The 2021 Honda Rebel may be the coolest motorcycle for beginners.

Honda Rebel 500 cruiser model

was presented in 2021 along with the junior version of the Honda Rebel 300 in 2021 at the IMS exhibition. Both models replaced the obsolete Honda Rebel 250, which had been produced virtually unchanged since 1985. Official sales of the Honda Rebel 500 began in 2021.

The Honda Rebel 500 was based on the in-line 2-cylinder liquid-cooled engine installed on the Honda CB500F, Honda CB500X and Honda CBR500R, retuned to increase low-end torque and reduce maximum operating speeds. As a result, the engine began to produce about 45 hp. power and 44.5 Nm of torque. The younger version of the Honda Rebel 300 differs in that it is built on the basis of a 1-cylinder engine from the Honda CBR300R; in all other respects, both versions are identical.

Compared to the Honda Rebel 250, the new Honda Rebel 500 gets a number of technical and visual differences. Firstly, the appearance of the motorcycle has the features of a bobber. Secondly, spoked wheels were replaced by cast ones. Thirdly, there is practically no chrome left in the motorcycle - instead, the parts are covered with matte black paint. Fourthly, the classic analogue instrument panel has been replaced with a fully electronic one.

Technically, the new motorcycle also has a number of radical differences. Firstly, the engine increased its volume to 500 cc. see, became an in-line two with liquid cooling and electronic fuel injection. Secondly, the classic 5-speed gearbox has been replaced with a 6-speed one. Thirdly, the braking system is now fully disc with the option of ABS.

Additional equipment for the Honda Rebel 500, in addition to ABS, includes passenger footrests, a saddle, luggage accessories and a windshield.

In February 2021, Honda introduced an updated version of the Rebel 500. The motorcycle received an LED headlight, rear brake light and turn signals, as well as an Assist & Slipper clutch and a gear indicator in the dashboard.

Honda Rebel 500: electronic options

• ABS
• LED optics - from 2021
• Assist & Slipper clutch - from 2021

Brief history of the model

• 2016 - The Honda Rebel 500 is officially launched at IMS.
• 2017 - official start of production and sales of the Honda Rebel 500.

Model

: Honda Rebel 500 + ABS (All markets).
Factory designation
: CMX500H + CMX500AH.

• 2018 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda Rebel 500 + ABS (All markets).
Factory designation
: CMX500J + CMX500AJ.

• 2019 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda Rebel 500 + ABS (All markets).
Factory designation
: CMX500K + CMX500AK.

• 2020 - starting this year, the motorcycle is equipped with LED optics and a slipper clutch with an Assist & Slipper clutch.

Model

: Honda Rebel 500 + ABS (All markets).
Factory designation
: CMX500L + CMX500AL.

• 2021 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda Rebel 500 + ABS (All markets).
Factory designation
: CMX500M + CMX500AM.

Honda Rebel chassis

The Honda Rebel's tubular steel frame is connected to the engine at three points, and the radiator is mounted on outriggers under the steering column. Instead of the old spine-like frame, the new one has a cage-frame-inspired exterior structure, and a lightweight cast aluminum subframe supports the rear fender brace. The tubular swingarm is completed with a pair of shock absorbers with external springs.

The 28-degree steering column and 11-centimeter trail give the Rebels a stable behavior that allows the bike to be more or less stable on the road, but do not forget that we are talking about 165 or 187 kg (depending on cubic capacity), so the slightest gust of wind or a heavy truck passing nearby - and they start prowling.

The 41mm fork is quite powerful for such a small cruiser, and gives a soft, comfortable ride given the 121mm of suspension travel, but has no adjustments. At the rear, two shock absorbers with a stroke of 96 mm have a basic setting option - spring preload. A surprisingly constant value was the seat height, which has hardly changed since the first versions and amounted to 69 cm. If suddenly even this seems too high, then perhaps two-wheeled life is not for you.

Alloy 16-inch wheels are shod with 130/90 front and 150/80 rear, and I'm pleased to note that Honda has finally stopped putting drum brakes on the Rebel's rear wheels. A single-piston caliper sits on both a 240mm rear and a 296mm front disc, and both have ABS as an option.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of Honda Rebel 500:

Honda Rebel design

The original Honda Rebel was released in 1985, and was designed to meet the tastes and expectations popular among custom cruisers at the time. Skinny wings, a low seat, a horned steering wheel - all this was very catchy. But over the years, this design has become outdated, despite its initial popularity. In relaunching the Rebels in 2021, Honda chose the same concept: to meet modern trends in custom building, targeting the small-capacity segment, and here today bobbers rule the roost. An experienced eye will find similarities in silhouette between the past generation of Rebels and the current one, but everything below the silhouette is as different as heaven and earth.

The short front fender covers the wide front tire, and the fuel tank also appears shortened. The frame of the Honda Rebel is completely open. Unlike the originals, instead of a dual seat, the new Rebels have a solo seat with an unusual loop behind it that closes the frame and serves as a support for the forward-sloping rear shock absorbers. We can only hope that the new seat is more comfortable than the old one, because on the '87 bike, let me tell you, it wasn't much softer than a cinder block. Overall, the new bike looks much more modern, and elements borrowed from sportbikes don't look out of place here.

Review of new Honda products. 2021 Rebel 300 and Rebel 500 models

All advanced motorcyclists in the world know first-hand about the excellent technical and ergonomic characteristics of the Honda Rebel series bikes. Models, regardless of their cubic capacity, are very popular both among novice motorcyclists and among fans of this hobby. The main qualities of the entire Rebelov line are a comfortable fit on a low seat, reliable and efficient Japanese power plants, as well as the amazing ease of operating the equipment. At the very beginning of its life, the Rebel was positioned as a purely urban cruiser with interesting design, its own charisma and good power. Indeed, the 1985 models were a real breakthrough, and many bikers happily used the classic bike for daily commutes around the city. He was lively, reliable and fit in very well with his class. But the years passed, and the model range of the conservative Japanese from Honda did not tolerate significant changes. And finally, Honda decided to take a big step in the development of the motorcycle industry by introducing new motorcycles from the legendary Rebel line. Over the 31 years of production of classic bikes, the developers have done a lot of research and now their new products should occupy the appropriate niche of technology for novice motorcyclists. This is facilitated by an interesting and modern design that combines classic features with fashionable high-tech details, as well as balanced technical characteristics - 300 or 500 cubic meters to choose from, technical and engineering components ready for tuning and customization.

Honda Rebel 300

Honda Rebel 500

Regarding design, the motorcycles have a modern and interesting appearance. It is worth noting that the appearance of the new bikes was developed taking into account the comments of many users of the popular Instagram network. That is why the new items have a sophisticated, but at the same time very daring design. Unlike its predecessors, modern Honda Rebel will be practically devoid of chrome parts, now these are dark and matte colors that highlight individual bright areas of the motorcycle body. Although the new items look modern and interesting, this does not deprive the bike of the character of the classic Rebel. Here and there, familiar features can be seen. This will appeal to all lovers of classic bikes made in a modern design with excellent features.

In addition to paying special attention to the familiar character of the Rebels, the developers have gone to great lengths to simplify and achieve absolute minimalism in all aspects of a motorcycle specifically designed for urban riding. The bike’s recognition is enhanced by the design of the fuel tank and comfortable saddle, while the entire wheelbase and exhaust system are completely new. Some motorcycle enthusiasts will notice bobber notes in the new Rebel. To make it even easier to make an interesting custom bike out of the bike, the user can easily remove the fender and subframe mounts.

The Rebel 500 2021 and Rebel 300 2021 models have no external differences between each other. The main difference between the bikes is the heart of the motorcycle.

The younger bike from the new Rebelov line has received an updated version of the popular 286 cc. four-stroke engine. The unit has modern liquid cooling and one cylinder. Overall, the new engine has more refined settings that allow it to achieve improved performance. According to preliminary data, the younger version of the Rebel has thirty-one horsepower with 27 Nm of torque. It is worth noting that the new product has these figures with a weight of 164 kilograms, so there is no need to worry about acceleration dynamics and speed.

The older model, labeled 500, received a more powerful 471 cc. engine with two cylinders. Precise fitting of parts and excellent tuning, coupled with water cooling, allow the new product to produce 47 hp. at 43 Nm of torque. Due to the powerful engine, the motorcycle weighed 185 kg. With these parameters, such indicators are more than sufficient for using the bike for its intended purpose, that is, in city conditions.

Of the characteristics common to both models, it is worth noting a six-speed gearbox, as well as reliable disc brakes from Nissin. At the buyer's request, the new product can be equipped with an anti-lock braking system. This option has a low price of $300, but at the same time adds more than three kilograms of weight. In general, the new products from Honda turned out to be more than worthy. We hope both models will receive the same popularity as their predecessors. This is facilitated by a comfortable fit, suitable for absolutely all users, regardless of height. The motorcycle also features a comfortable handlebar that you don’t have to reach for, so the biker can sit straight with a relaxed back and arms.

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