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The Honda CL500 is a 471cc, A2-compatible street scrambler with a 790mm seat and 192kg kerb weight in Honda’s European 23YM specification. It is designed for road use and rough streets, with some ability for uneven dirt roads—not as a dedicated off-road motorcycle. Here are the key fit, licensing, equipment and ownership details, with model-year and regional limits made clear.
1. What kind of motorcycle is the Honda CL500?
Honda calls the CL500 a street scrambler. Its styling takes cues from the CL nameplate, while Honda’s stated intended use includes rough urban streets and uneven dirt roads. The company summed up the styling brief as “Simple, Raw and Tough” in its 23YM launch release.
That positioning is not proof of independent off-road performance. The European 23YM specification lists 155mm of ground clearance and cast-aluminium wheels, details worth considering if your routes regularly include rocks, ruts or other demanding terrain. Treat it as a road-focused motorcycle with some rough-road intent, rather than a serious off-road machine.
2. Is the Honda CL500 A2 compliant, and is it good for beginners?
Honda describes the CL500 as A2 compatible. Its European 23YM engine specification is 471cc, producing 34.3kW at 8,500rpm and 43.4Nm at 6,250rpm. Whether a particular bike qualifies for your licence depends on the rules where you live and how that motorcycle is registered; check with your local licensing authority before buying.
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Those specifications can make the CL500 a candidate for a newer rider who meets the relevant licence requirements, but they do not establish that it will suit every beginner. Consider its 192kg kerb weight, your ability to manage it at low speed, the seat reach and your experience. A test sit—and a test ride if available—will tell you more about personal fit than the seat-height figure alone.
3. How tall is the Honda CL500 seat, and how heavy is it?
Honda’s European 23YM technical sheet gives the CL500 a 790mm seat height, 192kg kerb weight, 1,485mm wheelbase and 155mm ground clearance. These figures describe that model-year specification; confirm the numbers for the bike and market you are considering.
Seat height does not tell you exactly how comfortably you will reach the ground. Inseam, seat shape and suspension sag all affect the feel. Honda UK also notes that a taller optional seat is available. Sit on the motorcycle in riding boots, and assess whether you can balance it comfortably when stopped.
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4. What engine and transmission does it have?
The European 23YM CL500 uses a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 471cc parallel-twin engine. Honda lists peak output at 34.3kW at 8,500rpm and maximum torque at 43.4Nm at 6,250rpm. The figures are manufacturer specifications, not independent performance-test results.
Honda pairs the engine with a six-speed manual gearbox, a wet multiplate assist/slipper clutch and chain final drive. If you are comparing motorcycles, consider these alongside licence eligibility, how the bike feels at low speed, and the maintenance needs of a chain drive.
5. Can the Honda CL500 go off-road?
Honda says the CL500 is intended to handle uneven dirt roads as well as rough urban streets. That supports light, suitable unpaved-road use, but it does not establish capability on technical trails or in demanding off-road conditions.
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The European 23YM specification lists a 41mm telescopic fork with 150mm travel, twin rear shocks with five-step preload adjustment, a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel. It also specifies cast-aluminium wheels and 155mm ground clearance. Those details are relevant when assessing rough terrain; they do not turn the bike into a dedicated trail machine. Match the motorcycle to the surface, your experience and the consequences of a fall.
6. What safety and display equipment does it have?
Honda’s European 23YM specification lists two-channel ABS, a 310mm front disc with a two-piston caliper and a 240mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper. It also lists LED lighting and an LCD meter. Equipment can differ by year and market, so check the local specification for the exact motorcycle rather than assuming every CL500 has the same details.
7. What changed on the 2025 model?
Honda’s 25YM press kit identifies ECU and OBD2-2 sensor updates to meet Euro5+ requirements, revised seat and footpeg details, and an updated LCD meter. Those changes apply to the 25YM information in that press kit; do not assume they are present on an older motorcycle or on every market’s model-year version. Confirm the year and local specification before comparing bikes or ordering parts.
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8. Is the CL500 practical for touring?
Honda’s European 23YM sheet gives a 12L fuel tank and standardized WMTC consumption of 27.7km/L. WMTC is a manufacturer-reported test figure, not a promise of real-world consumption or a dependable range for a particular ride. Weather, speed, load, route and riding style can affect fuel use, so plan refuelling conservatively.
Honda’s 23YM Travel Pack lists a soft saddlebag, heated grips, an ACC socket, an adjustable brake lever and a tank pad. This shows an accessory route toward longer trips, but it does not establish current stock, compatibility with every model year or availability in your country. Check fitment and supply with a local Honda dealer before relying on an accessory for a trip.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.9. What accessories can you get for the CL500?
Honda’s European 23YM release describes three accessory packs. Their contents are a useful starting point for deciding what you might want, not confirmation that a pack is currently sold or fits every market and model year.
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| Pack | Items listed by Honda for 23YM | Potential use |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Pack | Soft saddlebag, heated grips, ACC socket, adjustable brake lever and tank pad | Comfort and carrying items on longer trips |
| Adventure Pack | Knuckle guards, high front mudguard, rear shock cover and rally footpegs | Changing the bike’s styling and adding hand protection or footpeg options |
| Style Pack | Headlight cowl, stripes, side-cover details and high seat | Appearance changes and an alternative seat |
Ask a Honda dealer to confirm the accessory’s part number, installation requirements, and fitment for your country and model year before purchase.
10. What should you check before buying?
Use the specifications as a shortlist, then verify the details that depend on the specific bike and location.
- Licence: Confirm local A2 eligibility for the motorcycle as registered.
- Fit: Sit on the bike and assess reach, balance and low-speed control; do not rely on the 790mm seat figure alone.
- Use: Decide whether your riding is mainly paved roads and occasional suitable dirt roads, or requires a more off-road-focused setup.
- Year and equipment: Check the local specification, especially if comparing a 25YM bike with an earlier model.
- Touring needs: Check passenger and luggage requirements, and confirm accessory fitment and availability locally.
- Local buying details: Confirm current price, warranty, stock and dealer support in your country. The available Honda UK specification and price page does not establish a usable current price here.
Honda’s UK CL500 overview provides a market-specific product reference. For technical details, compare the exact bike with Honda’s European 23YM launch release and 25YM press kit; local listings may differ.
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