Honda SCL500 Top Speed, 0-60 Time & Specs Review
TL;DR
- The Honda SCL500 makes 39.6 hp at 8,100 rpm and 28.6 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm on an independent in-house dyno test.
- No motorcycle publication has run an instrumented 0-60 or top speed test on the SCL500; the only 0-60 figure in circulation is a formula-derived estimate, not a real-world run.
- The 2026 SCL500 starts at $6,999 MSRP, or $7,599 with Honda’s $600 destination charge.
- It’s a 471cc parallel-twin scrambler built on the Rebel 500 platform, with a 425-pound wet weight and a 31.1-inch seat height.
- This bike is built for low-stress commuting and weekend backroad rides, not straight-line speed.
What’s the Honda SCL500’s Top Speed?
There’s no independently verified top speed for the SCL500 from any motorcycle publication. Honda doesn’t publish a factory top speed figure for the US market, and no outlet with GPS-based testing equipment has run one.
What exists instead is owner-reported data from riding forums, which puts indicated top speed somewhere around 100-107 mph depending on gearing, rider weight, and whether the number came off the speedometer or a phone’s GPS.
One CL500 forum owner logged a GPS-verified 162 km/h, or roughly 101 mph, during a highway stretch (CL500/SCL500 Forum, 2023). That’s a data point from one rider on one bike, not a controlled test, so treat it as a rough ceiling rather than a spec.
Given the engine’s dyno numbers and the bike’s gearing, a top speed in the high 90s to low 100s mph range is plausible. But until a publication with a radar gun or GPS data logger runs the test, that’s an estimate built from adjacent data, not a verified figure.
If you’re cross-shopping and this number matters, know that the SCL500 was never designed to chase it. Honda geared the rear sprocket taller than the Rebel 500’s for stronger low-end pull, which trades away some top-end room.
What’s the Honda SCL500’s 0-60 Time?
The honest answer is nobody’s tested it yet. No GPS-instrumented run from a publication like MotoStatz, and no timed acceleration test from an outlet like Cycle World or Rider Magazine, has ever been published for the SCL500.
The only 0-60 figure you’ll find online, around 5.3 seconds, comes from ProfessCars, a third-party site that calculates acceleration using a formula based on horsepower, weight, and gearing rather than an actual timed run (ProfessCars via MotorbikeCatalog, 2024). It’s a reasonable ballpark, but it’s not a substitute for a stopwatch and a straight road, and this article isn’t going to present it as one.
For context, the SCL500 shares its 471cc twin and 425-pound wet weight with the Rebel 500, a bike with a similar power-to-weight ratio. Riders coming from a 250-300cc single will feel a real jump in midrange punch. Riders coming off a liter bike will find the SCL500 leisurely by comparison, and that’s the point.
Horsepower and Torque: What the Dyno Actually Showed
The SCL500 produced 39.6 hp at 8,100 rpm and 28.6 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm on Cycle World’s Dynojet 250i dynamometer (Cycle World, 2023). That’s rear-wheel output, measured directly rather than pulled from a press kit, which makes it the most trustworthy number in this whole article.
For comparison, Honda’s own European spec sheet lists the related CL500 at 46 hp and 32 lb-ft measured at the crank (Honda, per Wikipedia compilation). Crank figures always read higher than dyno numbers because they don’t account for drivetrain loss through the chain and gearbox, so the two figures aren’t in conflict. They’re just measuring different points in the drivetrain.
The torque curve is flat and comes in early, which is why the SCL500 feels quicker off the line than its horsepower number suggests. First and second gear pull is strong enough that new riders sometimes find the throttle a little grabby right off idle, an editorial note echoed by multiple outlets that tested the launch-year bike.
Engine and Drivetrain: What’s Actually Under the Tank
The SCL500 runs a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin with double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, the same core engine architecture found in the Rebel 500, CB500F, and CBR500R. Bore and stroke are 67.0mm x 66.8mm, with a 10.7:1 compression ratio and a 34mm throttle body feeding programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI).
Power runs through a six-speed gearbox with an assist/slipper clutch, which cuts lever effort at the handlebar and resists rear-wheel hop on aggressive downshifts. Final drive is chain, so budget for regular chain lube and periodic slack checks, especially if you’re riding through a dry, dusty summer.
Compared to the Rebel 500 it’s based on, the SCL500 runs a slightly taller rear sprocket (41 teeth versus 40), a model-specific air intake, and its own subframe to support the higher, flatter scrambler seat. Those small changes are why the SCL500’s dyno numbers came in a touch under the Rebel 500’s 40.8 hp result from the same test bench.
2026 Honda SCL500 Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin, DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder |
| Horsepower | 39.6 hp @ 8,100 rpm (dyno-tested, rear wheel) |
| Torque | 28.6 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm (dyno-tested, rear wheel) |
| Compression ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual, chain final drive |
| Clutch | Assist/slipper |
| Wet weight | 425 lbs |
| Seat height | 31.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 58.4 in |
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 gal |
| Front suspension travel | 5.9 in |
| Rear suspension travel | 5.7 in |
| Ground clearance | 6.1 in |
| Front brake | 310mm disc, 2-piston caliper, ABS |
| Rear brake | 240mm disc, ABS |
| Tires | 110/80-19 front, 150/70-17 rear (Dunlop) |
| Base MSRP | $6,999 |
| Total MSRP (with destination) | $7,599 |
Source: Honda Powersports (2026), Cycle World (2023)
Who Actually Buys This Bike
The SCL500 is built for new and returning riders who want a low-seat, low-weight bike that doesn’t punish mistakes. At 425 pounds and 31.1 inches of seat height, it’s approachable for shorter riders in a way that a lot of adventure-styled bikes aren’t.
It’s also a solid pick for commuters who want scrambler styling without adventure-bike bulk or cruiser-bike length. The 3.2-gallon tank isn’t built for long highway hauls, but around-town range and 78+ mpg reported by owners cover most weekday riding without issue.
It’s not the bike for someone chasing a specific 0-60 number or bragging rights at a stoplight. If outright acceleration is the priority, Honda’s own CBR500R or CB500F share the same engine in a sportier, lighter package, and both have more third-party performance data available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the top speed of the Honda SCL500?
No motorcycle publication has published a verified, GPS-tested top speed. Owner reports on riding forums suggest a real-world ceiling somewhere around 100-107 mph, but that’s rider-logged data, not a controlled test.
How fast does the Honda SCL500 go 0-60?
There’s no independently verified 0-60 time. A third-party site, ProfessCars, publishes a formula-derived estimate of around 5.3 seconds, but that number comes from a calculation, not a timed run, so treat it as a rough guide rather than fact.
How much horsepower does the Honda SCL500 have?
An independent dyno test measured 39.6 hp at 8,100 rpm and 28.6 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm at the rear wheel. Honda’s own published figures for the related CL500, measured at the crank, list 46 hp.
Is the Honda SCL500 good for beginners?
Yes. The low 31.1-inch seat height, 425-pound wet weight, and flat, low-rpm torque curve make it easy to control at low speeds, and standard ABS adds a safety margin new riders benefit from.
How much does the 2026 Honda SCL500 cost?
Base MSRP is $6,999. With Honda’s $600 destination charge, total out-the-door MSRP before tax, title, and dealer fees is $7,599 (Honda Powersports, 2026).
What’s the difference between the SCL500 and the Rebel 500?
Both share the 471cc parallel-twin engine and main frame. The SCL500 gets a taller rear sprocket, a scrambler-specific air intake, a modified subframe for its flatter seat, a high-mount exhaust, and a 19-inch front wheel versus the Rebel’s cruiser-style stance and wheel sizing.
