Honda CMX 500 Rebel: Specs, Background, Performance, and More

Motorcycles exude power. Some relish the feeling, while others get anxious as soon as the engine comes to life. For this reason, many people lack the confidence required to fully enjoy the wonders of a two-wheeler. So does that mean you will never be able to transition from a training bike and ride a sport bike? Luckily, no.

Finding the perfect confidence-boosting cruiser is no longer as challenging as it once seemed. The “bobber-style”  Honda Rebel 500  is the perfect cruiser for anyone who wants to step up from a single-cylinder beginner bike and improve his/her riding skills.

Honda began manufacturing its 500 twin bikes in 2013. As a result, a wide selection of motorcycles sporting 471 cc liquid-cooled four-stroke 16-valve DOHC parallel-twin engines hit the sales floor. The motor company reconsidered the style of its cruisers and presented the newer model in November 2016 in Long Beach, California.

In 2017, Honda finally launched a much-needed cruiser lineup, the Rebel 300 and 500. In its new clean-sheet design for the Rebel 500, Honda deserted the orthodox chrome-finished cruiser style and opted for the bobber-style edgy black finish.

The President of Astra Honda Motor, Toshiyuki Inuma ,  described the new design as  “simple” and “raw.” According to Toshiyuki Inuma, the concept was to produce cruisers with stylistic elements of the 20th century. The modification and customization of the motorcycles were in the foreground. He believed that through minimalism, it would be easier to access change and enhance individuality.

In addition, the chief designer of Honda, Keita Mikura explained the thought process behind this cruiser styling in these words:

A perfect blend of a retro and modern look, the exterior components of the bike are minimalistic while the technical components are based on modern technology. Due to its high demand, the manufacturing of this model continues to this day. The Honda CMX Rebel 500 models launched from 2017 to 2019 are classified as first-generation Rebels. Models sold from 2020 onward are labeled as second-generation Rebels.

The 2017 Honda Rebel featured standard specifications and was available in four thrilling colors, including:

• Graphite Black
• Matte Armored Silver Metallic
• Millennium Red
• Bright Yellow

The 2018 Honda Rebel featured standard specifications and was available in the following colors:

• Candy Lightning Blue
• Matte Silver Metallic
• Black
• Red

The 2019 Honda Rebel featured standard specifications and was available in the following colors:

• Matte Gray Metallic
• Matte Fresco Brown
• Candy Orange

The Honda 500 Rebel featured the following colors in 2020:

• Matte Armored Silver
• Graphite Black
• Matte Blue Jeans Metallic

The Honda 500 Rebel featured the following colors in 2021:

• Matte Gray Metallic
• Matte Pearl White

The Honda 500 Rebel featured the following colors in 2022:

• Matte Gray Metallic
• Pearl Organic Green

The launch of the Honda Rebel CMX 500 bikes marked the beginning of a new cruiser era. The bikes had much to offer in terms of performance, agility, and style. With its sporty and narrow parallel-twin engine and user-friendly powerband, the Honda Rebel CMX 500 provided an enjoyable street experience. The Rebel 500 is a sight to behold with its aluminum wheels, wide fork, and steel rear fender.

Moreover, Rebel 500 bikes feature a refined nitrogen-filled rear suspension, low seat height, and a spacious rider triangle; a combination that makes for a comfortable ride for beginners and experienced riders.

Honda Rebel 500 is powered by a 471 cc motor with strong bottom-end torque and smooth linear power delivery. The external components exude luxury and authority while the exclusive muffler emits a pulsating exhaust note that is music to every bike enthusiast’s ears.

After its launch in 2017, the Honda Rebel 500 saw some upgrades in 2020. Already a popular ride, the upgrades increased the demand for Honda Rebel 500s amongst riders manifolds. The biggest update came in the form of an advanced assist and slipper clutch system.

The 2017 to 2019 models exhibited a simpler, wet multi-plate hydraulic clutch system. With the new assist and slipper clutch system, pulling the lever becomes light and effortless. The clutch offers a strong grip without tiring the riders’ hands.

In 2020, Honda introduced the following changes for future bikes:

An optional, removable black cover was installed around the headlight to reduce wind resistance on freeways.

Furthermore, the 2020 Rebel 500 was upgraded with a better suspension system to improve performance and comfort. The engineers added stiffer springs without compromising comfort. Moreover, the bike’s fork gained new internals and the shock absorbers get a nitrogen gas charge for constant damping. The changes ensure safer cornering and a comfortable ride on bumpy roads.

The second-generation models also gained new LED lights with more brightness and greater visibility.

• 471 cc Engine

The 2022 Honda CMX 500 Rebel boasts a 471 cc twin-cylinder engine. The CMX 500 Rebel’s  versatile engine generates more power and is quieter thanks to making little vibrations. Fewer vibrations ensure other components last longer and reduce maintenance costs. The parallel-twin engine is narrow and decreases overall bike size while offering a low-rpm torque with higher-rpm performance.

• Cast Aluminum Wheels

The Honda 500 Rebel sports stylish front and rear cast-aluminum wheels. The wide rims and
tires are lightweight, easy to clean and add to the Rebel’s aesthetic.

• Wide Front Wheel

The CMX 500 Rebel’s wide 130/90 - 16 front wheel provides better handling and stopping power.

• Wide Rear Tire

The Honda Rebel 500 comes with a low, thick 16-inch rear tire that provides maximum grip. High levels of grip improve acceleration, braking, and overall handling.

• 41 mm Fork

The thick 41 mm fork tubes along with the front suspension offer precise steering, a comfortable ride, and contribute greatly to the bike’s look.

• The Slipper/Assist Clutch

Honda has extended its slipper/assist clutch technology used in Honda’s racing bikes to the CMX 500 Rebel. With this innovation, the Rebel gets a lighter clutch pull at the lever, but a solid lockup when the lever is released. This feature helps to reduce clutch effort at the bar by 30%.

• Die-Cast Aluminum Rear Subframe

The aluminum subframe or fender mounts are robust, lightweight, and provide a strong base for a removable passenger seat.

• Gallon Fuel Tank

The Honda 500 Rebel’s fuel tank is its key feature. With its timeless shape, the tank can hold up to 2.9 gallons and provides great fuel efficiency.

• Rear Suspension

The Honda Rebel 500’s rear shocks are nitrogen-filled with a special spring rate which increases comfort and performance.

• Instrument Shape

The 2022 Rebel 500’s instruments are assembled in a classic shape with digital LCD information, including a gear-position indicator and a fuel-consumption display.

• Exhaust System

The Rebel 500’s all-black muffler does not require frequent chrome polish. Its black color augments Rebel’s black frame and makes for a satisfying riding experience.

• The Perfect Sound

The two-one exhaust uses two resonator chambers with a 120mm diameter “shotgun” style muffler. The internal redesign and new LAF sensor help the engine gain EURO5 compliance with the sound-producing a deep pulse.

• LED Lighting

The 2022 Rebel 500 features an all-LED lighting package with an LED headlight, taillight, turn signals, and license plate light. Compared to incandescent bulbs, LED lights offer several benefits. They are lightweight, brighter, and require fewer replacements.

• Four-Bulb Headlight

Headlights are extremely important in a bike as they are critical for visibility. The CMX 500 Rebel’s headlights are bright and exude style with its round nacelle shape, aluminum cast headlight mount, and glass lens.

The main layout of the Honda CMX 500 Rebel has remained unchanged since its launch in 2017. The bike retained its non-adjustable, 41 mm front fork and twin rear shocks that are adjustable for preload only. With Honda’s nitrogen-filled twin shocks, the riders can enjoy a consistent and comfortable ride. The technology also helps to reduce heat. With its low seat height and low weight, the bike is beginner-friendly at a standstill and in light traffic. At normal speeds, the Rebel is easy to maneuver. The thick front and rear tires reduce the impact of pitted roads. But due to its soft suspension, the bike can be slightly difficult to handle for newly qualified A2 riders at high speeds.

Honda takes pride in making powerful, low-maintenance, and reliable engines. The Rebel 500 generates its power through a 471 cc parallel-twin motor that is used in Honda’s other bikes: CB500F Roadster, CBR500R Sportster, and CB500X Adventurer.

The rev-free engine works smoothly up the rev range. However, the rider is left to depend on the sound and feel of the bike to shift gear when the torque begins to drop. This is because the bike lacks a rev counter.

The small engine keeps the bike light and small. It fits perfectly into the lean frame. But the clutch system on the right side is a bit large compared to the frame. It tends to stick out and poke the leg. Though the clutch system has a protective cover; it still doesn’t ease the discomfort.

The light gearbox is user-friendly and effortless especially now that it flaunts the assist and slipper clutch. With the new clutch, gear changes are extremely smooth.

The high performance of the engine can be estimated from the fact that it lacks vibrations, deep exhaust rumbles, and other unpleasant noises.

A parallel twin-engine, the 2022 Honda Rebel is the most economical cruiser as it gives a remarkable gas mileage. Let’s look at the figures.

The cruiser motorcycle has a gas mileage of 67 mpg, with an almost 3-gallon fuel capacity, and 408 lbs wet weight. It is possible for the 2022 Honda Rebel to run up to 200 miles on a full tank.

The Honda CMX 500 Rebel has adequate braking performance. The front end comes with a two-piston caliper and 296 mm single disc. The rear braking comes with a one-piston caliper and a 240 mm single disc setup. When the rear brake pedal is pressed, the Rebel comes to a halt almost immediately. This efficient braking system inspires much confidence and allows riders to hit a top speed of 95 mph without fear.

The Honda CMX 500 Rebel is lightweight, hence, a great bike for beginners. Its approachable size and zero vibrations at average speeds make it a smooth ride.

An extremely low 27-inch seat allows flat-footing at stoplights for most riders. Its mid-mounted controls offer a relaxed seating position. The handlebars reach just below an average rider’s shoulder height.

The Honda CMX 500 and Rebel 300 share the same suspension. But because the Rebel 500 is heavier than the Rebel 300 (40 lbs. more), the stability and handling of the bike change greatly. Even though second-generation Rebels offer a stiffer suspension, riders heavier than 250 lbs. still find the suspension too soft for their liking.

Based on the design features mentioned above, it seems that the Honda Rebel 500 is the right answer for every rider’s needs. However, the bike comes with a design flaw that cannot be ignored. The 27-inch low seat can be a huge problem for tall riders, especially with their feet resting on the footpegs. This could turn a pleasurable fun ride into a painful activity. In this scenario, the stiffer suspension in newer models does not help matters. Contrarily, the suspension is too soft for bulkier riders.

But surprisingly, despite poor ergonomics for tall riders, the bike still offers an enjoyable highway riding experience. The liquid-cooled engine and wide torque band make riding at highway speeds quite easy. Therefore, considering the discomfort, you may not be able to ride as frequently as you would like, but that doesn’t mean you cannot test the Rebel 500’s capabilities on a highway. As far as aesthetics are concerned, the tail light and gauges in the first generation Rebels may seem a bit old-fashioned to many.

The upgraded digital instruments in the second generation Honda 500 Rebels still have some shortcomings. The display covers most of the relevant information about speed, gear position, fuel consumption, etc. But it lacks Bluetooth connectivity which means one cannot receive phone calls, messages, and navigation clues. On the other hand, other competing companies are offering these features on their motorcycles. Therefore, if the lack of connectivity features bothers you, then perhaps this bike is not for you.

The designers and engineers at Honda like to call the Rebel 500 a clean black canvas that can be customized for a personal touch. If you love customized bikes, the Rebel 500 won’t disappoint. However, we recommend you go for customizations that enhance the styling, and functionality and also add value to your bike. A great way to achieve that is to add saddlebags.

The Honda CMX 500 Rebel cruiser tops the “worth-buying” list for many riders with its impressive engine function, excellent fuel economy, and efficient braking system. It is an affordable bike and holds its value well. You won’t have to spend hefty amounts to maintain the vehicle. Not to forget, it reaches 95 mpg without resistance. The bike works best in an urban setting but you can also take it for a highway riding venture. Bottomline - Honda Rebel 500 is everything you can ask for in a bike and it will keep you happy for a long time.