You can take the ratcheting mechanisms out of any wrench I’ve owned, for maintenance (cleaning or greasing) or replacement. I use Wright Tool from 1/4" drive up to 3/4" drive, and I can still source replacement ratchet mechanisms for replacement if I ever managed to break them. I have not however because they’re stout as fuck.

I’ve seen your posts! I particularly enjoyed your use of ‘halfrica twin’. Considering this is only the second bike I’ve ever owned (I’ve ridden plenty others though) and it is MUCH more accommodating than my SR400, I really enjoy it.

I ride as my primary transportation. To work, grocery, etc. With that in mind, the NX500 has been much better for me, especially in winter subfreezing riding. I have a lot going on in life, but when things calm down, I should have more flexibility to do the necessary upgrades that will make it even better for me.

Glad we have a few of us out there! I’ve seen a couple others in my area. Seems like people like the successor to the CB500X (when so much of it is near the same, haha)

I do as much of everything I can on my own to save money, but I understand. When I was younger it was more out of necessity. I used to take the tires off the wheels with spoons. Now I just take the wheels to a guy with machines. Figure that’s my compromise at this stage in my life, between paying someone and saving money.

Thank you! I am hoping to replace my seat for a little more comfort soon, even if it isn’t wore out. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!

Seem like the best for my use case! I haven’t really pushed them or anything, but I like what I’ve felt on the road so far.

On a highway? My 400 was a thumper, and the hills in my area really made it lag. Not necessarily the same for all displacements, however. I borrowed a friends XT250 dual sport recently and it can keep up with my current NX500. A twisty back road on the 400? I had no problems keeping up with my buddies with larger bikes and would often out pace them because I could really whip around corners and it was less crucial to consider the weight of the machine and its inertia.

My SR400 was quite similar to the bikes at the MSF, but my NX500 is very different. I feel like the skills I built on those bikes were fundamental to graduating to different kinds of bikes, and it is an easier transition than you may expect.

There are a few factors to consider here. What is your level of experience? Did you ride any kind of motorcycle before (even like a 50cc minibike)? Have you considered taking a rider’s course before diving in? Why are you riding? Are you looking to regularly commute on your bike, even in inclement weather? Or are you looking to hit a track on the weekends and just see this as a recreational hobby?

I started riding about six years ago around my mid twenties, only having ridden a small dirt bike a couple times as a kid. I took the MSF course and bought a used 400cc standard Japanese bike that I could really get used to and not worry so much about if I made mistakes. I wanted an alternative to commuting to work from my car because it was ultimately cheaper. I ended up loving that bike and kept it until just last year. That did not prevent me from experiencing other bikes though, and as my experience and skill grew, friends and others allowed me to ride their bikes just to have fun. From cruisers to sport bikes and dirt bikes. I feel like it was only after all of that did I really settle on a middle of the road adventure bike for my purposes. It is my primary way to get anywhere and do anything, even in the winter. I wouldn’t recommend that for everybody, but it suits my purposes. There is nothing wrong with really dialing it in over time. Find what you want out of riding and the right bike will find you.