The Rebel name has long been linked with entry-level Honda cruisers and for 2017 it’s being reborn with not one but two such machines.
The Rebel 500 and Rebel 300 (or CMX500 and CMX300 to use their alphanumeric designations) both share identical bobber-ish styling. Single seats, bobbed fenders and a notable lack of chrome mean they stray from the classic cruiser style.
Developed in the USA, the bikes are clearly aimed straight at that market. However, the 500cc version at least is expected to go on sale in Europe as an A2-licence-friendly middleweight.
The simple styling sits atop a straightforward steel frame, with twin shocks at the back and conventional forks up front. Wide tyres – 130/90-16 at the front and 150/80-16 rear on both models – give a surprisingly muscular look. The ignition is on left the side panel to keep the tank and instruments clear. The single clock is a speedo with an inset LCD display for other information.
The Rebel 300 uses the single-cylinder engine from the CB300, with a 76x63mm bore and stroke. No power figure is stated but it’s likely to be around the 30bhp mark. It might not be powerful, but the bike weighs a surprisingly light 165kg ready-to-ride including a full 11-litre tank of fuel.
The larger 500 squeezes the CB500’s parallel twin into the same basic chassis design. That ups the weight to 185kg wet, complete with a full tank. Power is claimed to be 44bhp, which is 3bhp down on the CB500.
Surprisingly, the bikes are actually fractionally cheaper in America than the most basic, naked CB models sharing the same engines. The 300 is set to cost a mere $4399 (equivalent to £3540, or €4140) while the 500 is $5999 (equal to £4830 or €5650). European prices have not been set yet but are likely to be higher than their direct dollar conversions.
Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda, said: “For many riders who have grown up through the digital age, motorcycles represent a lifestyle and an attitude, a means of expressing their individuality. The machines that speak to these riders need to reflect this, to fit with their life while also offering the potential for further individualization. The Rebel 500 and Rebel 300 are simple and raw, offering cutting-edge style and a radical image while minimizing the barriers to riding. There’s literally nothing else out there like them, and we’re confident that both models will appeal to young riders who want to stand out and are open to new experiences.”
America gets a choice of matte silver, red or yellow. European options are more subdued, losing the yellow in favour of a black version.