2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler REVIEW: Exciting or just Ordinary?

Look like rebel 500 though

The biggest weakness is that the driver's boot scrapes the exhaust pipe cover. This cover is then quickly worn off and an unsightly stain is formed here. The second minus is the motorcycle's footrests, which interfere with reversing with your feet on the ground.

Possibly gonna be my first bike if not than the Vitpilen but we’ll see a lot could change in the year it’ll take for me to save up for them

Good stuff. As near as I could tell from your video, it appears that you were using a smoke shield on your helmet. If so, I wonder if the speedometer might be a bit more useful with a clear shield...?

Ordinary, I think. It doesn't commit enough to the visual lines that makeup a Scrambler. Without that in the name, who would even know it's not an updated CB500X? Looks like other Hondas in its space. What we want is a 500 that looks like a Hunter 350 w/ knobbies. Or even better, a Honda version of the Fantic Caballero. That's a scrambler.

I think is better to buy the cb500x with all the new upgrades for a similar price!! ordinary bike for lot of money, nothing special,. Chinese bikes offer more for less money!

Was excited. Just disappointed that the exhaust system is so damn butt ugly. And on a retro bike (or semi retro perhaps) always prefer wire spokes.

I'm a vespa rider, ridden them for 30+ years and now feel it's time to change. One of the bikes I'm looking at is this one. I've never driven a "proper" bike just PXs with twist grip gears. Any advice would be very helpful.

Everything but the exhaust is cool.

Tomarrow i have the A Exam and this is the one i would love to ride 😎

"...Test of acceleration.." "..here we go, first gear.." - I really so hope it's not a new engine ! Well, why worry it's just somebody's demo bike..isn't it ?

The screen brightness has 5 levels and it is adjusted after the time,. The intake has been tuned improved over the rebel 500, and has one more tooth on the back also as, compared to the Rebel 500.

❤

Thank you for the video. Do you think it is comfortable for a passenger? Can the position of the muffler bother the passenger?

My grandpa had a 70s Honda. I really wanted it. Got a dual sport atm. Thinking about picking this up as my 2nd bike. Definitely brings back memories of always seeing that bike in the garage and wanting to ride it.

I consider my 65hp versys fast enough, but 45hp? Idk, leaning towards boring, chassis as well.

Great review and tutorial. I had one of those battery going dead Casio's... great analogy. On a scale of 1-10 how hard is CL's seat? 10 being a brick 1 being a plush pillow. Also was 1st gear jerky from throttle tuning re: fueling restrictions? My 21' CB500X 1st gear is very twitchy at low speed. Just curious. Thanks

This is the bike I want. So beautiful 😍

The Triumph Speed 400 is down about 7hp......but 40 pounds lighter.....17 in wheels, the Triumph is my choice, Triumph hit it out of the park with the styling, it's a stunning bike.

Cl has one more tooth on rear sprocket. Likely gives impression of more torque.

I've been toying around with the idea of getting my first motorcycle and this is very high on my list of choices right now.

Twin clock's would improve the front looks...for me...the sound is boaring they could have done a better job with very little expense

Take a look at parts for this bike. Honda is using a very popular proven engine in this bike. The fact that they use this engine in so many of their bikes keeps parts cost down. I think of it as the Chevy 350 of motorcycle engines.

Gee, could they cut any more corners? No scrambler side pipes, no chrome and barely any paint {just the tank and only two lousy choices}.This bike is seven grand out the door, what a joke.

top speed is 130mph?
gods i hate the display
hate the headlight
hate the ignition location

Bikes are built for long term injuries,,.. not built for any type of roads.😮

Great review , like your focus and straightforwardness

A negative display is a stupid idea, even on watches it sucks. 😝

I don't see the appeal of the minimalist instrumentation. What is wrong with having a rev counter - it would be nice to know what the idle speed is, for example, when making adustments. And a display that you cannot even read, seriously???? Sat on one of these at the dealership, and it is certainly light and flickable, but seems to lack character - it really looks and feels too much like a reworked Rebel with some "scrambler" styling cues.

I bought an SCL500 about two months ago. I'm really enjoying it! Great bike for the curvy back roads of SE Tennessee. It handles nice and the power is more than adequate. It's not the fastest 500 I've ever ridden, but it'll definitely put a grin on your face.

Exciting? Not sure but I almost bought one of these even though I’ve had a full licence for 40 years. It’s a great bike that will do almost anything. Shame about the low seat height that most bikes have these days as I’m well over 6’ tall.

only downside to me is the sound, yuck. going to replace that soon as I can.

Why own a bike where the speedometer is dim?? Was likening the bike until that?? Strange?

Sat on one at the dealers and : as a 70 year old I can see myself purchasing one I think it’s a really nice looking bike

Confident looking bike

A really great comprehensive review. I do like the refinement in all aspects of its design and engineering. Its a yes from me. Thank you for this post.

Yes, multipurpose bikes of this size are about the best DO IT ALL fun machines you will ever find. There is nowhere you can't go on this bike if you have the time.

I wonder if the instrument display could be altered to be a positive display, namely black lettering on grey background. Seems it can be done on Casio watches. On all the videos I've watched on this model I can scarcely see the display at all.

Love even more having bought one with only 85 miles on with a style pack for £4795 from a Honda dealer!

Hi nice review what road is that in rye .

This is the kind of book you hide in the woods while stealth camping, so get the green version. If you want an orange bike, get a KTM.

I can tell you ahead of time, you will absolutely h8t3 having the key (and all your keys) dangling off on the side of the bike, and not up front and center between the front forks. I don't know why Honda switched to doing this to save a few bucks but it was a terrible design decision.

For the life time of the bike you'll be taking your motorcycle key off your key ring, reminding yourself not to forget your key when you park, and then putting it back on your key ring. I can't tell you how ann**ing that gets.

Thanks for the nice review, I live in NY State just looked at one at my local Honda dealership. Looking to replace my Kawasaki x300 Versys. Bike is the same color. I had a 1968 CL 350 some 40 years ago.

Good review. They got more right than they got wrong on this one. I would buy it.

I hate the gauge. Please give me a mechanical set of gauges with speedo and tach. This is the one thing pushing me away from this bike.

With its amazing looks i think it has a good character and fun character

Great review great bike.

What I’m getting
So trippy to see Cars on the right side of the road

Yay ! I pick up my green one from Norton Way this week.

I have bought one, and it is a pleasure. A very good simple motocycle on the road, on gravel.