Overall Ratings ★★★★★
| Ride: | ★★★★★ |
| Look: | ★★★★★ |
| Value for money: | ★★★★★ |
In a Nutshell
Honda’s Rebel 500 gets a well deserved facelift for 2020 that makes it look cooler and fixes some of the issues the of the old model.
But the Rebel 500 is the same cool-looking beginner bike, with a bobber-inspired aspect, fat wheels and a nice riding position. We spent a week riding the new Honda Rebel in the city, and we also took it out for a longer ride. Watch our full review:
What We Liked
The Honda Rebel 500 is narrow and easy to ride. That makes it a very good city bike. It’s easy to turn it in tight spaces and you can do some scooter-style lane-splitting (if you’re allowed).
The engine feels very good. It’s the same parallel-twin unit used for the entire CB500 series, and it develops 45 horsepower. But it’s more than enough. You can easily ride it with 130 km/h on the highway and the maximum speed is 160 km/h. More than enough for a beginner bike.
The headlight looks better, especially with the front cowl covering it. The LED turning lights are looking better than before, and the fork covers are cool, too. The new Rebel 500 loos better than before.
The riding position is nice and natural. The ergonomics are just fine and everything it’s where it should be. However, the right leg is sitting right next to the clutch cover.
The new dash has a gear indicator and offers basic info, although it’s a bit hard to read it in the direct sunlight.
Among the updates we can find a revised fork – the bike is not wobbly anymore in the higher speed turns – and a slippery clutch, which is also very useful when donwn-shifting.
What We Disliked
It still feels a bit like a bin-part motorcycle. The horizontal radiator looks like it’s borrowed from the CB500, the exhaust doesn’t look good, and the fuel tank doesn’t seem to match the frame.
The rear suspension si very harsh when going over bumps, in and outside the city.
Honda’s original accessories catalogue doesn’t offer a enough custom parts for this kind of bike.
Raw Data
| ENGINE | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled, DOHC |
| Engine Displacement (cm³) | 471 |
| No. of Valves per Cylinder | 4 |
| Bore ´ Stroke (mm) | 67 x 66.8 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Max. Power Output | 34kW/8,500rpm |
| Max. Torque | 43.3Nm/6,000rpm |
| Oil Capacity | 3.2 litres |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Carburation | PGM-FI |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 11.2L |
| Fuel consumption | 27km/litre |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
| Starter | Electric |
| Battery Capacity | 12V |
| ACG Output | 0.5kW |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Clutch Type | Wet multiplate |
| Transmission Type | 6-speed |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| FRAME | |
| Type | Steel Diamond |
| CHASSIS | |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) mm | 2,205 x 820 x 1,090 |
| Wheelbase | 1490mm |
| Caster Angle | 28° |
| Trail | 110 |
| Seat Height | 690mm |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm |
| Kerb Weight | 191kg |
| Turning radius | 2.8m |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Type Front | 41mm Telescopic forks |
| Type Rear | Showa twin shock |
| WHEELS | |
| Rim Size Front | 16M/C x MT3.00 |
| Rim Size Rear | 16M/C x MT3.50 |
| Tyres Front | 130/90-16M/C 67H |
| Tyres Rear | 150/80-16M/C 71H |
| BRAKES | |
| ABS System Type | Two channel |
| INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
| Instruments | Digital |
| Headlight | LED |
| Taillight | LED |
About parts, that 100% true, I just bought this bike and I though that Honda would offer more parts to customize the bike.
You can find on externak websites but is not the same a guess
Please tell some about that helmet you used in this video. that was more attractive, cool and dope then the bike. i also wanna have a helmet like this one, where do i get this?or is this a custom made helmet? if it is than make a video on it.it would be very grateful if u do so.
i’m torn between the moto guzzi v7, this rebel, and the iron 883.
Consider the Yamaha Bolt as well.
I quite like the 2021 rebel 500. Not too slow that you can’t keep up with traffic but not too fast that a noob would feel scared to ride. Hell, it was my introduction to Motorcycle riding. It is also quite easy to manoeuvre while riding. Would probably keep it after I get my full licence as I don’t need a big and loud bike for me to be happy riding
We have a 2021 500 Rebel. Felt it was better made and smooth running power band. We looked at and tested the Moto Guzzi 750, HD 883 and Royal Enfield 650. The Honda was the better riding and had more useful power Band,less vibrations and faster than the other 3 tested. Power to weight ratio and perfect Honda smoothness blew the others away!! Was doing a steady 85 mph on highway with no buzz or strain and it tracked great.
Nobody is allowed to lane-split. You must mean filtering.
I split lanes, ride wheelies on the freeway, cruise at 95 in school zones, I love riding next to cars in the hammer lanes. My Honda Rebel is the definition of Rebel.