Back to the past
Previewed at the last EICMA, the CL 500 mounts Honda’s popular 471 cm3 and 46.6 HP twin cylinder (therefore ok for the A2 license) and features elegant lines inspired by those of the CL72, one of the first scramblers proposed in the 60s Many details that recall it such as the black painted frame, the short rear fenderthe flat and slim saddle and the small rear light.
The engine is modern, in fact it is the 471 cm3 parallel twin mounted on the 500 family of the Tokyo house, also suitable for A2 license holders: 46.6 HP, the maximum power; 43.4 Nm at 6,250 rpm is the peak torque. The unit has specific ECU mapping and different intake routing, while the final transmission (compared to cousin Rebel) has been shortened of an extra tooth on the crown to make it more reactive in acceleration and recovery.
On the left, the small LCD dashboard, on the right, the beautiful round headlight with LED lights
Point cycling
The CL’s chassis suspension package features structure tubular steeldeveloped in terms of shapes and rigidity for this model and traditional suspensions: fork telescopic with 41 mm legs (150 mm stroke) and a pair of shock absorbers with adjustable spring preload coupled to a new swingarm in 45 mm tubes. The spoked light alloy wheels are fitted with pneumatic tyres 110/80-R19 e 150/70-R17. The braking system consists of single discs of 310 and 240 mm with two-channel ABS. There sella it has a ground clearance suitable for riders of all sizes, 79 cm (there is an optional 820 mm one), the tank is 12 liters and the weight, with a full tank, is 192 kg. The round LCD screen, simple and complete, and the full LED lighting system complete the technical equipment. Many accessories are available, which Honda has also enclosed in three kits: Travel Pack (567 euros) which includes a soft saddle bag, heated grips, 12V socket, adjustable brake lever and anti-scratch protection for the tank. The Style Pack (427 euros) which offers a windshield, decorative stickers, wheel stickers, a rear cover and a seat raised to 82 cm. AND l’Adventure Pack (399 euros) with handguards, enduro-style raised front mudguard, cover for the rear shock absorbers and “rally” footrests. Every single accessory is interchangeable and can be mounted together with others from the other families, in order to expand the customization possibilities .
How is it going
On the saddle of the CL500 you immediately feel at ease and the engine, now more than tested, offers an interesting mix of performance and ease of management. Power delivery is smooth and regular, and the shortened transmission offers good low-end pick-up. The long-travel suspension makes everything “a little more off-road”, and in fact with the CL you can travel without problems on dirt roads and the long-travel suspension always guarantees good comfort on the road. Perhaps it pays off when you decide to push a little more, in terms of precision from the front. But this, moreover, is not a motorcycle made for racing, its ideal pace is at a slow trot, to make it better the curves must be tackled in a rounded way and as much as possible without sudden commands. In off-road driving, the CL500 gets along well provided we don’t overdo it: if we wanted to nitpick, we would have preferred a higher handlebar. In standing driving, then, the collector slightly disturbs coming into contact with the right leg. The braking is not bad, reactive right away but never abrupt.
