Honda CL500 Test: The Little Scrambler in the Big Rally Adventure

Riding a motorcycle is freedom. Whether you're gliding through wide curves on country roads or battling dense city traffic – a good bike lets you see the world from a different perspective. But what happens when you take a Honda CL500, a compact scrambler, and send it on an almost 3000-kilometer rally across Southeast Europe? That was the question I asked myself when I participated in the Balkan Rally 2024. From Budapest to the Adriatic coast, through the majestic mountains of Montenegro, and back to my home in Burgenland – the CL500 had to endure it all. And I, as an experienced motorcycle tester who has had many bikes under my belt, was more than curious.

I admit, when I rolled up to the start of the rally at Wenkheim Castle in Budapest, I had a certain expectation. I thought of a relaxed coffee ride, with a few sporty vintage cars leisurely making their rounds. But already in the first long left-hand bend, when a Porsche 911 whizzed past me at a perceived 180 km/h, it was clear: This was not going to be cozy. The specified time for the first stage had to be determined en route with a puzzle, and it turned out that the times were sporty but doable – at least for most. I myself had a bit too much time on the clock due to the heavy traffic in Szeged and ended the first day with an 11-minute deficit.

But the deficit wasn't the problem. The problem was how the Honda CL500 would fare in such an intense environment. Because one thing was clear: Rally conditions are not the same as a leisurely ride through the city. And this is exactly where the little scrambler began to show its true colors.

The Honda CL500 is compact, you notice that immediately. With a seat height of 790 mm, it fits perfectly for riders who aren't too tall. But even as someone who is over 1.80 meters tall, I never felt cramped on the bike. The seat is well-padded but not uncomfortably soft—at least not at first. After a few hours in the saddle, especially on the long stages of the rally, your backside starts to complain. But this isn't a specific problem of the CL500; it's something you experience with almost any bike in this price range.

The suspension of the CL500 proved to be a mixed blessing. On smooth asphalt and at moderate speeds, the scrambler rides stable and reliably. But when it came to the bumpy roads of the Balkans, it became clear that the suspension offers too little damping reserves. Especially with potholes or rough terrain, every bump was clearly transmitted to the rider. While the soft seat somewhat cushioned these blows, a better-damped suspension would have been desirable here. Nevertheless, one has to be fair: For a scrambler in this price range, the Honda CL500 does an exceptionally respectable job.

But let's get to the heart of the Honda CL500: the engine. The 471cc twin might not be the most powerful engine on the market, but it delivers exactly what you expect from such a bike – and maybe even a bit more. With 47 hp at 8500 rpm, it's by no means a powerhouse, but it works so smoothly and reliably that you can't help but like it. I was particularly impressed by the refined running culture. Whether you're gliding through a small village at 50 km/h or giving it the beans on a twisty mountain road, the engine remains calm and consistent.

In practice, this means you have enough power available in any situation to be on the move without constantly scraping the limit. Yes, at higher speeds, especially on the highway, the engine reaches its limits. Overtaking maneuvers at 130 km/h are doable, but you should plan them carefully. But for a scrambler of this class, that's perfectly fine.

What I particularly liked is the way the Honda CL500 goes through the corners. It feels light and agile, almost playful. You can practically steer it with your hips and let it dance through tight radii. That's what really makes the CL500: an accessible, intuitive riding experience that is fun for both beginners and experienced riders.

During the Balkan Rally, we faced almost every type of weather imaginable. Sun, rain, storm – often all within a few hours. The journey home from the Bay of Kotor was particularly challenging. That weekend, a massive storm swept through Central Europe, causing chaos. Rain poured down on me as I set off, and the roads turned into small rivers.

Despite the bad weather, the Honda CL500 proved to be stable and reliable. Even in strong winds and slippery roads, it held its line perfectly. Of course, I would have appreciated cruise control and heated grips in such moments – but in this displacement and price range, such features are simply not to be expected. What remains is the feeling that the CL500 is solid enough for such adverse conditions, even when you are soaked and frozen after hours of riding.

Away from the rally, the question arises: How does the Honda CL500 fare in everyday life? In short: It does everything you expect from it, and maybe even a bit more. Especially in the city, it is a real joy. The compact design and low seat height make maneuvering in heavy traffic a breeze. The engine is refined enough to run smoothly even at low speeds, and the bike's agility ensures that you can effortlessly wind through narrow streets.

Parking and maneuvering are also a real advantage with the CL500. With its relatively low weight of 192 kilograms, it is easy to handle, even in tight parking spaces or at low speeds.

The Honda CL500 is not a perfect bike – and it doesn't have to be. It's an honest, accessible bike that puts a smile on your face on twisty roads and feels just as comfortable in the urban jungle as it does on small adventures. Yes, it has its weaknesses: the suspension could be better damped, and on long tours, you might wish for more comfort features. But all of this is balanced out by its strengths: the refined engine, intuitive handling, and stable riding performance.

For someone looking for an affordable, easily accessible bike that is fun and doesn't cost the earth, the Honda CL500 is a fantastic choice. It has proven itself in the Balkan Rally over 2500 kilometers, even in a field of more expensive and more powerful bikes, and has proven to be a reliable companion.

So, if you're looking for a bike that gets you through daily commutes but is also ready for adventures – then you should definitely take a closer look at the Honda CL500.

The Balkan Rally is not your typical motorcycle tour, but rather a blend of adventure, retro charm, and exclusive indulgence. Originally designed for vintage automobiles, the event has over the years opened up to classic motorcycles and retro bikes. The starting gun traditionally fires in Budapest, from where participants travel along picturesque routes through the Balkans to the coast in the Kotor region. The organizers emphasize maximum comfort – each stage concludes in selected, luxurious hotels. Accompanied by an espresso-mobile and evening champagne and wine tastings, the rally offers a stylish program that encourages interaction with automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts. But that's not all: during the daily stages, participants must determine their arrival time by solving puzzles and mastering photo challenges. Riding too fast or too slow incurs penalty points – it's all about finding the perfect balance. Despite the rally's automobile-oriented focus, motorcyclists feel welcome in the group, as the relaxed atmosphere and diverse tasks make the rally a unique experience that goes far beyond an ordinary tour. In 2025, the Balkan Rally will once again feature new routes and challenges – an event that should be on every retro and motorcycle lover's bucket list.

Here are more details about the rally.

The entire crew opted for casual retro-style clothing from Held during the trip. Particularly noteworthy are the Sirmione Gore Tex Sneaker and the cool leather jacket Jester.

We used the same luggage solution for all motorcycles: the Legend Gear tail bag from SW-Motech. This offers various attachment options and is very affordable and compact. The bag had to endure almost 3,000 km on 8 different bikes under adverse weather conditions!

Before the rally, we thoroughly waterproofed our clothes with the PROTEX Spray from MOTOREX. During the rally, we used the small and refillable mini chain spray cans from MOTOREX.

Communication worked exceptionally well this time. The entire team was connected with Cardo Packtalk devices. The batteries lasted all day, and the devices were 100% waterproof. The sound quality was excellent, and the combination of "navigation instructions" + "music" + "communication" worked seamlessly. Even occasional phone calls didn't overload the system. Highly recommended for big group adventures!

The entire team used the HJC V10 helmet. The helmet offers various design options and matched our beautiful motorcycles perfectly. We enjoyed the high comfort level on the long tour.

For navigation, we had roadbooks provided by the race management. However, we tried to trace the course of the route as accurately as possible with Calimoto. On the way to Budapest and especially on the return trip from Kotor, we opted for the "fastest" option on the highway due to weather conditions. Those who want to follow the tour in good weather should set the sliders on Calimoto to "twisty" for these sections. Here is the link to the rough route.

• Amelie
• Mex
• Poky
• Philipp
• Carlos
• Marcel
• Wolfgang Weiß
• Micha
• Nils