2022 · Scrambler · Buyer's Guide
Composed A2 Scrambler, Low Drama
The Crossfire 500 X is Brixton's scrambler version of its Crossfire 500 roadster, and it earns the X with real parts, not just paint. You get wider bars, Pirelli MT60 tires on an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear, and a minimalist tail with the plate holder tucked away. Underneath is a steel trellis frame with an adjustable Kayaba upside-down fork, an adjustable rear shock, J.Juan brakes on a 320 mm front disc, and ABS. The 486 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin makes 48 hp and 32 lb-ft. The sculpted X-shaped tank and LED lighting make it easy to pick out across a parking lot.
On the road it's an affordable, low-stress way into the retro scene. Handling is accessible, it stays calm and planted at speed, and at 56 mpg it's cheap to run. That makes it a strong fit for newer riders, commuters and anyone who wants style without a big bill or a power trip. The honest caveat is in the suspension numbers. At 5.9 in (150 mm), the front travel meets the scrambler mark, but 5.1 in (130 mm) at the rear is naked-bike territory. Treat gravel roads as a detour, not the mission. ABS is the only electronic aid.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 48 hp (35 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 32 lb-ft (43 Nm) @ 6,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 486 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 419 lb (190 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 gal (13.5 L) |
| Top speed | 99 mph (160 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 56 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Lighting
Safety
For years I've listened to owners of this bike: paddock talk, club nights, conversations at the fuel pump, and the messages riders send me once they've put real miles on theirs. On the Crossfire 500 X the pattern is clear. Owners praise the hardware and how much of it they can adjust, and their complaints center on price, ride firmness and the front brake.
The most consistent praise is for the parts list. Owners say the name-brand ABS, brakes, tires and suspension make the bike feel better equipped than its budget positioning suggests. The suspension gets special mention. Both the fork and the shock adjust for preload, compression and rebound, and riders call that rare in this segment. Owners also say the bike turns heads wherever it's parked, and some newer riders credit its settled chassis with building their confidence in corners.
The recurring gripe is money. Owners note that the asking price sits close to established Japanese rivals, and those bikes come with bigger dealer networks and stronger resale value. A few riders find the suspension too firm on broken pavement and wonder how comfortable it stays over a long day. Some also want more bite from the single front disc when they ride hard.
Where this Brixton Crossfire 500 X pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Crossfire 500 X is actually built for.
It's a fun, easy partner for Hill Country back roads and the BBQ stop after. Just know that 48 hp won't make the long highway legs out of Austin or San Antonio feel short.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Texas Hill Country BDR-X · Twisted Sisters
Light, stable and easy to place, it makes a good bike for sharpening technique on the Dragon and Cherohala. The modest 48 hp puts a ceiling on pace, so ride it for skill, not speed.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
The styling suits Main Street and the old routes, and its calm manner fits an unhurried rhythm. With a 3.6 gal tank, plan your fuel stops on the remote stretches.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2020
Cool Looks, Cheap Miles
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Brixton Crossfire 500 X. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2019–2024
Confidence Built Into Every Mile
Roughly $2,000 cheaper used than this bike at 4 yr
Competitor · 2017–2020
Stable Handler, Thin Wallet
Competitor · 2018
Pure Sixties Style, Modern Bones
Roughly $2,900 cheaper used than this bike at 4 yr