Another summer, another Wheels and Waves festival in Biarritz, France! And this year, Honda once again got a bunch of its European dealers to customize new machines and show them off, kicking off a summer-long vote-for-the-winner campaign.
Honda has had its dealers customize everything from Rebel cruisers to CB1000 superbikes to even minibikes over the years, but this year, they’re going retro with the SL500 (or as it’s called in Europe, the CL500). And, one dealer sneaked in a CL250, but since it’s almost exactly the same (with a single-cylinder engine, instead of a parallel twin 500), you actually have to look closely to figure it out.
The Wheels and Waves festival ran last weekend in France, but the vote-off actually still continues, through the end of the summer. You can vote for your favourite bikes at HondaCustoms.com, and see a lot more photos there as well.
See Honda’s description of the bikes and their builders below:
THE 2024 LINE-UP
Enduro 500 – Spain
A tribute from the Stilmoto dealership to classic Spanish enduro bikes, the Enduro 500 is designed to tug on the heartstrings with memories from a beautiful, golden era of motorcycling history. It features eye-catching tank paintwork, high front mudguard, headlight cover, number board, a variety of handmade parts and Arrow exhaust muffler.
@stilmotohonda @hondamotoses
Cherry Lady – Spain
Drawn from the classic lines and logos of legendary Honda 750s of the 1990s, Cherry Lady is all about maintaining the essence and history of the brand. The creators – Honda Motorsport Las Rozas de Madrid – have a wealth of experience modifying bikes with their customers, but this one is all their own work. Details include a IXIL exhaust, Drag Bar handlebars, minimal turn signals, premium leather seat with red stitching, RedMoto mirrors, Michelin Anakee tyres and Candy Red paint.
@hondamotorsportmadrid @hondamotoses
CL501R – Spain
Inspiration for CL501R – built by Honda Moto Centre Leon – is the flat track style of racing bike so popular in the USA. Featuring adjustable rear gas shock absorbers, adjustable front fork plugs, radial front brake master cylinder and braided brake lines, plus handmade radiator and chain guard, the focus was finding the right balance between performance, aesthetics and functionality to create a CL that looks ready for competition.
@motocenter_leon_hondamotos @hondamotoses
Moonground – Portugal
Keep it lean, keep it clean. Moonground from Portuguese dealers Garonda, is their minimalist take on a two-wheeled vehicle ready for any terrain – or planet, of course – that it’s faced with, and is customised with wrapped exhaust downpipes, high-level muffler and aggressive block tyres
@garonda_guarda @hondamotos.pt
Oceans’ Track – France
Created by Oceane Motos, Ocean’s Track rolls with an American flat track style with a hint of stunt bike about it, to eyeball-popping visual effect. The key changes over the standard CL500 are the red frame and swingarm, gold wheels, super wide handlebars complete with bar end mirrors, twin LED projector headlights off-set in the front number board and solo seat unit.
@Oceane_motos_officiel @hondamotofr
CL500 Digger – France
An homage to the classic Honda XLs and XRs of the 1980s from Chave motos. Lots of off-road style, and bang on trend for the Wheels and Waves vibe, CL500 Digger features a high front mudguard, headlight visor, number boards, knuckle guards, retro tail unit, performance muffler and gold wheels.
@chaveÂ_motos @hondamotofr
CL500 Charade Spirit – France
More off-road chic from Charade Moto, with a hint of flat track; the Tricolour paint adorning Charade Spirit is that most classic of Honda colour schemes and is especially appealing when matched to the aggressive block tyres, high level front mudguard, single side number board, knuckle guards and high-level single exhaust muffler.
@charademotohonda @hondamotofr
Bik’ink – France
There’s a 1970s street scrambler vibe about AZ Moto’s custom CL500 and its gorgeous orange and cherry red paint. New rear shocks and the high-level single exhaust muffler complete its Californian look.
@azmotohondarouen @hondamotofr
Irezumi – France
It’s fair to say the stripped-down ‘Irezumi’ from Starbike Honda is a bit of a celestial entity. The intricate artwork on the tank draws people in, and the minimised rear end and high-level exhaust with single satin muffler and tan seat set this bike apart from its peers.
@StarbikÂe_honda @hondamotofr
The Poseidon Project – UK
The Poseidon Project was created by the team at south London’s Doble Motorcycles as an homage to the beauty and power of the ocean. It features a custom painted frame and components with oceanic blues and greens, airbrushed fuel tank and side panels, plus custom seat finished in brown leather. It has been inspired by the team’s strong interest in marine conservation.
@doblemotorcycles @hondaukmotorcycles
Sterrato 500 – Italy
Showing what a little thought, some choice parts and a sprinkling of Genuine Honda Accessories can do, Sterrato 500 (‘dirt road’ in Italian) created by Unit Garage raises the CL500’s off-road potential while referencing famous models from Honda’s past. Features include high front mudguard, headlight cowl, knuckle guards, leather seat, Öhlins rear shocks and block tyres.
@unitgarage @hondamotoitalia
Terra Battuta 500 – Italy
Terra Battuta 500 moves the CL500 in the direction of a long-distance travel all-rounder with stylish, versatile carrying capacity and an array of parts that make life on the open road that little bit easier and more enjoyable. It features a brushed aluminium front mudguard, engine bars, luggage carriers, black anodised luggage rack, tall screen with integrated GPS support, block tyres – and skateboard!
@unitgarage @hondamotoitalia
CL Surfer – Germany
The bike’s name was chosen because Wheels and Waves takes place next to the beautiful beach of Biarritz and exudes a laid-back surfing vibe. Created by the team at the flagship Honda Centre dealership in Frankfurt, the CL Surfer fits the mood, with its metallic silver fuel tank and front and rear mudguards (with signature blue stripe), plus clip-on handlebars, new exhaust and distinctive brown leather bench seat.
@hondamotorrad_de
Flat Track 500 – Belgium
Inspired by American flat track racing, Flat Track 500 is Belgium’s first entry into the hondacustoms.com competition. It celebrates the sort of purposeful aesthetic that competition machines so effortlessly exude. Equipped with Öhlins rear shocks, cantilever swingarm, straight handlebars, new wheels, a new rear brake, lowered exhaust, modified rear subframe and stunning paint for the fuel tank, Flat Track 500 is every bit the celebration of dirt track racing.
@anquetymotorsport @honda.moto.be
Alpina 500 – Switzerland
Built in cooperation with Meister Engineering and celebrating 50 years of Honda Switzerland, Alpina 500 draws on Honda’s heritage while referencing details and elements of one of Europe’s most beautiful countries. The Alpina 500 stands out from the competition with its CB-style fuel tank, stripped subframe, and minimalist bench seat.
@meisterengineering @hondamoto_ch
Bunker imPrint – Turkey
A welcome new entrant to the international competition for 2024 is Turkey, and Bunker Custom Cycles have really tapped into contemporary retro café racer cool, taking a stock CL250 well off course to produce a uniquely stylish motorcycle, with glass-fibre reinforced Nylon FDM 3D home-printed half fairing, new side panels, belly pan and seat hump, plus enclosed exhaust, CB250R USD front forks and radial-mount brake caliper.
@bunkercustomcycles @hondamotosiklet_tr
