In addition to my '04 Guzzi "Breva 750", I have a '17 Honda CB-500F (same chassis and engine as the subject CL-500) and a '21 Interceptor 650". Certainly, in the engine area the Interceptor wins hands down. The Interceptor has a vastly more torquey engine and much better gearchange. The Interceptor's engine is so flexible that I believe it would be just fine with a 4 speed (really retro!) gearbox, where the Honda has little torque and needs every one of its 6 speeds to get up to speed. The Honda is a lot lighter, which is a big plus for me, and the Honda has in 10 model years of production proven to be virtually unbreakable and totally reliable.
Ralph