What is it?
The American West Coast loves a dirt bike. In the 1960s and 1970s, Honda sold tons of CL72s, CL350s and CL450s, all based on its 305, 350 and 450cc roadbikes but with larger front wheels and longer travel suspension, wide handlebars, flat bench seats and a signature high-level exhaust to behave better on the large number of ‘unpaved’ roads, as well as that minimalist Baja desert vibe. All looks, little substance maybe, but younger riders loved them. I still have one…
Honda’s new CL500 follows the same ethos, partly to engage with those new riders again, partly because that care-free look is en vogue and partly to make a great do-it-all bike. It’s based on Honda’s trusted 500 Rebel platform, using the 500cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, mated to a slick six-speed gearbox. It gives 47bhp and 32lb.ft torque, the maximum amount of power allowed on an A2 licence (that’s for if you’re 19 or older), but with a punch of the robust twin and an overall wet weight (fuel, oil and water on board – how the hell do some manufacturers still get away with quoting a dry weight?) of just 192kg, the CL doesn’t feel a slouch. And spoiler alert, it’s a smile inducer and it’s under
