2023 Honda CL500 Guide • Total Motorcycle

A Reflection Of You

The new CL500 features a strong, A2-compliant twin-cylinder engine, with classic street scrambler style. This motorcycle is steeped in heritage from a long history of iconic bikes. It's time to roll out a new breed of CL, made for the streets of today.

Back in 1962 our very first street scrambler, the CL72, made its debut. We figured it was time for a new breed to roll out, made for the streets of today. The new CL500 drips with raw style and detail that only comes with long history. It also packs a strong, A2-compliant twin-cylinder engine into a sturdy, compact chassis and begs to be ridden, customised and enjoyed. Just like the original.

Honda's new CL500 strikes a rich retro vein, with inspiration from the original CLs of the 60s and 70s. Using the A2-licence compatible twin-cylinder engine of Honda's CB500 series, it applies a new tubular diamond-structure steel frame, long-travel suspension and 19/17-inch front/rear wheel combination to good effect. It's born ready for the rigours of urban travel as much as it is light off-road. The head-turning style is rich with details such as rounded fuel tank, knee pads, rubber fork gaiters and upswept dual-exit exhaust muffler with drilled heat shield. All lighting is LED, the dash a negative LCD display and four contemporary paint options make the CL500 stand out even further from the crowd.

Look the PartOur iconic style starts with the 12L fuel tank; smooth, rounded and perfectly formed, with authentic rubber knee pads for comfort. And everything that can be – engine, frame and suspension – is blacked out for sleek, minimalist looks. Rubber gaiters protect fork legs, just like back in the day. High, wide handlebars give excellent control and, in true CL tradition, mirror the evocative high-level exhaust muffler, with its distinctive drilled stainless heat shield and twin-pipe exit, that sits just right.

Stand Out Individuality the Way You Want ItWe’ve built the CL500, now you need to make it yours. And that starts with colour; choose between vibrant Candy Orange or Blue Metallic, ultra-modern Matte Gunpowder Black or rugged, earth-toned Matte Green. What else? That's up to you. Maybe start with the simple pleasure of riding, meeting friends, hanging out and talking bikes. You’ll find what you need and want for your CL500. It will evolve around you, just as it should and become the motorcycle you dream of. More than lifestyle, this is living.

Built Ready To RideThe CL500 is built to handle whatever you’ve got from dirt roads, cobbled city streets or weekends away. Longer travel suspension soaks up the bumps and deep-grooved tyres ensure confidence from walking speed upwards. Seat height is 790mm and the mid-section slim, great for easy ground reach and low-speed manoeuvrability. There's plenty of leg room (a taller seat is available as an optional accessory) while the pillion seat mounts low, for easy access.

Strong Torque Equals Instant ResponseWhether just starting your two-wheeled journey – or have been riding for years – you’ll love this engine. Parallel twin-cylinder, DOHC 4V and spinning a 180° crank, it's so easy to use at low speed, with smooth throttle response, easy-going power delivery and soulful sound. And, thanks to street scrambler-specification intake, exhaust and gearing there's strong torque all the way through the rev-range – with peak of 43.4Nm @ 6,250rpm – which equals acceleration, when needed, that even the most experienced will enjoy.

Honda has a long history of getting smaller capacity bikes just right for riders around the world. A combination of easy usability, useful engine performance, affordability and distinct individuality equal motorcycles that, over time, come to mean so much to their owners.

The CLs from the ‘60s and ‘70s were such bikes, proving that a lightweight bike with off-road dynamics was great fun around town. Latterly, the high-barred, high-piped style has become an iconic signature for many 21st century riders.

Click forward 5 decades and in 2018 the A2 licence compatible CMX500 Rebel arrived in the Honda range. Its old-school meets new-school take on custom cool was an instant hit – and extremely customisable. And as a package – engine, chassis and styling – it's proved irresistible to a legion of young riders and has quietly got on with the business of being the top-selling custom bike in Europe for the last two years.

Five years later it's time for something new and for 23YM Honda has, once again, a bike proudly wearing the CL badge – for riders who like to be that bit different. The CL500 draws heavily on the formula of the original CLs. It's got the right look, the right engine and the durability to go with the urban rough and tumble. And, as for customisation, an owner's imagination is all that's required. With this bike there is no limit.

Mr. Hiroshi Furuse, Large Project Leader (LPL), CL500 Honda R&D Japan:

"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. 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."

The development concept used from the start of the CL500 project has been ‘Express Yourself’. Deliberately targeting a young, style-conscious demographic, it's a bike designed to fit neatly into an owner's lifestyle with the ability to handle the daily commute, a long weekend ride, or even some light off-road – and to catch the eye while doing it.

Of course, and just as it should be for the younger rider, it's also eminently customisable and there are a range of genuine Honda accessories ready to go that elevate personality, practicality and style.

The 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine is Honda's lively and popular A2 licence compatible powerplant that produces 34.3kW of power and a healthy 43.4Nm of torque. It has unique ECU settings for CL duty, and short final drive gearing serves up smart around-town acceleration both from a standing start and through the gears. The six-speed gearbox is managed by assist/slipper clutch.

The tubular steel trellis-style main frame is both a style statement and foundation of easy handling. Long-travel suspension comprises 41mm telescopic forks and adjustable rear shock while the wheels – 19-inch front and 17-inch rear – wear block-pattern tyres. Thebrakes front and rear feature ABS modulation specifically balanced for excellent performance on a variety of surfaces, including light off-road.

All lighting is LED, the instrument panel a compact negative LCD, and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology operates the rear indicators as hazard lights under sudden, hard braking.

The 23YM CL500 will be available in the following colour options:

Candy Energy OrangeMat Laurel Green MetallicCandy Caribbean Blue SeaMat Gunpowder Black Metallic

• The celebrated Transalp name returns to the Honda line-up in a brand new mid-sized adventure package• Honda's first electric model for Europe, the EM1 e: is unveiled, powered by the durable and efficient Honda Mobile Power Pack e:• The new CL500 urban machine mixes retro charm with modern equipment and technology• The Rebel family expands with the introduction of the new CMX1100T Rebel developed for increased long distance comfort and practicality• The Forza 125 and Forza 350 get a new look in line with the range-topping Forza 750• New paint schemes for MSX125 Grom continue raft of new colour updates for 23YM

Having already announced the return of the celebrated Hornet name to its line-up for 23 year model, today at EICMA in Milan, Honda unveiled its full European motorcycle range for the upcoming season.Highlights include the return of another Honda legend, a totally new urban naked machine, and the unveiling of Honda's first European EV two wheeler.

Styling & Equipment

‘Simple, Raw and Tough’ were the three words that set the tone and direction for the CL500's styling team. The street scrambler style looks right wherever it rolls with the added benefit of ergonomics that make for a bike that's very easy to ride in a variety of situations.

The combination of the clean, round fuel tank shape and upswept muffler – with stainless steel heat shield – strike the nostalgia chords hard. And all the lovingly-crafted details – the tank pads and rubber fork gaiters, the wadded, smooth outer seat skin with embossed Honda logo, high-level handlebars – combine to create a look that oozes charm. The paint options, all set against blacked out engine and chassis, make each colour ‘pop’ vibrantly.

Seat height of 790mm – alongside a slim mid-section – offers easy ground reach and ample legroom. It's also designed with sides that cover the frame rails for standing up and low rear section for easy pillion access. It also detaches easily with the ignition key and, tucked away, a helmet holder.

The high handlebars not only look good, they’re angled precisely to provide leverage both when standing up or sitting down, with off-road style grips and internal weights to reduce fatigue. The tanks pads provide another contact point for the legs when standing; steel footpegs are wide with rubber inserts for comfort.

The low-set 175mm diameter headlight has classic form but houses four LED bulbs with thick inner lenses for a distinctive frontal signature. Small, 55mm circular LED indicators feature classic looks and sit either side of a thin, ovalized LED taillight.

A neat, 100mm diameter circular display houses the negative LCD dash. Simple and uncluttered information delivery includes gear position indicator, fuel consumption and individual indicator arrows.

Hard, sudden braking operates the standard equipment Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) which flashes the rear indicators to alert road users behind, before auto-cancelling.

With fuel economy of 27.7km/L a 12L capacity delivers potential range of over 300km.

Chassis

The tubular diamond-structure steel frame provides the handling ability, ride comfort and foundation of style for the CL500. It's beautifully simple, with strong tubes and loop-shaped rear subframe. Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) was employed to get the rigidity and weight balance optimised perfectly.

A scrambler-style bike has to cope with it all – from rough city streets to uneven dirt roads and the goal for the chassis was to create light, responsive handling with suspension that can absorb the hits.

Ground clearance is 155mm; rake is set at 27° with trail of 108mm and 1,485mm wheelbase. Kerb weight is 192kg.

Up front, 41mm telescopic forks feature 150mm travel and wear classic black fork gaiters. While adding period style they also protect the legs and seals from dust and damage. The top and bottom yokes are CL-specific and enhance steering accuracy and feel. At the rear, an elegantly simple swingarm uses 45mm round tubing to muscular effect. Long-stroke twin rear shocks offer 145mm travel and 5-step spring preload adjustment (3 up from standard, 1 down). Damping at both ends is set to deliver a supple, comfortable ride no matter the road surface.

A two-piston front caliper works a 310mm floating disc through sintered pads. The hydraulic pressure between the front and rear single-piston caliper/240mm disc is balanced to provide hlgh levels of braking control on a wide range of surfaces. The ABS too is optimised for use on dirt tracks as well as asphalt.

The wheels are a 19-inch front/17-inch rear combination for confident grip and light handling across varying terrain. Tyres are deep-groove Dunlop Mixtours, sized 110/80 R19 front and 150/70 R17 rear.

Engine

The CL500's 471cc 8-valve, liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine is smooth, easy to use and thoroughly engaging. The hugely popular and durable unit has made its reputation in Honda's CB(R)500 series and the CMX500 Rebel. For the CL500, it features revised PGM-FI fuel injection mapping, and a new intake and exhaust setup that deliver the engaging torque of 43.4Nm @ 6,250rpm and peak power of 34.3kW @ 8,500rpm. For crisper acceleration through each gear the rear sprocket uses 41 teeth, versus the 40 used by the Rebel.

It's a power unit that strikes a great balance between physical size and flexible output, with a willing delivery of both mid-range torque and top end power that has made it one of Honda's most-loved engines. Bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 66.8mm with compression ratio of 10.7:1. Internally the cylinder head uses roller rocker arms; shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, for lower valve-spring load and reduced friction.

A silent (SV Chain) cam chain has the surface of its pins treated with Vanadium, reducing friction with increased protection against dust. Friction is further reduced by the addition of striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area, introducing gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication).

The crankshaft pins are phased at 180° and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike's centre of gravity. The balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia. Inlet valve diameter is 26.0mm with exhaust valve diameter of 21.5mm.

The crankcases use centrifugally cast thin-walled sleeves. Their internal design reduces the ‘pumping’ losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. A deep oil sump holds 3.2L.

Slick to use up or down, the six-speed gearbox is designed to offer effortless changes, especially around town. An assist/slipper clutch helps with rear wheel control, lightens the lever operation load and reduces rider fatigue.

In iconic CL style the exhaust twin-pipe muffler is upswept and fed by 2-1 downpipes. The note is tuned for heavier low-frequency sound compared to the Rebel, with a similar pulsing feel.

Accessories

A full range of Genuine Honda accessories are available for the CL500, ready for personalisation to an owner's preference.

The rear subframe is designed for easy fitment of cosmetic parts and the soft rear panniers; a rear rack also mounts the 38L top box. There's also the option of a 30mm higher seat – finished in brown with black double stitching – for taller riders.

Cosmetic additions to add classic off-road style include lightweight polypropylene side number boards, fly screen, knuckle guards and high front mudguard. Practical items include heated grips, ACC charging socket and rear shock covers.

For convenience, three specially designed packs are ready to go:

ADVENTURE PACK

Knuckle guards, high front mudguard, rear shock cover, and rally footpegs.

TRAVEL PACK

Soft saddlebag, heated grips, ACC socket, adjustable brake lever and tank pad.

STYLE PACK

Head light cowl, cowl stripe, wheel stripes, rear side cover, rear side cover stripe and high seat.

NA

NA

Please note that all specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice. Fuel consumption figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).