The 2023 Honda CL500 is an easy-going introduction to retro scrambling | MCN Review

[@richardjeffery1473]

83 year old ,had many bikes over the years ,I have an Africa twin that I'm very happy with but maneuvering down an alleyway and turning it around in a very tight back is the reason that I got the cl 500 . I now quite happily go out for many more short enjoyable rides with less hassle .

[@WiwatChang]

Don't laugh but this is top of wish list as a 53 year who just began riding mc a year ago

[@WiwatChang]

@@michaelmurdock4607 I'm short so I actually do like low seat height, but the Rebel upon which this bike is based is has too low ground clearance and rear suspension travel for the bad roads in country. And I don't need an adventure bike either. Another good thing about the CL is the tyre sizes - wide range of aftermarket tyres can be fitted including semi-off road ones.

[@motorhead16]

I actually buy Hondas because they are so refined and i will always be a Honda costumer because of this. I will buy this CL for my wife just because is low on vibrations and well built. I just love Honda quality you can't go wrong with any of their bikes.

[@letni9506]

This bike is me. Its not to everyone's taste but this is why there are multiple bikes on the market. I love the retro looks and don't mind the exhaust at all.

[@adamfenner7694]

Honda should make a CL750 with that new engine that's going in the Hornet and Transalp. I'd take a serious look at a CL750 Scrambler.

[@filoIII]

YES! Inverted front forks and dual front brakes. Let's make it happen!

[@justletmecomment6453]

You'll likely see an 1100 instead given this is based on the Rebel bikes.

[@viperq]

Hell yes.

[@nikos-giorgos]

@@justletmecomment6453 I'm betting you won't

[@michaelh5967]

So excited for this bike! A couple years ago my interest in motorcycles was renewed after an injury was keeping me from mountain biking. An accessible, affordable, and reliable scrambler/commuter was just the type of thing I was looking for, although much to my chagrin, none of the Japanese big 4 had thrown their hats into this market. Now Honda is finally at the table! I love that there's nothing super tech savvy about this bike. They kept it simple, kept it fairly true to its roots- exactly what consumers in this area of the market are wanting. Can't wait to see what comes next in the scrambler genre from Honda and others. Guess I wasn't the only one craving a little bugger like this :). Now I just have to wait until the US is let in on the action..

[@thisandthat1265]

This is like a bike from the 70s. No gimmicks just start and ride. No silly modes and over the top electronics.

[@bcdoak2525]

Just bought one and love it

[@IggyWildcat]

Honda continues to make the most out of that 471cc parallel twin. I wish they’d do one more. I’d like to see a H’ness 500. That would be sweet. The 500F is an excellent bike, but I’m not a fan of the insect look.

[@pggp273]

Honda are doing a great job of bringing real world motorcycles to the market at relalistic prices

[@mrrick2904]

I’m getting one if it comes to USA. Perfect for me. Love the looks.

[@MarkSalisbury-qi2vw]

@@morgan98801 Oh we will! We'll get the bondo gray, and the ever popular matt black!

[@Enrique-peralta]

​@Mark Salisbury don't forget 7 years after it debut elsewhere in the world

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

The black one looks even better. I think that Honda did a great step ahead to start making it. It is a bike for everyone in my opinion. It is not pricey and that is why it will sell well. Got my like.

[@Mycatz]

My grandpa had a 70s Honda. Really thinking about getting this as my second bike. Like the fact that you say it has minimal vibrations, looking for a smooth easy to ride street bike to go with my dual sport.

[@specialized500]

That exhaust puts me off

[@georgedoolittle9015]

Still rear wheel drive only what were the odds!

[@laz1go286]

Just needs gutting and it'll have a nice deep rumble to it.. The shape isn't too bad I reckon..

[@realdevbro447]

Could be always swapped.

[@dalepaddon8904]

Who keeps the stock exhaust? 🤷🏻

[@joshreyes3624]

Looks good to me. 🤷‍♂️

[@kerouacist]

Great review,having had a ZX12R back in the day I agree with you that riding a small light bike at its limits can be more fun than a litre plus bike.

[@SherKhan-b1kes]

This would leave options open for some riders to change the exhaust, allowing panniers on both sides for touring. Thanks Dan for an absolutely informative review 😉

[@user-jr1cs6ob3m]

It's called the CB500X model

[@SherKhan-b1kes]

@@user-jr1cs6ob3m Yup! Everyone’s been telling me it’s the practical solution however, my heart wants the Scrambler optic to do everything.

[@mattbryan8535]

@@user-jr1cs6ob3m Great bike but looks like a dog! Scramblers are cool 😎

[@csj9619]

My first motorcycle was a 1974 Honda CL200. Me and my pals flogged it mercilessly and it just kept going. I wonder what ever happened to it.

[@jerrywines382]

Great value Honda quality and reliability at less than £6k!

[@stevevang03]

I hope this bike comes to the US 🤞. It's gonna be my first bike.

[@quasimodo8215]

I like your reviews.

[@shadowred1980]

Great review Dan, not a bike I'd be interested in but enjoyed the video.

[@DC_Cha_Cha_Cha]

Sat on one of these at the NEC and thought it felt nice. But here's a question: Am I mad in thinking this feels expensive at £6k? This is of course in light of the Hornet being £7k, which offers a hell of a lot more for an extra £1k.

[@Victor-vf1fi]

True. You're paying for the design here.

[@stufoo]

looks a lot better without the fender and fairing

[@stufoo]

and brush guards

[@Richard-l7r8t]

Will wait for the CL750 !!

[@Kuro-qy8bk]

First! It looks great. I just have a lot of questions about the position of the exhaust and how safe the backride will be with it.

[@andregrastyan3403]

Very cool, detailed video. Thanks. Greetings from the NJ shore.

[@ewganhoff]

Love this bike, but what is the point of omitting a rev counter?

[@todddavis240]

I wish Honda would get on the ball and send us Hornets and CL500's in the US.....I'm going to buy one if I don't die first WAITING ;* .....Thanks for your preview, great details, keep2down, peace

[@T3-RIDER]

This bike would be excellent with the new hornet 750 engine

[@slantz9]

New transalp 👌🏻

[@williamrae9954]

Coming in 2024...it's on here,prototypes of both the CL&GB variants using the new 750 motor

[@hathaway.1166]

@@williamrae9954 where did u found it? Could u give us a link?

[@IzunokuniZ]

Mad about this Reckless-Blue❤.

[@jamesmoros1274]

Great review man ❤ love the Honda look. Cheers from Oz 🇦🇺

[@paulcanton9827]

Great review of a bike I was hoping to buy instead of my cb400ss. I have made my bike capable for of road and can put my saddle bags over. No chance of saddle bags on this CL…..deal breaker. It’s a bit too heavy as well. My cb is 145kg. Make a big difference even on light trail riding. The pictures I saw of the Cl looked different to the one that coming to the uk. There was a 250 and both had upswept exhaust. 20kg of pannier on one side messes the handling up good and proper. Nice bike, good price but weight and luggage make it a non starter.

[@joelandrade1630]

Love your honest technical review. Since I'm taller, how would you compare it to a Honda nx 750?

[@CaseyJones88]

Needs skidplate and better off road tires and it will be fantastic. Probably will be my first bike. Sounds amazing as stock.

[@chrispekel5709]

It's a 180 degree parallel twin, they don't sound great. I own 2

[@CaseyJones88]

@@chrispekel5709 I know, but sounds better than Rebel and 500x for sure.

[@chrispekel5709]

@@CaseyJones88exhaust must be better then, engine is identical

[@domenik8339]

This is way too much bike for a first bike. Try a 125 or a 250, you'll love it.

[@hoklai1986]

What is the tank range or fuel range?

[@davidoh655]

Thank you for the great review

[@philipbell3187]

I have a disability that doesn’t allow me to bend my left knee, at moment I ride a virago 750 it’s the only bike I feel comfortable on , I went to the Honda dealer in Norfolk uk to look at the rebel 500 , but I have to sit that fare back to work the gear leaver I am sitting on the tube frame , then thinking about the 500 cl the seat would be good on the rebel , I don’t think I like the cl , but would love the rebel with that cl seat .

[@sk5130]

A lower exhaust angled upwards would do

[@williamrae9954]

Complete the opposite to what you said...I've spent the last 3yrs looking for bikes to take us from Argentina - Alaska, this ticks the boxes,so much so,I've already spoken to Acerbis and Nomad about larger tanks(I'll need to go directly to Italy, as the UK office was the waste of a phone call). All 'offroad' stuff from the CB500X should bolt right on, including downpipes, only a midsection is needing custom made(Meerkat will sort that is a couple of hours)? Great overland potential, bravo Honda(main competition is next year's 750 model, which looks great-YT it).

[@CharlesNolanArt]

How much of your foot should touch the ground? Should you be able to flatfoot a bike?

[@stephensmith1118]

mmm ok but how far can you travel on a full tank ? what size is the tank ? what's the mpg, like... how was it at highway speeds ? so its a choice between this or the more torque of a Enfield Scram ?

[@marukqs]

I had a test drive on a highway. In a wind it felt like a bicycle - it was a little bit scary.

[@marukqs]

I get 130 km/h easily. I would want something that feels more heavy on a highway

[@stephensmith1118]

@@marukqs oh I had mz 251 when I was younger... That was the same on highways.... When passing a truck it was really affected by the wind ... Which made it a true white knuckle ride thanks for your Insight have fun 😊

[@patricepivin2000]

Wonder when it will be for sell in canada

[@hirdy161]

Nice, but as always it's a roadbike dressed up for trails. They need to make a retro scrambler that can occupy the hole in the UK market that would be filled by a DR650. Cheap, light (relatively), genuine offroad bike that can handle long motorway rides, that isn't a computer on wheels. Give it this kind of retro vibe and you've got a huge seller. Something you can tour the world on, that you can fix yourself with only a toothpick and a paper towel in the middle of a desert.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

It's totally lame.

[@shem8028]

Available in the US?

[@s.venkateswarpatnaik2484]

Nice review Buddy

[@GodspeedChris]

Thanks for a great unbiased review! Enjoyed that 👍

[@hal511bm]

Very nice. Thank you. They say Henry Ford put America on wheels. Honda may be doing the same thing for the planet. Honda has a well earned reputation for bullet proof reliability. You are far too young to remember; after seeing this video it still is true "You meet the nicest people on a Honda". Forgive me I'm an old man and am well on my way to motorcycle Heaven.

[@rkr6237]

Don’t go just yet 😅 …any words of wisdom to impart, motorcycle related or otherwise? What’s been your favourite bike? Take care..

[@hal511bm]

@@rkr6237 I am old and have done many things from washing dishes to working for a computer company. Washing dishes I made less money than I deserve. Programming computers I made more than I deserve. They paid me money and said I was good. I knew I wasn't. I spent 10 years riding a small 250cc motorcycle and put over 100k miles on it. What I am good at is putting miles on motorcycles. If you take of your machine it will take care of you.

[@rkr6237]

@@hal511bm Thank you for your response. Sounds like you’ve led a full and interesting life. I’m sure you have plenty of tales to tell. That’s a lot of miles you put on that little 250! I’m assuming it was a Honda. I googled that ad slogan you mentioned in your previous message and found this, must bring back some memories for you. It was fascinating for me to see these motorcycle ads from a different era. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZycqHV-jJdkbJI

[@hal511bm]

@@rkr6237 Thank you. I am old and very much appreciate your kindness. I am sure you make your grand parents very happy. Wishing you and yours all the best.

[@rkr6237]

@@hal511bm Thank you sir. Wishing you all the very best as well. Take care

[@findingneutral]

Great review & tutorial.

[@michaelmelling9333]

The headlight housing looks a bit funky and the gas tank looks too small to go at least 180 miles on a tank.

[@johntheaccountant5594]

"Catalyic converter and all that nonsense" was spot on.

[@alastairtheduke]

I love how motorcyclists think emissions on bikes are rubbish, but some of them ride electric cars and preach that we need to do something about climate change. lol

[@narek90]

Yeah let's fill the atmosphere we all live in and breathe, with as much pollutants and poison as possible 🤡

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I like the looks without the white plastic.

[@Marty_McFatty]

Honder. Love it.

[@kevinnashskitchen3517]

I think one is better off with the do it all (almost) CB500X as a mid size general use bike. Just more usable for more things.

[@spydie]

I miss the exhaust pipes of the real scramblers from the 60s and 70s. If they would have run the pipes alongside the engine and then up like the old ones, they would have hit the retro right on the mark, but when you run the pipes under the bike like all bikes seem to do today, that is your damage point if you ride even mild off-road, like a scrambler is supposed to be designed for. We haven't seen a Honda scrambler since 1974, the 450. My first bike was a 1968 Honda 160 Scrambler. I've been waiting a lot of years to get one again, but I might pass on this because it's more of an adventure bike design and definitely not a scrambler just because the exhaust puts it in the adventure bike range as a few other "scramblers" have done (I'm looking at you Ducati). Triumph seems to be the only one with a true scrambler exhaust available today. I might just pass on this one and start seriously looking at the Triumph just to get the old look, though I'm not a big fan of the Thailand-built bikes. I'd prefer a Japanese bike for the extreme reliability reputation.

[@sailor5026]

Thanks.

[@marukqs]

I had a test drive yesterday. CL500 feels very light - almost as a bicycle. Maybe a weight center is too high, or maybe it is a suspension, maybe its a narrow tank - I am not quite sure (I am an owner of Meteor 350, and looking for a motorcycle for cruising with mid controls comfortable for highway and sometimes on a very light offroad. Also sometimes I need to ride on a windy conditions . For me riding in Meteor in a highway feels more comfortable, but it terribly lacks the speed and power )

[@marukqs]

And I hear no engine sound when riding

[@SladeBling]

The RE 411 is a great upgrade from the Meteor 350.

[@BeastBobber]

Can I ask why you do not allow captions to be available for your videos? As someone with a severe hearing impairment, it makes your videos inaccessible - even automatic captions are better than nothing, please. Thank you.

[@patw9175]

I don't know what they did in there, if it's the exhaust or the induction but I actually like the way this bike sounds a lot. It's not loud but that's definitely the least shitty this engine has ever sounded.

[@paulneuendorf1127]

How is this bike different than the CB X?

[@Mr.ImperfectCell]

Im a beginner to riding and ive been looking at a honda bikes for a long time and i cant decide which one will suit me better for a beginner, a Rebel CMX500 or a CL500. Would love to hear your opinions.

[@TheDfelan]

Can't go wrong either way. They are both good looking beginner friendly bikes. Personally I'd go for the scrambler as it has more suspension travel and would be more comfortable on rough roads and I like the style better. If you plan on eventually being a cruiser person, go the with the other one.

[@Mr.ImperfectCell]

@@TheDfelan I asked my uncle about motorcycles since he has a garage and he told me he would give me his old nighthawk 750 the thing is, is the nighthawk 750 beginner friendly ?

[@TheDfelan]

@@Mr.ImperfectCell depends on the person, I've seen people start on Supersports be fine while others have no business on even a less powerful bike. If you are physically big enough to handle the 750 and mature enough to not ride above your capabilities, you will be fine. Nighthawk 750's are pretty tame down low in the RPM's. The power is more at the top. The brakes aren't as good as modern bikes, but they will be fine. There's something to be said about learning to ride a bike without abs and traction control. I believe it makes you a better rider in the long run.

[@Mr.ImperfectCell]

@@TheDfelan big you mean height and weight? im 5’10 and 170 lbs is it enough?

[@TheDfelan]

@@Mr.ImperfectCell yep, you'll be fine. Happy riding!

[@Commonsense34]

Do they make them in adult size?

[@dbird29]

I had a '74 CL360 it owuld be cool if Honda brought this to the US

[@rafikshahnazarian7632]

Great review 👌

[@JohnBraman413]

pegs need to go a lil more forward for me. need to have knees at least 90 degree bend.

[@trouty65]

Cracking bike, I'd love one 😎 I think this will sell really well for Honda. Especially when the aftermarket parts start hitting. In an age of ludicrously expensive, unnecessary, overloaded with electronics motorcycles! this is a welcomed effort from Honda! People have been brainwashed into thinking you need GS type bike jeez it's all bullshit! My ex boss had been around the world twice on a CX500. Jeez people do it in Honda 90's😂 This harks back to the good old days, pure and simple motorcycling FUN! with a scrambler look! I love nicking the wife's Rebel when I get chance, that engine is a peach! I'm tempted to order right now😃

[@DB-sd3cw]

A drz400 will do everything this bike does and more

[@davidmatthews3093]

But that’s a totally different market.

[@jaydiggy86]

Absolutely gopping. No idea why anyone would get this when you could have the 500f or the 500x (if light offroading is your shtick) both with twin discs and showa forks and a better dash. Seems like such a pointless bike for Honda to release.

[@mattbryan8535]

Looks!! For me if you're into aesthetics as your first priority then this bike 'kills' it imo 😊 But if practicality and multiple applications is your first priority then the 500x is the best imo!!

[@Steeps1969]

Good God, it weighs at 192kg, more than my VTR1000 Firestorm, and way, way more than my other half's SV650S! Is this progress? A single disk brake. Make a note here from this guy from MCN review. Any other bike review these people would be telling is that you need 320mm discs, times two, and Brembo calipers to be any good. Why don't you need 2 discs and Brembo/Stylemas now on this lardy bike? Please tell me why?

[@thebayleaf221]

I badly want a spoked rim version!

[@alexjson]

Looks great. Hope they make a 750 with the Hornet/Transalp engine

[@williamrae9954]

Already in the pipeline, as is the GB750 retro

[@mulliganxable]

Is it coming to NA?

[@alm4132]

if it does it'll be next year.

[@Gimme_Stitches]

Nice

[@dry509]

Which handles better this or the CB500f?

[@alm4132]

F has a 17' front....... a plus for tarmac cornering grip.

[@nickholmes6376]

Wow and people say the himalyan scram is bad, at least they started with an off road capable bike

[@patricksandeberg8184]

Might be the best sounding of the siblings! Great work!

[@johntheaccountant5594]

It is a shame the exhaust system is so big and not like the prototype pictures.

[@Hammerz0738]

Get a new exhaust & you’ve got a great bike

[@dragoclarke9497]

"I want more vibration". Not if this is your own bike and you ride plenty of miles. Typical journalist's comment. If a bike does vibrate, Triumph's Tiger 900, then the jounalists complain. Manufacturers can't win.

[@OnThrottle]

It will be really interesting to see if Honda ends up doing a more standard “modern classic” style bike based off this, because that exhaust looks HIDEOUS. I imagine the bike would look quite handsome with a standard mounted pipe or even twin pipes.

[@OnThrottle]

@@christga100 I think I’m both cases they can be partially fixed by ditching the factory exhaust 😂

[@sambagogo777]

You didn't mention them charging £311.99 for heated grips!

[@monkeytheo]

First bike's a '22 Monkey. This will be very likely my second.

[@VictorPavlov-gx7in]

We want Honda CL1100)

[@htimmermans1938]

Clean exhaust gasses, that's not nonsense

[@paulstanley3265]

I like it but still looks to small for me at 6’1” Honda needs adjustable foot pegs on there bikes

[@jimmarshall807]

The original CLs were great-looking bikes, this one isn't ... the exhausts on the originals were a feature as they were on most of the 60s/70s scramblers/trailies, (albeit a leg-toasting one), they're just another part of the black plumbing on this one. The new Transalp shows Honda can nail throwback styling, but I can't see why you'd choose this over a X or R version of Honda's 500 twin.

[@laz1go286]

The coolest looking from the CB 500 range.

[@deandraper9105]

Nothing but a rebel with a different exhaust and a high mudguard.

[@HamzaFaruqui]

This bike looks like it deserves a bigger more powerful V twin

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Complaints about the lack of vibrations, then complain when a part gives off some vibrations? What would you expect from an optional extra that doesn’t have rubber. The bike doesn’t come standard with then, not the seat you complained about.

[@Dispariabooks]

Wow, this looks like a fun, inexpensive bike! Maybe I should buy one! *checks US availability* Huh, okay, then maybe the Transalp *cries in US market*

[@bongo2011]

So this guy complains that you can feel every vibration on the foot pegs so it's annoying. But also complains he can't feel enough vibrations through the seat. WTF?!

[@jt2wheels963]

Needs Spoke wheels.

[@JonitoFischer]

The response to RE Himalayan, I'm sure this engine is more powerful

[@nikos-giorgos]

1:44 resemblance to the old bike is actually about 0%, I don't know why you even bother showing that picture...

[@davidkallstrom4349]

How mutch is a stone?

[@GripEngineering]

14 lbs, 6.36kg

[@davidmatthews3093]

I’ve got a 500X and see nothing about the scrambler that l like. I suppose that’s good marketing by Honda, so many shared components but completely different bikes.

[@steve-wu7jp]

Needs the hornet engine👍😀

[@gradypicinich2404]

That's a sick little bike, but that exhaust makes me physically ill

[@johntheaccountant5594]

Honda Rebel 500 or this Honda CL500 ?

[@alm4132]

CL.... hands down.

[@jroberthadden]

I was really hoping that I would like this bike. Nope. The exhaust, gauge, and FUGLY radiator are a no go. Can you turn the ABS off when you want to be able to lock up the rear wheel as you slide down a gravel hill? Quite a disappointment.