Honda scl500 review

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 honda scl500 review time away.

They embody a carefree attitude and the freedom to go wherever, as well as a simplicity not offered by many modern, hyper-focused bikes. 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 pull-outs during photo stops. Like the SCL, these early scramblers were based on streetbikes, and all three models share common styling elements: fork gaiters, knee pads on the gas tank, bench seats, high-routed exhausts, and twin rear shocks. Another thing the SCL 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 last time we put any of these bikes on the dyno was The CBF made 46 hp and 31 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel, and the Rebel made 41 hp and 30 lb-ft. Swing a leg over the SCL, thumb the starter button, drop it into gear, and then just ride.

Honda scl500 review

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. Max output is a claimed 45 hp and 32 lb-ft of torque. The steel tube frame is pretty similar to the Rebel as well, with Like most scramblers, the SCL runs on basic dual coilover shocks, with five-way adjustability and 5. The fork appears to be basic and non-adjustable, with 5. The front wheel is a incher, and the rear wheel is a incher, as seen on most scramblers. Claimed curb weight is lb. Skip to content. Photo: Honda Motorcycle.

The pipes are painted not enameled so in a year they will be a scratched up rusty eye sorechrome would have been nice to offset the black blob of the motor. Another thing the SCL 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, 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.

They embody a carefree attitude and the freedom to go wherever, as well as a simplicity not offered by many modern, hyper-focused bikes. 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 pull-outs during photo stops. Like the SCL, these early scramblers were based on streetbikes, and all three models share common styling elements: fork gaiters, knee pads on the gas tank, bench seats, high-routed exhausts, and twin rear shocks. Another thing the SCL 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 last time we put any of these bikes on the dyno was

Honda scl500 review

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. Easing off the throttle in a turn tends to stand the bike up just enough to notice. While a seasoned rider may not mind the feedback, a newer rider may be surprised.

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Just check out the exhaust routing, which on the modern version does travel at the very bottom of the frame unlike on early Scramblers. The aesthetic of the exhaust on the SCL may or may not appeal to you. 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. Look at the CRFL for comparison. All that said, the sound of the stock exhaust is rather pleasant—especially when you have cause to open it up and let it growl at higher revs, as you most certainly will do when riding on the highway. Duken4evr on Sep 03, The pipes are painted not enameled so in a year they will be a scratched up rusty eye sore , chrome would have been nice to offset the black blob of the motor. South U. Claimed curb weight is lb. Please enter your name here. 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.

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.

A thought crossed my mind while envisioning where I would take this fun little bike — it may be the perfect tag-along for someone who subscribes to the overlanding or RV lifestyle. Email: tips rideapart. We're a long way from the Fireblade, to be certain, but hauling my pounds around never strained the Scrambler on city streets, where it felt happiest tooling around in third and fourth gear between 35 and 55 miles an hour. Swing a leg over the SCL, thumb the starter button, drop it into gear, and then just ride. That 3. If you want to entice us old guys, a retro needs both cylinders pipes high mounted on the left side, chromed with dual outlets, chromed shin guards. This thing is ugly as hell! What's New? That Scrambler market keeps expanding, though. The gas tank, borrowed from the Rebel but mounted flatter than on that dedicated cruiser, comes in either orange or green—of course, Honda gave out the iridescent orange for this press loaner to pop in photos. As I got going, the slip and assist clutch took a little bit of getting used to.