QUICKSPIN I 2023 Honda SCL500
P98
shocks, while being a little soft
for my 190 pounds, give a fairly
compliant ride. As long as you
don't literally go scrambling on it,
this setup, should suit most
applications just fine.
Honda's primarily going after
new riders with the SCL, so weight
has been kept as low as possible.
The big H is claiming 419 pounds
with a full 3.2 gallons of gas for
the SCL, and its nimble nature is
something all riders who experi
-
ence it will appreciate.
The 471cc parallel-twin four-
stroke motor has seen action
in the CB500F, the CB500X and
now this SCL500, making it one
of the most versatile in Honda's
lineup. The 500F and 500X have
subtle changes to the SCL, like a
different airbox and mapping, but
they're essentially the same thing
when it comes to nuts and bolts.
Like the 500F and 500X, the SCL
gets the slip-and-assist clutch that
Honda claims requires 30 percent
less lever pull compared to earlier
models that used the 500 motor.
During a few hack-handed at
-
tempts at locking the rear (mainly
to simulate lacking clutch control
for a new rider and absolutely not
to try and back it in, I swear), the
clutch works exceptionally well in
mitigating rear-wheel lock-up and
stopping the wheel from chatter
-
ing away under the rider.
Twisty mountain
roads at a medium
pace are a treat
on the SCL.
