CL500

2023 Honda CL500 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Built around Honda's classic motorcycle platform, the 2023 Honda CL500 relies on a 471 cc (28.7 cu in) liquid-cooled twin, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 45.6 HP (33.3 kW) at 8,500 rpm while maximum torque reaches 43.3 Nm (31.9 lb-ft) at 600 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 96.8 HP per liter and a 7,900 rpm working window between peak torque (600 rpm) and peak power (8,500 rpm), the engine character is reflecting a performance-oriented street tune that balances strong mid-range pull with an energetic top-end rush.

On the scales, the CL500 measures 191 kg (421 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.24 HP/kg (4.19 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 790 mm (31.1 in) seat height — offering a neutral standover height that accommodates most average-inseam riders without sacrificing cornering clearance, combined with a 1,484 mm (58.4 in) wheelbase engineered for balanced agility and highway composure. The 12-liter (3.2 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 3.71 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 323 km (201 miles) between fill-ups.

Within MotoLibrary's Honda archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 2023 to 2025, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.