Honda Rebel 500 vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883

Honda and Harley Davidson are two of the most well-known motorcycle companies in the world. Though Harley Davidson has been around longer since 1903, Honda has managed to be a formidable rival since it entered the motorcycle market in 1948. Both motorcycle companies gained a large and loyal fanbase due to their well-manufactured cruiser lineups. Honda and Harley Davidson cruisers are characterized by sleek, aerodynamic builds, powerful engines, and multiple features. These characteristics are most apparent in the Honda Rebel 500 and the Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883.

The first iterations of the Honda 500 Rebel series were introduced in 2013, designed to combine a traditional and modern look. Built as a bobber-style cruiser, this Honda model is fitted with only the bare minimum components necessary to make the vehicle function, its parts including some of the latest technology. Honda 500 Rebels are categorized as being first-generation or second-generation depending on the year they were released. The latest 2022 Honda 500 Rebel model and other Rebel manufactured during the 2020s fall under the second-generation category.

Harley Davidson Sportsters are some of the oldest Harley series, the first version being released back in 1957. The Harley Iron 883 models were introduced in 2009 and have had many of their parts upgraded multiple times over the years, including its engine, transmission system, etc. Though relatively common due to being utilized by the military and local law enforcement, this Harley motorcycle is best suited for only the most experienced riders. The most recent 2022 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 had its entire look reworked to give it a more intimidating appearance.

The Honda Rebel 500’s entire body is blacked-out, including the engine, frame, chassis, and mufflers. The handlebars are positioned in a way that they would be level with or slightly below an average rider’s shoulders. Towards the motorcycle’s front is a round nacelle-shaped aluminum cast four-bulb headlight illuminated by LED bulbs. The front suspension is a 41 mm fork that allows for 4.8 inches of wheel travel, the front brake is a hydraulic disc, and the front tire is a 130/90-16 tire. The rear suspension includes dual shocks that allow for 3.8 inches of wheel travel, the rear brake is a hydraulic disc, and the rear tire is a 150/80-16 tire. This Honda model has fewer color options than its predecessors but can come in either matte grey metallic or pearl organic green.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883’s entire body is blacked-out, from the head to the wheel rims. The drag handlebars are far enough away from the seat that you can lean slightly forward if necessary but do not require you to slouch too far to grab the grips. The front suspension is a 33 mm fork capable of 3.62 inches of wheel travel, the front brakes are solid uniform expansion rotors, and the front tire is a 100/90B19 57H tire. The rear suspension is a coil-over, dual adjustable preload system capable of 1.6 inches of wheel travel, the rear brakes are dual pistons, and the rear tire is a 150/80B16 77H tire. The Harley Iron 883 can come in these color schemes: black denim, white sand pearl, and gunship gray.

The Honda Rebel 500 is powered by a 471 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke engine. This motorcycle operates on a chain drive train and relies on a six-speed transmission system. It is capable of reaching a maximum horsepower of 45.9 hp and a maximum torque of 43 Nm. When riding at full speed, the Honda Rebel 500 can reach an estimated top speed of 95 mph.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 is powered by an 883 cc air-cooled Evolution V-twin engine. This motorcycle also operates on a chain drive train but relies on a five-speed transmission system. It is capable of reaching a maximum horsepower of 49 hp and a maximum torque of 73.2 Nm. When riding at full speed, the Harley Iron 883 can reach a top speed of 105 mph.

The Honda Rebel 500’s low seat height of 27.2 inches makes this vehicle easier for shorter riders to operate as they are within reach of the handlebars and footrests. Suited for riders of all sizes, it is easy to walk or flat-foot this vehicle if necessary. The solo seat is low enough that you can easily mount and dismount from the motorcycle without any discomfort in your bottom.

With an overall weight of 408 lbs, the Honda Rebel 500 is a lightweight cruiser that is easy to handle and allows you to shift your weight quickly as you lean while turning. Because of the motorcycle’s low center of gravity, it has nimble maneuverability and can clear tight corners. Though the motorcycle’s frame is sleeker than most cruisers, it is wide enough for you to comfortably sit while reducing air drag when riding at high speed.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 also has a low seat height of 25.7 inches, allowing shorter riders to reach the handlebars and footrests without having to lean forward. The tuck and roll solo seat curves upward with a shallow dip in the middle that helps you stay in place while a plush cushion wraps around your bottom. The drag-style handlebars are within a comfortable distance from the driver’s seat, allowing you to relax your arms and wrists when riding or parked.

With an overall weight of 564 lbs, the Harley Iron 833 is a middleweight cruiser that requires you to turn tight corners at reduced speed. However, the low center of gravity means this vehicle has considerable maneuverability. However, since the tuck and roll solo seat means your back has to remain straight, you will start to experience discomfort if you travel for several hours.

Though the Honda Rebel 500 and Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 outperform each other in certain aspects of their design, performance, and features, neither are truly better or worse than the other. Depending on how often you ride a motorcycle, how far you travel, or what your needs or preferences are, you may lean towards either the Honda Rebel 500 or the Harley Iron 883.

If you need to work with a smaller budget, the Honda Rebel 500 is cheaper at a base price of $6,399. Though suitable for experienced riders, this can be a good motorcycle to practice on if you are a novice still learning how to operate a two-wheeler. If you wish to travel longer distances, the Honda Rebel 500 can travel farther than the Harley Iron 883 before you start to experience discomfort.

If you rely on a motorcycle as a daily mode of transportation, the Harley Iron 883 is the better choice because it is faster and better suited to maneuver around lines of traffic. This Harley model is also more heavily-built so it can withstand more punishment than the Honda Rebel 500.

Both motorcycles are suited for short commutes and are best suited for travel through urban areas and streets. They are also both customizable if you prefer to change the look of your motorcycle to suit your aesthetic tastes or fit your riding style.

Though the Harley Iron 883’s design makes it more suitable for traveling through urban areas, it is possible to ride on highways if you are doing a short commute. However, the Harley Iron 883 is not ideal for traveling on highways if you are planning to travel between states or distant cities.

Being a Sportster model, the Harley Iron 883 is better suited for navigating city streets in short bursts of speed rather than long-distance travel. Its tuck and roll seat does not offer good back support and will start to cause pain and discomfort if you travel more than an hour. It is possible to transform the Harley Iron 883 into a touring bike if you install aftermarket parts to improve its comfortability and performance.

Yes. Despite the Honda Rebel 500’s short seat height and low center of gravity, the relative distance between the handlebars, footrests, and driver’s seat provides enough room for taller riders to bend and stretch their arms and legs when seated. This allows taller riders to operate this Honda model without discomfort or difficulty of movement.

So long as you provide maintenance regularly and keep them in good working condition, the Honda Rebel 500 can travel at least 80,000 miles, while the Harley Iron 883 can travel at least 75,000 miles before they break down.

How you decide whether the Honda Rebel 500 or the Harley Davidson Sporster Iron 883 is the better motorcycle depends on the standards you use to judge. If you examine the two motorcycles based on their pros and cons, you may determine that the Honda Rebel 500 is better because it has fewer mechanical flaws. If you examine the two motorcycles based on specifications, you may determine that the Harley Iron 883 is better because most of its capabilities are higher than the Honda Rebel 500. But ultimately, whichever motorcycle best fulfills your needs and offers the most fulfilling riding experience will be the one you want.

If you wish to make either of these motorcycles better suited for interstate travel, you may need to install add-ons to modify its capabilities. Such examples include sissy bars, fairings, or crash bars. You may also want to consider installing luggage that will helps increase your motorcycle’s storage capacity, such as saddlebags, tank bags, sissy bar bags, tail bags, trunks, backpacks, and solo bags.