Honda scl500 review

We first saw the Honda SCL chassis in patent drawings years ago, a modification of the Rebel frame.

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.

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. The shift assist up and down is fantastic, the gear clicks over into the next with a solid thunk.

The Staff. View Gallery. Honda's SCL delivers that aesthetic aplenty, with a leather bench seat, brushed aluminum for the exhaust cover, and almost knobby tires.

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.

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. The shift assist up and down is fantastic, the gear clicks over into the next with a solid thunk.

Hitmonlee weakness

I would assume and we all know what happens when one does that - that potential litigation from riders and especially passengers with burnt legs prevents the comeback of the true high mounted exhausts. The little twin just putters smoothly enough without too much chop, and the exhaust routing never gets too loud nor too hot. A cc parallel twin motor carries over from the Rebel, CBRR, and CBX , while higher exhaust routing increases ground clearance in classic fashion, along with a larger front wheel, retro rear dampers, and front fork bellows. To my eye, the two round tips on the silver cap at the end positioned against the matte black flatness kind of makes me think of a LEGO. When asked to lean over and hustle through curves, the overall weight and inch front wheel create a nimble, almost tossable, nature to the SCL nonetheless. Commenting Guidelines. The aesthetic of the exhaust on the SCL may or may not appeal to you. The higher exhaust routing, larger wheels, higher handlebars, and fenders all served a purpose back then, too, as Honda sent Dave Ekins and Bill Robertson Jr to ride down through Baja California in a PR stunt. Northeast U. Below, we have a photo gallery of the ride, with some observations from the launch. Where I found the Fireblade almost impossible to ride comfortably at 6'1" tall with long limbs, the Scrambler's upright geometry helped my wrists and knees relax noticeably. Close but no cigar. Who designs this crap!! What's New? Positive shift pedal engagement never left me in doubt whether I had engaged the next gear up or down, and even the turn signal switchgear on the left grip switched on and off with a satisfactory little click much better than the Fireblade's, in fact, despite the fractional pricing.

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.

With my inch inseam, I was a little folded up on the SCL with its low Photo: Drew Ruiz. 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. Up past about 75 miles an hour in fifth or sixth gear, though, those cubic centimeters reach the edge of potential performance. Like all bikes, that depends on who those riders are and what they're looking for. All rights reserved. Once I got used to the clutch, it was extremely simple to ride. My Scrambler came equipped with ABS, though I never gave a strong enough yank into the brakes to find that mesh point. Maybe a set of lower handlebars to accentuate a cafe racer look yes, I know, that's not particularly in the vein of Baja riding, but taste is subjective after all. The gauge screen's tinting and lighting often make actually reading the display somewhat difficult, in glare or direct sunlight and especially with a tinted helmet visor. That Scrambler market keeps expanding, though. Pulling the into brake lever, meanwhile, causes that bit of nose dive, too, even if the single front disc with Nissin two-piston caliper never feels particularly bitey.