The Honda CL500 is Coming to the US, With the ADV160 and a New Grom
New models certified by EPA
Honda announced a new scrambler model based on its 500 platform last November at EICMA, but there was no indication about whether the CL500 would be brought to America. That has now changed, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has certified the 2023 Honda CL500, and we expect an official announcement to come very soon. And it won't be alone, as the EPA has also certified the ADV160 and an updated Grom.
The Honda CL500 is based on the Rebel 500, but with a more neutral standard footpeg placement and scrambler retro aesthetics. The EPA lists the CL500 with a peak output of 45.9 hp, which is similar to the Rebel's claimed numbers, but it arrives a few hundred revs sooner at 8,200 rpm. This is also down from the 49.6 hp at 8,500 rpm claimed by the CB500F, CBR500R and CB500X, but like the Rebel, it should make up for it with more torque at lower revs, peaking at a claimed 32.0 lb-ft. at 6,250 rpm.
The EPA lists a single model variant, with a model code CL500A used for emissions testing, indicating it is equipped with anti-lock brakes. As such, we expect the US model to come only with ABS standard. American Honda dropped the non-ABS versions of the CBR500R, CB500F and CB500X for 2023, but the Rebel 500 is still offered with or without ABS.
Last July, Honda announced an ADV160 for Asian markets, equipped with a 157cc Single to replace the 149cc ADV150. American Honda currently offers the ADV150 as a 2023 model, but the EPA has certified the ADV160 for 2024. The larger engine provides a slight performance improvement, claiming 15.6 hp at 8,250 rpm compared to the ADV150's claimed 14.3 hp.
The ADV160 was also restyled to look more like the larger ADV350 offered in other markets, along with an adjustable windscreen and a slightly lower seat height.
The EPA has also certified the Grom for 2024, but with a new certificate number and engine code, suggesting a redesigned model. This would mark the fourth generation of Groms since the mini-bike was introduced in the 2014 model year.
According to the EPA data, the 2024 Grom has the same 124cc displacement and claimed peak output of 10.1 hp at 7,250 rpm and five-speed transmission as the third-gen Grom introduced in 2022. The emissions figures are lower, however, likely the result of a new exhaust system.
Unlike the CL500, the EPA has certified both ABS and non-ABS versions of the Grom.
As for the styling, Honda has not shied away from redesigning the Grom every few years, and we would not be surprised to see a new look for 2024.
Considering the CL500 and ADV160 are already available in other markets, we expect Honda to announce them for the US very soon. In the past, Honda announced updates to the Grom in the spring, so we wouldn't be surprised if the new 2024 model will also be confirmed in the next few weeks.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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ADV evolves from 150 to 160
(160 replaces 150)
The EPA needs to pound sand! Next they will be regulating bicycles too with catalytic converters! 😡