The SCL500 is the latest addition to Honda’s lineup of 500cc motorcycles. It is inspired by the Scramblers of the 60’s and 70’s such as the CL350 & CL72. Honda is betting big on this bike in the hopes that it’ll be one of the most popular Scramblers on sale today. So is it good enough to earn that designation?
Performance
Engine – The Honda SCL 500 uses the same 471cc parallel-twin engine that is found in many other Honda 500 classes of motorcycles such as the CB500F or Rebel 500. It is liquid cooled and has electronic fuel injection for fast & easy startups. Honda doesn’t list the official power figures of this engine but from what I’ve been able to find from other publications, this engine should develop around 41 hp to 46 hp (30 kW – 34 kW). That’s not a whole lot of power for those that are looking to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than 3 seconds. But for a bike that weighs 192 kg (423 lbs), the power and low to mid-range torque is plenty for every day use. It’s also just enough for newer riders without it being too intimidating or getting bored of it after a few months like a 300cc motorcycle.
My one minor complaint with this engine is the jerky throttle response at lower gears. In 1st or 2nd gears, the engine feels jerky when applying a little bit of throttle. This is not as noticeable and much smoother to control in higher gears.
Fuel Economy – The 2024 SCL 500 has a small-ish gas tank at just 12 Liters (3.2 gallons). I managed to average 3.4 l/100km (69 MPG) during my time with the motorcycle. But despite the small size of the tank, I could have ridden the bike for approximately 350 km (217 miles) with a full tank of gas and my riding style.
Transmission – The 2024 Honda SCL 500 utilizes a 6-speed transmission to deliver the power. The gear shafts are smooth with a satisfying click as you engage the next gear. The bike has an assist/slipper clutch and the clutch lever is light. However, I never had any issues with over-revving the engine because of the light clutch pull. And finally, setting the transmission into neutral is easy, whether it be at a stop or while still moving just before arriving at a complete stop.
Braking – The SCL 500 uses a single 310mm front disc with two-piston clippers to provide the bulk of the braking force. The rear has a single 240 mm disc with a single piston caliper. It doesn’t take much effort from your fingers to immediately feel the bite of the front caliper on the disc. The brake lever has a firm feel but you will need to squeeze it harder at higher speeds in order to slow down the bike. The SCL 500 is equipped with standard ABS however, it cannot be turned off should you want to when riding on dirt tracks.
One small complaint I have, although it might be my boots, is with the use of the rear brake. Every time I wanted to use it, I could feel the upper portion of my boot hitting the side of the engine cover. This made it a bit more tricky to apply pressure to the rear brake lever. But again, this might just be in my unique case with my large boots.
Handling – The 2024 Honda SCL 500 is a narrow and nimble Scrambler. Its agility is immediately noticeable the moment you take this bike on winding mountain roads. It has a 19-inch wheel on the front and a 17-inch wheel at the back with a 150mm wide tire. The skinny tires provide ample grip on roads though I never tried to explore the limits of adhesion. The front is supported by 41mm forks with 5.9-inches of travel. The rear has two shocks with 5.7-inches of travel. There is some front end nose dive under heavier braking applications but the bike stays in control. On highways, the SCL500 remains stable without much feeling of the bike getting tossed around by crosswinds. Should you want to take this bike over the rough stuff, the soft suspension absorbs the rough trails with ease. The tires are not meant for any tough trails but for light gravel, or in my case grass field, they provide enough traction.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – With the long travel & soft suspension, the Honda SCL 500 can ride over bumps on the road like as though they’re not even there. I didn’t find myself slowing down for speed humps all that much and I didn’t swerve as often as I do in my own S1000RR when encountering a pothole.
Riding Position – At 6’4”, I am not the average height for riders. But even with my tall height, I felt very comfortable on the SCL 500. It has a seat height of 31.1-inches with a very upright riding position. The seat itself is well padded and wide enough for my body size. The foot pegs are wide and my legs have a comfortable riding angle. There are also built-in tank pads for better grip while riding.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The parallel-twin engine is fairly smooth for a two-cylinder engine. The vibrations at city rpms are not too bad in the handlebars but it does become more buzzy at higher rpms. The sound it produces is just like any other parallel-twin. It’s not too loud but neither is it all that pleasing, at least not to my ears.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2024 Honda SCL 500 will cost you $8,299 CAD ($6,799 USD). In Canada, it’s available in this Matte Laurel Green paint as well as Matte Black. In the United States, it’s also available in Candy Orange.
Gadgets – This is a very simple motorcycle. The controls on the handlebars are basic and straightforward to use. It has one digital instrument cluster which displays the speed, gear position, fuel level, and trip computer. However, it does not display the engine’s rpms. For me, it’s not a big deal because I know to upshift if the engine feels too buzzy and to downshift if it feels as though it’s chugging. But for newer riders, it may be a good idea to have some sort of tachometer. Additionally, this digital instrument cluster becomes difficult to see in direct sunlight conditions, which is usually when most riders go out for a ride. In the evenings and at dusk, it is easier to see.
Warranty – The 2024 Honda SCL 500 is covered by a 1 year / unlimited mileage warranty. You can opt for extended warranty which starts at $398 CAD for one additional year and can go up to $898 CAD for up to 4 years. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For American warranty information, click here.
Conclusion – Overall, the 2024 Honda SCL 500 is a no-nonsense motorcycle that is not intimidating to ride. This SCL is definitely geared towards more on-road rather than off-road riding. But it can provide riders a little taste of off-road riding without it being too intimidating like the Africa-Twin or something like that. Overall I like it but Honda can make a few tweaks to it here and there to make it even better.
Thank you to Honda Canada for providing the motorcycle. www.Honda.ca
2024 Honda SCL 500 Gallery
One question: The seat height is 31.1 inches would an individual with 30″ inseam have trouble operating this bike? I am currently negotiating a final price for an SCL 500. parkerowen1@yahoo.com
You might be tip toeing the bike but you should definitely go to your local dealership and try to get a test ride to make sure that you can handle the bike.
Hey, I watched the youtube video and one tweak you mentioned there was the rear break pressing to the cover- and a few other tweaks – what might they be? between this and another 500cc are there alternatives you’d recommend for suburban/city driving for new riders that are comfortable but have some pip? thanks