Honda CL500

The CL500’s exterior draws heavily from its predecessor, the CMX-500 Rebel, alongside similar designs commonplace among scrambler-type motorcycles. Measuring 2,175 mm long, 830 mm wide, and 1,135 mm tall, it fits the bill for a rough-and-rugged motorcycle. With the addition of 155mm of ground clearance, the CL500 is an ideal choice for an all-rounder, especially considering the vagaries of local climate and road conditions. 

The CL500 remains considerately lighter than similar competitor models, due in part to Honda’s innovative use of a lightweight, tubular diamond-structured framework that provides excellent structural integrity without piling on unnecessary weight.

It features a retro-stylized circular LED headlight, flanked by a pair of LED turn lights. Just above it is a round instrument cluster that adds a little bit of tech to an otherwise very vintage-looking vehicle. In keeping with the rest of the ‘dated’ stylistics, it features a pair of circular off-road mirrors, an extended flat-bench seat, and a low-profile fuel tank with the added touch of thigh and rubber knee pads flanking each side. In spite of its less bulky design, the tank is capable of holding 3.17 gallons (12 liters) of fuel.

The CL500 prefers to keep everything else simple. Even its tech – a fully digital instrument cluster – features a single round display housed in a hard plastic plain black casing. Within the casement is an LCD screen that displays all the basic information you’d need while on a drive, with an added backlight for night visibility. All the information can be accessed readily through ergonomic buttons on each side of the handlebar. 

The rest of the motorcycle is elevated in true scrambler fashion. Higher seats and handlebar, 19-inch front wheels, 17-inch rear ones, and a high-rise muffler and exhaust (with additional stainless-steel and insulated rubber heat guard) all lend themselves well to the more pronounced ground clearance and provide comfort and stylish appeal. It also features gaitered fork tubes and twin shock absorbers for its front and rear. 

The rear lights are a minimalist affair with a simple floating LED brake light flanked by a pair of turn signals and a hazard light right underneath. 

The CL500 is available in Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic and Matte Laurel Green Metallic, with possible optional stylistic add-ons.

With its upright driver positioning, soft suspension, and padded seating, the CL500 prioritizes comfort over aero dynamism. It has a relatively powerful but fuel-economic engine that delivers great and reliable performance. Its overall lightweight nature makes maneuverability a breeze, although its comfort-oriented construction might make it ideal for long cruising, rather than prolonged high-speed riding. 

The CL500 showcases a liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder, 4-stroke parallel twin fuel-injection engine (Honda’s own in-house Programmed Fuel Injection system), capable of delivering 46 bhp at 8,500 rpm with 43.4 Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm. It also features a 6-speed manual transmission with a 41-tooth rear sprocket and assist-and-slipper clutch. 

The CL500 keeps its safety features on the bare minimum. Aside from the standard safety features that come with all modern motorcycles, it also has an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), and an engine immobilizer (basically its anti-theft feature). But unfortunately, it doesn’t have much else to offer especially when compared to competitor models. 

If you’re looking for a simplistic, minimalist, user-friendly yet stylish motorcycle that is ideal for beginners or individuals looking for a vintage-like bike minus all the extra techie fuss, the Honda CL500 might be right for you.