As a long-time motorcycle RiderCoach people ask me all the time, “What should I consider for my first bike?” Before I just go ahead and recommend the Honda SCL500 I’m reviewing in this article, consider these factors and more; new riders should look for an easy-to-control, lightweight motorcycle that fits you well and easily works into your budget.
Honda SCL500 — Just the Right Size
Speaking from my own personal experience, the first motorcycle I ever owned was a new-to-me 1984 Honda Shadow 500. Honda has an impeccable reputation for quality dependable motorcycles, and this was important to me. As a young woman riding alone, the last thing I wanted to think about was getting stuck somewhere because of a mechanical issue.
I absolutely loved my Shadow, and it never let me down. I rode that 500 everywhere, running unimportant errands and finding longer routes to work. It was the perfect bike for me to start my motorcycle life with. Spending hours in the saddle, the Shadow was comfortable and easy to control and offered countless opportunities to hone my skills and learn valuable lessons on a lightweight inexpensive bike.
This was almost 30 years ago, but these memories come flooding back as I ride Honda’s SCL500. The same easy feeling of just plain riding euphoria is what this light little nimble bike is all about for me. Technically, the SCL is almost identical to Honda’s Rebel 500, one of the most popular first motorcycles ever made. The difference between them is easy to spot though. The SCL stands for “Scrambler,” and is characterized by a high-mounted exhaust, small fuel tank, wide front wheel, flat dual seat, twin shocks, and fork gaitors.
Scrambler motorcycles got their roots in the 1920s and ’30s when street bike owners customized their bikes for off-road use, long before dirt bikes went into production. They took hold in America when English movies and media started popularizing them in the 1960s. Typically, a scrambler will be a simple design with features for going fast in the dirt.
Keeping It Simple
The Honda SCL500 is powered by the same tried-and-true liquid-cooled 471cc parallel twin engine and 6-speed transmission found in the Rebel 500 cruiser. The SCL500 offers riders an upright seating position, more suspension travel, and a bit better braking power to go along with the sportier ride. And weighing in at only 423 pounds wet, even slight riders will be able to easily maneuver this bike.
Easy Handling
The SCL500 “rider triangle” keeps riders upright with feet under the hips. The handlebar is wide and along with a 19-inch front tire, countersteering is solid and slow speed maneuvering is easily controllable. Standing for short periods of time is doable, but requires a bit of a bend down to the hand grips.
The suspension, however, could use an upgrade. As with so many other Hondas I’ve ridden and reviewed, the SCL500 suspension is soft and “squishy.” In fact, it feels as if there’s almost no damping. Imagine driving a big old 1970s El Dorado, bouncing up and down while meandering down the road. Perhaps this is due to the extra-long travel for off-road riding. The front 41mm forks get 5.9 inches of travel while the dual rear shocks get 5.7 inches. This helps soak up the bigger ruts you find off-road but makes speedy road riding a little unruly.
Yup, It’s a Honda
The Honda name is long known for quality and durability, and the company knows that its customers rely on this reputation. The SCL500, like most Hondas, use simple and smart designs that work well in tidy durable packages.
Specs At A Glance: 2024 Honda SCL500
Engine Size: 471cc
Seat Height: 31.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.2 gallons
Wet Weight: 423 pounds
Colors: Matte Black Metallic, Candy Orange, Matte Laurel Green Metallic
MSRP: $6,799
WRN Recommendation
Honda’s SCL500 will delight riders who just want an easy-to-ride motorcycle that you can just jump on and go exploring with. With no specialized technology or extra gadgets to distract, you can just experience the primal feeling of the ride. If an upright seating position and exploring backroads and gravel roads suits you, this just may be the perfect motorcycle to start your riding journey with.
Find more information about this and other Honda motorcycles here.