Honda looks to reinvent its classic UJM models by building a net new street-scrambler model on its new-ish Rebel 500 platform. Like the old-school CL scramblers from the '60s and '70s, this new scrambler bears the marks of a custom bike builder with changes to the front end, rear fender, and exhaust routing to set it well apart from its parent model.

The engine is almost a direct crossover, as are the framework and blackout treatment, but this line gets its own paint with a quartet of unique colorways on the gas tank. Plus, the mill comes with new mapping and a larger rear sprocket to put the focus on mid-range performance with stronger acceleration.

Honda released the CL500 to the markets in Europe, and we can expect it to come to the U.S. but has not yet done so at the time of this writing. As for the tiered licensing system across the pond, this bike fits right into the A2 groove for younger riders.

Honda used this same CL model name back in the day for what you might call the precursor to the modern dual-sport style. Generally, they were street bikes with some soft- and light-terrain capabilities for hitting the beach or the trail. Like the originals, this newest addition to the venerable CL is a blank canvas, ready to mold into something uniquely you.

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2023 Honda CL500 Performance And Capability

Power for the CL500 comes from a parallel-twin engine borrowed from the Rebel 500. Due to engine remapping and an extra tooth on the rear sprocket, the 2023 CL 500 Scrambler produces 45.9 horsepower and 32 pound-feet of torque. This gives the Scrambler just a little more get-up-and-go with a strong mid-range, which is entirely consistent with the original scrambler builds from back in the day.

Almost square, the engine has a 67 mm bore and 66.8 mm stroke for a 471 cc displacement and 10.7-to-1 compression ratio that'll tolerate mid-grade fuels just fine. It runs with a 180-out firing order that has a pleasant blurble at idle and smooth power throughout the range. The engine uses balancers and counterweights to cancel the rocking couple and further smooth out delivery while also improving comfort because nobody likes a numb butt and hands.

In another change from the Rebel, the CL500 exhaust pipe turns upward to a high-mount muffler. Power flows through a slipper clutch that adds some back-torque mitigation to the system with a lightweight clutch-lever pull, then a six-speed transmission with a chain-type final drive.

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Design

Old-school design cues on the CL500 come right out of the history books. Bellowed fork gaiters lead off over blackout sliders and black front fender.

The headlight, LCD instrument cluster, and mirrors are all round, which is a classic look, but the headlight and accompanying turn signals are all in modern LED for effective, two-way visibility. Adding to visibility, the taillights feature Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology that flashes the LEDs to attract the attention of drivers behind you when you urgently apply the brakes.

Pads in the knee-dents add another element to the overall, performance-driven vibe, and if you're into using your body English, the bench-style seat allows for fore-and-aft weight shifts for technical work. If you're into sharing the fun with a friend, the p-pad and footpegs will do the trick, and the sporty stainless muffler shield should keep them from taking home a heat-hickey.

The cut-down rear fender is smaller than the Rebel's to shave some weight in another performance-centric move, so the rest of the gear is higher up and further out of harm's way. The overall look is that of a showroom custom, but a robust accessories list will let you make your own mark and fine-tune its capabilities.

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Chassis

The steel, diamond-type frame on the CL500 remains the same with exposed, tubular members and that distinctive Rebel steering head that mimics the look of an old-school, stretched and raked skeleton. Rake and trail measure 27 degrees and 4.3 inches long to make it sporty, but with just a dash of stability to keep it from being too squirrelly.

The engine is a stressed unit that hangs from the framework to complete the structure, which subtracts some of the framing and its associated weight. A yoke-style, round-pipe swingarm completes the bones with twin shocks and a five-step spring-preload adjustment, and generous 5.7 inches of travel which is way up from the Rebel's 3.8-inch shock stroke. This extra travel is good for light terrain and off-road, but also for comfort on the road. Up front, a set of rwu, 41 mm forks take care of business with 5.9 inches of travel that will feel pretty plush for such a small bike.

As for brakes, a twin-pot caliper bites a single, 310 mm front disc up front with a single-piston anchor and 240 mm disc out back. A two-channel ABS comes as part of the standard equipment package. Cast aluminum rims round out the rolling chassis, shod in a Mixtours 110/80-19 ahead of a 150/70-17, both with an "H" speed rating that'll handle speeds up to 130 mph. Seat height measures 31.1 inches off the deck for easy handling in the parking lot and at stops, which fits right into its role as a learner bike for young riders.

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2023 Honda CL500 Price And Availability

I expect the 2023 Honda CL 500 Scrambler to cost around the $7,000 mark. You will be able to choose between Candy Energy Orange, Mat Laurel Green Metallic, Candy Caribbean Blue Sea, and Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic.

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Competitors

For my head-to-head, I first looked around in Europe, but couldn't use anything I found there. The Triumph Scrambler 900 packs 900 cc for a huge power advantage, and the Ducati Scramblers are almost as far out of reach at 803 cc. Kawasaki gets closer yet at 649 cc for its Retro-Sport Z650RS, but still too big, along with Yamaha's XSR700 with its 689 cc plant.

This leaves the CL500 in rare company indeed in a displacement bracket, but that's all to Honda's benefit until someone plugs the gap. Even though we don't labor under the tiered licensing system here, such a bike still has a similar role to play as a beginner-friendly trainer for our local biker larvae.

He Said

“The scrambler design is one of those good-old-day builds that started life as a UJM, and was then modified in someone's garage to become a classic icon. Seeing as how retro-tastic looks are all the rage right now, I expect this variation on the Rebel platform to perform well in the market, though I'd like to have more than a pinkie-promise that it's coming to U.S. shores soon.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,

“I saw the CL500 at EICMA 2022. It drew my eye as a scrambler-tastic little ride. It's the same 471 cc engine as in the Rebel 500 and the CB500. It doesn't have massive power, but it has enough for a lively ride, yet economical operation.”

“For real-world scrambler riding, it isn't really that kind of bike. It wants to play {at} being a scrambler, but its real utility is street-oriented so think commuter type of use. If you really want to explore offroad, think CB500X instead. The CL500 is very new-rider friendly in both handling and performance.”

FAQ

Q: What kind of engine does the Honda CL500 have?

The CL500 shares the engine with the Rebel 500 and the CB(R)500. It's a 471 cc parallel-twin engine.

Q: ​​​​​​​How much horsepower does a Honda CL500 have?

The 471 cc parallel-twin engine in the CL500 produces 46 horsepower and 32 pound-feet of torque.

Q: ​​​​​​​What is the cost of Honda CL500 Scrambler?

An announcement for the U.S. has yet to be released as of this writing, but we expect it to come in at about $7,000.

Q: What is the MPG of a Honda CL500 Scrambler?

Honda claims 78 MPG which should give it a range of just over 200 miles.