Honda’s 500cc lineup has garnered a lot of fans around the world, and for 2023, the Japanese giant is adding another motorcycle to it - the CL500 scrambler. For those of you who don’t know, the CL badge was borne by Honda’s first-ever scrambler in the 1960s, and 2022 marks 60 years of it. So in a way, the CL500 not only allows the company to attack the hotter-than-ever scrambler market, it also pays homage to the iconic CL.

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2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler Looks Mesmerizing

2023 Honda CL500 Rear
Honda

The CL500 is Honda’s first modern-day scrambler, but it looks right at home in the lineup. This is courtesy of design elements like the round LED headlight, alloy wheels, gaited forks, and round indicators, which look identical to the Rebel 500. On the flip side, the ribbed seat, fuel tank, and more importantly, the upswept exhaust, all differentiate it from any other Honda, creating a distinct yet familiar aesthetic. Meanwhile, this is easily the most vibrant 500cc Honda in the lineup with four color options - Laurel Green, Matte Gunpowder Black, Candy Energy Orange, and Candy Caribbean Blue Sea.

2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler Has Special Engine Tweaks

2023 Honda CL500 Side
Honda

Like the design, the chassis and engine are drawn from the Rebel 500. The 471cc, twin-cylinder mill belts out 46 horsepower and 32 pound-feet, but instead of being an exact swap, Honda claims the CL has shorter gear ratios and a different ECU map. Similarly, the steel trellis chassis has a new subframe partnered with 41mm telescopic forks (150mm travel) and adjustable rear shocks (145mm travel). The wheels measure 19/17-inch and come shod with dual-purpose rubber to take on anything you throw at the CL500.

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In the features department, the Honda scrambler boasts all-LED lights, slipper clutch, dual-channel ABS, and a round negative-LCD instrument cluster. It’s not tech-heavy by any means, but has all the necessities, just like its 500cc siblings. As for dimensions, the CL500 tips the scale at 192kg (423 pounds) while offering a seat height and ground clearance of 790mm (31.1-inch) and 155mm (6.1-inch), respectively.

2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler - Expected Availability

2023 Honda CL500 LCD
Honda

Honda’s entire 500cc lineup - the CB500X, CB500F, CBR500R, and Rebel 500 - are all present in America, and we expect the new CL500 scrambler to join its siblings. It should reach dealerships by early 2023 at a price tag of around $7,000. With no direct rivals in the market, the CL500 has a clear path to become a high-selling motorcycle, but only time will tell whether it happens.