Honda SCL 500 Test Ride/Review | Did Honda build a good modern-day Scrambler? | 2024 SCL500

[@robertbrown3064]

This thing checks most of my boxes. Vintage styling, comfortable, upright riding position, good fit and finish, reliable, fuel efficient engine that's neither under nor overpowered (and not gratuitously loud, either!), and almost no extra features that I don't need which only exist to break after a few thousand miles and give me a headache. It's a practical and utilitarian bike that can get me around town without sacrificing the ability to go have fun on the weekends. I'm not a fan of the dim control panel, and I think routing the exhaust beneath the bike completely defeats the point of calling it a scrambler, but hey, I can live with both of those things. I think I'm going to pick one up in green.

[@Omni_Moto]

There are a few nitpicks with the machine for sure, but overall it is a solid product from a legendary manufacturer with a reputation for reliability. You summary sounds accurate and like you have a great reason to move forward with a purchase on the green one you desire! Best of luck, and thanks for watching. Ride safe. 😎

[@mikespeaks6038]

I'm an older rider. My Harley is getting too heavy for my weak legs anymore. I'm planning on trading it to one next week so I can keep riding. The only thing I found that I will have to get used to is the pegs when I have my feet planted on the ground. It was a little awkward.

[@rod4530]

I get that. Took out a CL500 for a test ride and really liked the bike. Easy on the back and lots of feel good. Got on the Shovelhead the next day and it was like some kind of wild animal in comparison. But I'm getting on in years.

[@RipperJack30141]

Love mine. TL;DR 8/10 Got it in the matte green, and its a blast to ride. Got a few nit picks i dont care for (the headlight, dash, and exhaust) but nothing that ruins the experience.

[@Omni_Moto]

Hey, thanks for watching! I'd personally rank the bike a bit lower (7/10) because it doesn't exactly have that raw UMPH I'd like out of a scrambler motorcycle. The headlight is better than other OEM options I've seen, so I'll give it a pass there. The dash is absolutely pitiful, so I'm right there with you on that! 😆 The exhaust isn't terrible, but I am just a weirdo and want my bikes to sound a certain way, so for me, it's the exhaust note itself that kind of ruins it. Appreciate your feedback! Ride safe and enjoy your machine friend. 👊😎

[@narthropi666]

Idk if i said it before but i love how u do your videos. Someone give this man 120m subs

[@tombombadilofficial]

imagine if Kawasaki makes a scambler version of their Eliminator 450...

[@noelbrown6771]

Imagine an Eliminator 650...oh yeah!

[@dcryder9736]

Glad to see you in my algorithm again 👍

[@Omni_Moto]

Glad to be in your algorithm 🙌

[@smeghead765]

I am considering one of these for my first "real" bike.

[@Omni_Moto]

This is an excellent choice for anyone who is a true beginner looking for their first bike. Plenty of features to make it approachable to a newbie.

[@Foodgeek]

Once they do a SCL1100, I'm on that MF ;)

[@Omni_Moto]

I’d love to see the Rebel 1100 engine make its way into a scrambler! Hopefully the SCL 500 does well enough that Honda decides to take a leap and create something to compete with the Italian Stallion Scrambler 1100 from Ducati! Thanks for watching. Ride safe. 😎👍

[@christianarrington6492]

Probably would have been the most helpful review to start off with than any other I've seen. The easy listening is appreciated. I honestly have been looking through the glass at a SCL500 since it was released abroad and now basically know too much and i felt reassured that my future one amd only just me thing will be exactly what I'm after. A bit depressing after saying it but hey at least I no longer feel like I'm going to have to wait longer to afford a ducati or triumph offering.

[@Omni_Moto]

Super happy to hear that you found the video easy to watch and digest and it helped you gather more information. Wishing you all the best in your motorcycle endeavors and hoping you can get on a bike that will make you happy. Thanks for watching and ride safe. 😎

[@christianarrington6492]

@Omni_Moto I'm starting a channel soon so I'm only visiting small channels when I'm looking for good info now to help with learning how I need to format and interact. I appreciate your reply brother. Ride safe, cheers!

[@FairladyS130]

It's quirky looks appeal to me, plus it seems to be a good all round bike at a competitive price. All of which is why I'm waiting for the delivery of a new one.

[@Omni_Moto]

Glad to hear you found something that suits what you're looking for. Hope you get to swing over it sooner than later! Thanks for watching. Ride safe.

[@rob8823]

Good breakdown. thx

[@Omni_Moto]

Thanks for watching!

[@andregrastyan3403]

How would you compare the Honda CL500 to the Kawasaki Eliminator? It would be interesting To hear your thoughts on it? Greetings from the Jersey shore.

[@Omni_Moto]

Hello Jersey Shore! The CL500 is a more versatile machine than the Eliminator. It has more suspension travel and can tackle more terrain. The Eliminator is more fond of staying on asphalt/tarmac and cruising around. They can both do a lot of the same tasks, but they are vastly different in their riding experiences. If you aren't planning on doing any dirt/gravel roading I would say go for the Eliminator.

[@TJ-qo2xu]

Congrats on the Revzilla affiliation man, that's huge! It definitely seems like a great bike, it's just not my style, and I personally am not super interested in it. The fact that it has the slipper clutch and standard ABS is awesome. I'm just not a huge fan of "vintage style" (Royal Enfield) or scrambler bikes but to each their own. Thank you for yet another great video... very informative. Be safe, have fun, and looking forward to more.

[@Omni_Moto]

Thanks for watching! The RevZilla affiliation was fairly easy. I just applied for it 🤷‍♂ Thanks for watching! Ride safe. 😎

[@dennismuralles3811]

How does this compare to the Shadow 750?

[@Omni_Moto]

This machine is more upright. It will have improved ride quality, engine performance, and ground clearance. I have a review of the Shadow 750 if you'd like to explore it further. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKi5kKGjdrqElaMsi=cQNjtZPP_YGPX1up

[@fendermon]

"Get off my lawn! ..." 😂 You wrinkled my gravel...

[@Omni_Moto]

😂 I thought I kept it pretty mellow, but hey, it's his gravel, he can say what he wants. 🤷‍♂ Thanks for watching!

[@arjunsethi21]

I feel rebel 500 to be slightly underpowered. Does SCL will have the same performance issues?

[@Omni_Moto]

It's the same engine, transmission, and primary frame. To me (and in my 0-60 tests for both bikes) the SCL felt slower than the Rebel 500, so to answer your question, yes.

[@AdventuresofmrBosch]

Ordered a nieuw one in Orange!

[@narthropi666]

Im already subbed and liked the video, looks like you’re too late bud. Lol another awesome video thank you brother. Also im debating between a Rebel 1100 and ninja 650, what do you think?

[@Omni_Moto]

The Rebel 1100 offers more in terms of power and rider aides. Stuff like ride modes, engine braking settings, and cruise control. With that in mind, it will come at more of a premium than the Ninja 650. What you get with one, you will give up with the other, but there is ultimately still some overlap because, well, 2 wheels lol. The Ninja has better handling for sure, but that's not to say the Rebel can't get down and boogie. The Rebel has a more comfortable seating position, but that doesn't mean the Ninja 650 doesn't have a decent upright position that allows for extended rides. Ultimately the best way to know is to visit your local dealership and get leg over each one, then ask yourself "Can I live with this seating position, and will it accommodate for what I have in mind for its desired use?" From here, the decision is yours! Best of luck, thanks for watching, and ride safe. 😎

[@narthropi666]

@@Omni_Moto thank you this helped a lot. :)

[@SacrificiaLamb.The.Gixxerator]

Is the SCL faster than a Ninja / Z400?

[@Omni_Moto]

No. The Ninja and Z400 both accelerate to 60 by about a second quicker, and the power-to-weight ratio of the Ninja/Z is better.

[@karlfonner7589]

⁠@@Omni_Moto thank you for the heads up. You know your stuff. I have a little ninja Z 400 that I bought salvaged, and I just love how light it is compared to the big old liter Bikes around town. The only thing that interests me with this scrambler is the raked out front end . I do go down some gravel roads in the gold country that can be quite steep. And I’m thinking that the front end would help some going down those steep gravel roads. The only reasons I would purchase this motorcycle number one - it’s cheap number two - I’m 63 years old and bought a used 1972 CB 500 F for 300 bucks and figured out how to get it running again and it all over Highway one and from Concord to Hollister in one day. It was the intake manifold gaskets that needed help. Thank you grumpy bear for teaching me how to wrench. Rest in peace you are gone, but not forgotten

[@350psi]

I want one 👍🏼

[@drdoc7508]

Not a bad bike but i like the cb350 more..and the scl500 is a bit pricey

[@air-run3984]

Mine is matte black and I put on some knobbys, they completely changed the look of the bike from smooth somewhat boring to military aggressive retro. I strapped down a blowup doll ( clothed) to make it look I had a hot passenger and I looked like a cool dude on the bike. Lots of head turns for sure so people must be thinking, cool bike, hot chick, he must be a top notch cool dude!

[@Omni_Moto]

Slight changes can make big differences. Knobby tires and a blow up doll sound like the shoe-in formula for cool dude status. 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@jerrywillis2306]

Why are you hiding behind the helmet? I prefer to see who I am listening to.

[@Omni_Moto]

Hi. At 20K subs I will be taking the helmet off. Until then, the helmet stays on. Plus, every comment helps the algorithm push my videos - perhaps you would not have left a comment at all if I wasn't wearing one. 😉 Thanks for watching! Ride safe.

[@xAoDxNoiseComplaint]

Doug... Is that you??

[@Omni_Moto]

They found Doug at the end of the first Hangover movie. (Spoiler alert) He was on top of Ceasar's Palace. Thanks for watching!

[@stevesane800]

Hey Omni man! Great seeing you still enjoying the sun🤙 That’s the thing… Honda make great everyday motorcycles… but damn me, they are so god damn boring. Cheap ✅reliable ✅ Boring as bat shit✅ They sell a shed load because they’ve got the simplest of everything. But, damn, did i already say they are stupidly boring?😉 Mate, appreciate all your effort & videos! Damn funny & still manage to make a boring Honda still great⭐️👌 Take care!

[@Omni_Moto]

Such a shame because if Honda really wanted to be the best/fastest/most powerful, I think they have the connections to make it happen. Unfortunately, that's just not their M.O. Hopefully someday they can bring something exciting to the motorcycle world once more! The season just took a serious turn here in the midwest. From 80*F (26*C) down to 45*F (4*C) in just a matter of two days, and steadfastly approaching 0*C. All the best as always, Steve. Rubber side down. 😎

[@stevesane800]

@@Omni_Moto ohh, that sucks weather wise.

[@edenhunter9904]

tip - take your helmet off when you're talking to camera.

[@Omni_Moto]

It'll happen at 20K subs. Subscribe. Join the cause. Thanks for watching. Ride safe.

[@bonacci01]

It's probably great for newer riders , but gheesh it seems low on power for anyone other than that.

[@Omni_Moto]

This is about how I feel about it. Just a bit slow for my taste. Absolute peach around town and for anyone who is looking for a practical machine without feeling like it's going to rip your arms off around town. Thanks for watching! Ride safe. 😎

[@johnsmith2591]

Should have called it the Scrambbel 500 Or the Rebber 500, heyoooooo.

[@Omni_Moto]

The resemblance is uncanny 🤔

[@manosmanos4663]

Good buy but rebel 500 is better good buy

[@Omni_Moto]

Different strokes for different folks 😄

[@tyrant1178]

Honestly man, I think it's a cool little bike... But a bit gutless. At this current time there is zero reason why Honda shouldn't be doing a 270 crank for it and trying to get more out of it. It's a 500 and it's torque numbers aren't that impressive to me. Outside of that I think it's a great looking bike it rides well It's well built. I personally just feel they could be doing more to break the mold.

[@Omni_Moto]

_sigh_ I've said it a few times, but this bike suffers the same issue as a lot of other Honda motorcycles. There is nothing inherently wrong with the bike aside from it being a "template" motorcycle. Honda didn't purpose-build a scrambler, they just took an already existing platform and gave it a scrambler aesthetic. It looks good, but as you said, the "mold" isn't being broken with this bike. Thanks for watching Tyrant! Ride safe. 😎

[@renatobfa]

Sounds like you want the new 750 cc 270º motor from honda (in the transalp / new hornet). Making the existing 500cc motor into a 270º will not change its power/torque delivery that much, if at all. But it sure will make it sound much nicer 😅. A scrambler with the new 750cc 270º would be sickkkkk

[@tyrant1178]

@@renatobfa honestly I would love the new Hornet 😑 I don't think it's coming to the US any time soon though