The new Honda Rebel 500 isn't particularly stylish, sporty, powerful or high-tech. But we suppose it could still have the potential to bring a lot of happiness to newer, younger riders
Honda recently unveiled their new US-market-only Rebel 500, a bobber-style cruiser fitted with a rather basic steel tube chassis, 8-valve 471cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected parallel-twin, and relaxed, laid-back ergonomics. Available in black, silver and red, the bike was first shown last week at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show in California.
The new Honda Rebel’s 471cc (borrowed from the CBR500R) produces 45Nm of torque and 45bhp. The engine's crankshaft pins are phased at 180-degrees and a primary couple-balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s centre of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The gearbox is a 6-speed unit and Honda claim that the shotgun-style 2-1 exhaust produces 'heavy-duty pulsing sound that fits the bike's torque delivery.' Suspension comprises a 41mm fork up front, preload-adjustable twin shocks at the back and a tubular steel swingarm. The bike rides on 16-inch cast aluminium wheels, shod with 130/90 (front) and 150/80 (rear) rubber, while stopping duties are handled by a single 264mm brake disc up front, with 2-piston caliper. Two-channel ABS is standard. The bike has an 11-litre fuel tank, 190-kilo kerb weight, and delivers 26kpl in terms of fuel economy.
While not particularly stylish, powerful or high-tech, we're sure the Honda Rebel still has the potential to make a lot of newer, younger riders very happy indeed.
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