Honda Rebel CMX500
Motorcycles range from urban and nimble motorcycles to large, heavy motorcycles that are great for long trips. Although there are now some motorcycle "segments" in the market, Honda has recently created a new player for which it is difficult to find any direct competitor. We had the opportunity to spend a few days with a Japanese “rebel”.
The Rebel debuted in the 1980s as the CMX250 and CMX450. Later the world saw a change in the form of the modest 125, and then the model died down on the automobile market. 2021 marks the birth of a new version of the popular bike, but in a much more stylish version.
Honda Rebel CMX500
Motorcycle review for beginner bikers 2021 Honda Rebel
When you first look at the new Honda Rebel, the first thing that comes to mind is its beauty and style, which is visible even while parked. This feeling does not leave during the trip, and also remains for a long time, until the very end of the day. It is then that the feeling of coolness of the new model arises.
Thanks to such brevity, competitors are simply knocked out. The freshness of the design approach is devoid of frills and the desire to make the motorcycle pretentious. Despite the fact that this is a classic “beaver”, its appearance will not confuse any potential buyers. The designers' attention was focused precisely on the convenience of everyday driving, and not on external attractiveness, and it was thanks to this that the model was truly a success.
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Rebel welcomes new riders with open arms, and also gives a low-key hug to its loyal fans. That is why this model is the best choice for beginners, which is confirmed by the long-term popularity of the MSF class around the world. Those with more experience on two-wheelers will probably get bored driving this Honda, but the driving experience will still motivate them to take longer trips. It is unlikely that this motorcycle will be of interest to those who can afford a Harley Davidson.
Simple and raw
The driving position is similar to sitting in a chair. This is convenient when with your arms and legs slightly forward. The frame is designed to taper slightly at rider hip height, providing a comfortable position even for smaller people. The knees are bent at an angle of about 90 degrees, which means that we will really feel comfortable on long trips. The highly raked fuel tank holds just over 11 liters of petrol and the design of the bike seems to be ideally suited to the rider.
Honda Rebel CMX500
The early days of riding the Honda Rebel consisted of constantly searching for the pegs under the hips (as in sports or street bikes) rather than at the front. Unfortunately, even after finding them, it is difficult to talk about symmetry, since the right footrest (and therefore the right foot) is slightly offset from the axis of the motorcycle due to a protruding fragment of the engine housing.
The steering wheel was positioned quite high, but not so high that we found it uncomfortable. Even after a long journey, it will not harm our spine. However, something else will hurt us... Unfortunately, although the seat initially looks quite soft, after a few kilometers of riding it may no longer feel so comfortable. Strong vibrations of the motorcycle, felt both at the "four points" and in the hands, also cannot help, but can also be seen in the form of madly vibrating mirrors at every excess of 90-100 km/h. However, this defect is difficult to attribute to model, and this was rather a problem with this particular instance.
Honda Rebel CMX500
If we decide to go on a trip, our passenger will not be very happy. The second seat is about the size of a saucer and definitely not the most comfortable in the motorcycle world. It is worth assuming that we will be traveling alone on future trips. In case the passenger footrests and rear “sandwich” are quite easy to disassemble.
What is the new model
When Honda released its OG Rebel decades ago, the idea was to make the charged model more aesthetically pleasing, smooth out the rough edges, and build a smoother, more compliant engine into it. Honda engineers tried to get away from the image of an overly aggressive motorcycle. However, the power and balance of control retained the “zest” and did not allow it to turn into a simple vehicle.
The 2012 Rebel is still the same classic motorcycle, equipped with fuel injection, calibrated front forks and decent brakes.
Why is the emergence of a new generation such a familiar event?
The concept of a motorcycle aimed at the mass consumer is an almost impossible task. In recent years, motorcycles have begun to massively dominate public roads. At the same time, there is a clear gradation by class of motorcycle equipment, but there are also those for whom the convenience of everyday driving is much more important than image considerations. It is for such customers that the Honda Rebel was created.
This is not to say that the Rebel was the founder of the entire industry, but it is positioned as the main tool for attracting a new target audience, regardless of which motorcycle is currently the most technologically advanced or innovative.
Main functionality
The seat height in motorcycles of this class is very low and is approximately 69 cm. In practice, this means that even a short driver will sit comfortably behind the wheel of this bike, and pressing the pedals will not be something difficult, especially when it is necessary to brake sharply at a traffic light.
Taking into account the curb weight of 185 kg, the average rider weight of 68 kg is a serious weight. It is worth remembering that the version equipped with ABS weighs even more. Due to such a significant load on the rather light chassis, the motorcyclist seems to be pressed against the asphalt, which is confirmed by the squat design of the new model.
Disappointment
The main problem in creating a mass-produced motorcycle with high reliability and ease of control is that it is not fast or aggressive enough for more experienced motorcyclists.
See also: Ten best motorcycles for a beginner
The Rebel 500 is ideal for straight-line highway driving, but acceleration is a bit disappointing. Despite the rather large engine displacement of 471 cm3. accelerating at maximum revs won't make you squat into the saddle or tighten your grip on the handlebars.
Of course, there is an opinion that it is much more pleasant to accelerate a weak bike than to constantly hold the reins on more powerful motorcycles, but not everyone will agree with this.
The lack of traction manifests itself on long climbs, of course it is not as noticeable as one might expect and the engine does not slow down. The problem is that this pace itself is not impressive, and for experienced riders it will be a reason to carefully consider the comfort of the seat and handling before the climb is overcome.
I’ll try to compare two models of “children’s” choppers that I recently drove: Honda Rebel 250, born in 1989.
and Suzuki Marauder 250, 2000. Why so small? No, not because I’m very small. It’s just that my experience in driving motorcycles (so far) is very modest, and I’m still afraid of large volumes! So…
Honda Rebel 250 vs Suzuki Marauder 250 So, Honda came across first. The history of the 250cc Honda Rebel model dates back to 1985, but I got a motorcycle of the 1988 model year, with two carburetors, this unit has already traveled a lot before me: 57 thousand km on the odometer, general condition is a four. Compact dimensions, low weight and low center of gravity make the motorcycle very easy to control. The in-line 2-cylinder air-cooled engine with separate exhaust has confident and smooth traction from the lowest revs, in 1-2 gears (out of five) you can drive slowly even at idle - it’s very convenient for driving around the city, and the sound... the sound comes from the exhaust pipes, I won’t describe it - put on the song “The Hour has struck” performed by “Aria”, and wait
The suspensions work very softly, but they never worked until the all-clear even with a passenger in the back seat - besides, the rear shock absorbers have 5 fixed positions for setting the stiffness! But the short wing over the front wheel let us down: if you drive through a puddle at a speed of 60-65 km/h, the range of “face-in-the-mud” sensations is guaranteed - you have to stop and wash your face / wipe your glasses :(( When driving on a dusty road, grains of sand fly into eyes, movement without sealed protection is almost impossible. The gas tank is small: only 10 liters, almost half of which is reserve! In addition, the age and less-than-ideal technical condition of “our” motorcycle have significantly increased fuel consumption, forcing us to stop at a gas station almost every 100 km.
A week later it was Suzuki's turn. The little Marauder has been in production since 1998, and the example we tested was a 2000 model with 7,500 miles on it (is it really American?). The yellow “chicken” looks much larger than the dark-skinned Honda, mainly due to the massive wings and wide front wheel, but from the driver’s seat the difference is no longer noticeable - the same light and obedient little chopper. The Marauder's engine is a single-cylinder 250cc air blower, at low speeds it does not provide any traction, but as the speed increases it becomes more and more fun, and, once revved up, it gives no less power than that of a 2-cylinder Honda.
The suspensions, both front and rear, work perfectly, although much stiffer than on the Honda - but this is a problem for the passenger (which she hinted about more than once -
however, the motorcycle easily forces potholes and does not “sausage” at all on the markings ; the stiffness of the springs is not adjustable. The large front wing does not allow any nasty things to fly from the wheels into the heads of satisfied riders, although when riding through puddles, the legs below the knees get wet, and in heavy rain, the driver’s “Faberge” quickly ends up in a puddle of water flowing from the jacket (thanks to the chopper feet first and a deep seat) - these are rather shortcomings of equipment, the equipment is not to blame! The gas tank (although the yellow one
The controls of both motorcycles are standard and, in general, quite sufficient: speedometer glass, odometer, additional. odometer, neutral and turn signal lamps, direction indicator switch, light (off-side position-on), low/high switch, stop motor, starter button, on the left hand - choke drive; tank cover with a lock. However, there are also differences: on a Honda, the steering column is locked with a separate lock on the fork, under the steering wheel, with the same key as the ignition - somehow inconvenient and old-fashioned; The Honda has a high beam indicator lamp, the Suzuka does not have this, but under the index finger of the left hand there is a convenient button for turning on the high beam. In addition, the Marauder's speedometer measures distances and speeds in hostile Anglo-American miles; the speed scale in km/h is small and unreadable, which is a little annoying if you're not used to it. On Suzuka, the tank is wider and flatter, and you can stick at least a map of the area on it - which, in combination with more rare refueling, is a definite plus! On a Honda, when the headlights are on, both turn signals light up, when you need to turn, one starts blinking.
Both motorcycles are quite modern: four-stroke engines, hydraulic front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, full headlights allow you to ride safely at night. Pleasant little things like turning off the ignition when starting with the footrest folded down, protection against accidental activation of the electric starter on Suzuka. The engine, gearbox, clutch - everything works easily and clearly, giving no reason to doubt their reliability, the driver is only required to refuel on time and not sleep at the wheel!
Everyday driving
A city trip, a walk on the beach or short rides on country roads - this is the area where the new model can truly unleash its potential. Just relax behind the wheel and let the wind flow around you, and it will make you smile sincerely. Remember that after 110 km/h the sensations will become much sharper. With a fully filled tank in accordance with the efficiency declared by the factory, you will be able to travel more than 240 km without additional stops at a gas station.
At the same time, you are unlikely to like longer trips, since despite the well-developed ergonomics, the driver still needs rest. The correct seating position will prevent your back from getting tired too early, but the seat is a little hard, and after 65 km you will want to stop and rest. As you search for the optimal riding position, you'll find that leaning forward gives the handling a sharp edge and allows for some adrenaline rush, but after a while you'll recognize that a straight, upright position is optimal for the bike. This is what allows beginners to cover significant distances on this model.
Aggressive riding
The very first attempts will accelerate intensively, at first bringing you the expected sensations of freedom, since you are in the saddle of a motorcycle with a fairly large engine. But in more severe conditions of climbing, poor surfaces or sharp turns, the fuse fades somewhat. As for the braking system, it is quite effective, especially at reasonable speeds. A model with ABS is also available, which provides even greater confidence during intense acceleration. But, as mentioned earlier, the Honda Rebel does not provoke you into extreme rides to the point of losing control.
Youth at heart
The “Rebel” was powered by a two-cylinder engine with a displacement of 471 cm 3, the famous CB500 model. However, the manufacturer praises the device for its highly modernized PGM-FI injection system. This would make the engine more flexible and smoother, reminiscent of the character of the CBR500R. The unit produces 45.5 hp and a maximum torque of 44.6 Nm, available at 6000 rpm. Although these values are sufficient for city driving, on highways or when overtaking we can feel a slight lethargy. And the six-speed gearbox is reluctant to remove strong reductions. However, the important benefit is that with these features, the Rebel will be an excellent companion for people with an A2 driving licence.
Honda Rebel CMX500
Who is the motorcycle addressed to?
The Honda Rebel will allow even inexperienced motorcyclists who want to look cool while maintaining their dignity to feel confident behind the wheel.
Anyone who prefers simple operation, devoid of such nuances as daily carburetor or starter adjustments, will probably prefer the Honda Rebel. But the convenience and simplicity that attracts you so much at the beginning of your motorcycle journey will later become the reason for choosing a more advanced bike.
Urban hipster
Although we recognize the Rebel name from other Honda models, the brand's new baby has little in common with its predecessors. The first is a “Diamond” tubular steel frame designed from the ground up that, combined with massive Dunlop tires (130/90-16 front and 150/80-16 rear), creates a “bobber” street bike. It is addressed mainly to young people who want to stand out on the road. But just – will a newbie be in the saddle?
Let's start with the fact that this type of motorcycle has never been seen in my road experience. I've always been more interested in sports bikes, city bikes or their complete opposite - off-road models. If you also like cars of this type, then the first moments on the “back” of the “Rebel” may surprise you.
Honda Rebel CMX500
Price
The Rebel starts at around $6,000, which may seem like a lot of money for your first motorcycle, but cheaper competitors have their own setbacks that the Honda doesn't.
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$6,000 for a brand new model that will give you the full driving experience without the drawbacks of a used product is not bad at all.
Verdict
Honda Rebel is the best option for a novice motorcyclist. It's ideal for starting a career and can serve you for many years, but it will also suit those who are simply tired of some of the hassles associated with more advanced motorcycles. You won't feel a call to action while driving it, but that's exactly what allows you to feel the full pleasure of driving it.
Author: Sergey Vasilenkov
Peculiarities
The main features of the “rebel” are determined by its design. The motorcycle is very easy to control and easy to keep from falling. However, due to its low mass, it blows away strongly at high speeds and on the highway. A powerful flow of headwind - and the bike no longer “pulls”. In addition, the lightweight “Rebel” holds the road a little worse than its more massive brothers.
At the same time, the motorcycle has excellent weight distribution, it is very stable and dropping it is very problematic. The fork is slightly inclined, so it is not at risk of “kinks” (which is typical for many choppers). The bike is easy to steer, almost like a bicycle. The footpegs are moved forward slightly and this is also very convenient, especially for short drivers!
Also among the advantages is high cross-country ability, the Rebel is not afraid of off-road conditions and copes well with it. Comfortable seating and low fuel consumption allow you to drive the bike not only around the city, but also “out in nature”.
Maintenance takes a minimum of time, since the design of the “rebel” is extremely simple. It doesn't even have an oil filter. And the battery can be removed in 2 minutes.
