters on remote trails in northwest Vietnam where the nearest tyre shop may be two hours away. The trade-off is vulnerability to pinch flats on rocky surfaces and the need to carry a spare tube on longer remote sections.
Do not mix tube-type and tubeless tyres on the same bike. The air retention and handling characteristics differ enough to create unpredictable behaviour, particularly in emergency braking situations.
How Long Do CB500X Tyres Last?
Tyre life on the CB500X varies significantly depending on riding style, terrain, tyre choice, and load. On sealed roads with a road-biased tyre like the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II or Bridgestone T32, rear tyre life sits between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometres for most riders. Front tyres typically outlast rears by a significant margin on any bike.
On mixed terrain with a dual-purpose tyre like the Anakee Wild or TKC 70, expect rear life closer to 7,000 to 10,000 kilometres. Aggressive off-road use on knobbly tyres like the TKC 80 reduces this further.
Signs that replacement is needed regardless of mileage include tread depth below 1.6mm, visible cracking on the sidewall, flat spots from hard braking, or any bulging in the tyre carcass.
On Vietnam’s mountain roads where tyre failure far from a town is a real problem, replacing a tyre that is approaching the end of its life before a long remote section is always the right call.
CB500X Tyre Comparison Summary
- Best for touring on sealed roads: Pirelli Scorpion Trail II or Bridgestone T32
- Best for mixed road and gravel: Metzeler Tourance Next 2 or Continental TKC 70
- Best for off-road and trail riding: Michelin Anakee Wild or Heidenau K60 Scout
- Best for aggressive dirt and remote tracks: Continental TKC 80
- Best all-rounder for Vietnam mountain roads: Michelin Anakee Wild
Frequently Asked Questions About CB500X Tyres
What size tyres does the CB500X take?
The 2019 onwards CB500X takes a 110/80-19 front and 160/60-17 rear. The pre-2019 model takes a 120/70-17 front and 160/60-17 rear. Always confirm your year before purchasing.
What tyres does the CB500X come with from Honda?
Current CB500X models ship with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres as standard. They are a competent dual-purpose tyre for mixed use but many riders upgrade once the stock set wears down.
Can I fit off-road tyres on a stock CB500X?
Yes. The 19-inch front wheel on the 2019 onwards model accepts a good range of off-road and dual-purpose tyres. The Michelin Anakee Wild and Heidenau K60 Scout both fit within the stock wheel dimensions and represent a significant capability upgrade for dirt and gravel riding.
What tyre pressure should I run on a CB500X?
29 psi front and 33 psi rear unloaded. Increase to 32 psi front and 36 psi rear when carrying luggage or a passenger. Always check cold.
How often should I replace CB500X tyres?
Every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres on road tyres, sooner on off-road rubber. Replace earlier if tread depth drops below 1.6mm, sidewall cracking appears, or the tyre shows any irregular wear patterns.
Bottom Line
The right tyre makes a genuine difference on the CB500X, particularly on Vietnam’s northern mountain roads where conditions change without warning and the distance to the nearest tyre shop can be measured in hours. For most riders the Michelin Anakee Wild or Metzeler Tourance Next 2 hit the right balance between sealed road performance and off-road confidence. For pure touring on sealed passes the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II is hard to beat. Match the tyre to how you actually ride, not how you think you might ride.
Ride Vietnam on a CB500X
The CB500X is one of the bikes in the IRTouring fleet for a reason. It handles Vietnam’s northwest passes, highland gravel tracks, and long sealed touring days with equal confidence. If you want to ride northern Vietnam on a properly maintained CB500X with a guide who knows every road on the route, take a look at our motorbike tours in Vietnam