This Honda SCL500 Is The Perfect Scrambler For SO MANY Riders! First Ride Review

[@BakerBikerGeshe]

I've had my SCL500 for almost a week now and I LOVE her so much. First bike and its everything I wanted it to be. Only 1 complaint and 1 thing to point out, Honda advertises and shows that it has a tachometer on their websites and under the specifications for the bike. Thats a blatant lie and false advertisement lol...this bike and any bike with the rebel platform instrument cluster/dash DOES NOT have a tach. Maybe it will make me a better rider in the long term to be forced into hearing/feeling the bike rpms?...but its just annoying to not get what you thought you paid for and Honda should absolutely address this garbage instrument cluster xD

[@censored4christ162]

Right now imo the whole motorcycle industry should be ashamed of their guage clusters.

[@barrontrump3943]

​@@censored4christ162wah

[@twistedgreymatter]

I agree. The gauge cluster is a joke. It's very dim, and some of my low-cost scooters showed more information. For the price, it should have come with dual gauges, tach, and speedo like the vintage bikes. It's a very light bike, and some cross winds are a bit concerning at times..

[@1966johnnywayne]

@@twistedgreymatter A nice "chrome" bezel analogue style speedo and tach would have been so much nicer on this bike. The cross winds warning is good to know...I'm currently running an aerodynamic 2016 Honda Forza 300 scooter, about one or two pounds heavier than SCL, and I get very little buffeting on on the highways when overtaking, or being overtaken by big trucks.

[@jakewillits4678]

​@@barrontrump3943hes right and i can get a whole town in california thats got my name on it to agree.

[@vincenttarquini4235]

There are so many things I like about this motorcycle, but it has one fatal flaw and that is the display. It is not bright enough or contrast especially in daylight. They did such a good job on everything else that it is frustrating to see such an obvious problem.

[@alb3096]

The display is the weak point for me and that’s the reason I did not purchase it yet, had a very pleasant test ride on a very funny Triumph Speed 400 . Not decided yet which will be the next bike.

[@shanec8224]

Meh, I hardly even look at the display on any bike I’m riding…

[@levieuxcampeur4080]

Mettre des lunettes polarisées

[@JohnPublic-z8p]

@@shanec8224 Well, it's nice to know when $500 is going to get ripped from my wallet by a cop for speeding, so there's that

[@Geshmaal]

Love this thing, I hope this gets an 1100cc big brother like the Rebel did. I just want a retro looking bike that uses one of Honda's bigger twins!

[@smeghead765]

That'd be an awful lot of weight and displacement for a scrambler, no?

[@Geshmaal]

@@smeghead765 tell that to the Triumph Scrambler 1200 or BMW RNineT Scrambler! The Honda Rebel 1100 is 223kg, that's lighter than the Triumph Scrambler 900, so really not a bad starting point for an 1100 scrambler.

[@smeghead765]

Maybe just too big for me to take off road but certainly doable by others.

[@christianarrington6492]

​@smeghead765 nah you really have to know where you're riding. Pros dump honda Africa's in the dunes in Baja all the time. However I personally know a story of US personnel losing a dude on a honda trail 90 and they were on kawi klr650's. Nimble and light is always best except for interstate driving.

[@StarGateSG7]

This bike is DESIGNED as a PROPER Beginner Bike to get you introduced into the world of motorcyling. It's VERY forgiving and keeps you in check BECAUSE it's definitely NOT a Ninja 1100R ... plus it's actually quite off-road capable so long the roads are the packed gravel forest service type! It's NOT an Enduro or Motocross so don't try the rocky river beds with this! Weight wise, it's VERY light weight so you can push it over some of the harder obstacles and just resume your journey. It can take an extra carrier tank for more range AND you can take a good 50 lbs of camp gear with you for a spring, summer or fall weekend backcountry fishing and camping run! The engine is bullet-proof and just goes and goes so long you do regular maintenance! You could EASILY keep this bike for a good 15 years as your weekend warrior gravel road backcountry travel bike! V

[@IKnewMickey]

Many regular folks want a small light regular reliable bike. Many YT influencers poo poo regular ppl however WE are the masses. Lol

[@Grand.Kanyan]

I thought I was having a stroke reading this

[@IKnewMickey]

@@Grand.Kanyan I didn't this to read you ask 😂

[@djyus8296]

@@IKnewMickeyyour reply doesnt make sense too lol

[@alangee2200]

What the hell is an “influencer” ??? Utter nonsense !

[@druegeme]

Your first bike will hopefully be the one with the best memories

[@StarGateSG7]

My dad had one of these -- I think he got it from my uncle aka his brother and he rode it just a few times! My brother has it in his garage somewhere waiting for him to ressurect it! I'm getting a NEW one of these soon enough because they are so light and easy to pick up. Used to use these for off-road in our local Forest Service Road system. You carried a few gallons of gas on a back carrier and you could go QUITE the long distance with your camp gear. (tank is 3.2 gallons or 12 litres for 150 miles or 240 km) Buying some back carrier tanks increased that range to 500 miles or 800 km total. Add 50 pounds (20 kg) worth of tent, sleeping bag/mats, camp stove, clothing plus MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and camp foods and you were good for a week of back country fishing and camping! You just take it slow (i.e. keep it less than 30 miles an hour or 50 kmh) and you could go REALLY FAAAAR! Gunning it REALLY reduces range! Even the older scramblers could take some decent weight along with you! ...AND... they were and ARE STILL so versatile, they are IDEAL for those narrow gravel back forest roads (i.e. not too rocky!). You can push the bike over the more gnarly parts. Been to quite a few REALLY backcountry rivers and lakes with the older Scrambler models! V

[@WW-wf8tu]

Not as throaty as I had hoped it would be. But still, very cool. Thanks Kase! Hope you had a blast on it.

[@censored4christ162]

It has legs for an economical 500

[@nycjanedoe]

Would be a great third step up from my 125cc and 350cc bikes as a newer rider. I appreciate the side key: reminiscent of the original Honda CLs. Curious to see how the aesthetic evolves with the next generations.

[@BORDIKCB]

Hello, I have had it for 3 months and I have driven 10,000 km. The display is bad, but not tragic. I weigh 88 kg and I am "bothered" by the sinking front end when braking. I will replace the thicker oil. Otherwise, roads, dirt roads, forests are fine. I go where I need consumption at speeds up to 115 km/h 3.2 l/100 km. At 130-140 km/h max 3.8l :-)

[@scat4me]

Nice Bike, but in Florida it is almost twice as expensive to insure as the Honda CB500X, The Triumph Tiger 660, and the Yahmaha MT07 all of the same year. I've called 3 different Insurance companies and all 3 gave similar rates but no one could explain why the least expensive bike was so expensive to insure. Full coverage is over $1000.00 a year

[@jamesballard6564]

That would be a deal breaker for me.

[@carperdiem8754]

Omg those green and yellow colors on that custom remind me of my granfathers old honda!

[@paracog]

I think they're gonna sell a lot of these. Really sweet spot for commuting and errands with some light adventure on the weekends. Thanks for the great review.

[@jamessouthworth1699]

I like most things about this bike but I think I would prefer an analog speedometer over the digital one. I don't think this bike is mainly for beginners. I've been riding for over 30 years and my current bike is more than twice the size of this one but I would love to add one of these to the garage for daily riding. Sometimes less is more.

[@HAMILTONPROVIDEO]

$6,800 bucks msrp. Then you get to pay all the dealers fees & state taxes, so really about $9,000.

[@ElliottTucker1050]

There He is❤😂! On my Birthday even! & riding, where I still call 🏡 & on the PCH, + through what looks like Tuna Canyon & Mulholland. All of it Beautiful! 1 the best BD🎁today!😊 Thanks for being so fun to watch Mr Kasey!

[@davhuf3496]

The things I did with my CL450, back in 1972! lol

[@1966johnnywayne]

A nice "chrome" bezel analogue style speedo and tach would have been so much nicer on this bike.

[@BudFox559]

I have a 1980 Yamaha XS650 that I have had forever, because I just like it. I have other lager bikes too, but I seem to always come back to the XS650, because it's fun, I wonder if the scrambler could pass for a modern version of my XS650?

[@Con_Calmaa]

What a beaut! Would love to daily this thing!

[@TN_HondaDad]

Wonderful city bike

[@miguelsaucedo8789]

Were those foot pegs for a passenger?

[@shaolin224]

I wish they would encorporate more side mounted ignition key on most retro/cruisers bikes like the classics before them

[@censored4christ162]

Needs cruise control

[@shaolin224]

It needs cruiser control like it needs a sissy bar

[@levieuxcampeur4080]

J'ai réglé le problème de visibilité du tableau avec des lunettes polarisées ♥️👍🇫🇷 bonne route j'aime ♥ cette 500 H

[@hakimlehaineux]

Hi , what do you think of the saddle ? the original saddle is really too hard 😢

[@JosephOlson-ld2td]

My first CB 450, great beginner, 30K in two years, then Commando, Ducati M900

[@richardvillar340]

i love everything about this bike but when is Big Red going to shitcan. the unreadable instrument cluster? Great review.

[@bigmelz72]

Did the whole review with his brights on.

[@wmason1961]

No tach is a deal breaker for me. That and the hideously giant exhaust. I really wanted to like this one, but I will probably buy a CB500F.

[@AffectionateBakedCustard-ww6vy]

I had a 650 but for some reason i want a spyder or smaller bike these days

[@robervin9107]

Way to go kase. ❤

[@the.communist]

Id only consider this bike if it had a low hung exaust (or the nice exaust of the triumph scrambler)

[@censored4christ162]

Hugh exhuast makes luggage harder

[@danielkerr4100]

easily fixed with aftermarket tho

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

I like the visibility over the nose but the handlebar grips hang over the centerline and white line to much. I suppose you could trim em off though.

[@shanec8224]

Cool bike, but I feel like we’ve been asking Honda to make one of these for ages… not sure if they’re gonna be able to edge out Royal Enfield Interceptors and Continentals at this point

[@FarHanSolo]

Did you forget the main beam on?

[@beguiledfoil]

This is a unicorn 2 me

[@ambu6478]

Kind of like your mom's 300 Rebel. It's top end is ok, but when you are going through the gears in traffic, it is pretty fast and will get out of the way with no trouble at all. I'm just afraid she's a little too old to keep riding. If she had an accident it might really take her out!

[@rlpatton1970]

Can you ask about the Africa twin while You are there?

[@chrishaddad5362]

What kind of gloves are those?

[@kevincockburn7805]

Look like scaffolder gloves / rigger gloves

[@WW-wf8tu]

Have you guys heard of the Electrom 1? Might be worth checking out.

[@BobBob-vq3rb]

I'll do it

[@JarmelSingsKaraoke]

👏👏👏 Kase 😊

[@howardkey6152]

Man I’m looking to retire my rebel 250 and I’m thinking this is money!!

[@adrianrubi5012]

If that is a 180 crank then it would sound like a boxer twin.

[@dearbulls]

I wish you could test some CFMOTO bikes because they are good quality and at great value. Like the CLX700 Sport and 450SR

[@BobBob-vq3rb]

All black actually

[@ProductionJunction1]

185cm gonna work?

[@lordwilbyrockinem2952]

I wasn't impressed with the so called custom parts... It looked someone had had the meccano set out

[@s9779]

I would suggest a super duke 1290 as the perfect every day bike. Great first bike easy to ride and just enough power to be fun and safe.

[@DanielleKing-n7z]

White Susan White Ruth Martin Thomas

[@petedidy]

An amazing bike with one flaw. That display is horrible!

[@einfeldt777]

😂 no cornering is allowed 😂

[@ericromeiro6688]

Screen to dark😢

[@BobBob-vq3rb]

Harley get off my case I'll take one for free though

[@kenhoward3512]

That's a really dim instrument display. Honda - who OK'd this?

[@danny-li6io]

That looks nothing like an actual scrambler???

[@adamlanglois563]

Im sure its a fine bike, its not to my taste. I find it rather ugly.

[@dadbodmotomod5840]

I thought the same at first. Especially sense I hate the trellis frame look of the rebels. After seeing one in person, I'm warming up to its look more and more

[@nycjanedoe]

I think they could do better. It’s too modern for me. Give us an updated retro version like they did with the Monkey, and grittier cafe styling.

[@the.communist]

The exaust is the culprit

[@the.communist]

@@nycjanedoe the monkey is one of the cutest things around.

[@NuncaMais-hr4jx]

​@@nycjanedoetoo modern? It looks classic, if you want amything that looks older, pick the Chinese ones, they got dozens of models. It is the minimum they can do to call it "new". And the modern monkey is the MSX or the Grom, which are waaaaaaaaaay more modern and different, people have gone decades buying Chinese monkey knock offs.

[@beaulunawolf1198]

It's a decent looking bike but it's overpriced. If you want a scrambler that in my opinion has more character, get a RE Scram 411. It's cheaper and the dashboard is so much better. Honda really needs to update theirs. These are hardly readable in direct sunlight.

[@censored4christ162]

The used market for them will be priced lower. They wont sell for 6800 for long

[@beaulunawolf1198]

@@cowmath77 That may be true, but power and weight alone do not define a bike's character. Besides that the Scram is built on an adventure platform. The SCL is a Rebel in different clothes. I wouldn't even call it an actual scrambler.

[@beaulunawolf1198]

@@cowmath77 I see. Well to each their own spec sheet warrior.

[@beaulunawolf1198]

@@cowmath77 I've ridden plenty of high horsepower bikes and several that have hardly any. The HP does not define a bike's character, and if this is the only thing you're interested in then good on you. Some of us appreciate bikes for more than just a HP number.

[@mmoeskitoetie374]

I love Honda’s But this one…no no no…. 😢

[@DanClaunch]

I like the concept, but that is one of the most ugliest exhausts I've ever seen. No one should have to purchase the Vance & Hines aftermarket exhaust after taking it home.