Motorcycle Experience I haven't gone highway yet, as I'm still a very new rider. I've gotten it up to 60 and there is a little buzz through the handle bars. I wish I would've spent the extra $ for the 500, but the 300 is perfect for city riding and anything 60 and under. Such an easy bike to ride!
Great review as usual thanks! Love this bike! Leave it to Honda to reinvent the Rebel while improving every aspect! Mid controls lightweight urban bobber 4400 for the 300 or 6 grand for the 500! Sign me up!
got the 500, only downfall i had with the bike so far was that the side fairing that covers the battery access fell off at some point going down the road around 70 mph, havnt found it yet and have to order a new one... the fairings seem a little too easy to pop off
It's a cool modern bike. Honda hopefully has placed them selves in the market pretty well in......well.......forever! This bike has room to grow with a cb650 engine upgrade in the future with a new product . It would be a big middle finger salute to Harley Davidson if they did as a 650cc rebel would steal sales from there street 500&750. If there smart , they should 😎
Is the suspension adjustable back and front? Gauge is ugly no tachometer and gear gauge. Seems not good with passenger seat and back reat because the suspension I heard is too soft 😔
A Honda estar devendo esse estilo custom por isso traga logo pars o Brasil Essa Rebel 500 C M X ela é muito bonita só falta colocar 2 escape si fica show min enteressa ( JOSEILDO )
Trying to decide between the 300 and 500 - I'm a new rider, 5'1 and about 100 lbs. I'm definitely leaning towards the 500. Any advice you can give to help make the decision easier?
Hi there. A lot will depend on how you want to use this bike. If you plan on riding around the city and have a short commute to work the 300 will do just fine. We prefer the 500 because of the extra power. If you have a longer commute, go with the 500. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
Motorcycle Experience thank you, my commute’s about 20 km (one way) through suburban roads and very minimal freeway use, if any. I would probably make occasional 60-70 km trips but those would definitely be the exception
Would you rather regret not having the power you need to sit on the highway or regret paying the extra money for it.......you get what you pay for! I wish my bike had less power , said #no one ever!
A very late reply but for anyone making the same consideration, the ONLY reason to get the 300 over the 500 is price. The 500 is not going to overwhelm a new rider due to size, weight or power. If you can afford the extra $2K get the 500.
i have a question i live in long beach which is in la county aka pot pot hole state. is the 300 good enough to use as a day to day thing to go to work or would i have to go to 500? work is short distance but i want to also go on the highway on weekends to different citys in la county
300 could work for that as well yes. Biggest difference you're going to feel between the 300 and the 500 is the power and torque. Otherwise, they are virtually the same.
I've heard from other reviews that the 500 has a top speed of around 110, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. The 300, however, would be pushing its limits at freeway speeds. You might be able to get away with it for a few minutes, but certainly not for an extended period of time. The 500 is the way to go if you're someone who likes to ride freeway speeds.
I'm 6'2" 220 lbs and have sat on a Rebel, but no driving yet, and it fits like a glove, in the best ways. It's small, but the sense I got was that I was kind of in the bike, rather than perched on top, probably partially because of the rise of the tank. I was expecting to like the CBR500R, or CB500F, but something about the Rebel called to me in a way no other bike has once I sat on it.
I'm 6'1'' 150lbs and it felt ok for me. Certainly, if you're someone who likes larger cruisers or sportbikes, this is gonna feel a bit small. I think from the outside it looks that way mainly because of the low seat. If it were designed more similarly to a cbr 500 with a high seat and covered in fairings, it wouldn't seem so compact. I can vouch for the fact that when sitting on this bike, it doesn't feel as small as it looks.
I think that's really just a question of which style you prefer. From everything I've read, the Rebel is more powerful in both models and performs better overall than the vstar. Personally, I like the more modern style of the rebel, but if you want a more classic style bike to just have fun with on some back roads, the v star is a fine choice that'll definitely save you some money.
I've been looking at low-end street bikes like rebels and the vstar, and the rebels are the only ones I'm seeing with rear disc brakes and ABS available. That's what's making my decision for me. (I have short legs, and most bikes I see have a low enough seat height for me, but have stuff sticking up BEHIND the seat, and I don't want to drag my leg over that, getting on and off)
The gear box is a 6 speed but the 6th gear is more of a overdrive gear good for highway speeds gears 1 through 5 are for pulling power able to get you to 65 to 70 mph Fairly quickly then shift it into 6th to build up to 75 mph at a slower rate of speed and it reduces your engine speed to help your mpg.
It's more cafe racer by the way it handles but looks like the bastard child of a bobber and a cruiser it's the best of all three styles of motorcycle's.
Holy shit it's so impossible to find a video review on this bike that isn't just what "you" think of the bike. I just want to hear the specs and the engine noise. Not your droning opinions.
Hilarious - could the short guy being interviewed about these Bikes be anymore non committal and ambivalent? It sounds like he's struggling to say anything nice about them at all. It's like the guy who is trying to break up with a chick but keeps beating around the bush ... I think the 2020 CMX 500 Rebel is superb - plan on buying one just as an aside.
Hi Jose. Thanks for watching. We took the 300 out on the freeway in LA and it was fine. It's definitely more suited for a city commute, but it will absolutely work on the freeway.
Spongy, divey front suspension. The curse of 90% of the Hondas I've ever owned, dirt or street. I forget that the company is staffed by people who are 5' 7" and 165 lbs and tune for that customer base more than others, not 6'1" 240 lbs. Wonder if I could just drop custom springs in.
I apologize for the rudeness of these commenters. There are plenty of aftermarket suspension upgrades compatible with this bike, ranging from barely better than stock up through the thousand dollar Ohlins. There are a number of instructional videos right here on youtube on replacing the suspension. Generally, this is a highly customizable bike. I'm sure you could replace just about anything you'd like relatively easily. I suppose the main question would be whether or not it is a worthwhile investment to heavily mod an entry level bike, rather than spend the extra money up front for a nicer, more expensive one. Cheers
Why are they calling this a rebel? It has nothing in common with the rebel. Nothing. It is not even in the same genre as the rebel. The rebel was a cruiser. This is not a cruiser. This is some dual sport type bike. If you are looking for a small cruiser, Honda no longer makes one.
I agree, but you also have to remember that this is an entry-level, budget bike. It's biggest draw is that it looks sporty, but isn't too much for a new rider to handle. To someone who isn't that familiar with motorcycles, it looks like a pretty nice bike, and I think that's what people like most about it. I for one like what Honda is doing. New riders often go out and buy a bike that's too powerful for them, simply because they like the way it looks. This tends to lead to the destruction of property and physical injury. I appreciate that Honda is providing a sporty, yet easy to handle, bike for a reasonable price.
Bought my first rebel and feeling great about it 💕💕💕💕💕💕
I had a Honda 350 cruiser back when. Loved it. A bit light for the highway, but there's always another road that goes to the same place.
I've had my 500A for about a month now. I love it. So easy and smooth.
excellent review; reminded me of a Motor Week review from the 90s
Can't wait to get my first rebel!
you plan on getting multiple rebels?
in 4k, beatiful!
beautiful bike...
Getting a 300 soon!
Bought a 300 yesterday. Great bike.
Have you taken it on any highways? If so, how did you find it?
Motorcycle Experience I haven't gone highway yet, as I'm still a very new rider. I've gotten it up to 60 and there is a little buzz through the handle bars. I wish I would've spent the extra $ for the 500, but the 300 is perfect for city riding and anything 60 and under. Such an easy bike to ride!
Agreed, and it looks nice!
Brett Sticker so the 500 vibrates less at high speeds?
Great review as usual thanks! Love this bike! Leave it to Honda to reinvent the Rebel while improving every aspect! Mid controls lightweight urban bobber 4400 for the 300 or 6 grand for the 500! Sign me up!
Thanks very much for watching!
got the 500, only downfall i had with the bike so far was that the side fairing that covers the battery access fell off at some point going down the road around 70 mph, havnt found it yet and have to order a new one... the fairings seem a little too easy to pop off
It's a cool modern bike. Honda hopefully has placed them selves in the market pretty well in......well.......forever! This bike has room to grow with a cb650 engine upgrade in the future with a new product . It would be a big middle finger salute to Harley Davidson if they did as a 650cc rebel would steal sales from there street 500&750. If there smart , they should 😎
Is the suspension adjustable back and front? Gauge is ugly no tachometer and gear gauge. Seems not good with passenger seat and back reat because the suspension I heard is too soft 😔
A Honda estar devendo esse estilo custom por isso traga logo pars o Brasil Essa Rebel 500 C M X ela é muito bonita só falta colocar 2 escape si fica show min enteressa ( JOSEILDO )
Trying to decide between the 300 and 500 - I'm a new rider, 5'1 and about 100 lbs. I'm definitely leaning towards the 500. Any advice you can give to help make the decision easier?
Hi there. A lot will depend on how you want to use this bike. If you plan on riding around the city and have a short commute to work the 300 will do just fine. We prefer the 500 because of the extra power. If you have a longer commute, go with the 500. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
Motorcycle Experience thank you, my commute’s about 20 km (one way) through suburban roads and very minimal freeway use, if any. I would probably make occasional 60-70 km trips but those would definitely be the exception
Since you're a new rider, I would definitely recommend the 300. It can still do the freeway speed if you need it. Enjoy!
Would you rather regret not having the power you need to sit on the highway or regret paying the extra money for it.......you get what you pay for! I wish my bike had less power , said #no one ever!
A very late reply but for anyone making the same consideration, the ONLY reason to get the 300 over the 500 is price. The 500 is not going to overwhelm a new rider due to size, weight or power. If you can afford the extra $2K get the 500.
i have a question i live in long beach which is in la county aka pot pot hole state. is the 300 good enough to use as a day to day thing to go to work or would i have to go to 500? work is short distance but i want to also go on the highway on weekends to different citys in la county
dre red 300 is just fine for short highway commutes. Both are a blast to ride!
ok for anything longer lets say going san Bernardino county would be more fit for a 500 or can 300 make it with that also?
300 could work for that as well yes. Biggest difference you're going to feel between the 300 and the 500 is the power and torque. Otherwise, they are virtually the same.
dre red I take 3 freeways and commute 40 miles a day for work in L.A. I hope the 300 can take it.
pot holes.no kidding same here all over 600 miles of the UK
Could you safely ride these (300 and 500) on the freeway?
I've heard from other reviews that the 500 has a top speed of around 110, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. The 300, however, would be pushing its limits at freeway speeds. You might be able to get away with it for a few minutes, but certainly not for an extended period of time. The 500 is the way to go if you're someone who likes to ride freeway speeds.
But would a new rider who is getting their first bike even notice or know what the criticisms you're talking about are?
Nope probably not. But it's good to point out in case an experienced rider is looking for a second bike in their garage.
Marian Paul I agree
REBEL bike build like a tank
6:11 Hello there Suzuki GSX-R
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?'AM FROM THE PHILIPPINES.
300 starts at about $4399 US. 500 about $5999. Prices probably vary by country.
That bike is real nice but it looks pretty small or is it just me ?!
I'm 6'2" 220 lbs and have sat on a Rebel, but no driving yet, and it fits like a glove, in the best ways. It's small, but the sense I got was that I was kind of in the bike, rather than perched on top, probably partially because of the rise of the tank. I was expecting to like the CBR500R, or CB500F, but something about the Rebel called to me in a way no other bike has once I sat on it.
I'm 6'1'' 150lbs and it felt ok for me. Certainly, if you're someone who likes larger cruisers or sportbikes, this is gonna feel a bit small. I think from the outside it looks that way mainly because of the low seat. If it were designed more similarly to a cbr 500 with a high seat and covered in fairings, it wouldn't seem so compact. I can vouch for the fact that when sitting on this bike, it doesn't feel as small as it looks.
Wrong specs given for engine size. The 300 is 286cc and the 500 is 471cc.
This or the vstar 250?
I think that's really just a question of which style you prefer. From everything I've read, the Rebel is more powerful in both models and performs better overall than the vstar. Personally, I like the more modern style of the rebel, but if you want a more classic style bike to just have fun with on some back roads, the v star is a fine choice that'll definitely save you some money.
I've been looking at low-end street bikes like rebels and the vstar, and the rebels are the only ones I'm seeing with rear disc brakes and ABS available. That's what's making my decision for me.
(I have short legs, and most bikes I see have a low enough seat height for me, but have stuff sticking up BEHIND the seat, and I don't want to drag my leg over that, getting on and off)
6 speed gear box you say?
The gear box is a 6 speed but the 6th gear is more of a overdrive gear good for highway speeds gears 1 through 5 are for pulling power able to get you to 65 to 70 mph Fairly quickly then shift it into 6th to build up to 75 mph at a slower rate of speed and it reduces your engine speed to help your mpg.
It's more cafe racer by the way it handles but looks like the bastard child of a bobber and a cruiser it's the best of all three styles of motorcycle's.
Holy shit it's so impossible to find a video review on this bike that isn't just what "you" think of the bike. I just want to hear the specs and the engine noise. Not your droning opinions.
Hilarious - could the short guy being interviewed about these Bikes be anymore non committal and ambivalent? It sounds like he's struggling to say anything nice about them at all. It's like the guy who is trying to break up with a chick but keeps beating around the bush ... I think the 2020 CMX 500 Rebel is superb - plan on buying one just as an aside.
I just got one Rebel 300 (first ride motorcycle) I am wondering if some one take this bike to the freeway, and if Is safe thanks!!
JOSE ALFREDO the 500 would be better suited for freeways
blown out I got the 300 already
Hi Jose. Thanks for watching. We took the 300 out on the freeway in LA and it was fine. It's definitely more suited for a city commute, but it will absolutely work on the freeway.
Motorcycle Experience thank guys!!!
Enjoy!
Retro,,, bobber,,,? Not seeing it
at least id feel a real motorcyclist n not a 1%er
Spongy, divey front suspension. The curse of 90% of the Hondas I've ever owned, dirt or street. I forget that the company is staffed by people who are 5' 7" and 165 lbs and tune for that customer base more than others, not 6'1" 240 lbs. Wonder if I could just drop custom springs in.
Lay off the piza, donuts, and fat food, no problem ,get rid of the fat, dude.
I apologize for the rudeness of these commenters. There are plenty of aftermarket suspension upgrades compatible with this bike, ranging from barely better than stock up through the thousand dollar Ohlins. There are a number of instructional videos right here on youtube on replacing the suspension. Generally, this is a highly customizable bike. I'm sure you could replace just about anything you'd like relatively easily. I suppose the main question would be whether or not it is a worthwhile investment to heavily mod an entry level bike, rather than spend the extra money up front for a nicer, more expensive one.
Cheers
Why does the rider look so stiff and robotic on this thing? Is he too tall? Looks lame riding it...
Why are they calling this a rebel? It has nothing in common with the rebel. Nothing. It is not even in the same genre as the rebel. The rebel was a cruiser. This is not a cruiser. This is some dual sport type bike. If you are looking for a small cruiser, Honda no longer makes one.
its sumthin to do wit exhaurst emisions why the smaller bike was droped.
Mark S the shadow phantom is probably all that's available from honda that's worthy of calling a cruiser.
Say it like it is. 286 cc not 300 cc! Should have been made a true 300 like Yamaha and Kawasaki. Shame on Honda for lying!!!!!!
I do not care for the styling myself. To me the frame looks Sport Bikeish and the bike looks like it is trying to be something it is not.
I agree, but you also have to remember that this is an entry-level, budget bike. It's biggest draw is that it looks sporty, but isn't too much for a new rider to handle. To someone who isn't that familiar with motorcycles, it looks like a pretty nice bike, and I think that's what people like most about it. I for one like what Honda is doing. New riders often go out and buy a bike that's too powerful for them, simply because they like the way it looks. This tends to lead to the destruction of property and physical injury. I appreciate that Honda is providing a sporty, yet easy to handle, bike for a reasonable price.
Sorry to say this is a rare poor bike from Honda.
timothy phillips why is that?
I just think the cbr 300 and 500s are far better bikes.
Are you talking about the look? Because the engine i think it's the same
timothy phillips they're the same engines
Royce Allen duh
always I have a question...is Honda following other bike manufacturers!!!! really worthless