Honda scl500 review

They embody a carefree attitude and the freedom to go wherever, as well as a simplicity not offered by many modern, hyper-focused bikes.

We first saw the Honda SCL chassis in patent drawings years ago, a modification of the Rebel frame. Over the past year we saw various rumors and leaks about the bike, and then in June of , the SCL was confirmed for the US and Canada. As we told you then:. The engine itself is a cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, as seen also in the CBR, Rebel and so on. Of course, it is somewhat retuned for the scrambler application; expect similar power delivery to the Rebel, with an emphasis on low-to-mid-range torque.

Honda scl500 review

The first-gen Triumph Scrambler, with its New riders have new rider insecurities, of course—but the bigger challenge, in my case, was and evermore shall be my inch inseam. At any rate, the idea of a modern scrambler-style bike can be immensely appealing, depending on your personal aesthetic. How about heated grips as an available accessory option? Wider saddles make that more of a challenge, bordering on an impossibility. With a As with all bikes, your mileage may vary on any number of points, from how the bike fits you to how the styling hits you. You may be in the market for a cc parallel twin-powered machine, or you may not. Then came the Rebel , to get the cruiser fans on board with this middleweight powerplant. In , Honda launched the most recent addition to the cc family—the SCL, which is also called the CL in other parts of the world. Suspension duties are performed by a nonadjustable 41mm front fork offering 5. The rear travel is 5. Brakes consist of a Nissin setup with a single mm disc up front with a two-piston brake caliper, and a single mm disc in the rear.

How about heated grips as an available accessory option? Scramblers are great bikes for getting around towns like Ventura.

Last year, Honda announced the revival of the Scrambler in the United States and foreign markets at the same time. The bikes debuted as model years and foreign markets received the CL, using nomenclature that harkens back to the iconic CL72s and CL77s of the s, as well as CLs and CLs of the s. But here in the US, the new Scrambler will be known as the SCL—and in fact, Honda can only call it a "Scrambler-style" motorcycle , presumably because Ducati owns the official Scrambler name. Regardless of alphanumerical designation, however, the foreign and domestic Scramblers all use many parts shared with the rest of Honda's lineup. A cc parallel twin motor carries over from the Rebel, CBRR, and CBX , while higher exhaust routing increases ground clearance in classic fashion, along with a larger front wheel, retro rear dampers, and front fork bellows. The move seems to bank on the fact that most modern Scramblers, regardless of brand, look relatively similar from more than 15 feet away, so a cheaper alternative that still delivers all the familiar Honda quality should, therefore, attract more entry-level motorcycle buyers interested in that Scrambler style. Honda arguably inaugurated the Scrambler era in with the CL72 that shared just about everything with the CB72, including a four-stroke cc twin that revved to 9, RPM—nothing less than sky-high for the period.

The SCL is a mid-sized scrambler-style bike that is light, approachable with plenty of get up and go on the highways or in the canyons. Ideal for a new or casual rider who is looking to upgrade from a smaller bike, or for an experienced rider to return to the sport after some time away. The SCL is an addition to the established cc lineup from Honda. This bike borrows a few noticeable elements from the Honda Rebel, the most obvious being the shape of the fuel tank. The same cc engine from the Rebel is the star of the show, providing proven reliability for the newest model. All of Honda's cc range offers shift assist technology, which gives a lighter pull at the clutch lever and automatically locks the clutch up tight when you accelerate, while also avoiding a rear wheel lockup if a downshift is mistimed. Easy clutch modulation is an immediate confidence boost to a newer rider, removing some of the chance of stalling when leaving a stop or missing a gear while in motion, it also reduces hand fatigue in tight stop and go traffic, a welcome perk for even the most seasoned rider.

Honda scl500 review

The first-gen Triumph Scrambler, with its New riders have new rider insecurities, of course—but the bigger challenge, in my case, was and evermore shall be my inch inseam. At any rate, the idea of a modern scrambler-style bike can be immensely appealing, depending on your personal aesthetic. How about heated grips as an available accessory option? Wider saddles make that more of a challenge, bordering on an impossibility. With a As with all bikes, your mileage may vary on any number of points, from how the bike fits you to how the styling hits you.

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Is it a good bike for the new and returning riders that Honda is aiming to entice? Here the smooth throttle response and simple brakes make transitioning between bends and straights a blast, even if the true pace won't launch speed freaks out of the water. A sturdy tubular-steel trellis frame holds everything together, and the bike, which has a narrow 3. The SCL is the kind of bike that lends itself to customization. Five-position adjustable spring preload at the rear means heavier or lighter riders can tweak a bit if they feel so inclined, and doing so might amp up the either the sportier or off-roady personality of this new Scrambler, which can get into some mild canyon carving happily. You may also be interested in. While the clutch has a very light pull, adjustable levers would be especially nice for riders with shorter handspans. I did notice the display is hard to see with a tinted visor in misty or rainy conditions. About this article. For a retro bike like this, an analog speedometer with an inset multifunction display would be sweet. I bet before too long there will be a kit to ditch the cat and route the whole exhaust high. A bit of the old blended nicely with the new — both equally at home in Southern California. You may be in the market for a cc parallel twin-powered machine, or you may not. News Reviews Features new bikes Photos Videos. As we told you then:.

They embody a carefree attitude and the freedom to go wherever, as well as a simplicity not offered by many modern, hyper-focused bikes.

The SCL suspension offers better travel than its CBX stablemate, but bigger riders may wish for more adjustment options. Honda arguably inaugurated the Scrambler era in with the CL72 that shared just about everything with the CB72, including a four-stroke cc twin that revved to 9, RPM—nothing less than sky-high for the period. Sign In or Sign Up. The SCL screams for customization, as seen in this factory-accessorized version. You may be in the market for a cc parallel twin-powered machine, or you may not. Water cooling and the slipper clutch probably explain the extremely asymmetric spacing of the engine and clutch covers best. The same nimbleness, smooth shifting, and power delivery that made threading my way through traffic a snap was also present as we started to make our way through the twisties. You have entered an incorrect email address! Photo: Honda Motorcycle. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here. Like Reply Flagged comment. Once I got used to the clutch, it was extremely simple to ride. The small, round, digital gauge is uncluttered, and is easy to read at a glance.