Motorbike using has this magical potential to move me from my day-to-day whirlwind stuffed with the pressures of contemporary life to a time that just about stands nonetheless. It doesn’t matter what has been happening in my day, as quickly because the faceshield clicks down or the goggle strap settles on my helmet, all the things else fades away. That is the great thing about two wheels and a twist of the throttle. Just about any bike has this impact on me, and the brand new 2023 Honda SCL500 provides that additional ingredient of time shifting, because it evokes an period when life really was slower and easier.
- Whereas the styling of the 2023 Honda SCL500 references the Honda twin-cylinder scramblers of the Sixties and early ’70s, it’s not meant for offroad using. The SCL500 borrows the engine and body from Honda’s Insurgent 500 cruiser, then provides neo-scrambler cues akin to a down-/up-swept exhaust, 19-/17-inch aluminum wheels with street-focused ADV tires, tank pads, and fork gaiters. Whilst you can actually take the SCL on a well-groomed filth highway with out undercarriage safety or knobby tires, off-road using is greatest prevented. That’s okay; you weren’t actually going to do this anyway—you simply need it to look the half (it does) whereas delivering a vastly satisfying trip on pavement.
- Ergonomics are all-day pleasant. The SCL350’s upright using place, the mid-position footpegs, and well-positioned handlebars maintain your physique relaxed as you cruise, er, scramble your approach down the backroads. The comfortable bench seat means you’re not locked into one place, and there’s room to ask a buddy onboard behind you. Additionally, the seating place permits a superb grip on the tank.
- The 2023 Honda SCL500 is novice-friendly, but nonetheless interesting to seasoned riders in search of a extra informal trip. The compact mid-size bike’s neo-retro look is non-intimidating and reassuring, inviting you to throw a leg over the seat in your supplier’s showroom. With a 31-inch seat top, it’s not low-slung just like the Insurgent, however is 1.6 inches decrease than the Honda CRF300LS lowered dual-sport bike. A free-spirited scrambler persona requires some additional floor clearance, so the SCL has practically six inches of wheel journey at each ends. The twin shocks are spring-preload adjustable as a result of that bench seat is a buddy/passenger magnet.
- The SCL500’s non-adjustable suspension is properly tuned and by no means felt unsettled. The suspension is agency sufficient for arduous braking into tight turns within the canyons, but it’s not harsh round city. Whereas the trip will not be plush, a lot of the chunk of the well-worn city/suburban panorama is decently lowered because the ribbed seat contributes to a snug trip.
- Easy and torquey, the acquainted minutely oversquare DOHC 471cc parallel-twin engine requires no managing. Pulling away from a cease is stress-free, because the forgiving engine has no hitches within the energy supply. The clutch has an help perform that lightens the pull—at all times good round city. Shifting by way of the six-speed transmission is bound, predictable, and with out false neutrals. You’ll simply get 150 miles between fill-ups of the three.2-gallon gasoline tank, and perhaps even so far as 200 miles.
- The 2023 Honda SCL500 has sufficient spunk for rousing rides within the canyons. Whereas tooling down the backroads between the citrus groves on a summer season afternoon is its personal pleasure, the dual is able to dash alongside twisting asphalt when it will get the prospect. Twist the throttle arduous on the SCL, and you’ll benefit from the adrenalin increase that comes from pushing a smaller engine arduous. The throttle response is nice, and the dealing with is properly impartial, supplying you with gobs of confidence to slalom by way of the switchbacks.
- Effectively-matched brakes with inventory ABS increase self-assurance and allow you to discover your boundaries. The SCL500 has a single 310mm disc brake and conventional two-piston Nissin caliper to maintain the pace of the 419-pound bike in test, and it’s completely suited to the bike’s capabilities and viewers. Response on the adjustable lever is dialed in excellent for newer riders, with a mushy preliminary engagement so nobody is caught out ought to they over-grab the lever. Nonetheless, sturdy deceleration is out there whenever you squeeze it firmly, sufficient to encourage a vigorous romp. The rear 240mm disc is equally applicable for its supplemental duties, and the ABS is unobtrusive. The slipper clutch can also be on the prepared to stop rear wheel skipping do you have to downshift too aggressively.
- Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires look the half—classic scramblers didn’t have knobbies—and are safe on pavement. Though Trailmax is within the identify, the key phrase is Mixtour, as these are ADV touring tires. The arrogance-inspiring tires inspired me to lean into turns with out fear. I by no means had an anxious rubber-to-road-disconnect second from the canyons to downtown.
- The SCL500 is freeway-capable, so scramble to work should you like. Surprisingly, the upright seating place, vast handlebar, and no wind-deflecting cowling don’t contribute to a big windblast. I had the SCL as much as 83 mph on an overtake, and the bike felt planted. Commuters will like that the Dunlops don’t complain concerning the rain grooves on city freeways. The mirrors keep easy at greater rpm, giving a superb view behind you. Not that that is how one spends high quality time on the SCL, however it’s good to know it will probably deal with this obligation.
- Trendy touches mix with old-school styling. The spherical LED headlight throws a vibrant mild, maintaining you seen to surrounding automobiles, and the crisp LCD sprint shows the mandatory fundamentals digitally. Pace, gear indicator, and time are appropriately sized for straightforward studying at a look, together with a gasoline gauge. You may scroll by way of journey meters and gasoline consumption knowledge.
- There are over 20 accent gadgets obtainable. A firmer brown tall seat is out there, including an additional inch-plus to the seat top—for less than $65. Different choices tackle sensible issues (rear service, left-side-only saddlebag, prime case), or you possibly can lean into the off-road look (handguards, quantity plate/headlight cowling, and high-mounted auxiliary entrance fender). Chilly-weather wimps like me can add heated grips out of the catalog.
- The 2023 Honda SCL500 is a way of life assertion that’s additionally purposeful. The scrambler aesthetic resonates with those that grew up on the unique scramblers, in addition to a brand new era of riders drawn to the relaxed vibe of a bygone period. At its core, the SCL500 is not any completely different from a Sixties scrambler—it’s all about enjoyable at a pleasingly reasonably priced value.
RIDING STYLE
2023 Honda SCL500 Specs
ENGINE
- Sort: Parallel twin canted ahead 21 levels
- Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 66.8mm
- Displacement: 471cc
- Compression ratio: 10.7:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 valves per cylinder
- Fueling: EFI w/ 34mm throttle our bodies
- Transmission: Six-speed
- Clutch: Moist multiplate w/ help and slip capabilities
- Ultimate drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Metal-tube trellis
- Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable 41mm fork; 5.3 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Spring-preload adjustable nitrogen-gas shocks; 5.7 inches
- Wheels: Solid aluminum
- Tires: Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour
- Entrance tire: 110/80 x 19
- Rear tire: 150/70 x 17
- Entrance brake: 310mm disc w/ Nissin 2-piston caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ Nissin single-piston caliper
- ABS: 2-channel
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.5 inches
- Rake: 27.0 levels
- Path: 4.3 inches
- Floor clearance: 6.1 inches
- Seat top: 31.1 inches
- Gasoline capability: 3.2 gallons
- Curb weight: 419 kilos
- Colours: Sweet Orange; Matte Laurel Inexperienced Metallic
2023 Honda SCL500 Worth: $6799 MSRP
2023 Honda SCL500 Overview Picture Gallery
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