2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler - Road Test & Review - Scramblin' around

The 2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler is the latest bike in the range to be based around the much loved and much relied-on 471cc parallel twin motor also found in the CMX500 Rebel, CB500X, CB500F and CBR500R. This time it features in an urban scrambler guise reminiscent of the old CL models stretching back into the '60s, and of course, it takes on that model signifier. So what is this back-to-basics bike all about? Who is it for? and what is it like out on the road and the Dirt? In this video, I take a look and report back my findings.
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00:00 - Introduction
01:12 - Engine & Performance
04:11 - Ergonomics & Comfort
08:18 - Suspension & Handling
09:48 - Styling thoughts & accessories
12:12 - Will it Scramble?
16:15 - Conclusions

[@elpobrouse2277]

Nice honest review, I wished there where more like yours. Not only about bikes but everything.

[@shardlake]

Great review, I got one with a few accessories, minus the front mudguard, stock seat (not the one they had on the test mule) I find good for 3hrs+, basic and reliable, typical Honda a bit bland but will work forever :)

[@allanmason7544]

great review again

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Allan

[@teneretraveller8980]

Good bike. I can see it with the Rally Raid spokes on and maybe a Scorpion can, looking pretty good. The mudguard and tank ( 17litres ) from the 500x would make it a great, small travel bike. I agree about the mudguard. Ride safe Happy travels 👍

[@Dan-56]

I have to agree with you about the “foo foo” front fender, it just looks a bit daft. I do wish Honda had taken the time to at least put a “crease” down the length of the muffler and it’s cover to make it look like two mufflers joined together, especially since they gave it twin outlets 🤔!?

[@Spread4]

Just ordered mine today😊

[@mancavemoto]

Have fun!

[@flexywing]

Looks a great little bike, it's been on my radar as a second bike, but then Triumph bring out the 400x, so it's a wait and see

[@BMRTV]

6:18 Seats are obviously personal. What motorcycle seats do you like for long times in the saddle? That might help us understand if it's good for certain folks.

[@user-re3lz4qm5z]

I have friends and including me we have traveled around the world with bikes like Yamaha XT 250 or Honda XLR 259 so I don’t understand why someone can’t travel with this one with the 500 cc

[@mancavemoto]

You can travel around the world on anything, it just depends on how you want to do it and on how much comfort. Travelling on dirt roads the smaller bikes are better, if your belting out miles of tarmac, especially motorways then a bigger more comfortable machine will be better. I didn’t say I couldn’t I said I wouldnt

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I agree: the high white mudguard doesn't look right. Not keen on the hand guards or headlight surround. I've seen one at BigWing in Chiang Rai, and it looks better without these accessories. Fatter bars would have been preferable. Nice headlight. I like the way it will pull a high gear at low speed. Decent side bag which isn't expensive. I was tempted by the Rebel, but it felt too low when I sat on one. The CL would be perfect. It would probably be a better second bike to my SCR950 than my 390 Duke. Looks good, too. Excellent review, Tony. 1990 [Nick J]

[@findingneutral]

Great review and tutorial. I ride a 2021 CB500X and can't help but wonder what this bike's throttle response feels like and what levels of felt vibration it has going on in the grips, seat, and pegs. With the right accessories this bike could be fun possibly.

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, It felt much the same as the CB500X in terms of vibes and throttle response.

[@findingneutral]

@@mancavemotoWe are not allowed test rides at dealerships where I live. So this information is extremely helpful. Much thanks 🙏

[@alangazeley5497]

Let me let you into a little secret ! I bought a £13 sheepskin motorcycle seat cover from Amazon. Seat comfort instantly sorted !

[@leeinwis]

A Airhawk works too, there are knock off even cheaper.

[@AdamKlawonn]

Great review. What audio setup do you use for your GoPro? Also, would you prefer this to the new Triumph 400 scrambler?

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers, I use a lav mic plugged directly into the GoPro media mod. I’ve not seen the triumph in the flesh yet

[@simongoddard8490]

If only Honda would put that sweet 500 engine in the CRF250L......

[@leeinwis]

rally

[@twowheelsoneleg5672]

Looks like a great wee bike but I imagine the new Triumph 400 will appeal to more riders overall

[@mancavemoto]

Possibly yes

[@lewisallan9963]

The little bit more power on the cl500 will appeal to more people I recon.

[@rockinginafreeworld3256]

Honda is ok but I so want the triumph 400x. Would like the power of the Honda but the looks of the triumph .

[@AngelSapundzhiev]

The Triumph is a much better looking bike, much more premium feel and much proper Scrambler style. Honda is always kind of unfinished - good job but not good enough at the detail touches, so common throughout most of their models.

[@LTLT900]

Cant wait for the 750.

[@trevorphillips3055]

1100 would be better😊

[@joecamel6835]

@@trevorphillips3055 35000 !

[@leeinwis]

@@trevorphillips3055 2900 would be best

[@Spread4]

Tried that Brown seat on mine the other day, found it less comfortable than the standard seat, think it was because it was narrower, also seem to detach you from the bike.

[@madcoyote]

I agree with the mudguards. I think the over all asthetics look a bit off, but I think If you Change the mudguards, the exhaust and have everything in one nice colour, it could be little gem in the hidding. Btw which Shoei are you wearing? Currently looking at a new helmet :)

[@mancavemoto]

Yep, although these are optional extras, they don’t come as standard. It’s a Shoei RYD, but unfortunately it’s now discontinued 😞

[@madcoyote]

@mancavemoto hmm, in all the vids/pics I saw, it was equipped with them...thought they are standard. I would always order the standard and do the mentioned before. Thanks. The good stuff always gets discontinued :/ Guess will aim for a Glamster or an Arai Concept X. Are the only ones that keep it simple

[@jocon6656]

Hi, could you elaborate on why this felt so bad off pavement compared to the CB500x? On paper they have similar travel and ground clearance.

[@lengoctuan155]

The CB has move suspension travel, and much higher ground clearance, it also has monoshock.

[@Spread4]

Regarding the side rack on the bike, would it be compatible with a SW Motech side bag (LC1/2)?

[@mancavemoto]

Looking at the rack i'm pretty sure it is an SW-Motech rack, it has exactly the same fittings and is the same overall shape as their SLC side carrier

[@Spread4]

Having purchased the rack I can confirm that the rack is a SW Motech item, built for Honda. Strangely they have one on their own website for the CL which looks very different.

[@jimmyjam8795]

That seal500 is everywhere, I get it but it's just so damn ugly. Some will love it of course. I don't like the 500 engine having ridden it for over a year on my X. Those tyres fit road use are excellent, I've pushed therm hard in all conditions too. Good review.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers, yes I think it looks much better without the white plastic optional extras

[@xtc2v]

So, its a CB500X with 5.5 litres of fuel capacity gone missing. The huge ugly exhaust prevents the addition of panniers though touring's out anyway because its uncomfortable. What was the point?

[@Hemlck]

Agreed…the CB 500x seems way better…don’t get it at all

[@mancavemoto]

Its more of an urban bike i guess, quite a different market to the CB500x, not everyone wants a fairing and a screen.

[@xtc2v]

@@mancavemoto "not everyone wants a fairing and a screen"....everyone?..it is more like hardly anyone gets the choice of any weather protection or even gets more than a vestigial front mudguard! Just look at whats on the market! Most are retros and hypernakeds. Faired roadsters are around 1,000cc or above which leaves adventure bikes that I would have to bring a pair of step ladders to get on and off. Those that enjoy a tiring wind blast and freezing extremities are already well catered for.

[@JohnNewton-ev8ch]

For the price, you can buy a lot of fuel and ride many miles compared to $$,$$$ rides. Do you have the suspension setting turned up? How much improvement is possible with a new set of spring for a few $$$?

[@mancavemoto]

The suspension isn’t adjustable. It’s not a criticism as such given the price of the bike, it’s an observation. It’s got basic damping and it’s noticeable.

[@markspash178]

Springs alone won’t fix, the forks are seriously under damped. Springs and 15w oil will help. I went with Racetech emulators, straight rate springs and 15w oil, it’s a different bike now, way more capable. The rear shocks are tolerable

[@HunterVlog350cc]

himalayn/scram 450 is coming

[@johnrocker2986]

That little bike handles ok on gentle off road but that suspension need you standing or your weight overcomes the suspension.

[@mancavemoto]

Yep, its not going to put up with much more than i rode it on, and that wasnt in any sense 'serious' off road trails.

[@max.fleming1045]

I was really looking forward to this bike back before it's official launch last November. I've gotta say though that I couldn't be more disappointed. Never mind that god awful exhaust system, as a scrambler it's a total failure. It's a Rebel 500 cruiser with a reworked subframe which is about as far from a scrambler as you can get. The suspension couldn't get more basic budget if they tried, the clock was rubbish on the Rebel and is still rubbish on this bike. Also as a striped back naked scrambler why does it weigh nearly as much as the cb500x which has fairings, windscreen, 5.7 litre larger fuel tank, longer travel suspension etc, etc?. The 500x is so much more bike for a few hundred quid more. If you compare this bike against the new triumph scrambler 400X it's like Honda couldn't even be bothered to try. No prize for guessing who's getting my life savings in January 😂.

[@ripmax333]

I agree on all you said except regarding the seat height, it has plenty of ground clearance for a ( heavy offroad wannabe machine) and it will suite a lot of people. With my 32 inch inseam its just about right. I sat on one at the dealership and it seems to fit very well but regarding to looks I definitely agree, sometimes its really awful to look at it, its literally a parts Bin Bike, they basically saw what they had available and sad " lets see if we can make a scrambler with these parts" typically Honda. Apart from that, it doesn't have an ABS off switch and spoked wheels so its more suited to very light offrodish roads, and as you saw it this video the suspension is already rubbish on slightly beaten path.

[@max.fleming1045]

@@ripmax333 a parts bin bike is spot on. It looks like it was cobbled together by the accounts department and you know what they say. " Never let an accountant make a business decision !".

[@mancavemoto]

To be fair HOnda don't market it as a new model, it is utilising a lot of parts found on the other 500 models. Remember the white plastic parts are all optional extras, without those its not a bad looking bike

[@ripmax333]

@@mancavemoto it's all about perspective, in some areas I like how they done it, for example the exhaust design is something that I think modern retro scramblers should copy from. I like the idea that goes down under the frame then up agian under the rear subframe, it doesn't force you to spread your right leg when in need to put that feet down, totally different from a triumph scarmbler 900...but anyway for the rest I think it needs more improvement.

[@robertdenton7897]

I run a Royal Enfield Interceptor, how would it compare?

[@mancavemoto]

Me too, this feels lighter and more nimble. Performance wise not much in it, but the Honda is smoother overall.

[@jimmyjam8795]

Having owned both engines, for year each (still have the Honda) I rate the RE engine a lot higher. In fact when I replace it this year, I'm going back to RE.

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

AWESOME VIDEO AMAZING VEW FROM THE CAMERA FANTASTIC

[@rohanes]

I like it, but I wish they just marketed it as an upright Rebel instead. Designating it as a scrambler is pushing it a little.

[@LTLT900]

They can't cos the Rebel is already upright.

[@joecamel6835]

@@LTLT900 A cruiser isn't an upright

[@drdoolittle5724]

All me mates say I am odd and with a 36" inside you cannot but agree with them - if only bikes could copy bicycles and one could jack up seats!!!

[@JW20236]

That's actually a great idea. If it ever happens I'm sure it will be Honda that does it first.

[@zakhey]

I'm very much your opposite with an inseam of 25-26", being shorter than the average Asian and all that. Can't even flat foot a bike with 720mm seat height 😢

[@drdoolittle5724]

alsio i ride a honda vt 125 shadow, bet you would be very happy at that height@@zakhey

[@skymningforelsket1302]

They styling of this motorbike was a big letdown --- after seeing some of the pre-release photo shop renderings of what it MIGHT have looked like.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Such a half-assed styling job....c'mon Honda, you have the resources to do it right.

[@247ADIE]

honda made a pigs ear out of this bike. could and should have been much better

[@migue183]

very ugly bike. just too much black: engine, wheels, chassis, front suspension, etc ,,,,

[@Tommy-Atkins]

Agreed..it would be great for a young newbie but not all new small/mid range engine size bikes are aimed at the inexperienced !what about those of us who are experienced riders who just want an economical 500cc bike…not young and not A2?!…and why is it “underpowered “?…perhaps it’s merely correct for its engine size 🤷‍♂️……I bought my daughter a cheap economical run around Ford Fiesta …underpowered? or merely correct for the type and engine size…..?…….just an opinion…love the review matey…👍

[@mancavemoto]

I think I mentioned experienced riders too a bit later? But yep poor choice of language I should have said low powered. I didn’t suggest small/mid range bikes are only for newbies, I was merely commenting that this is a bike that would suit those riders. Cheers 👍