Honda CB500X vs Royal Enfield Himalayan
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The Honda CB500X and Royal Enfield Himalayan are among the most cross-shopped adventure bikes of 2026. The Royal Enfield Himalayan undercuts the Honda CB500X by about $1,600, so value is squarely on the table. On paper the Honda CB500X leads on power with 47 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
Honda
Honda CB500X
Our pickRoyal Enfield
Royal Enfield HimalayanThe verdict
The Royal Enfield Himalayan edges it overall at 8.4/10, but the Honda CB500X wins on most exciting, so let how you ride decide.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
A2-legal, 40 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Honda CB500X
47 hp and 0.24 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Our 8.4/10 at $5,799, the most bike per dollar.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
196 kg with an 825 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Our top score in this matchup at 8.4/10.
Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.
Still torn between them?
Answer a few questions and we'll rank every bike by how well it fits you.
Honda CB500X vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: your questions answered
Which is faster, the Honda CB500X or the Royal Enfield Himalayan?
The Honda CB500X makes the most power at 47 hp and 43 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the Honda CB500X or the Royal Enfield Himalayan?
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $5,799.
Which is lighter, the Honda CB500X or the Royal Enfield Himalayan?
The Honda CB500X is the lightest at 196 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the Honda CB500X or the Royal Enfield Himalayan?
For a new rider we'd point to the Royal Enfield Himalayan: A2-legal, 40 hp and 196 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
