When I was down in Tucson to ride the 700i, they also had a demo 2013 X500. All I can say is that this will be the next bike I purchase. With the 3 gram more heavy roller weights the RPM at freeway speeds is much lower than my carbed 2007 X500. This makes the bike feel more relaxed. It comes with radial tires, and this makes the bike roll easier, corner & handle parking lot speeds better, and also makes the bike more stable on the freeway. Fuel injection is nice also. I also noticed that the seat is a little shaved down where your pelvic bones touch the seat. This makes the seat even more comfortable than my 2007. Also, I think the old style fairing is better looking than the 2013's, but the 13 has 2 head lights, and it and the front fender were designed to reduce buffeting, and it works! I have the barn door Givi shield on my 2007. And it works very well keeping the wind from knocking me off the bike. But I could not believe how well it controlled the wind on the 2013 with it's very short and narrow shield. I traveled at about a steady 65 MPH my my 2007, rode across the entire city of Tucson, stop and go all the way with heavy traffic. Rode back across Tucson, got on the freeway, got off to get gas a few miles up the road, and got 55 MPG! ! ! ! I hope the fuel injected 2013's and up do the same? I'm going to start saving for a new X500.
