Up to now few weeks, Honda has dropped lots of Rebels on an harmless world. We have seen the launch of the all-new 1100T and the return of the 1100 normal mannequin in each Europe and the US, and a batch of Insurgent 300 and 500 fashions returning for the 2023 mannequin 12 months.
It seems like Honda is not completed with the Insurgent platform but. Final week at EICMA, the agency unveiled the model new mixer type CL500, which resurrects the long-lasting nameplate featured on the model’s mixers within the Sixties-70s.
Regardless of the CL title, this new mannequin relies on Honda’s Insurgent 500 cruiser platform. Whereas we heard rumors a couple of Honda retro-scrambler final 12 months, we by no means considered the Insurgent as a potential foundation. Right here, although, we’re a road-legal, production-ready 2023 CL500 mannequin, and it is already formally on the Honda UK web site as we communicate.
Referring to: First Look: 2023 Honda Insurgent 1100T Bagger
To be honest, Honda not solely took the Insurgent 500 and put in longer shock absorbers, a flat seat and tough tires, and did not qualify it nearly as good, regardless of including a few of these. Whereas the liquid-cooled 471cc parallel-twin engine the CL500 shares with each the Insurgent and CB500X is just about unchanged right here, it is a good match for the appliance, producing round 45 horsepower and 32 lb-ft of torque. Honda has tweaked the CL500 a bit by giving it revised gasoline injection mapping and a brand new consumption and exhaust setup. For sooner acceleration, the CL’s rear sprocket has 41 enamel versus the 40 utilized by the Insurgent.
However the CL500 serves different revisions the place it issues, placing this twin engine in what it calls a “new tubular metal cage-style mainframe”. It is really fairly near that of the Insurgent, however the CL500 has a brand new, modified, annular rear subframe to accommodate the longer shocks. This long-distance suspension makes the CL much more distinctive; Up entrance is a right-side up, non-adjustable 41mm telescopic fork that wears traditional black leggings and gives a wholesome 5.9 inches of journey. On the rear, you are greeted by a pair of long-stroke uncovered twin shocks with 5.7 inches of journey and 5-stage spring preload adjustment (3 up, 1 down from normal), hooked up to a easy however sturdy tubular swingarm. The 19-inch entrance and 17-inch rear wheels put on semi-bump tires that break up sharply from the Insurgent’s smaller diameter 16-inch tires, whereas substantial triple clamps are additionally CL-specific. Nevertheless, the CL nonetheless solely has 15cm of floor clearance, so it is in all probability most secure to maintain the terrain raids on the delicate aspect.
The trade-off for greater wheels and longer journey suspension is at all times a taller seat, however at 31.1 inches, the CL500 nonetheless appears manageable for many riders. The additional area within the cockpit means there are increased handlebars fitted with angled and off-road grips for higher leverage when standing or sitting.
Referring to: Honda Europe Introduces 2023 Monkey and Insurgent Fashions
The CL500’s brakes are additionally tuned to go well with on a regular basis off-road objective, with a two-piston entrance caliper compressing the 310mm floating disc. Hydraulic stress is balanced between the entrance and rear single-piston caliper to offer “higher management over a wider vary of surfaces,” based on Honda. ABS modulation can also be tuned for varied driving situations. The six-speed transmission is pushed by an auxiliary and slipper clutch, which additionally seems unchanged from the Insurgent unit.
Whereas there isn’t any escaping the apparent Insurgent 500 design language used within the CL500, the entire enchilada makes for a surprisingly handsome mixture. The visible division is assisted by a brand new tank that’s rounder and extra horizontally positioned in comparison with the odd vertical tilt of the Insurgent 500s. Maybe the largest wart on the bike is that horribly outsized high-mount exhaust muffler. Little doubt there is a hidden cat there, but it surely’s nonetheless the primary a part of the bike we will exchange.
Additionally borrowed from the Asi is the LED lighting package deal and the single-display LCD display positioned simply above the handlebars. Nothing significantly sophisticated, however then this is not a tech-packed bike.
Honda has additionally launched numerous equipment and bundled kits for the bike, together with a fly display, panniers, hand guards and even a prime field. The rear subframe is designed for simple attachment of components, and an extra rear rack can carry the 38L prime field.
With 4 vibrant paint choices to offer the CL500 some punch, Honda has additionally made it fairly clear that it is concentrating on a younger and style-conscious demographic. It isn’t but clear whether or not it will imply that the bike will find yourself within the fingers of younger US drivers.
2023 Honda CL 500 Technical Specs
| MSRP: | no |
|---|---|
| Engine: | Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke 4-valve parallel twin |
| Substitution: | 471cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | 67 x 66.8mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10.7:1 |
| Transmission/Closing Drive: | 6 pace/chain |
| Demanded Horsepower: | 46 hp @ 8,500 rpm |
| Demanded Torque: | 32 lb.-ft. @ 6,250rpm |
| Gas system: | digital gasoline injection |
| Clutch: | Moist, multi-plate; slip and assist |
| Body: | metal pipe |
| Entrance suspension: | 41mm standard fork, 5.9in journey |
| Rear Suspension: | Double shock, preload adjustable, 5.7 in motion |
| Entrance brake: | Single 310mm floating disc, two-piston caliper, ABS |
| Rear brake: | 240mm disc, single-piston caliper, ABS |
| Wheels, Entrance/Rear: | Forged aluminum; 19 x 0.5 inch / 17 x 0.5 inch |
| Tires, Entrance/Rear: | 110/80-19 / 150/70-17 |
| Rake/Observe: | 27° / 4.2 inches |
| Floor clearance: | 6.10 inches |
| Wheelbase: | 58.5 inches |
| Seat peak: | 31.1 inches |
| Gas Capability: | 3.17 gal. |
| Desired Curb Weight: | 423 kilos |
| To contact: | powersports.honda.com |
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