Honda has taken the wraps off the 2023 Rebel 500, or CMX500, for the European markets. The 2023 model comes with a host of subtle cosmetics tweaks to help it differentiate from the outgoing model. In addition to this, Honda has also unveiled the Rebel 500 S Edition. This gets a host of feature additions as well as an exclusive colour option.
For 2023, the standard Honda Rebel 500 will come in 3 new colour options for customers to choose from. These are – Candy Diesel Red, Pearl Smoky Gray and Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic.
On the other hand, the Rebel 500 S comes in a new Titanium Metallic colour option. The special edition comes with a factory-fit headlight cowl, a smoked screen, retro-style fork covers and gaiters, and a special diamond-stitch style seat. In addition to this, the Rebel 500 S also sports a different bronze finish on the wheels.
The Rebel 500 is hugely popular in international markets where an A2 license is applicable. In fact, the Rebel 500 was Europe’s best-selling model in the ‘custom’ category for the last two years. The stylish and compact cruiser showcases a classic, timeless look but at the same time also brings a forward-looking style of its own. The minimalistic design is also like a blank canvas. Honda says this makes it ready for whatever its owner’s imagination has in store.
Powering the Rebel 500 is a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. This is the same engine that is available in the CBR500R and also the CB500X, which was on sale in India. However, to suit the Rebel’s character, Honda tuned it to shift away from the high-revving nature of the CBR. Thus, the Rebel 500 has a torque-heavy bottom-end output and a smooth and linear power delivery across the rev range. The engine makes 45.6 BHP at 8,500 rpm and 43.3 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. It gets a 6-speed gearbox matched to an assist/slipper clutch. The latter makes for lighter and smoother shifts and reduces rear-wheel hop while rapidly downshifting.
The Rebel 500 uses a low-slung tubular steel frame, which allows for a low seat height of 690mm. The Rebel 500 uses 41mm telescopic forks at the front, and twin nitrogen-charged Showa shocks at the back. It rides on a 130/90-section front tyre and a 150/80-section rear tyre with 16-inch cast aluminium wheels at both ends.
The Honda Rebel 500 could be an interesting proposition for someone upgrading from a Royal Enfield Classic 350 or the Honda CB350. It will slot between the 350cc options in the market and the 650cc twins from Royal Enfield.
However, it is unlikely Honda would launch the Rebel 500 in India. Furthermore, in a country like India, where the pricing can make or break a product, it will be difficult for Honda to price it as competitively as, say, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.
If at all Honda decides to bring it to India, expect ex-showroom prices to exceed INR 5 lakh. For reference, the Honda CB500X, which uses the same engine, was available in India for INR 5.79 lakh ex-showroom.
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