Honda CL 500 versus Royal Enfield Shotgun 650
Honda CL 500
Scrambler
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650
Retro
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2023 bis 2025~
Built von 2024 bis 2025~
RRP 6.650 €
RRP 7.590 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- very accessible, easy-to-ride motorcycle
- manoeuvrable and agile handling
- Easy to use, sit on it and drive off
Pros:
- cool sound
- Easy to drive
- well-balanced engine with a lot of character
- lots of chrome and metal
- Arrow navigation series
- powerful rear brake
Cons:
- Footpegs in the way
- dark display
- Lever not adjustable within reach
Cons:
- heavy
- Seating position not necessarily suitable for long distances
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.484 mm
Length : 2.153 mm Height : 1.137 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 192 kg
Length : 2.153 mm Height : 1.137 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 192 kg
Wheelbase: 1.465 mm
Length : 2.220 mm Height : 1.105 mm
Seat : 795 mm
Weight : 240 (max: 428 ) kg
Length : 2.220 mm Height : 1.105 mm
Seat : 795 mm
Weight : 240 (max: 428 ) kg
Engine
Motor design: Reihentwin 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 471 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 67 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 471 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 67 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Parallel twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 648 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 78 mm
Cooling: Luft-/ölgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 648 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 78 mm
Cooling: Luft-/ölgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 47 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 43 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 333 km
Maximum speed: 160 km/h
Performance: 47 HP at 7.250 U/Min
Torque: 52 NM bei 5.650 U/Min Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 307 km
Performance: 47 HP at 7.250 U/Min
Torque: 52 NM bei 5.650 U/Min Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 307 km
Chassis
Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 150 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 145 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/80R19M/C 59H
Rear tyres: 150/70R17M/C 69H
Telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 150 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 145 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/80R19M/C 59H
Rear tyres: 150/70R17M/C 69H
Frame type:
Tubular Steel FrameDouble Loop Frame (Steel) Front suspension:
43mm upside down fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 90 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-18
Rear tyres: 150/70-17
Tubular Steel FrameDouble Loop Frame (Steel) Front suspension:
43mm upside down fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 90 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-18
Rear tyres: 150/70-17
Brakes
Front brake
Single disc, two-piston caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper (∅ 240 mm)
Single disc, two-piston caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper (∅ 240 mm)
Front brake
Single 320mm disc brake, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 320mm) Rear brake
Single 300mm disc brake, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 300mm)
Single 320mm disc brake, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 320mm) Rear brake
Single 300mm disc brake, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 300mm)
Result
The Honda CL500 is an easy-to-ride and very accessible bike that is a lot of fun to ride. It is simply equipped, does not pose any puzzles to the driver and works very well. As usual with A2 bikes, you shouldn't expect any performance miracles. The CL500 is more of a leisurely bike with which you consciously enjoy every kilometre.The test machine was kindly provided to us by motofun . motofun is a large Honda dealer in Kaltenkirchen, north of Hamburg. There, the CL 500 is a demonstrator - and almost every other current Honda can also be test-driven there. Let's go to motofun!
Result
The new Shotgun 650 is a stylish bobber for a leisurely after-work session. But it is not only beautiful, but also well made. It is easy to ride and suitable for every type of rider: beginners, experts, returners, downsizers. We are already looking forward to the custom bike versions of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 that will surely follow soon, although it already looks crisp in series production - especially as a solo seater, of course! Overall a great bike, it will surely make a lot of friends.
