Honda’s CL500 strikes a rich retro vein, drawing inspiration from the original CLs of the 60s and 70s. Using the A2-licence compatible twin-cylinder engine of Honda’s CB500 series, it applies a tubular diamond-structure steel frame, long-travel suspension and 19/17-inch front/rear wheel combination to good effect. With 25YM updates to comfort, ergonomics and visual style, it’s still ready for the rigours of urban travel as much as it is light off-road work. Its head-turning style has been amped up for 25YM with two new colours, whilst the rich details remain such as the rounded fuel tank, knee pads, rubber fork gaiters and an upswept dual-exit exhaust muffler with drilled heat shield. All lighting is LED, and the LCD screen is now easier to read in bright light.

1. Introduction

Honda has a long history of getting smaller capacity bikes just right for riders around the world. A combination of easy usability, useful engine performance, affordability and distinct individuality equal motorcycles that, over time, come to mean so much to their owners.

The CLs from the ‘60s and ‘70s were such bikes, proving that a lightweight bike with off-road dynamics was great fun around town. Latterly, the high-barred, high-piped style has become an iconic signature for many 21st century riders.

Click forward 5 decades and, in 2018, the A2 licence compatible CMX500 Rebel arrived in the Honda range. Its ‘old school meets new school’ take on custom cool was an instant hit – and extremely customisable. And as a package – engine, chassis and styling – it’s proved irresistible to a legion of young riders and has quietly got on with the business of being the top-selling custom bike in Europe for the last three years.

Five years later it was time for something new and for 23YM Honda introduced, once again, a bike proudly wearing the CL badge – for riders who like to be that bit different. The CL500 draws heavily on the formula of the originals, with the right look, right engine and durability to go with the urban rough and tumble.

Mechanically unchanged for 25YM – apart from some minor visual and ergonomic updates – the CL500 carries on with individuality as standard fit, and huge custom potential, as seen in the metal at Wheels and Waves 2024, and online at www.hondacustoms.com

2. Model Overview 

The development concept used from the start of the CL500 project was ‘Express Yourself’. Deliberately targeting a young, style-conscious demographic, it’s a bike designed to fit neatly into an owner’s lifestyle with the ability to handle the daily commute, a long weekend ride, or even some light off-road – and to catch the eye while doing it.

The 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine is Honda’s lively and popular A2 licence compatible powerplant that produces 34.3kW power and a healthy 43.4Nm torque, and thanks to 25YM revisions around the ECU and inclusion of an OBD2-2 sensor is now Euro5+ compliant.

The much-loved engine is paired with an assist/ slipper clutch-equipped six-speed gearbox, which features short final drive gearing to serve up smart around-town acceleration both from a standing start and through the gears.

A tubular steel trellis-style main frame is both a statement of style and the foundation of easy handling. Long-travel suspension comprises 41mm telescopic forks and adjustable rear shocks while the wheels – 19-inch front and 17-inch rear – wear Dunlop block-pattern tyres. Newly optimised footpeg positioning is matched to a revised seat construction, for increased rider comfort. Both front and rear brakes feature ABS modulation specifically balanced for excellent performance on a variety of surfaces, including light off-road.

The CL’s comprehensive specification includes LED lighting front and rear, a compact negative LCD instrument panel, as well as the latest safety systems such as Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology that operates the rear indicators as hazard lights under sudden, hard braking.

The 25YM CL500 will be available in the following colour options:

• Pearl Dusk Yellow *NEW*
• Mat Laurel Green Metallic
• Mat Fresco Brown *NEW*
• Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic

3. Key Features
    3.1 Styling & Equipment

‘Simple, Raw and Tough’ were the three words that set the tone and direction for the CL500’s styling team. The street scrambler style looks right wherever it rolls with the added benefit of ergonomics that make for a bike that’s very easy to ride in a variety of situations.

The combination of the clean, round fuel tank shape and upswept muffler ­with stainless steel heat shield strikes the nostalgia chords hard. And all the lovingly crafted details (the tank pads and rubber fork gaiters, the wadded, smooth outer seat skin with embossed Honda logo, high-level handlebars) combine to create a look that oozes charm. The paint options, all set against the completely blacked out engine and chassis, make each tank colour ‘pop’ vibrantly.

A low seat height of 790mm, in combination with a slim mid-section, offers easy ground reach and ample legroom. Featuring a new urethane foam material for enhanced comfort, it’s also designed to cover the frame rails for standing up and low rear section for easy pillion access. It also detaches easily with the ignition key and features a tucked-away helmet holder.

The high handlebars not only look good, they’re angled precisely to provide leverage both when standing up or sitting down, with off-road style grips and internal weights to reduce fatigue. The tank pads provide another contact point for the legs when standing; whilst the steel footpegs have been repositioned and feature rubber inserts for increased comfort.

The low-set 175mm diameter headlight has classic form but houses four LED bulbs with thick inner lenses for a distinctive frontal signature. Small, 55mm circular LED indicators feature classic looks and sit either side of a thin, ovalized LED taillight.

A neat, 100mm diameter circular display houses the negative LCD dash. Simple and uncluttered information delivery includes gear position indicator, fuel consumption and individual indicator arrows; a 25YM update is increased readability in bright light.

Hard, sudden braking operates the standard equipment Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) which flashes the rear indicators to alert road users behind, before auto-cancelling.

With fuel economy of 27.7km/L, a 12L capacity tank gives the CL500 a potential range of over 300km.

3.2 Engine

The CL500’s 471cc 8-valve, liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine is smooth, easy to use and thoroughly engaging. The hugely popular and durable unit has made its reputation in Honda’s CB(R)500 series and the CMX500 Rebel.

For the CL500, it features revised PGM-FI fuel injection mapping (updated for 25YM for OBD2-2 compliance) and a different intake and exhaust setup to deliver engaging torque of 43.4Nm @ 6,250rpm and peak power of 34.3kW @ 8,500rpm. For crisper acceleration through each gear the rear sprocket uses 41 teeth, versus the 40 used by the Rebel.

It’s a power unit that strikes a great balance between physical size and flexible output, with a willing delivery of both mid-range torque and top end power that has made it one of Honda’s most-loved engines. Bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 66.8mm with compression ratio of 10.7:1. Internally the cylinder head uses roller rocker arms; shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, for lower valve-spring load and reduced friction.

A silent (SV Chain) cam chain has the surface of its pins treated with Vanadium, reducing friction with increased protection against dust. Friction is further reduced by the addition of striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area, introducing gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication).

The crankshaft pins are phased at 180° and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s centre of gravity. The balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia. Inlet valve diameter is 26.0mm with exhaust valve diameter of 21.5mm.

The crankcases use centrifugally cast thin-walled sleeves. Their internal design reduces the ‘pumping’ losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. A deep oil sump holds 3.2L.

Slick to use up or down, the six-speed gearbox is designed to offer effortless changes, especially around town. An assist/slipper clutch helps with rear wheel control, lightens the lever operation load and reduces rider fatigue.

In iconic CL style the exhaust twin-pipe muffler is upswept and fed by 2-1 downpipes. The note is tuned for heavier low-frequency sound compared to the Rebel, with a similar pulsing feel. A new OBD2-2 exhaust sensor ensures EURO5+ compliance.

3.3 Chassis

The tubular diamond-structure steel frame provides the handling ability, ride comfort and foundation of style for the CL500. It’s beautifully simple, with strong tubes and loop-shaped rear subframe. Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) was employed to get the rigidity and weight balance optimised perfectly.

A scrambler-style bike must cope with it all – from rough city streets to uneven dirt roads and the goal for the chassis was to create light, responsive handling with suspension that can absorb the hits. Ground clearance is 155mm; caster angle is set at 27° with trail of 108mm and 1,485mm wheelbase. Kerb weight is 192kg.

Up front, 41mm telescopic forks feature 150mm travel and wear classic black fork gaiters. While adding period style they also protect the legs and seals from dust and damage. The top and bottom yokes are CL-specific and enhance steering accuracy and feel.

At the rear, an elegantly simple swingarm uses 45mm round tubing to muscular effect. Long-stroke twin rear shocks offer 145mm travel and 5-step spring preload adjustment (3 up from standard, 1 down). Damping at both ends is set to deliver a supple, comfortable ride no matter the road surface.

A two-piston front caliper works a 310mm floating disc through sintered pads. The hydraulic pressure between the front and rear single-piston caliper/240mm disc is balanced to provide hlgh levels of braking control on a wide range of surfaces. The ABS too is optimised for use on dirt tracks as well as asphalt.

The wheels are a 19-inch front/17-inch rear combination for confident grip and light handling across varying terrain. Tyres are deep-groove Dunlop Mixtours, sized 110/80 R19 front and 150/70 R17 rear.

4. Accessories

A full range of Genuine Honda accessories are available for the CL500, ready for personalisation to owner preference. The rear subframe is designed for easy fitment of cosmetic parts or the soft rear pannier; a rear rack also mounts the 38L top box. There’s also the option of a 30mm higher seat – finished in brown with black double stitching – for taller riders.

Cosmetic additions to add classic off-road style include:

• Lightweight Polypropylene Side Number Boards
• Fly Screen
• Knuckle Guards
• High Front Mudguard

For convenience, three specially designed packs are ready to go:

• Adventure Pack

Elevates off-road style and readiness with Rally Footpegs, flatter High Seat, Wheel Stripes, and central Tank Pad.

• Style Pack

A cosmetic boost from Headlight Cowl, Cowl Stripe, Rear Side Cover, Rear Side Cover Stripe, Knuckle Guards, High Front Mudguard and Rear Suspension Cover, all of them finished in black.

• Travel Pack

Ready for the long haul and includes Soft Saddlebag, Heated Grips, ACC Socket and Adjustable Brake Lever.

Other practical items available individually include Heated Grips, ACC Charging Socket and a 38L Top Box.

5 Technical Specifications

All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.

Please note that the figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.

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