2024 Honda SCL500 and Honda Shadow Aero First Look Preview

2024 Honda SCL500

Honda’s Rebel 500 platform is helping resurrect a classic motorcycling staple. Big Red just announced the existence of the new SCL500 “scrambler-style” motorcycle. If it looks familiar, that’s because you saw it unveiled at EICMA in Milan as the CL500. It seemed only a matter of time before it would hit American shores. True to speculation, here it is.

Press materials play up the connection to past Honda classics like the ‘60s-era CL72 and CL77, which is totally fair. And like other classic scramblers such as the CL175, CL350, and CL450, the SCL500 comes from modular design concepts whereby one platform begets multiple new motorcycle models.

That’s not a criticism. Scramblers are a smart marketing move. One-off engineering marvels seldom help a company’s bottom line. Flexible, adaptable platforms are what keeps the lights on. Besides, few riders need true off-road bikes for their scrambling needs. Upright ergonomics, a user-friendly 471cc parallel twin, and customizable paint and optional accessories will likely produce new Honda riders.

High exhausts, decent suspension travel, and nominally chunky tires are mated to Honda’s 500cc parallel twin inside its familiar steel tube frame. ABS comes standard, as does LED lighting and LCD instrumentation. But other rider aids are not included, and telescopic fork are nonadjustable. American Honda’s website claims rear suspension is a “Pro-Link® single shock with nine-position spring preload adjustability; 4.5-inch travel.” This would be great, but it’s incorrect. Traditional twin side-mounted shocks, feature two-step preload adjusters. Riders get 5.3 inches of travel up front, 5.7 inches in the rear. A 3.2-gallon tank is small, though it likely won’t bother novice urban scramblers.

Available colors include Candy Orange and Mat Laurel Green Metallic. A very reasonable $6,799 MSRP aids the cause. Because personalization matters to riders, a total of 25 accessories are said to be available. Zero pictures of these accessories are included in the official Honda press release. C’mon, Honda. Enquiring scramblers want to know.

Available for purchase right now.

2024 Honda Shadow Aero

They say no news is good news. But for the long-lived Honda Shadow Aero, any news is big news. But fret not, Shadow Aero lovers. Engine, frame, wheels, and shaft drive are unchanged. And of course, the premise of trouble-free cruiser enjoyment is the same, untroubled by the cost of Bar & Shield ownership.

The Shadow Aero cruiser now gets a rear disc brake with an ABS option. Californians take note: Only the ABS version is available to you. Otherwise, the Shadow Aero keeps doing its Shadow Aero thing. “Black” is the color scheme offered, featuring tan and brown accents. The Shadow Aero without ABS has a $7,949 MSRP, while the Shadow Aero ABS is set at $8,249 MSRP.

Available for purchase right now.