I pretty much agree with all the above points. Your taxation and annual insurance costs are very favourable compared to "RIp Off Britain". We really do get a bad deal almost every time we have to open our wallets.

 

I didn’t buy mine because it’s a Scrambler or an even a Honda Scrambler, I bought it because I thought it would be a more comfortable Honda Rebel and the 500x was just too bulky a replacement and I wanted to stay with a known engine that’s easy to home service.

I’m trying out an air seat soon, probably on the black seat first to see how well that works. The Rebel I can easily ride 250-300 miles day after day after day without a problem right up until I fail to avoid a pothole which bottoms out the suspension. None of those worries on the Scrambler, just the amount of seat time I get before needing a break.

 

Well I am restoring a 1976 Yamaha TT500 and a 1976 XT500 for a friend/customer.
While neither are current competitors they still are just fun beasty machines 😁

 

Interesting to read how you all came to the CL500.
@FarHanSolo
Many other things are in Germany expensive and highly taxed (electric and energy in general), The new CO2 Taxes increases every year....
@Ric
300 miles a day is a good distance, I dont know if I would be able to do it with the CL500, even the seat seems to be comfortable, for me a little low, thinking to increase the height.
@Ruck
nice project. I love those old models.

 

I am suprized, that this thread is still empty. Why you select the CL500 and not other scramblers?

Ride position. I'm a new rider, had a 125cc scooter since June, switched it for a lovely little GSX-S125 about 3 weeks ago, and was looking at several A2 bikes for my short arthritic inflexible self for when I pass my A-class test in Oct/Nov.

Shortlist:-
Ninja 400
Z400
CMX500
CL500
Various Royal Enfields
KTM Duke 390

Ruled the Enfields out for being relatively gutless.
Ruled the Kawasakis and KTM out for having a stupidly high pillion seat stopping me dismount with confidence.
The CMX500 fits well, but I prefer my head to be higher.
Sat on the CL500 today at lunchtime, and it's just a PERFECT fit.

Has enough looks, power, top speed, acceleration, ease of use, fuel economy, and initial value.

Can't wait to buy it.

 

Why you select the CL500 and not other scramblers?

I was looking for an easy, simple, economical, A2-compliant bike and the CL500 just happens to tick all those boxes. It being a scrambler was not a pro or a con by itself.

I had other options on my radar:

• Honda Rebel 500, but I had another custom in the past and I wanted something different
• Honda CB500X, but for a touring/adventure bike I have other, bigger plans in mind
• Triumph 400, but I couldn't wait until next year and I expect it to cost a fair bit more than the CL500
• Kawasaki Z400, but in the end I don't like the aggressive design lines of modern Kawasakis

 

Now that the Triumph 400 Scrambler is here and over $1000 less it will be interesting.