EICMA: 2023 Honda CL500

The 2023 Honda CL500 unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show overnight is another modern version of a long-lost moniker. Harking back to the 60-year-old Honda CL72, the new Honda CL500 represents a new twist and a new contender in the popular street scrambler segment.

Powered by the same 471cc eight-valve parallel-twin found in the firm’s current LAMS-approved CB and CMX line-ups, it’s good for 47hp (35kW) of power at 8600rpm and 43Nm of torque at 6500pm.

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There are plenty of styling cues to remind you of the new bike’s heritage, including rubber fork gaiters, a high-rise twin-outlet exhaust, tank inserts, a single high-mounted handlebar and a circular headlight. Adding to the look is a 19-inch front wheel matched to a 17-inch rear, which are wrapped in tyres boasting a chunky tread pattern to complete the scrambler look.

A single-disc front brake sits at the base of a conventional and non-adjustable 41mm fork, while twin shocks look after the damping at the rear and offer five-step preload adjustability.

The CL500’s seat is a largely accessible 790mm in height, the instruments are a basic LCD affair and electronic rider aids are limited to ABS.

The new LAMS offering is expected to hit Australian dealerships in the second quarter of 2023 and will be available in four colours: Candy Caribbean Blue Sea, Candy Energy Orange, Matte Gunpowder Black or Matte Laurel Green.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but given the similarities between the CL500 and Benelli’s popular Leoncino 500 – especially in the Matt Laurel Green livery – expect the retail price to be somewhere within the Leoncino’s $9890 (ride away) ballpark.