The Honda that combines cruiser comfort with a sporty character

Cruisers are known for their laid-back comfort, low-end torque and rugged style. Meanwhile, Honda motorcycles are known for their everyday performance, top-notch reliability and low maintenance costs. Combining the two gives you a stylish, comfortable cruiser that won’t give you any trouble maintaining or driving around town. But if you add a sporty character to this, you might think it’s too much to ask.

Fortunately, Honda doesn’t think so. There is one Honda cruiser that not only combines the comfort and style of a cruiser with reliability and low maintenance costs, but also brings with it a rare sporting character. It’s the Rebel 500, which sits between the modest Rebel 300 and the leggy Rebel 1100. This is what makes the Rebel 500 a comfortable cruiser with sporty performance to back it up.

To give you the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article comes from authoritative sources such as Honda Powersports.

The Honda Rebel 500 combines black Bobber styling with a CBR-derived engine

Starting price: $6,499

The idea of ​​a sporty cruiser is nothing new. It started at a time when motorcycles were not yet divided into so many segments. The Crocker V-Twin is the perfect example of this. It was once the fastest motorcycle in the world for many years, even though it looked like what we now call a cruiser. The Rebel 500 takes a similar approach and features a CBR-derived parallel-twin engine, covered in a stylish bobber design. That’s not where it ends either. It offers one of the easiest-to-ride packages in its segment, thanks to its low seat height, relaxed ergonomics and lightweight frame.

A CBR-derived engine provides a sporty character

The reason we chose the Rebel 500 over other Honda cruisers is that none of them have as sporty character as this one. Yes, the Rebel 1100 produces almost twice the horsepower of the Rebel 500, but the Africa Twin-derived engine is aimed at long-distance touring. Meanwhile, the Rebel 300 delivers old-school performance that’s unlikely to win any hearts. Other Honda cruisers are outdated and outdated. Meanwhile, Honda makes quite a bit of noise about the Rebel 500 being a sporty cruiser, even on its website.

Rivals of the Rebel 500

Even among its rivals, the Rebel 500 stands out as one of the sportiest cruisers, rivaled only by the Kawasaki Eliminator. The Kawasaki cruiser, like the Rebel, borrows its engine from the Ninja sport bike and uses a lightweight trellis frame. Meanwhile, the next closest rival is the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, a laid-back cruiser with a fuss-free parallel-twin engine and over 100 pounds more. It focuses on comfort and old-world charm.

Peppy Parallel-Twin with a focus on versatility

Power: 45.6 hp at 8,500 rpm

Honda has taken the parallel-twin engine from the CBR500R and adapted it to the cruiser character of the Rebel. Thanks to revised PGM-FI mapping and valve and ignition timing, this versatile engine now focuses on richer low-end torque without sacrificing much of its top performance. As a result, the bike produces smooth power delivery with punchy low-to-mid range performance, as well as a relatively exciting top end.

The flexible engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox, allowing the bike to travel at highway speeds without sacrificing its valves to the gods of speed. Meanwhile, the slip and assist clutch reduces clutch force by almost 30 percent, allowing for a feather-light pull on the lever. It also prevents the rear wheel from locking up under hard acceleration, a common mistake among novice riders testing performance and cornering.

Mileage is good, but not the total range

Because it is a Honda, this sporty cruiser also attaches great importance to its reliability and low maintenance costs. The engine is proven and has been used in both the CBR500R and NX500 (formerly CB500F), so it can withstand both aggressive riding styles and hours of highway/off-road abuse. Honda also claims a fuel range of 65 MPG; the frugal fuel economy makes up for the sub-par range of less than 200 miles on a full tank.

Soft ride and excellent control, even for beginners

Seat height: 27.2 inches.

Honda boldly claims that it has “paid equal attention to the cornering of this motorcycle [the company has] to its knockout styling.” That is quite a task, but the substantiation yields strong results. The bike is built around a steel diamond frame that is optimized for agile and precise handling. It is complemented by a wide front fork and revised rear suspension with nitrogen-filled external reservoirs, which are precisely tuned for smooth damping, a smooth ride and sharp control. As a result, throwing this bike around corners shouldn’t be a problem, even for beginners who may not quite know the nuances of cornering yet.

Ergonomic comfort is a priority here

The low-slung frame places the saddle relatively low to the ground, so getting both feet on the ground should not be a problem, even when vertically challenged. Then there are the centre-mounted pegs and wide handlebars, making it a relaxed but involving triangular bike. Whether you’re cycling around town or taking corners on a weekend, the Rebel 500 should get through just fine.

Rebel 500 dimensions

The Bobber philosophy is prevalent in the design

One look at the Rebel 500 and you’ll see where it gets its inspiration from. Yes, it’s a baby version of the Rebel 1100, but it follows the lines of old-school bobbers, custom motorcycles with a stripped-down look. So the Rebel 500 has a simple neo-retro design that combines the rawness of bobbers with modern performance. This barebones look makes the bike a great blank canvas for you to personalize.

There is not much technology available

Unfortunately, LED lighting and a small LCD screen are the only technical standard on all trim levels. Dual-channel ABS is available on the Rebel 500 ABS for a $300 premium, which is worth it, especially for novice riders. Honda also offers the Rebel 500 ABS SE variant with Pearl Blue paint, color-matched headlight cover, brown diamond stitch wheels and fork covers. Finally, Honda offers 22 accessories, including saddlebags, an adjustable brake lever, fuel pads, custom seats, a small headlight visor and more. A pillion seat and pegs are also optional, if you want to enjoy a sporty roundabout with a pillion passenger.