Honda has confirmed that its all-new CL500, revealed at the EICMA motorcycle show today, will indeed hit local showrooms in the second quarter of next year.
The Honda CL500 is positioned as a ‘street scrambler’, built on the same platform as its affordably priced CB500F, CB500X, CBR500R and CMX500 siblings, with a 471cc parallel-twin engine. Pricing for the CL500 has yet to be locked in.
Honda has clearly designed the CL500 to be approachable and easy-to-ride for new motorcyclists, with a seat height of 790mm and upright ergonomics. With the 12-litre tank filled, the CL500 tips the scales at 192 kilograms.
The ‘scrambler’ aesthetic is visible via the upswept exhaust, round LED headlight and tuck-roll seat, while standard equipment is kept minimal with a small round LCD dash, 41mm forks (150mm travel) and a single two-piston front caliper squeezing a 310mm disc. Cast wheels measure 19- and 17-inches front-to-back.
Honda will release the Honda CL500 in Australia in four colour schemes: Candy Caribbean Blue Sea, Candy Energy Orange, Matte Laurel Green, Matte Gunpowder Black.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
