New Honda CL500 Arrives with Classy Retro Style
Honda’s middleweight scrambler takes a trip down memory lane as it draws inspiration from CL models of the past, and in doing so gets a retro style
The new 2025 Honda CL500 is largely unchanged from a mechanical point of view compared to the most recent CL500 which hit the market in 2023, but there are some minor changes for the retro-looking scrambler.
These are from a visual perspective and with the ergonomics of the bike, as the 471cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke four-valve two-cylinder engine remains the same as the previous generation model.
The CL500 remains A2-licence friendly thanks to its 45.9bhp output while also making 32Ib ft of torque. The chassis includes a refined tubular steel trellis-style main frame for improved handling. The CL500’s suspension comprises 41mm telescopic forks and adjustable rear shocks while the wheels feature a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear set-up, using Dunlop block-pattern tyres.
A low seat height of 790mm offers easy ground clearance and there’s also a new urethane foam material for enhanced comfort. It’s also designed to cover the frame rails for standing up and a lower rear section for easy pillion access. It detaches easily with the ignition key and features a tucked-away helmet holder.
Newly developed footpeg positioning is matched to a revised seat construction for better rider comfort. Both front and rear brakes feature ABS modulation specifically balanced for excellent performance on a variety of surfaces, including light off-road.
The CL500 also features a revised PGM-FI fuel injection mapping (updated for 25MY for OBD2-2 compliance) and a different intake and exhaust system. When it comes to acceleration through each gear the rear sprocket uses 41 teeth, a slight increase versus the 40 that’s used by the CMX500 Rebel.
The 471cc displacement features across both bikes although the Rebel features a parallel-twin compared to the CL500’s four-stroke engine which also produces an extra 0.3bhp at the same 8500rpms. The new CL500 also features a bigger fuel capacity of 12 litres compared to the 11.2 litres found on the Rebel.
The CL’s additions for 2025 also include new LED lighting front and rear, a compact negative LCD instrument panel, as well as the latest safety systems such as Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) technology that operates the rear indicators as hazard lights under sudden, hard braking.
The low-set 175mm diameter headlight includes four LED bulbs with thick inner lenses for a distinctive appearance. Small, 55mm circular LED indicators sit either side of a thin, ovalized LED taillight.
The CL500 will be available in a total of four colours, two of which are new, and they include Pearl Dusk Yellow and Matt Fresco Brown, alongside the current options of Matt Laurel Green Metallic and Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic.
Honda is also offering customers the option to buy any one of three accessory packs, including the Adventure, Style and Travel options. The Adventure pack features rally footpegs, a flatter high Seat, wheel stripes, and central tank pad.
A cosmetic boost from a headlight cowl, cowl stripe, rear side cover, rear side cover stripe, knuckle guards, high front mudguard and rear suspension cover, all of them finished in black, can be found in the Style pack. Meanwhile, the Travel pack includes a soft saddlebag, heated grips, ACC socket and adjustable brake lever.
Find all the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com.
After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
