Classic ’70s scrambler style, updated for real life. The SCL500 blends retro lines with modern tech, an approachable twin-cylinder engine, and the confidence of standard ABS and LED lighting. It honors the past while thriving on today’s roads, delivering timeless character with everyday rideability.
Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications
2026 Honda SCL500: BORN CLASSIC. BUILT MODERN.
Introducing the 2026 Honda SCL500…
Blending modern engineering with nostalgic design, Honda’s SCL500 captures the freedom and simplicity of the original scramblers that helped define motorcycling’s golden era. Built around Honda’s proven 471cc parallel-twin engine, it delivers approachable power and agile handling for riders who want equal parts style and substance. With its upright ergonomics, lightweight chassis and unmistakable scrambler silhouette, the SCL500 turns every commute or backroad into an easygoing adventure—proof that timeless design still has a place in the modern world.
Classic ’70s scrambler style, updated for real life. The SCL500 blends retro lines with modern tech, an approachable twin-cylinder engine, and the confidence of standard ABS and LED lighting. It honors the past while thriving on today’s roads, delivering timeless character with everyday rideability.
2026 Honda SCL500 Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
- 471cc parallel-twin engine
- Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
- Anti-Lock Braking System
- Retro meets modern styling
- 19-inch front; 17-inch rear wheels
DOHC twin-cylinder engine
With a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, this mid-sized motorcycle strikes an ideal balance of power, torque, and agility.
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Our PGM-FI system monitors a range of inputs to ensure an optimal fuel mixture, delivering precise throttle response in all riding conditions.
Disc brakes
A large 310mm hydraulic front disc is gripped by a precision-engineered two-piston caliper, providing strong and predictable stopping power. The adjustable front brake lever ensures a perfect fit.
Anti-Lock Braking System
The standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps you make smoother, more controlled stops in less-than-ideal riding conditions.
Pro-Link® rear suspension
Pro-Link® rear suspension connects to an adjustable spring-preload shock with large-diameter internals to provide nimble handling and a smooth ride.
Steel-tube frame
The main frame, constructed from diamond-shaped steel tubes, offers a robust foundation for the engine with four secure mounts, ensuring a smooth and stable ride.
Multi-spoke cast wheels
Lightweight, multi-spoke cast aluminum wheels are stylish, easy to clean, and improve handling.
Smooth transmission
Our engineers profiled the shift dogs in the transmission to help you get smoother shifts every time. You’ll never see these parts, but you’ll feel their effects.
High-mount exhaust
A unique scrambler-style exhaust, featuring an upswept design and a twin-outlet muffler, looks the part and sounds it, too.
Slipper clutch
The slipper/assist clutch reduces clutch lever effort by 30 percent compared to a traditional system and minimizes rear-wheel hop during aggressive deceleration.
Scrambler styling
This bike nails the scrambler-style look with a high-mount muffler, 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels featuring wide rims, along with a blacked-out engine and frame.
Two-up seat
The seat offers an open, unencumbered riding position, making it ideal for both commuting and adventuring, while still providing space for a passenger.
Accessories
You can equip your new SCL500 with a range of 21 different Honda accessories. These include a rally-style front fender, handguards, a rear carrier, a 12-volt accessory socket, and more.
Digital instrumentation
An easy-to-read LCD screen displays a digital speedometer, tachometer, clock, trip meter, and more. Its small size and modern features are the perfect combination of style and function.
LED lighting
With an unpolished, utilitarian appearance, the LED light and multi-faceted reflector produce ample illumination for enhanced visibility on the road.
HISTORY
Harkening back to the early ’60s, when simple, stripped-down motorcycles like Honda’s CL72 came on the scene, the SCL500 was introduced for the 2023 model year, featuring all the key “scrambler” styling elements in an approachable package and at an attractive price. Leveraging the 471cc parallel-twin engine that has proven so successful in models like the Rebel 500, the retro-inspired SCL500 was light and nimble, making it a casual, fun entry for a broad swath of customers, from new riders to more seasoned enthusiasts.
Honda Expands E-Clutch Lineup With New CB750 Hornet, Announces 15 Total On-Road Models
- E-Clutch enables shifting with or without the clutch lever
- Four models now offered with the innovative technology
- New more competitive pricing, including reduced MSRPs on six models
Honda today announced 15 on-road motorcycle models for 2026, highlighted by the expansion of the company’s groundbreaking E-Clutch technology to the popular CB750 Hornet naked bike. With this move, Honda now offers a total of four E-Clutch-equipped motorcycles—including the CB650R, CBR650R and the recently announced Rebel 300 E-Clutch cruiser—underscoring the brand’s commitment to combining innovation with rider accessibility and control.
This latest new-model announcement encompasses a full range of categories—from adventure and sport to touring and standard—demonstrating the company’s continued leadership and breadth in the motorcycle market. Also of note is a renewed focus on the sport bike segment, with MSRP reductions introduced to improve value and competitiveness while maintaining the same Honda quality and performance. MSRP reductions include $1,000 on the CB500 Hornet and CBR500R, $700 on the CB650R E-Clutch and CBR650R E-Clutch and $650 on the CB300R. In addition, the NX500 gets a $500 price reduction.
“Honda’s E-Clutch system represents a major step forward in motorcycle technology, offering riders the freedom to enjoy seamless shifting without sacrificing engagement or performance,” said Colin Miller, Manager of Public Relations at American Honda. “Expanding this technology to the CB750 Hornet for 2026—and offering an extensive lineup of fun, practical, value-conscious on-road models—reflects our ongoing goal of making the joy of motorcycling more approachable, intuitive and enjoyable for riders of all experience levels. On a related note, we’re pleased to confirm our commitment to sport bike customers, with new lower pricing for multiple CB and CBR models that makes them more accessible and creates a natural path for current Honda riders—like miniMOTO owners—to step up to a sport bike. Importantly, these changes come without sacrificing technology, style or performance.”
2026 Honda SCL500 Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
DESIGN / STYLING
The scrambler design is immediately recognizable—more for what’s not there than what is. Originally a means of converting on-road machines for dirt use, the style has come full-circle, for a uniquely rugged street-bike look. The nostalgic design is achieved with a wide front wheel, high-positioned exhaust, flat double seat, twin shock absorbers, fork gaiters and rubber fuel-tank pads. The round LED headlight, turn signals and taillight reinforce the SCL500’s iconic appearance, and the blacked-out mechanical components make for a tough, minimalist look. The LCD meter provides pertinent information to the rider, including gear position and fuel consumption, and the ignition is housed below the left side of the fuel tank.
The SCL500’s riding position is natural and upright, making it easy and fun to ride.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
Fun, approachable and reliable, the SCL500 is powered by an engine that features strong bottom-end torque and a smooth, linear power delivery, making this model a pleasure to ride in a wide variety of situations. It’s the same 471cc, eight-valve, liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that has proven so popular and effective in models like the Rebel 500, NX500, CB500F and CBR500R.
The crankshaft pins are phased at 180°, and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s center of gravity. The crankcases use centrifugally cast thin-walled sleeves, with an internal design that reduces the pumping losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple-balance, and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with low inertia. A deep oil sump holds 3.2 liters.
Bore and stroke are 67.0mm and 66.8mm, respectively, and the compression ratio is 10.7:1. Striations on the piston skirt increase surface area by introducing gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication. An AB 1 salt-bath process forms a protective oxidization membrane.
There are four valves per cylinder, and the inlet-valve diameter is 26.0mm, while exhaust-valve diameter 21.5mm. The cylinder head uses roller-rocker arms, and shim-type valve adjustment allows them to be light, for lower valve-spring load and reduced friction. The surfaces of the pins on the silent (SV Chain) cam chain are treated with Vanadium to reduce friction and increase protection against dust.
The six-speed gearbox is designed to offer smooth gear changes, and an assist/slipper clutch reduces lever effort in stop-and-go situations, while also enhancing controlled deceleration.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The SCL500’s tubular-steel frame comes from the Rebel 500 and is paired with a revised subframe to support the scrambler-style machine’s relatively tall, flat double seat and repositioned shock mounts. The frame has a narrow shape to complement the model’s nimble handling, and the sleek, 3.2-gallon fuel tank features rubber knee guards for classic scrambler styling.
As is appropriate for the scrambler aesthetic, the SCL has relatively long-travel suspension (5.9 inches front, 5.7 inches rear), for a comfortable ride over rough roads, as well as plenty of ground clearance (6.1 inches).
The fork angle is 27.0°, and the wheelbase is 58.4 inches, contributing to balanced, neutral steering. Seat height is 31.1 inches. The 41mm fork stanchions are set wide at 230mm apart, enhancing rigidity and giving the front end a distinctive look. The lower legs are blacked-out, and buffing on the inner pipe helps deliver smooth action.
The conventional twin shock absorbers mount on both sides to a blacked-out 45mm tubular swingarm. The shocks feature two-step preload adjusters, and their damper tubes use nitrogen gas to stabilize the damping force.
Dunlop tires are mounted to a wide 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel; tire sizes are 110/80-19 and 150/70-17, respectively.
ABS is standard on the SCL500, enhancing braking performance across varying conditions.
Honda ACCESSORIES
A full range of official Honda Accessories is available for the SCL500, helping owners create their own custom look.
2026 Honda SCL500 – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $6999 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ See Dealer CDN (includes Freight, PDI and Fees)
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ NA GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
| ENGINE | |
| Type | 471cc liquid-cooled four-stroke parallel twin |
| Valvetrain | DOHC; four valves per cylinder (inlet 26.0mm, exhaust 21.5mm) |
| Bore x Stroke | 67.0mm x 66.8mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Induction | Programmed electronic fuel injection (PGM-FI); 34mm throttle bodies |
| Ignition | Full transistorized |
| Starter | Push-button electric starter |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual |
| Clutch | Multiplate wet |
| Final Drive | Chain; 15T/41T |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Front | 41mm telescopic fork; 5.9-inch travel |
| Rear | Twin shock absorbers; 5.7-inch travel |
| BRAKES | |
| Front | Single hydraulic caliper w/ 310mm disc; ABS |
| Rear | Single hydraulic caliper w/ 240mm disc; ABS |
| TIRES | |
| Front | 110/80-19 |
| Rear | 150/70-17 |
| MEASUREMENTS | |
| Rake | 27.0º |
| Trail | 4.3 inches (108mm) |
| Length | 85.6 inches |
| Width | 32.7 inches |
| Height | 44.6 inches |
| Seat Height | 31.1 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 inches |
| Wheelbase | 58.4 inches |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.2 gallons |
| Curb Weight* | 425 pounds |
| OTHER | |
| Color | Matte Black Metallic |
| Warranty | 1 year |
*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride Meets current EPA standards
Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment
2026 Honda SCL500 – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details
TBA
2026 Honda SCL500 – Totalmotorcycle.com Europe Specifications/Technical Details
NA
Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
