Cheap thrills: Honda's CL500 scrambler will arrive in April and cost £6k

Honda has confirmed its new A2-compliant CL500 will cost £5999 on the road and is expected to arrive in dealers in April 2023.

Honda announced the retro-ish scrambler model in November 2022 as an addition to their popular 500 parallel-twin range for 2023.

Taking styling cues from the CLs of the 1960s and 70s, the minimalist retro comes in four vibrant colours and is powered by the same 471cc twin as the CBR500R, CB500X, CB500F and CMX 500 Rebel.

Producing a claimed 46bhp at 8500rpm and 32lb.ft at 6250rpm, the blacked-out Euro5 friendly motor gets revised fuel injection, a new intake and a fresh exhaust set-up.

Compared to the Rebel cruiser, the rear sprocket goes up a tooth to 41 for a little more acceleration. The tweaked twin-exit exhaust arrangement is billed as delivering a heavier, low-frequency soundtrack than the Rebel while a slipper clutch will make life easier for new riders still getting to grips with a manual gearbox.

Housing the engine is a blacked-out tubular steel trellis frame, suspended from the ground via 41mm conventional forks and preload-adjustable twin shocks.

Also assisting novice riders is a low seat height of 790mm and a kerb weight of just 192kg. This leads down to a 19in front and 17in rear rims, shod with Dunlop Mixtour rubber for on-road escapades and some easy trails.

Providing stopping power is an ABS-equipped single 310mm front disc and twin-piston caliper. Honda say the upright handlebars have been designed to be comfortable both on- and off-road, with retro-style tank pads providing a grippy point of contact for your knees.

Expect steel foot pegs with wide rubber inserts. Prices are yet to be announced, but we would expect the CL500 to sit in the region of £6000, with three factory accessory packs available to personalise your ride.