Like earlier Honda CLs , the SCL500 has a parallel-Twin engine , but it ’ s liquid-cooled instead of air-cooled . The fork boots and high-routed exhaust were also found on Honda ’ s early scramblers .
2023 Honda SCL500
Scramblers had their heyday during the ’ 60s , which was before my time , but I ’ m a big fan of their spirit and style . 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 best word to describe the new- for- 2023 Honda SCL500 is “ playful .” It blends cool retro style with a user- friendly engine and chassis and a budget- friendly price .
Scramblers are perfect for Ventura , California , the coastal surf town that
I call home , and that ’ s exactly where Honda hosted its press launch for the SCL500 . A lightweight , no- frills motorcycle is great for bopping around city streets , cruising up the coast , exploring backroads , and even getting a little frisky in the dirt , though the only time we left the pavement during our test ride was to turn around in dirt pullouts during photo stops .
Inspiration for the SCL500 comes from Honda ’ s own back catalog , namely the 250cc CL72 from 1962- 65 and the 305cc CL77 from 1965- 67 . Like the
SCL500 , these early scramblers were based on streetbikes , and all three models share common styling elements : fork boots , knee pads on the gas tank , bench seats , high- routed exhausts , and twin rear shocks .
Another thing the SCL500 has in common with those early CLs is a parallel- Twin engine , though the older versions were air- cooled while the modern one has a radiator . The SCL ’ s 471cc Twin is a versatile mill that ’ s also found in the CBR500R sportbike , CB500F naked bike , CB500X adventure bike , and Rebel 500 cruiser . The last time we put any of these bikes on the dyno was 2017 . The CB500F made 46
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