2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler Evaluate

2023 Honda CL500 Evaluate

Honda CL500 Scrambler Check by Wayne Vickers
Photos by RbMotoLens

We’ve been large followers of Honda’s little 471 cc parallel-twin platform for whereas right here at MCNews and for good purpose. Candy little mill, nicely mannered and completely happy to have its ringer revved off once you really feel the necessity.

It’s seen success in numerous totally different light-weight choices from the CB500X Journey Tourer in addition to the CB500F and R, all the way in which to the CMX500 Cruiser. The latter being basically the sister bike to the brand new CL, which takes a retro scrambler path than the cruiser oriented CMX. And whereas the CMX has seen respectable gross sales success, I’d wager the brand new CL will show extra person pleasant than the low-slung cruiser.

Whereas the engine, predominant metal body and surrounds are shared between the 2, a brand new sub-frame and swing-arm on the CL permits a way more beneficiant 150 mm of suspension journey. And with that in fact comes a lot better bump compliance.

It additionally nudges the seat peak up from 690 mm on the Insurgent to 790 on the CL. It’s nonetheless very low by anybody’s requirements with standover on the bike being a cinch and manoeuvring the bike round at a standstill useless simple.

I discovered the fuelling on this model new bike (it actually had zero kilometres on it once I picked it up), to be a bit of on the delicate aspect in comparison with most different Honda 500s I’ve ridden – it wouldn’t shock me if it that disappeared because it gained a number of extra kays and settled in. I do marvel if it’s a by-product of this fashions new air-box or greater exhaust set-up. Although I’m informed it has another minor changes together with a smoother backside finish and barely higher high finish. Exhausting to select both with out being again to again to be trustworthy..

That new exhaust I discussed? Exhausting to overlook eh.. There’s a good bit of it. And its typical Honda tremendous duper quiet. There’s already a bunch of pretty cool retro styled equipment accessible from Honda however I didn’t spot any mufflers. So, look after-market. Absolutely that’d be excessive on the want listing.

The sprint show can also be shared with the Insurgent and very similar to the one on the CB500F I examined some time again, it’s nigh on inconceivable to learn in plenty of situations.  Type over performance right here I’m afraid.

I additionally discovered the correct hand aspect of the engine cowl touched the entrance of my boot when driving which, whereas technically not getting in my manner as such, nonetheless felt odd in a ‘cramping my fashion’ kinda manner.

Aside from that although, I reckon it’s largely excellent news. The suspension works nicely sufficient. It’s non adjustable on the entrance and adjustable for pre-load on the rear (useful if you happen to’re planning on loading it up or taking pilions with you).

Whereas it’s on the ‘consolation’ aspect of issues when it comes to set-up, it’s within the ballpark. So long as you don’t have grand visions of doing jumps or hitting whoops on this stuff, it’ll take in most bumps fairly nicely and solely begins to expire of functionality at concerning the two inch pothole mark. Of which there are loads out my manner lol. Gentle gravel corrugation and smaller potholes? Tick. Nevertheless it has its limits.

As do the brakes on gravel. The rear ABS specifically tended to not do a lot in any respect actually on something that wasn’t a full grip floor. On the tarmac they’re positive, even the one disc entrance, however simply go regular away from the sealed stuff.

Once more – positive for what the majority of newer riders who’re prone to be into one among these I feel. Should you’re on the lookout for an aggressive gravel/off roader – I don’t assume you’ll have learn this far. Moreover, you wouldn’t wish to threat dropping it off highway on the left hand aspect with the important thing being situated there… or is that simply me that thinks like that?

The truth although is that almost all of those won’t ever see something aside from tarmac and that’s simply positive. As a result of I feel that’s the place they do their finest work. Dealing with-wise it steers fairly nicely truly. The entrance finish feels surprisingly gentle and correct for what’s approaching the 200 mark when it comes to weight at 192 kg. I used to be shocked to learn that determine after my first few rides. It doesn’t really feel that heavy and is sort of the nice factor to peel via corners and roll on the throttle.

Different notable mentions? The switch-gear does look a bit of fundamental, nevertheless it all features nicely sufficient. That mentioned, I did handle to by accident fats finger the horn numerous occasions when attempting to go for the indicator as an alternative… Take that with a grain of salt as I’m leaping from bike to bike a bit. Nevertheless it does present up that it’s not fairly within the zone the place my left thumb expects it to be.

All in all although – I feel the CL makes plenty of sense – much more so than the CMX to me anyway. It’ll be extra comfy, simpler to experience in every single place with higher imaginative and prescient too. Higher, rough-road soaking suspension and nonetheless that nice little Honda twin at its coronary heart. And although it solely has a 12 litre tank, that ought to nonetheless put you previous 300 kilometres between stops. The little twin is fairly frugal on the go-juice.

They’re accessible in a bunch of colors, the Matt black on my bike was notably nicely completed, although I do love the look of the ‘Sweet Power Orange’ within the pics. Very retro.

For simply on ten grand experience away, with Honda construct high quality and vendor help, I anticipate to see various on the market fairly quickly with riders grinning like Cheshire Cats.

Throw a few choices at it, possibly the 14 litre saddlebag that mounts on the left aspect and balances out the correct hand aspect muffler – and I’d must throw a slip-on on there. I’m undecided you’d have to do a lot else however clock up the kays.

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I just like the CL500 Scrambler as a result of:

• Nice confirmed twin-cylinder engine and field
• A little bit extra experience peak and journey over the Insurgent for a smoother experience
• Good and light-weight to experience, good steering, tremendous easy to only get out and experience.

I’d just like the Scrambler 500 extra if:

• That sprint. Do one thing with the readability. Please
• If the footpegs had been a number of centimetres again would that cease my shin entrance hitting the correct aspect engine cowl?
• The inventory muffler set-up seems ripe for substitute

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Honda CL500 Specs

Honda CL500 Photos

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