Short answer: the Honda SCL500 review verdict is that Honda’s retro scrambler is one of the easiest, most charming mid-size bikes on sale in America — a 471cc parallel twin with friendly power, a low 31.1-inch seat, and a 2026 price of $6,999 plus $600 destination. This Honda SCL500 review covers the current US bike, not a discontinued model: Honda still lists the SCL500 for 2026, and the American run stretches unbroken from its June 2023 launch to today. It is not a Rebel 500 with knobby tyres, not a dirt bike, and not a European import with a different badge — it is a street-focused scrambler that trades outright performance for style, simplicity, and fun.
One framing fact belongs up front in any honest Honda SCL500 review: this bike wins on character, not figures. Honda USA publishes no horsepower figure for it, no American magazine has measured a 0-60 or quarter-mile time, and its top speed is only a 95–100 mph estimate. Judged on paper alone, the SCL500 looks modest. Judged on the road, where its light feel, upright position, and torquey twin matter more than its dyno sheet, this Honda SCL500 review finds a motorcycle that makes everyday riding genuinely delightful.
Honda SCL500 Overview and Model-Year Updates
The SCL500 arrived in America in June 2023 as Honda’s return to the scrambler nameplate, and this Honda SCL500 review starts with its staying power: four model years with no skipped year, no mechanical changes, and a price that has barely moved. For a rider who wants retro looks without vintage headaches, that combination of a proven engine, modern brakes, and Honda reliability is rare at this price.
US Launch in June 2023 as the Rebel-Based Scrambler
US launch in June 2023 as the Rebel-based scrambler is the origin story every Honda SCL500 review should get right. The SCL500 shares the 471cc parallel-twin engine family and the main frame with the Rebel 500, but it is its own model: a model-specific air intake, a new subframe, a high-mounted exhaust, a 19-inch front wheel, a flat scrambler seat, taller suspension, and a 41-tooth rear sprocket. The heritage is real too — Honda’s CL72 (1962–65) and CL77 (1965–67) scramblers wore the same high-pipe, flat-seat formula, and the new bike deliberately echoes them. For the measured performance behind this Honda SCL500 review, see our Honda SCL500 performance guide.
Called CL500 in Europe: Same Bike, US Name and Model ID SCL500A
Called CL500 in Europe, the bike is the same motorcycle with a different badge — and this Honda SCL500 review keeps that straight because European reviews and parts listings use the CL500 name. The US model ID is SCL500A, and the 2026 model code is SCL500AT. That matters when shopping for accessories or reading overseas tests: a CL500 review from Britain describes the same 471cc twin, the same chassis, and the same scrambler styling, even when its price is in pounds and its colours differ. What does not cross over is specification trivia — European figures should never be pasted onto the US bike without a label, a rule this Honda SCL500 review follows throughout.
Honda SCL500 Engine and Specifications
The engine is the heart of this Honda SCL500 review, and it is also where the most confusion lives. Several different power figures circulate for this bike, and they are not interchangeable — this Honda SCL500 review keeps every one in its own labelled box, and never borrows the Rebel 500’s numbers.
471cc Parallel-Twin at 10.7:1 With 34mm Throttle Bodies
The Honda SCL500 review engine is a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel twin — 67.0 by 66.8 mm bore and stroke, 10.7:1 compression, PGM-FI through 34 mm throttle bodies, a six-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch, and a #520 O-ring chain. Yes, a slipper clutch: unlike some smaller Hondas, the SCL500 does have one, and this Honda SCL500 review states that plainly. On power, the boxes stay separate: Honda USA publishes no figure; Cycle World’s dyno measured 39.6 hp at 8,100 rpm and 28.6 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm at the rear wheel; Rider’s line of “about 46 hp at the rear wheel” is the European crank claim mislabelled, not a measured figure; the European crank claim itself sits around 46–47 hp; and Motorcyclist’s “nearly 40 hp at the rear tire” lines up with the Cycle World dyno. Rider’s first ride confirms the engine’s character: friendly, smooth, and easy to ride, with enough midrange to be fun without ever feeling intimidating.
One-Tooth Larger Rear Sprocket Than the Rebel 500: 41 Against 40
One tooth larger on the rear sprocket than the Rebel 500 — 41 against 40 — is a small change with a real effect, and this Honda SCL500 review calls it out because it is the easiest proof that the SCL500 is not just a rebadged Rebel. The taller gearing suits the scrambler’s 19-inch front wheel and its relaxed, upright riding style, giving a touch more spring off the line. The rest of the 2026 specification sheet reads: 41 mm fork, dual rear shocks with 5.7 inches of travel, a single 310 mm front disc with two-piston calipers and ABS, a 240 mm rear disc with a one-piston caliper, 27.0 degrees of rake, 4.3 inches of trail, a 58.4-inch wheelbase, a 31.1-inch seat height, and a 3.2-gallon tank. Fork travel carries a conflict this Honda SCL500 review reports both ways: Honda’s spec page says 5.9 inches, Rider’s first-ride text says 5.3 inches.
Honda SCL500 Price and Market Availability
Price is where this Honda SCL500 review turns enthusiastic, because the sticker has barely moved in four years — and the 2026 increase is small enough that leftover older bikes now look like genuine bargains.
Honda SCL500 Price in the USA: $6,799 Until $6,999 for 2026
The Honda SCL500 review price in the USA is $6,999 plus $600 destination for 2026, for $7,599 before tax and dealer fees. The ladder behind it is flat: $6,799 for 2023, 2024, and 2025, then $6,999 for 2026 — a $200 rise across four model years. That undercuts the Triumph Scrambler 400 X only narrowly in reverse: the Triumph asks $6,195 for 2026, so the Honda costs about $800 more, but brings a bigger twin, Honda’s dealer network, and a transferable one-year limited warranty. Leftover-new stock can undercut the new sticker sharply: advertised dealer prices for leftover 2024 bikes in November 2026 included $5,299, $4,995, and $5,869 — all labelled as advertised dealer prices, not MSRP cuts. For the servicing costs behind the sticker, see our Honda SCL500 reliability guide.
US Colour Story: Matte Black Only for 2025 and 2026
US colour story: Matte Black Metallic only for 2025 and 2026, and this Honda SCL500 review calls that a narrowing, not a tragedy. The launch bike wore Candy Orange, and 2024 dealer listings show three colours — Matte Black Metallic (new for 2024), Candy Orange, and Matte Laurel Green Metallic. Whether Matte Black was also a 2023 US colour is not pinned in the sources this Honda SCL500 review checked, so no claim is made for it. The practical effect is simple: a buyer who wants colour must shop used or leftover 2024 stock, while a buyer who wants new takes Matte Black — which, to be fair, suits the bike’s blacked-out scrambler look better than any other finish would.
Honda SCL500 Design, Features and Technology
Design and technology are where the SCL500 earns its price, and this Honda SCL500 review rates the hardware highly — with one honest electronics caveat that buyers must understand before they pay.
19-Inch Front Wheel, High Exhaust and Flat Scrambler Seat
19-inch front wheel, high exhaust, and flat scrambler seat are the three design signatures of this Honda SCL500 review, and together they make the bike look the part. The 19-inch front wheel (with a 110/80-19 tyre) gives the tall, upright scrambler stance; the high-mounted exhaust clears obstacles and completes the retro silhouette; and the flat seat, at 31.1 inches high, lets riders of most heights flat-foot at lights. Fork gaiters, a round LED headlight, and minimal bodywork finish the look. One specification conflict to note: the rear tyre is listed as 150/70-17 in Rider’s first ride and 150/60-17 in Motorcyclist’s spec table — this Honda SCL500 review reports both and picks no winner. The wheels are cast, the tyres are road-biased Dunlop Trailmax Mixtours, and that is the point: this is a street scrambler, not a trail bike.
ABS Only: No HSTC, No Ride Modes and an LCD Dash With No Tach
ABS only: no HSTC, no ride modes, and an LCD dash with no tachometer — that is the whole electronics story, and this Honda SCL500 review counts the simplicity as a feature, not a gap. Two-channel ABS is standard, and it is the only rider aid. There is no traction control, no ride modes, no ride-by-wire, and no quickshifter, and the LCD dash shows speed, odometer, trips, fuel, and gear position without a tachometer needle to watch. Beginners benefit: there is nothing to configure, nothing to accidentally switch off, and nothing to distract from the road. Riders who want a full-colour TFT and cornering ABS should look elsewhere — but they will pay considerably more for it, and this Honda SCL500 review doubts they will have more fun.
Honda SCL500 Riding Experience and Comfort
On the road, this Honda SCL500 review finds a bike that is brilliant in town and on back roads, and merely adequate on the highway — a split verdict that matches every professional test of it.
Riding Position, Handling and Low-Speed Maneuverability
Riding position in this Honda SCL500 review is upright and roomy: a 31.1-inch seat, wide bars, mid-set pegs, and a narrow tank give an easy reach and plenty of leg room, and the bike’s light feel makes low-speed manoeuvres and tight U-turns nearly effortless. The 58.4-inch wheelbase and relaxed 27-degree rake mean the bike steers steadily rather than nervously, and testers consistently praise its flickable, confidence-inspiring character in town and on winding roads. The video below is Rider’s 2023 review of the real SCL500, honestly labelled as a 2023 review — the bike is mechanically unchanged since, so its impressions still hold, but treat its $6,799 price as a 2023 figure, not today’s $6,999.
Highway Comfort, Passenger Use and Everyday Practicality
Highway comfort is the weaker half of this Honda SCL500 review. The bike keeps up with interstate speeds of about 75 to 80 mph with minimal fuss, but wind buffeting above roughly 75 mph tires the rider, the soft suspension dives under braking and seesaws over big bumps, and the small 3.2-gallon tank means planning fuel stops — roughly 194 miles of theoretical range at Rider’s tested 60.6 mpg, less when ridden hard. The passenger pad is best described as an afterthought, and there is precious little storage under the seat. Everyday practicality is better: the light feel, the forgiving clutch, the excellent fuel economy in town, and the simple LCD make commuting effortless. Just do not buy this Honda SCL500 review bike as a two-up tourer — it is a solo back-road and city bike that commutes brilliantly, not a highway machine. And do not buy it as a dirt bike either: cast wheels, road tyres, and limited suspension travel make it a scrambler by name, not by nature on dirt.
For daily ownership, the small details matter as much as the headline numbers. The clutch pull is light enough for stop-and-go traffic, the gearbox shifts cleanly once broken in, and the narrow profile slips through gaps that would stop a bigger naked. Servicing is straightforward: the twin means two spark plugs and two throttle bodies, but easy access to most maintenance items, which keeps dealer bills modest and home maintenance realistic for a careful owner. Fuel stops come often because the tank is small, but each fill costs little, and the bike sips gently enough in town that a week’s commuting rarely needs more than one visit to the pump.
Honda SCL500 Review: Pros, Cons and Verdict
The verdict in this Honda SCL500 review is an easy yes for the right buyer — one of the best-looking, easiest-riding mid-size bikes on sale, held back only by its highway limits, its small tank, and its sparse electronics.
Main Advantages and Limitations of the Honda SCL500
Advantages first in this Honda SCL500 review: the $6,999 price, the friendly 471cc twin, the premium retro scrambler looks, the superb fuel economy, the standard ABS, and Honda’s reliability record — MCN owners rate reliability 4.8 out of 5, though from only 11 reviews, a small sample this Honda SCL500 review flags as a doc figure, not a re-verified count. Limitations, stated with equal weight: the modest power, the soft suspension, the small tank, the basic LCD with no tach, the lack of rider aids beyond ABS, and the single-colour new-bike choice. MCN’s CL500 review calls the bike easy and unintimidating for new riders, and this Honda SCL500 review agrees — while noting that its owner scores are British and small-sample. The value case is echoed by Motorcycle.com’s first ride, which calls the SCL500 a peppy mid-sized scrambler with plenty of range and iconic style. For the buying decision in full, see our Honda SCL500 buying guide.
Weight Conflict: 419, 423 and 425 lb in Honda’s Own Papers
Weight conflict: 419, 423, and 425 lb in Honda’s own papers and the press — and this Honda SCL500 review refuses to print one unlabelled number. Rider measured 419 lb wet; Honda’s 2026 spec page lists a 425 lb curb weight, and Cycle World’s scale agreed at 425 lb; other Honda-region papers and aggregators list 423 lb (192 kg). Whatever the exact figure, the bike feels light for a full-size street bike, and that lightness is central to its charm. Combined with the 2026 price, the advice of this Honda SCL500 review is simple: buy new at $6,999 if you can, buy a leftover 2024 at a discount if you find one, and buy used only well under the new sticker with both handlebar-recall statuses proven clear by VIN. Buy the SCL500 if you want the best-looking, easiest way into mid-size motorcycling with Honda reliability behind it; buy the Triumph Scrambler 400 X if you want to save about $800 and accept a smaller single; and buy neither without sitting on both. That is the honest close of this Honda SCL500 review.
| Honda SCL500 at a glance | Figure | Label |
|---|---|---|
| US price, 2026 | $6,999 + $600 destination | $200 rise from $6,799 (2023–2025) |
| Engine | 471cc twin, 10.7:1, 34 mm TB | Honda USA publishes no hp figure |
| Measured power | 39.6 hp @ 8,100 rpm, rear wheel | Cycle World dyno; EU ~46 hp is crank only |
| Weight / tank | 419–425 lb / 3.2 gallons | Weight conflict labelled by source |
| Summary | Best retro value; check recalls by VIN | US run 2023–2026, no skipped years |
Honda SCL500 Review FAQs
Direct answers to the Honda SCL500 review questions buyers ask most.
How much does the Honda SCL500 cost in the USA?
$6,999 plus $600 destination, says this Honda SCL500 review — $7,599 before tax and fees, for the current 2026 model.
Is the Honda SCL500 still sold new?
Yes, says this Honda SCL500 review. Honda USA lists the 2026 model today; the bike was never discontinued, and the US run is 2023 to 2026 with no skipped years.
What engine does the Honda SCL500 have?
A 471cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, says this Honda SCL500 review, with 10.7:1 compression, 34 mm throttle bodies, a six-speed gearbox, and a slipper clutch.
How much horsepower does the Honda SCL500 make?
It depends on the box, says this Honda SCL500 review: Cycle World measured 39.6 hp at the rear wheel, the European crank claim is around 46 hp, and Honda USA publishes no figure.
Is the Honda SCL500 the same as the Rebel 500?
No, says this Honda SCL500 review. The SCL500 shares the Rebel’s engine family and main frame, but has its own intake, subframe, high exhaust, 19-inch front wheel, flat seat, taller suspension, and a 41-tooth rear sprocket against the Rebel’s 40.
What colours does the US Honda SCL500 come in?
Matte Black Metallic only for 2025 and 2026, says this Honda SCL500 review. Earlier years offered Candy Orange and Matte Laurel Green Metallic.
Does the Honda SCL500 have traction control or ride modes?
No, says this Honda SCL500 review. ABS is the only rider aid; there is no HSTC, no ride modes, and the LCD dash has no tachometer.
Is the Honda SCL500 good for beginners?
Yes, says this Honda SCL500 review. At around 425 lb with a 31.1-inch seat, friendly power, and standard ABS, it is one of the easiest mid-size bikes on sale.
Can the Honda SCL500 go off-road?
Only lightly, says this Honda SCL500 review. Cast wheels, road-biased tyres, and limited suspension travel make it a scrambler by name, not by nature on dirt.
How far can the Honda SCL500 go on a tank?
Around 194 miles theoretical from the 3.2-gallon tank, says this Honda SCL500 review, based on Rider’s tested 60.6 mpg — less when ridden hard.
What is the top speed of the Honda SCL500?
A 95–100 mph estimate only, says this Honda SCL500 review. No US instrumented top-speed test exists.
Is the Honda SCL500 worth it?
Yes, says this Honda SCL500 review. At $6,999 new with Honda reliability and standard ABS, it is one of the best-value retro scramblers in America.
