Is the Honda SCL500 a Beginner Bike Worth keeping?

[@thisandthat1265]

Most comfortable bike i have owned. Perfect for the older rider.

[@davidzavala337]

It makes perfect senses for a beginner or a commuter. I'm a new rider to yet get my first bike. I almost got th rebel as I like the looks and I'm not into sport bikes, but when I saw the scl500 I felt in love. It makes for someone who lives at the Mexican border and travels south were roads are rough, so I won't venture into hard core offroading, but for bad road, dirt and potholes is perfect. Also the power is sweet, as you'll get good gas, not too powerful that you will get in trouble or not fast enough to ride in the highway. I also liked the Husqvarna Svartpilen, but reliability is keeping away. I just wished there more available, as local.greedy dealers want like $3k above MSRP

[@kalnwi2023]

In other words collect welfare here and go back home to party with the homies from time to time .

[@BakerBikerGeshe]

I've put almost 400 miles on my SCL500 in about a month. I love everything about it. Im 6 foot 3 and its comfy as a good glove for me, handles the highways like a champ!!! If I were to focus on the negatives there are only 2 really: #1 There is no tachometer at all. (Honda previously advertised that it did come with a tach and then quickly edited their website when it was pointed out to them...I have the screenshots to prove it.) Kinda a huge part missing from the bike that's sooooo good in every other way for a new rider. Knowing your RPMs matter, regardless of engine compression and all the hooey people say in defense of Honda omitting a tach from this cluster. (False advertising alone is indefensible on any vehicle purchase imo!) #2 For those of us in the North American market it only comes in 2 colors: orange/green. Sure it has nothing to do with the bikes performance but you'd think that for a bike with so much thought into the style Honda wouldn't be so limiting to the consumers of one market. (Non North American buyers have several other options!) But maybe I'm still bitter about being told I was buying a bike with a tach and then being called a liar by their customer relations department....heh.

[@marshalls951]

Hi question, I'm 6.2 and a bit. do you think it's necessary to get the higher seat or is the standard one good enough? I'm looking for my first bike and a little concerned about seat height. Trying it out in person is the best but you are a similar height so what do you think?

[@BakerBikerGeshe]

@@marshalls951 Ayo! The standard seat has been fine for me, for another point reference I wear 32-34 inch long pant legs and my knees meet the tank pads perfectly while giving her leg hugs on the highway hehe. As far as comfort goes I have no complaints but that's super subjective of course. I looked at the upgraded seat from Honda and didn't really like its looks nor did it seem needed so I passed on it. For sure though definitely find one at a dealership you can sit on and feel it out!!! Tomorrow I'll be doing my first long distance trip with her and I can update you on the long ride comfort after if you like ^.^

[@marshalls951]

@@BakerBikerGeshe thanks for the info man, I was thinking to share my pants size but didn't know if you would use the same measurements in your country. I wear size 34. 32 is too short for me, it comes just above the ankle although some people like this. Going to see a dealer soon to try it out! Thanks again for replying.

[@jeniko2841]

I'm 6' tall and took a seat on the SCL and what a difference. It's like they made it for us "normal sized" people

[@squidlybytes]

To be fair...green really is the right color for this thing! No tach is nearly indefensible though..

[@Arthur-ek7nd]

A great bike. The 500 is great for 99% of people. It can get up to 85mph well, is lightweight, and handles great. If you aren't an adrenaline junky looking to rip down the highway at 100mph+, then this bike will suit you for years. The only disadvantage when compared to the Rebel line is the lack of aftermarket mods, but that is something that will come with time.

[@brianfeeney9493]

Been riding Honda’s for Years since the 1970’s …… improve the Pipe ….. improve the wheels …… separate old-school Speedo & Tach …… twin rotors upfront ! I want one, for those days that I want to leave the VFR at home and just ride !!!!! Thank You for the Video !!! 🏍️

[@BakerBikerGeshe]

Be advised, it has no tachometer in the instrument cluster at all. Honda decided to advertise it came with one anyways though... Beyond that I cant recommend it enough!!!

[@brianfeeney9493]

Thanks SO MUCH JC !!!!! 👍🏻

[@kurtinfl]

The shooting location looks like the "off road" section of Zack Courts' Daily Rider videos.

[@brianglendenning1632]

I thought the same!

[@leeinwis]

Also thought the same, lol .@@brianglendenning1632

[@jamessouthworth1699]

The light weight and easy clutch is also good for older riders that no longer wants to hold up a heavy bike and find their clutch hand getting cramped. I've been riding for over 30 years and I'm thinking of going to one of these. The only mods I have in mind are a Corbin seat and a windscreen. I can do without the ABS though. I don't care about a fancy display but I would like more contrast. Honestly I'd rather have a backlit analog gauge because it can be read in any lighting and an analog gauge is easier to read with your peripheral vision instead of having to look directly at it.

[@Berkner80]

Like it being water cooled and the more current engine but that's about it, it just makes me want to keep my 85 Nighthawk 650 with shaft drive going for now. Wish they would bring back the Ascot 500, that was a nice bike also.

[@SchoolforHackers]

That Nighthawk is a priceless bike. Never sell it. Unless you sell it to me.

[@eikonise]

What i really wanted was a CB500r with that styling language; this is... close enough.

[@marcoluoma3770]

Nice to see the return of the UJM.

[@kiplambel4052]

Wondering what it would take to upgrade the forks? Cartriges?

[@wymotome]

Why do people always call bikes like these "beginner" bikes? I've ridden for a long time and personally I prefer a smaller bike with less CC's. Not everyone "experienced" wants a liter bike that weighs over 500+lbs. It's a brilliant package put forth by Honda. Just wish it was less "murdered" out with all the black and they actually added some retro-styled chrome (like they did with the Monkey). I still bought one but if I do any mods it'll be to add some color or chrome. At least Honda could have painted the front fender to match the tank. I also think Vance and Hines missed the boat by making a blacked out exhaust with single outlet. So many creative ways to make an attractive exhaust for this bike and they come up with the most generic looking black pipe they can.

[@hawks2252]

people have to label things I guess. In my opinion there really are no beginner street bikes. It's the real deal when your riding in traffic. Learn on a small motocross bike off road or a road bike on private property to operate the controls and corner and all whatever it takes to get comfortable riding. You and I and most others probably reading this could do wheelies on that bike through 60 if we wanted. Yes, sometimes I just want a small, nimble bike to do some errands or whatever.

[@REAPEROFTOES]

when I hear "beginner bike" I hear "safe for beginners" not "incapable for experienced riders"

[@leeinwis]

Agreed

[@terdferguson4945]

personally I am glad they used a minimal amount of chrome and the minimal use of color as well. looks great in orange

[@wymotome]

@@terdferguson4945 You're literally describing 90% of the bikes on the market today. I love the bike but Honda was so cheap with the styling that they couldn't even be bothered to paint the fenders to match the tank. Even the lowly Rebel 300 gets a painted fender. Bike manufacturers push the blacked-out look because it's cheaper and easier to manufacturer that way...not because it's stylish.

[@randygravel2057]

Would make a better bike for riding around the world then a GS.

[@kalaharimine]

That's for sure.

[@narennallapareddy2994]

That suitcase exhaust on the side is the only part that's a little weird to me. Otherwise good looking bike.

[@mattbryan8535]

Totally 🎉

[@bulbakip6380]

That's what I thought! Actually planning to get rid of my Sertão to get this. I'm 5'6" and figured this would be the bigger brother to my suzuki vanvan200 which i LOVE, off road and on

[@randygravel2057]

@@bulbakip6380 I rode my tw200 from California to Cabo San Lucas a few years back. 50mph the entire way. Was great

[@meanman6992]

I wish it had a tachometer…and brighter screen or just analog gauges

[@kalaharimine]

Nice, but too much black for me. Spokes and classic instrumentation would have been nicer, plus a rear rack and a screen.

[@craighagedorn4842]

Good info enjoyable video I am almost 70 been in the business all my life, have allot of injuries and I want to get this bike for those reasons thanks 😎

[@1966johnnywayne]

So...the SCL500 Faux Scrambler. That's ok, it's the UJM styling influence that I like...just not sure about the inconvenience of that high pipe, and the crappy gauge is a real problem.

[@Arthur-ek7nd]

The exhaust is actually really out of the way. The heat shield is quality. My gf rides with me, and she says the exhaust isnt uncomfortable or in her way at all, and it never gets too hot. If you want to mod the look of it though, you are going to need to do something to insulate from the heat.

[@kenhoward3512]

I'm surprised that Honda decided to go with that cheapo gauge. I understand cost-cutting where it likely won't be noticed, but c'mon, Honda, gauges are something we look at repeatedly. There was a problem with the gen-1 CB500X, as well, in which they put an ugly yellowish-brown face plate over the gauge, reducing legibility. 'Makes you wonder...

[@zachariahlee3393]

Can you put old school speedometer & tachometer on this 2025 scl500

[@michellearrington4846]

It makes me extremely Happy that Honda added S to the CL, because on KZbin it weeds out the British reviews on this beautiful bike.

[@TruthSeeker9038]

I am currently looking at one of these bad boys. I have an Indian, and daily commute it. but the suspension is seriously so bad. I feel every tiny bump in the road. My only drawback for the scl500 is from reviews they say the seat is uncomfortable for long rides and I haven’t seen any replacement seats

[@sleepyrider]

Honda do a higher ie more padded seat

[@carperdiem8754]

If not designed to offroad why do they market the adventure package? Wish they would have just gone with an analogue gage

[@davecummings3335]

I would MUCH rather have this than the Rebel. It almost makes that horrendous gas tank look OK.

[@lambertj.2892]

I agree. The gas tank on the Rebel is hideous. Not sure what Honda was thinking.

[@scrambler420]

I bought mine around 4 months ago I daily it so I know a few things you said ain't true as follows it goes around 110 😂 you can't really hear the exhaust after 3rd gear and it's very touchy it wants to go 😂😂😂. With that being said the shocks suck in the front I can agree with that but I have put almost 3400 miles on mine

[@davidzavala337]

Hopefully there would be more of this bikes as it seems like they are just starting to promote this bike to bike journalists

[@SladeBling]

I have this SCL500 here in Thailand it cost $6,300 after tax in U.S. in most states it costs $7300 after tax.

[@mscruggs660]

The ugly exhaust is so it can meet European emissions standards. Coffman makes a shorty pipe that's easy to install and sounds amazing. First mod I did to mine.

[@Gfthce3426]

Your a good salesman

[@dwightbernheimer331]

Whoever designed that muffler should be taken out in the desert and left There!!!...😡😡

[@brianfeeney9493]

You know it 🎉😂

[@mattbryan8535]

Best bit of the bike imo😂🎉

[@dwightbernheimer331]

@@mattbryan8535 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@franciscoplaza3684]

Anything below 600cc is a beginner bike mentality still makes no sense

[@kalnwi2023]

I've seen many call 700-800cc bikes beginner bikes, it's dumb .

[@TruthSeeker9038]

Indeed. I mean, my first bike was a 300, but I kept it for a very long time. Now I have a 1000 and honestly want to trade it in after about 4 months

[@michellearrington4846]

Hahahahaha, I bet this beginner (me)can beat you on my 500 no matter what you are riding.

[@michellearrington4846]

I bet you ride a ducati, sounds like you have the "duped" mindset.

[@michellearrington4846]

My stock 500 will beat any harley over 1300cc ever made.

[@dbwindhorst1]

Let’s see this do the Baja.

[@dagger_4d]

How tall are you?

[@robinr6919]

Honda Make an 1100 UJM version. Skip the high pipe. Use 17in wheels. Give it a tank that can travel 200miles.

[@msulli1971]

I hate the label beginner bike. If been riding 30 years and would add this bike to my stable.

[@RKmndo]

If you're a big person, you might want to upsize to something like a Triumph 1200.

[@scrambler420]

I swear to God bro 😂I want the triple speed 1200 I love that bike other than the tank digs into your belly if you are around 6 ft and 230 😂

[@RKmndo]

​@@scrambler420Rox pivoting bar-risers?

[@drdoc7508]

I still prefer the look of the CB350 (sadly not in n. america)

[@sunrisejak2709]

Seems a bit underpowered. 471 cc and 46 hp. Honda Transalp 755 cc and 90 hp. The transalp 60% bigger engine but 100% more power. 284 cc yields 44 more hp. Both similar parallel twin platforms. I'll save and spring for the Transalp.

[@ropeysubstance1719]

Honda really ruined the looks of this bike by not making the fork stanchions black. seriously Honda? everythign else is blacked out except for the forks...

[@wymotome]

Maybe there should be more chrome and less black. Tired of the blacked out look on modern bikes.

[@msulli1971]

I think it compliments the silver exhaust shield

[@longrider9551]

These guys no longer know shit, what a shame

[@RisingSun0203]

You can’t call it a scrambler if it does go off road.

[@msulli1971]

How off road worthy were the original scramblers?? Street bikes with "dirt" tires and a high exhaust. Not exactly a Honda XR

[@RisingSun0203]

@@msulli1971 check your mc history.

[@thehardtailguy]

Cant read these dumb beginner bike titles anymore

[@mikepopstar]

To bad it is not tall...tall guys cant use it

[@vkiller217]

HONDA