Words Abhishek Pandey | Photography Saidatta Naik
The retro motorcycle space is getting more crowded by the day. But while most manufacturers are sticking to classic styling cues, there’s one new name that’s trying something a little different. Say hello to the Brixton Crossfire 500X, a motorcycle that blends scrambler aesthetics with modern underpinnings. The brand is new to India, the motorcycle is assembled here and certainly stands out. But the question is, does it have what it takes to carve out its niche in a segment dominated by bigger names?
The Crossfire 500X carries a very distinct design that grows on you. The sharp tank with that bold “X” stamped into its flanks has become Brixton’s signature, and it looks great. Other design highlights include the upswept stainless-steel exhaust, LED lighting all around, Pirelli MT60 dual-purpose tyres wrapped around tubeless spoked wheels and the neatly integrated tail section. It’s a clean, well balanced design and from certain angles, one could actually take it for a custom build. That said, it isn’t all perfect. The switchgear feels budget, and the monotone LCD speedometer isn’t the easiest to read under sunlight, a letdown at this price point. Fit and finish is a mixed bag. Some areas like the tank and side panels feel premium, but others, like the switches and wiring, need improvement.
The seat height of 795mm makes you believe it would be easy to flat-foot the bike, but the broad seat makes it a little difficult. The riding triangle is slightly forward-set, thanks to the handlebar being positioned away from you. It feels natural once you’re on the move, though. The flat seat is decently padded, though the lack of a grab rail or support makes life difficult for the pillion.
The Crossfire 500X is powered by a 486cc, liquid cooled parallel-twin that puts out 47.6PS and 43Nm. The numbers are on par with segment rivals, but what really stands out is the character. The engine is refined and has a good bottom-end torque, which is great for city riding and quick overtakes. There is a bit of buzz above 5,500rpm, but the sweet spot lies in the mid-range, where it feels most alive. The exhaust note deserves a mention too, it’s throaty and bassy, and makes the bike sound a lot more aggressive than it looks. The 6-speed gearbox feels a bit clunky and lacks the smoothness you’d expect at this price. There’s no slipper clutch either, and the clutch itself is a tad on the heavier side. You’ll feel it in traffic. This isn’t a bike that enjoys crawling, it prefers open stretches of road where you can stretch its legs a little.
Underneath, the 500X uses adjustable KYB suspension, a USD fork up front and monoshock at the rear, both with damping adjustability. The stock setup feels on the firmer side but does a decent job of soaking up undulations. It’s not plush, but it suits the bike’s character well. That said, the rear shock’s adjustment is buried deep and isn’t tool-free, which makes tuning it a bit of a hassle. It gets J.Juan calipers with dual-channel ABS, and while braking performance is strong but the feedback at the lever isn’t that great. The Pirelli MT60 dual-purpose tyres offer decent grip on both tarmac and light trails, and their performance complements the bike’s scrambler intentions.
The Crossfire 500X is an interesting alternative in a segment where nostalgia often takes precedence over function. It has the looks, a characterful engine, and is genuinely enjoyable to ride. But it also comes with its share of flaws, some of them difficult to ignore considering its asking price of ₹4.74 lakh (ex-showroom).
At that price, it’s significantly more expensive than the competition, and that’s going to be a tough sell unless Brixton builds a strong aftersales network and improves part availability. For now, the 500X is a head-turner with charm, but one that needs a little more polish to be a complete package.
