Honda joins the scrambler craze late in the game with new CL500

Honda unveils CL500 at EICMA

Honda joined the current scrambler craze quite late in the game as they resurrect the CL badge with the new CL500 during this year’s EICMA in Milan, Italy.

CL500

Obviously, the “new” CL500 is just a Rebel 500 tweaked to stand like a modern scrambler. It is powered by the same 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine that produces about 48 PS of power and 43 Nm of torque.

According to Honda, the new CL500 “strikes a rich retro vein, with inspiration from the original CLs of the 60s and 70s.” additionally, Honda says that the new CL500 is aimed at the “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.”

ABS only

The CL500 features no electronic riding aids except ABS, has all-LED lighting, compact negative LCD screen, and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology where hazard lights will automatically operate during sudden and hard braking.

The CL500 also has a set of dual-sport tires on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear tires; and a scrambler-inspired exhaust pipe.

Philippine availability and pricing are yet to be announced by Honda Philippines.