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Parallel twins from Japan headlined the EICMA 2022 season. While various headwinds meant this wouldn't be a big year for new motorcycle releases, there are still plenty of new models to check out. Here's Common Tread's roundup of notable new motorcycles released this week.
2023 Honda CL500
Honda's CL line of scramblers returns with the new CL500. Inspired by motorcycles from Big Red's past and built on the popular 471 cc parallel twin platform, the CL500 makes a claimed 46 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 32 foot-pounds of torque at 6,250 rpm. The frame looks closely related to the Rebel 500 cruiser, but the tail section now has a classic scrambler loop. The wheels wear Dunlop MixTour tires in 110/80R19 at the front and 150/70R17 out back, which suggests that these are repurposed from the CB500X adventure bike. Retro cues like the twin rear shocks, upswept pipe, fork gaiters, and a simple seat give the CL some style.
“We developed the CL500 as a machine that truly allows its owners to stand out from the crowd, and as a form of self-expression. It can be used and enjoyed casually — without hesitation — by the young generation in their daily lives and is designed to become a joyful and integral part of a lifestyle,” says Hiroshi Furuse, CL500 Large Project Leader. “In standard form, the off-road street style has a visual charm unlike any other model in the Honda range, and can really inspire owners to take it further in any direction they wish.”
The CL500 weighs in at a claimed 423 pounds wet. The suspension and braking package isn't as capable as the CB500X's, but all the parts borrowed from other Honda 500s could give the new CL an affordable MSRP. Pricing and U.S. availability have not yet been announced.
2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT
Honda pushes the Rebel 1100 into bagger territory with a new fairing and color-matched, locking hard bags. The 1100T is only available with Honda's Dual Clutch Transmission option, which may not be to everyone's liking. Then again, you aren't buying a Rebel 1100 because you're a diehard traditional cruiser rider. Unlike the CL above, the Rebel is definitely coming to the United States with a starting MSRP of $11,299.
The bags are integral, weather-resistant, and not exactly spacious with a combined capacity of 35 liters. The fairing is simple with a non-adjustable windshield and more matching paint. Too bad the exhaust design wasn't changed with the updates. 2023 Rebel 1100T DCTs will be available in Metallic Black and Bordeaux Red Metallic.
2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
Despite all the riders clamoring for a Himalayan 650, Royal Enfield stuffed its air/oil-cooled, 648 cc parallel twin into the cruiseresque Super Meteor 650. It produces a claimed 47 horsepower at 7,250 rpm with a weight of 531 pounds (claimed, wet). Styling is closely related to the budget Meteor 350's with a few upgrades, like full LED lighting, an upside-down fork, more chrome, and (at least in photos) much better fit and finish overall. Royal Enfield's Tripper navigation system in included as standard.
The new cast wheels measure 19 inches at the front and 16 at the rear, so take your pick of standard cruiser tires to replace the CEAT rubber that comes from the factory. Two trim levels and several colors have been announced, but U.S. pricing and delivery dates haven't been revealed yet. These bikes should arrive in mid-2023 with affordable price tags.
Kawasaki shows EV, hybrid motorcycles for future production
Just a few months after Kawasaki showed off electric and hybrid motorcycles at Suzuka, Team Green announced target release dates for its greener Ninja and Z motorcycles. All three motorcycle displayed are prototypes of production models. The "Ninja HEV" hybrid is the more powerful and complex prototype, so let's start there. The bike looks very similar to the rideable prototype displayed in August. Up close, it seems to use a variation of the current Ninja 400 engine. The bodywork has bumps, bulges, and covers that surely hide batteries and a motor. Kawasaki hasn't announced much in the way of performance figures. The company currently plans to release a production version in 2024.
The small "Z BEV" electric motorcycle will make around 15 horsepower and debut as a production model next year. Its 3.0 kWh battery suggests this bike will appeal mostly to urban riders and learners on permits. We'll wait to judge until the full specs and price are announced. The "Ninja BEV" prototype appears to share the Z BEV's running gear, specs, and physical size with the addition of some typical Ninja bodywork.
Kawi also showed off some ideas for hydrogen-powered motorcycles, but understandably made no promises about actually building anything involving hydrogen. The company expressed continued dedication to advancing non-ICE vehicle tech while also affirming its commitment to good ol' gasoline engines for the near future.
2023 Ducati Scrambler line update
Ducati has been teasing an overhaul of the Scrambler lineup, and this week, we got our first glimpse of the next generation. What's new? There are now just three 803 cc Scramblers: the standard Icon ($10,995), the brash Full Throttle ($12,195), and the blacked-out Nightshift ($12,195).
All three submodels get Ducati's new Scrambler frame, ride-by-wire throttles with ride modes, prominent 4.3-inch TFT displays, and smartphone connectivity. The seats are slimmer, the bodywork has been updated, the cast wheels have a new design, and there's an up/down quickshifter that's standard on the Full Throttle and optional for the other two.
Ducati chopped nearly nine pounds out of the Scrambler for a claimed weight of 408 pounds (Icon, wet). The bulk of the weight savings came from the engine, which has new castings and some redesigned internals. Engine output is still 73 Italian stallions at 8,250 rpm.
There are no major changes to the Scrambler 1100 line.
EICMA 2022: No big risks
Most of the motorcycles here are mild updates or new models built on existing platforms, with the exception of Kawasaki's electric/hybrid ambitions that we won't see for at least another year. In uncertain times, manufacturers are largely playing it safe while developing zero-emissions vehicles in the background. The popularity of large in-person shows like EICMA has taken a hit during the pandemic, and with some manufacturers no longer attending, this week doesn't bring quite as much news as it once did. Anything here catch your eye?
If you're just catching up on EICMA news, don't miss our previous stories on Suzuki's new parallel twins and Honda's rebooted Transalp.
