2023 Honda CL500 First Look
Tue, 08 Nov 2022
Street scrambler joins Honda's 500 family
Honda is adding a new model to its 500 platform, introducing a retro-inspired CL500 street scrambler.
The new CL brings back a nameplate Honda used in the ’60s and ’70s for lightweight off-road capable motorcycles. The modern interpretation draws on that heritage with the upswept muffler with stainless steel heat shield, round tank with tank pads, and gaitered forks.
“We developed the CL500 as a machine that truly allow its owners to stand out from the crowd, and as a form of self-expression. It can be used and enjoyed casually – without hesitation – by the young generation in their daily lives and is designed to become a joyful and integral part of a lifestyle,” says Hiroshi Furuse, Large Project Leader for the CL500. “In standard form, the off-road street style has a visual charm unlike any other model in the Honda range, and can really inspire owners to take it further in any direction they wish.”
While the 500 series began with the CB and CBR models, it’s the Rebel 500 that shares most in common with the CL500, both in its aesthetics and the chassis. The tubular diamond steel frame is similar to the Rebel’s, with a loop-shaped subframe.
Of course, for the CL500’s light off-road aspirations, you need some alterations from the Rebel’s cruiser model. The CL500 is equipped with 41mm telescopic forks with 5.9 inches of travel and preload-adjustable twin rear shocks with 5.7 inches of travel, compared to the Rebel’s 4.8 inches front and 3.8 inches of rear travel. The CL’s top and bottom yokes are unique to the scrambler, with Honda claiming enhanced steering accuracy and feel.
The CL500 also runs on larger wheels than the Rebel, with a 19-inch front and a 17-inch cast wheels. Dunlop supplies the deep-groove Mixtours tires with a 110/80 R19 up front and a 150/70 R17 at the rear. The longer travel suspension and larger wheels contribute to 6.1-inches of ground clearance, and a 31.1-inch seat height.
The front wheel is equipped with a single two-piston caliper with sintered pads and a 310 mm floating disc. A single-piston caliper and 240 mm rotor are fitted to the rear wheel. Honda says the hydraulic pressure between the front and rear brakes are balanced for controlled braking on a wide range of surfaces. ABS comes standard, with settings optimized for both paved roads and dirt tracks.
The CL500 uses the same 471 cc Parallel-Twin engine as the CB500 family and the Rebel 500, but with revised mapping, and a new intake and exhaust. Honda claims a peak output of 46.0 hp at 8,500 rpm and 32.0 lb-ft. at 6,250 rpm. The upswept exhaust uses a two-pipe muffler fed by 2-into-1 downpipes.
The CL also uses a 41-tooth rear sprocket – one more than the Rebel – with Honda claiming crisper acceleration through each of the six gears. An assist/slipper clutch helps to reduce lever load and rear wheel hop.
Honda offers a range of accessories for the CL500, for sale on their own or combined in Adventure, Travel or Style packages.
2023 Honda CL500 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke 4-valve two-cylinder |
| Displacement | 471cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 67 x 66.8 (mm) |
| Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Max. Power Output | 46.0 hp at 8,500 rpm |
| Max. Torque | 32.0 lb-ft. at 6,250 rpm |
| Oil Capacity | 0.8 gallons |
| Starter | Electric |
| Carburation | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.2 gallons |
| CO2 Emissions WMTC | 84 g/km |
| Fuel Consumption | 65 mpg (claimed) |
| Battery Capacity | 12V 7Ah |
| Clutch Type | Wet multiplate, assisted slipper clutch |
| Transmission | 6 speed manual transmission |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Frame Type | Steel diamond |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic 41mm Upright forks, 5.9 inches travel |
| Rear Suspension | Twin shock with 45mm round pipe swingarm, 5-step pre-load adjustment; 5.7 inches travel |
| Front Wheel | Cast Aluminum |
| Rear Wheel | Cast Aluminum |
| Front Tire | 110/80R19M/C 59H |
| Rear Tire | 150/70R17M/C 69H |
| ABS Type | 2 channel |
| Front Brake | Single 310mm floating disc, 2 piston calipers |
| Rear Brake | Single 240mm disc, 1 piston calliper |
| Instruments | LCD Meter with speedometer, dual trip meters, fuel level and consumption gauge, clock, gear position, upshift indicator |
| Headlight | LED |
| Taillight | LED |
| 12V Socket | Optional |
| Security System | HISS |
| Additional Features | ESS |
| Height | 85.6 inches |
| Width | 32.7 inches |
| Height | 44.7 inches |
| Wheelbase | 58.5 inches |
| Caster Angle | 27° |
| Trail | 4.3 inches |
| Seat Height | 31.1 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 inches |
| Kerb Weight | 423 pounds |
| Turning radius | 8.5 feet |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
They missed a real opportunity to make one with a silver tank, side covers and fenders with a red frame. You know, like the 60s CLs used to have.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
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Dave Snapp on Nov 19, 2022
And the high exhaust. The low under engine then to the high muffler seems confused. I would want to fab an exhaust like the old CLs had.
Now, if Kawasaki would just resurrect the Samurai moniker with a scrambler wrapped around the 400 twin, I'd be happy.
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See also: 2023 Honda XL750 Transalp First Look, 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T First Look, Honda Rebel 1100 Touring Variants Confirmed for 2023.