Engine: 471 cc Parallel Twin, 47 hp, 43.4 Nm—Proven CB500 Engine, Tuned for More CL 500 Character

471 cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel twin, 67 mm × 66.8 mm, 10.7:1 compression ratio, PGM-FI, Euro 5+. Output is 34.3 kW / 46.6 hp at 8,500 rpm, with 43.4 Nm at 6,250 rpm. A2-compliant from the factory.

The engine comes from the CB 500 family—the same proven unit used in the CB 500 Hornet, CBR 500R, and NX 500.

For the CL 500, the rear sprocket has been increased to 41 teeth, compared with 40 teeth on the CMX 500 Rebel, resulting in slightly sharper acceleration and stronger midrange drive.

The result is an engine that feels stronger than its specifications suggest: linear in character, free of annoying quirks, and easy to ride at lower speeds.

Since the 2025 model year, Euro 5+ homologation has been achieved through modifications to the exhaust system, intake and exhaust tracts, ECU mapping, and the addition of a second lambda sensor.

There is a six-speed transmission and chain final drive. An Assist and Slipper Clutch comes standard.

Fuel consumption is 3.6 L/100 km, giving a range of approximately 330 km from the 12-liter tank.

Suspension: 41 mm Telescopic Fork, 150 mm Travel, 19-Inch Front Wheel, SHOWA Twin Shocks

Up front is a 41 mm telescopic fork with 150 mm of travel and rubber gaiters serving both as a styling feature and protection.

At the rear are twin SHOWA shocks adjustable for spring preload.

The 19-inch front wheel is the classic scrambler choice: more traction on loose surfaces, greater ground clearance, and traditional styling.

The front brake uses a single 310 mm disc with a two-piston caliper—adequate for 47 hp and 192 kg, but not a high-performance braking system. At the rear is a 240 mm disc with a single-piston caliper.

The steel diamond frame was developed specifically for the CL 500 and is not carried over from the CB500 family.

Wheelbase is 1,485 mm, trail 108 mm.

Tire sizes are 110/80 R19 front and 150/70 R17 rear. They are suitable for light off-road use, but they are not knobby tires.

The longer suspension travel and slightly more aggressive tire tread allow occasional excursions onto unpaved roads. For serious off-road riding, however, the CL 500 lacks suspension travel and ground clearance.

Ergonomics: 790 mm Seat Height, Upright, Wide Handlebar, Round LCD—Optimized for Everyday and City Use

Seat height is 790 mm—low and broadly accessible, providing good ground contact for riders from approximately 1.65 meters tall.

The upright riding position with a wide scrambler handlebar is ideal for city and everyday use: good visibility, agile handling, relaxed ergonomics.

The CL 500’s shows a unified design concept down to the details: round fuel tank with rubber knee pads, upswept twin-pipe exhaust with perforated stainless-steel heat shield, rubber fork gaiters, and a deep-black painted frame.

Wherever possible, the components are finished in black, creating the minimalist scrambler appearance.

The cockpit uses a round 100 mm LCD with a negative display—bright characters on a black background—and five brightness levels. It shows speed, gear position, fuel level, and time. Readability in direct sunlight has been improved since the 2025 model year.

There is no TFT and no RoadSync—and that is consistent with the concept. Anyone buying a scrambler does not necessarily want a navigation cockpit.

Full LED lighting comes standard throughout the motorcycle. An immobilizer is standard.

Fuel capacity is 12 liters.

Handling: 192 kg, 47 hp, Light—Agile in the City, Full of Character on Backroads, With a Touch of Off-Road Capability

At 192 kg fully fueled, the CL 500 is remarkably light for a motorcycle with a 19-inch front wheel and scrambler ambitions.

The CL 500 turns easily, tracks securely through corners, and has no problems in city traffic.

The engine delivers stronger acceleration than its specifications suggest. Drop down a gear and the CL 500 moves along briskly.

On dirt roads and light unpaved terrain, the CL 500 handles itself well thanks to its reasonably long suspension travel and more heavily treaded tires. But it is not an enduro.

The Assist and Slipper Clutch makes everyday riding with frequent gear changes more comfortable.

Riders describe the CL 500 as a motorcycle that makes you smile. That is not a marketing slogan, but a consistent assessment of its character and concept: no electronics overload, no heavy equipment, no racetrack ambitions—instead, a clear focus on accessible retro riding enjoyment.

Anyone looking for a motorcycle that works both as a lifestyle object and an everyday vehicle, while remaining customizable, affordable, and characterful, will find the CL 500 one of the best choices in Honda’s lineup.

Equipment: Deliberately Reduced—Three Accessory Packages for Customization, ABS as an Option

Standard equipment includes the 41 mm telescopic fork with rubber gaiters, SHOWA rear shocks with adjustable spring preload, single 310 mm front disc with two-piston caliper, Assist and Slipper Clutch, full LED lighting, round LCD display with improved readability since 2025, immobilizer, upswept twin-pipe exhaust with stainless-steel heat shield, rubber knee pads on the fuel tank, and 19-inch front wheel.

ABS is optional and recommended.

Accessory packages include Adventure, Style, and Travel. Individual accessories include saddlebags, luggage rack, taller seat, and much more.

2026 colors are Pearl Dusk Yellow, Matt Fresco Brown, Matt Laurel Green Metallic, and Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic.

Costs: €6,699 Including Destination Charges—Cheaper Than Royal Enfield Shotgun, More Expensive Than Triumph Speed 400

The price is €6,699 including destination charges, with all colors priced the same.

Market comparison: the Triumph Scrambler 400 X starts at €6,345 plus additional charges, with a 40 hp single-cylinder engine and A2 compliance. The Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 starts at €7,590, with a twin-cylinder A2 engine. The Kawasaki Z500 SE starts at €6,845 but is a naked bike rather than a scrambler.

The CL 500 positions itself as an upper-level entry point into the A2 scrambler segment: more Honda quality and more engine—twin-cylinder—than the cheaper competitors, but without the electronics equipment of the CB500 Hornet.

That is the concept.

The standard warranty is two years with unlimited mileage. A paid extension through Honda GarantiePlus is available.

Service intervals are every 12,000 km.

Verdict

The Honda CL 500 is the motorcycle for riders who know what they do not want: no TFT display, no IMU, no electronics packages—but instead an honest, light, customizable scrambler with a proven twin-cylinder engine and classic character.

€6,699 including destination charges.

 

Quick Check

+ Classic scrambler design inspired by the 1962 CL72: coherent down to the details

+ Proven CB 500 parallel twin, 47 hp A2—more character than the specifications suggest

+ Shorter rear gearing, 41-tooth sprocket versus CMX500 Rebel: better acceleration

+ 790 mm seat height: easily accessible, wide scrambler handlebar

+ 192 kg fully fueled: light and agile for a 19-inch-front-wheel concept

+ Euro 5+ since MY2025

+ Three accessory packages—Adventure, Style, Travel—for individual customization

+ Full LED lighting and immobilizer standard

+ Upswept twin-pipe exhaust with stainless-steel heat shield and rubber fork gaiters: attention to detail

+ €6,699 including destination charges: fair pricing

+ Light off-road use possible: 150 mm suspension travel, more heavily treaded tires

 

– 12-liter fuel tank: approx. 330 km range—limited for weekend touring

– LCD instead of TFT: no RoadSync, no smartphone connectivity

– Telescopic fork not adjustable

– No center stand—side stand only

– Not a genuine off-road motorcycle: insufficient suspension travel and tires for demanding terrain

– Warranty: two-year base warranty; extension through Honda GarantiePlus costs extra

 

Technical Specifications: Honda CL 500 (2026)

Country of Manufacture: Japan / Thailand

Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke parallel twin, DOHC, eight valves, PGM-FI fuel injection, Euro 5+

Displacement: 471 cc, 67 mm × 66.8 mm

Compression Ratio: 10.7:1

Power: 34.3 kW / 46.6 hp at 8,500 rpm; A2-compliant from the factory

Torque: 43.4 Nm at 6,250 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed; chain final drive; Assist and Slipper Clutch standard; 41-tooth rear sprocket for shorter gearing than CMX 500 Rebel

Frame: Steel diamond frame, developed specifically for CL 500

Front Suspension: 41 mm telescopic fork with rubber gaiters; 150 mm travel; non-adjustable

Rear Suspension: Twin SHOWA shocks; spring-preload adjustable

Front Brake: Single 310 mm floating disc; two-piston caliper

Rear Brake: 240 mm disc; single-piston caliper

ABS: Factory-equipped

Wheels: Aluminum wheels; 19-inch front, 17-inch rear

Front Tire: 110/80 R19

Rear Tire: 150/70 R17

Display: Round 100 mm LCD; negative display with bright characters on black background; five brightness levels; displays speed, gear, fuel level, time, and turn signals; improved readability since 2025. No TFT, no RoadSync

Lighting: Full LED standard

Security: Immobilizer standard

Exhaust: Upswept twin-pipe exhaust with perforated stainless-steel heat shield

Fully Fueled Weight: 192 kg

Seat Height: 790 mm

Wheelbase: 1,485 mm

Trail / Steering-Head Angle: 108 mm / 27 degrees

Fuel Capacity: 12 liters

Consumption / Range: 3.6 L/100 km; approx. 330 km range

License Class: A2

Accessory Packages: Adventure Package, Style Package, Travel Package; individual accessories include saddlebags, luggage rack, taller seat, and more

2026 Colors: Pearl Dusk Yellow, Matt Fresco Brown, Matt Laurel Green Metallic, Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic

Price in Germany: €6,699 including destination charges, all colors same price

Warranty: 2 years with unlimited mileage as standard; paid extension through Honda GarantiePlus available