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Within the final couple of weeks Honda has dropped a complete lot of Rebels on an unsuspecting world. We noticed the debut of the model new 1100T and the return of the 1100 commonplace mannequin, in addition to a batch of Rebel 300 and 500 fashions returning for the 2023 mannequin yr, in each Europe and the US.
And it appears like Honda’s not carried out with the Insurgent platform but. Final week at EICMA the agency rolled out the model new scrambler-styled CL500, reviving the enduring nameplate featured prominently on the model’s scramblers within the Nineteen Sixties-70s.
Regardless of the CL identify, this new mannequin is predicated on Honda’s Insurgent 500 cruiser platform. Regardless that we’d heard rumors a few Honda retro-scrambler over the past yr, we by no means actually thought-about the Insurgent as a attainable basis. But right here we’re, taking a look at a street-legal, production-ready 2023 CL500 mannequin, already formally up on the Honda UK web site as we communicate.
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To be truthful, Honda didn’t simply take the Insurgent 500 and match it with longer shocks, a flat seat and knobby tires and name it good, though it did add a few of these issues. Whereas the liquid-cooled 471cc parallel twin engine the CL500 shares with each the Insurgent and the CB500X is just about unchanged right here, it’s a great match for the applying, making round 45 horsepower and a good 32 lb-ft of torque. Honda has tweaked it a bit, giving the CL500 revised gas injection mapping and a brand new consumption and exhaust setup. For crisper acceleration, CL’s rear sprocket additionally has 41 tooth versus the 40 utilized by the Insurgent.
However the CL500 serves up different revisions the place it counts, stuffing that twin engine into what it calls a “new tubular metal trellis-style most important body.” It’s really pretty near the Insurgent’s, although on the CL500 there’s a brand new modified loop-shaped rear subframe to accommodate the taller shocks. That long-travel suspension additional differentiates the CL; up entrance there’s a non-adjustable right-side-up 41mm telescopic fork sporting basic black gaiters and delivering a wholesome 5.9 inches of journey. Out again you’re greeted by a pair of long-stroke uncovered twin shocks with 5.7 inches of journey and 5-step spring preload adjustment (3 up from commonplace, 1 down), hooked up to a easy however sturdy tubular swingarm. Substantial triple clamps are additionally CL-specific, whereas the 19-inch entrance and 17-inch rear wheels put on semi-knobby tires, a tough break from the Insurgent’s smaller-diameter 16-inchers. That stated, there’s nonetheless solely 6 inches of floor clearance on the CL, so maintaining off-road forays on the gentle aspect might be most secure.
The trade-off for greater wheels and longer journey suspension is invariably a taller seat, however at 31.1 inches, the CL500 nonetheless looks like it’d be manageable for many riders. The additional room within the cockpit means there are additionally higher-rise handlebars, angled to supply higher leverage when both standing up or sitting down and fitted with off-road type grips
Associated: Honda Europe Unveils 2023 Monkey and Rebel Models
The CL500′s brakes are set as much as match its informal off-road objective as nicely, with a two-piston entrance caliper clamping a 310mm floating disc. Hydraulic stress is balanced between the entrance and the rear single-piston caliper, to serve up “higher management on a wider vary of surfaces” in accordance with Honda. The ABS modulation can also be tweaked for quite a lot of using situations. The six-speed gearbox is managed by an help and slipper clutch, which likewise seems to be unchanged from the Insurgent unit.
Whereas there’s no getting across the apparent Insurgent 500 design language employed on the CL500, the entire enchilada makes for a surprisingly handsome combo. The visible division will get assist from a brand new tank that’s extra rounded and extra horizontally laid out in comparison with the awkward vertical tilt of the Insurgent 500′s. Maybe the most important wart on the bike, although, is that egregiously outsized high-mounted exhaust muffler. Little doubt there’s a cat hidden in there, however it’s nonetheless the primary piece on the bike we’d change out.
Additionally borrowed from the Insurgent is the LED lighting bundle, in addition to the single-gauge LCD show perched simply above the handlebar. There’s nothing significantly sophisticated, however then this isn’t a tech-packed bike.
Honda additionally launched a sequence of equipment and bundled kits for the bike, together with a fly display screen, saddlebags, hand guards and even a prime field. The rear subframe is designed for simple fitment of components, whereas an extra rear rack will deal with the 38L prime field.
With 4 vibrant paint choices to present the CL500 some punch, Honda has additionally made it fairly clear it’s focusing on a younger and considerably style-conscious demographic. Whether or not or not meaning the bike will make it into the palms of younger US riders stays to be seen.
2023 Honda CL 500 Specs
| MSRP: | NA |
|---|---|
| Engine: | Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke 4-valve parallel twin |
| Displacement: | 471cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | 67 x 66.8mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 10.7:1 |
| Transmission/Closing Drive: | 6-speed/chain |
| Claimed Horsepower: | 46 hp @ 8,500 rpm |
| Claimed Torque: | 32 lb.-ft. @ 6,250 rpm |
| Gasoline System: | Digital gas injection |
| Clutch: | Moist, multiplate; slip and help |
| Body: | Tubular metal |
| Entrance Suspension: | 41mm typical fork, 5.9 in. journey |
| Rear Suspension: | Twin shocks, preload adjustable, 5.7 in journey |
| Entrance Brake: | Single 310mm floating disc, two-piston caliper, ABS |
| Rear Brake: | 240mm disc, one-piston caliper, ABS |
| Wheels, Entrance/Rear: | Forged aluminum; 19 x 0.5 in. / 17 x 0.5 in. |
| Tires, Entrance/Rear: | 110/80-19 / 150/70-17 |
| Rake/Path: | 27° / 4.2 in. |
| Floor clearance: | 6.10 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 58.5 in. |
| Seat Peak: | 31.1 in. |
| Gasoline Capability: | 3.17 gal. |
| Claimed Curb Weight: | 423 lb. |
| Contact: | powersports.honda.com |
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