2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler - Road Test & Review - Scramblin' around

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The 2023 Honda CL500 Scrambler is the latest bike in the range to be based around the much loved and much relied-on 471cc parallel twin motor also found in the CMX500 Rebel, CB500X, CB500F and CBR500R. This time it features in an urban scrambler guise reminiscent of the old CL models stretching back into the '60s, and of course, it takes on that model signifier. So what is this back-to-basics bike all about? Who is it for? and what is it like out on the road and the Dirt? In this video, I take a look and report back my findings.
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00:00 - Introduction
01:12 - Engine & Performance
04:11 - Ergonomics & Comfort
08:18 - Suspension & Handling
09:48 - Styling thoughts & accessories
12:12 - Will it Scramble?
16:15 - Conclusions

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Опубликовано:

25 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 74

@elpobrouse2277 11 месяцев назад

Nice honest review, I wished there where more like yours. Not only about bikes but everything.

@allanmason7544 11 месяцев назад

great review again

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Cheers Allan

@shardlake 11 месяцев назад

Great review, I got one with a few accessories, minus the front mudguard, stock seat (not the one they had on the test mule) I find good for 3hrs+, basic and reliable, typical Honda a bit bland but will work forever :)

@Spread4 11 месяцев назад

Just ordered mine today😊

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Have fun!

@teneretraveller8980 11 месяцев назад

Good bike. I can see it with the Rally Raid spokes on and maybe a Scorpion can, looking pretty good. The mudguard and tank ( 17litres ) from the 500x would make it a great, small travel bike. I agree about the mudguard. Ride safe Happy travels 👍

@alangazeley5497 17 дней назад

Let me let you into a little secret ! I bought a £13 sheepskin motorcycle seat cover from Amazon. Seat comfort instantly sorted !

@leeinwis 11 дней назад

A Airhawk works too, there are knock off even cheaper.

@flexywing 11 месяцев назад

Looks a great little bike, it's been on my radar as a second bike, but then Triumph bring out the 400x, so it's a wait and see

@Dan-56 11 месяцев назад

I have to agree with you about the “foo foo” front fender, it just looks a bit daft. I do wish Honda had taken the time to at least put a “crease” down the length of the muffler and it’s cover to make it look like two mufflers joined together, especially since they gave it twin outlets 🤔!?

@user-sw2lv3zp6o 11 месяцев назад

I agree: the high white mudguard doesn't look right. Not keen on the hand guards or headlight surround. I've seen one at BigWing in Chiang Rai, and it looks better without these accessories. Fatter bars would have been preferable. Nice headlight. I like the way it will pull a high gear at low speed. Decent side bag which isn't expensive. I was tempted by the Rebel, but it felt too low when I sat on one. The CL would be perfect. It would probably be a better second bike to my SCR950 than my 390 Duke. Looks good, too. Excellent review, Tony. 1990 [Nick J]

@LTLT900 11 месяцев назад

Cant wait for the 750.

@trevorphillips3055 11 месяцев назад

1100 would be better😊

@joecamel6835 10 месяцев назад

@@trevorphillips3055 35000 !

@leeinwis 3 месяца назад

@@trevorphillips3055 2900 would be best

@user-re3lz4qm5z 11 месяцев назад

I have friends and including me we have traveled around the world with bikes like Yamaha XT 250 or Honda XLR 259 so I don’t understand why someone can’t travel with this one with the 500 cc

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

You can travel around the world on anything, it just depends on how you want to do it and on how much comfort. Travelling on dirt roads the smaller bikes are better, if your belting out miles of tarmac, especially motorways then a bigger more comfortable machine will be better. I didn’t say I couldn’t I said I wouldnt

@simongoddard8490 7 месяцев назад

If only Honda would put that sweet 500 engine in the CRF250L......

@leeinwis 3 месяца назад

rally

@findingneutral 11 месяцев назад

Great review and tutorial. I ride a 2021 CB500X and can't help but wonder what this bike's throttle response feels like and what levels of felt vibration it has going on in the grips, seat, and pegs. With the right accessories this bike could be fun possibly.

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Thanks, It felt much the same as the CB500X in terms of vibes and throttle response.

@findingneutral 11 месяцев назад

@@mancavemotoWe are not allowed test rides at dealerships where I live. So this information is extremely helpful. Much thanks 🙏

@AdamKlawonn 11 месяцев назад

Great review. What audio setup do you use for your GoPro? Also, would you prefer this to the new Triumph 400 scrambler?

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Cheers, I use a lav mic plugged directly into the GoPro media mod. I’ve not seen the triumph in the flesh yet

@twowheelsoneleg5672 11 месяцев назад

Looks like a great wee bike but I imagine the new Triumph 400 will appeal to more riders overall

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Possibly yes

@lewisallan9963 11 месяцев назад

The little bit more power on the cl500 will appeal to more people I recon.

@rockinginafreeworld3256 11 месяцев назад

Honda is ok but I so want the triumph 400x. Would like the power of the Honda but the looks of the triumph .

@AngelSapundzhiev 7 месяцев назад

The Triumph is a much better looking bike, much more premium feel and much proper Scrambler style. Honda is always kind of unfinished - good job but not good enough at the detail touches, so common throughout most of their models.

@BMRTV 2 месяца назад

6:18 Seats are obviously personal. What motorcycle seats do you like for long times in the saddle? That might help us understand if it's good for certain folks.

@Spread4 Месяц назад

Tried that Brown seat on mine the other day, found it less comfortable than the standard seat, think it was because it was narrower, also seem to detach you from the bike.

@madcoyote 11 месяцев назад

I agree with the mudguards. I think the over all asthetics look a bit off, but I think If you Change the mudguards, the exhaust and have everything in one nice colour, it could be little gem in the hidding. Btw which Shoei are you wearing? Currently looking at a new helmet :)

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Yep, although these are optional extras, they don’t come as standard. It’s a Shoei RYD, but unfortunately it’s now discontinued 😞

@madcoyote 11 месяцев назад

@mancavemoto hmm, in all the vids/pics I saw, it was equipped with them...thought they are standard. I would always order the standard and do the mentioned before. Thanks. The good stuff always gets discontinued :/ Guess will aim for a Glamster or an Arai Concept X. Are the only ones that keep it simple

@jimmyjam8795 11 месяцев назад

That seal500 is everywhere, I get it but it's just so damn ugly. Some will love it of course. I don't like the 500 engine having ridden it for over a year on my X. Those tyres fit road use are excellent, I've pushed therm hard in all conditions too. Good review.

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Cheers, yes I think it looks much better without the white plastic optional extras

@jocon6656 10 месяцев назад

Hi, could you elaborate on why this felt so bad off pavement compared to the CB500x? On paper they have similar travel and ground clearance.

@lengoctuan155 4 месяца назад

The CB has move suspension travel, and much higher ground clearance, it also has monoshock.

@Spread4 9 месяцев назад

Regarding the side rack on the bike, would it be compatible with a SW Motech side bag (LC1/2)?

@mancavemoto 9 месяцев назад

Looking at the rack i'm pretty sure it is an SW-Motech rack, it has exactly the same fittings and is the same overall shape as their SLC side carrier

@Spread4 7 месяцев назад

Having purchased the rack I can confirm that the rack is a SW Motech item, built for Honda. Strangely they have one on their own website for the CL which looks very different.

@xtc2v 11 месяцев назад

So, its a CB500X with 5.5 litres of fuel capacity gone missing. The huge ugly exhaust prevents the addition of panniers though touring's out anyway because its uncomfortable. What was the point?

@Hemlck 11 месяцев назад

Agreed…the CB 500x seems way better…don’t get it at all

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Its more of an urban bike i guess, quite a different market to the CB500x, not everyone wants a fairing and a screen.

@xtc2v 11 месяцев назад

@@mancavemoto "not everyone wants a fairing and a screen"....everyone?..it is more like hardly anyone gets the choice of any weather protection or even gets more than a vestigial front mudguard! Just look at whats on the market! Most are retros and hypernakeds. Faired roadsters are around 1,000cc or above which leaves adventure bikes that I would have to bring a pair of step ladders to get on and off. Those that enjoy a tiring wind blast and freezing extremities are already well catered for.

@HunterVlog350cc 8 месяцев назад

himalayn/scram 450 is coming

@max.fleming1045 11 месяцев назад

I was really looking forward to this bike back before it's official launch last November. I've gotta say though that I couldn't be more disappointed. Never mind that god awful exhaust system, as a scrambler it's a total failure. It's a Rebel 500 cruiser with a reworked subframe which is about as far from a scrambler as you can get. The suspension couldn't get more basic budget if they tried, the clock was rubbish on the Rebel and is still rubbish on this bike. Also as a striped back naked scrambler why does it weigh nearly as much as the cb500x which has fairings, windscreen, 5.7 litre larger fuel tank, longer travel suspension etc, etc?. The 500x is so much more bike for a few hundred quid more. If you compare this bike against the new triumph scrambler 400X it's like Honda couldn't even be bothered to try. No prize for guessing who's getting my life savings in January 😂.

@ripmax333 11 месяцев назад

I agree on all you said except regarding the seat height, it has plenty of ground clearance for a ( heavy offroad wannabe machine) and it will suite a lot of people. With my 32 inch inseam its just about right. I sat on one at the dealership and it seems to fit very well but regarding to looks I definitely agree, sometimes its really awful to look at it, its literally a parts Bin Bike, they basically saw what they had available and sad " lets see if we can make a scrambler with these parts" typically Honda. Apart from that, it doesn't have an ABS off switch and spoked wheels so its more suited to very light offrodish roads, and as you saw it this video the suspension is already rubbish on slightly beaten path.

@max.fleming1045 11 месяцев назад

@@ripmax333 a parts bin bike is spot on. It looks like it was cobbled together by the accounts department and you know what they say. " Never let an accountant make a business decision !".

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

To be fair HOnda don't market it as a new model, it is utilising a lot of parts found on the other 500 models. Remember the white plastic parts are all optional extras, without those its not a bad looking bike

@ripmax333 11 месяцев назад

@@mancavemoto it's all about perspective, in some areas I like how they done it, for example the exhaust design is something that I think modern retro scramblers should copy from. I like the idea that goes down under the frame then up agian under the rear subframe, it doesn't force you to spread your right leg when in need to put that feet down, totally different from a triumph scarmbler 900...but anyway for the rest I think it needs more improvement.

@JohnNewton-ev8ch 11 месяцев назад

For the price, you can buy a lot of fuel and ride many miles compared to $$,$$$ rides. Do you have the suspension setting turned up? How much improvement is possible with a new set of spring for a few $$$?

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

The suspension isn’t adjustable. It’s not a criticism as such given the price of the bike, it’s an observation. It’s got basic damping and it’s noticeable.

@markspash178 2 месяца назад

Springs alone won’t fix, the forks are seriously under damped. Springs and 15w oil will help. I went with Racetech emulators, straight rate springs and 15w oil, it’s a different bike now, way more capable. The rear shocks are tolerable

@robertdenton7897 11 месяцев назад

I run a Royal Enfield Interceptor, how would it compare?

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

Me too, this feels lighter and more nimble. Performance wise not much in it, but the Honda is smoother overall.

@jimmyjam8795 11 месяцев назад

Having owned both engines, for year each (still have the Honda) I rate the RE engine a lot higher. In fact when I replace it this year, I'm going back to RE.

@johnrocker2986 7 месяцев назад

That little bike handles ok on gentle off road but that suspension need you standing or your weight overcomes the suspension.

@mancavemoto 7 месяцев назад

Yep, its not going to put up with much more than i rode it on, and that wasnt in any sense 'serious' off road trails.

@yiannishayabusaofficial 11 месяцев назад

AWESOME VIDEO AMAZING VEW FROM THE CAMERA FANTASTIC

@rohanes 11 месяцев назад

I like it, but I wish they just marketed it as an upright Rebel instead. Designating it as a scrambler is pushing it a little.

@LTLT900 11 месяцев назад

They can't cos the Rebel is already upright.

@joecamel6835 10 месяцев назад

@@LTLT900 A cruiser isn't an upright

@drdoolittle5724 11 месяцев назад

All me mates say I am odd and with a 36" inside you cannot but agree with them - if only bikes could copy bicycles and one could jack up seats!!!

@JW20236 11 месяцев назад

That's actually a great idea. If it ever happens I'm sure it will be Honda that does it first.

@zakhey 11 месяцев назад

I'm very much your opposite with an inseam of 25-26", being shorter than the average Asian and all that. Can't even flat foot a bike with 720mm seat height 😢

@drdoolittle5724 11 месяцев назад

alsio i ride a honda vt 125 shadow, bet you would be very happy at that height@@zakhey

@skymningforelsket1302 10 месяцев назад

They styling of this motorbike was a big letdown --- after seeing some of the pre-release photo shop renderings of what it MIGHT have looked like.

@Roger_Ramjet 11 месяцев назад

Such a half-assed styling job....c'mon Honda, you have the resources to do it right.

@247ADIE 11 месяцев назад

honda made a pigs ear out of this bike. could and should have been much better

@migue183 2 месяца назад

very ugly bike. just too much black: engine, wheels, chassis, front suspension, etc ,,,,

@Tommy-Atkins 11 месяцев назад

Agreed..it would be great for a young newbie but not all new small/mid range engine size bikes are aimed at the inexperienced !what about those of us who are experienced riders who just want an economical 500cc bike…not young and not A2?!…and why is it “underpowered “?…perhaps it’s merely correct for its engine size 🤷‍♂️……I bought my daughter a cheap economical run around Ford Fiesta …underpowered? or merely correct for the type and engine size…..?…….just an opinion…love the review matey…👍

@mancavemoto 11 месяцев назад

I think I mentioned experienced riders too a bit later? But yep poor choice of language I should have said low powered. I didn’t suggest small/mid range bikes are only for newbies, I was merely commenting that this is a bike that would suit those riders. Cheers 👍