How This Popular Honda Cruiser Is Becoming Friendlier Than Ever
We all know Honda is the world’s largest bikemaker. There are several reasons for that; chief among them is thought to be its global presence. What most of us miss, though, is the brand’s ability to change with the times and attract the layman rather than chasing extremes. Honda does that in two ways: producing all-new products for the masses and updating old, proven platforms to keep up with the times. The latter has been its go-to approach in recent times, and this has now brought some notable upgrades for one of the brand’s most popular cruiser bikes. So much so that it would surely become a favorite for new riders in the US.
Honda Has Slowly Upgraded Its Sub-$10k Lineup In The Recent Past
Most big brands have been chasing highs. This is particularly true for European brands like Ducati and BMW, both of which have announced sizable updates to their premium lineup of ADVs, sports bikes, and touring bikes. In contrast, Honda is attacking the market from the opposite end. It has announced notable updates for its sub-$10k lineup, regardless of the type of bike.
These updates focus on improving convenience for new-age riders, thanks to a roll-out of modern-day tech we rarely see in this price range. E-Clutch has been the big addition, which takes the physical clutch usage out of the equation. That means no worry about feathering the clutch and hand ache in tight traffic. Even the baby Rebel 300 has received the new tech, and now, another Rebel joins this party.
The Rebel 500 Has Become More Modern Than Ever For MY27
The Rebel 500 debuted in November 2016, as part of Honda’s 2017 model year lineup. So 2027 marks a decade of its life. To celebrate the success, the Japanese bikemaker has introduced E-Clutch, a new TFT instrument cluster, and a standard pillion saddle to the Rebel 500. All of these give the parallel-twin Rebel a lease on life in the 450-500cc cruiser space, particularly against new rivals like the Benda Napoleon Bob, CFMoto 450CL-C, and Kawasaki Eliminator 500. Heck, it even punches above its weight to make more sense than the Kawasaki Vulcan 650 and Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650.
The Circular TFT Is A First For Honda
Diving into the details, the TFT is the really new thing here. It’s a circular 3.5-inch setup, marking a first for any Honda cruiser bike. For reference, the Rebel 300 has an LCD, while the recently updated Rebel 1100 has a rectangular TFT. There’s a lot of information embedded in it as well. Honda says the graphics and user experience are both new, enabling you to see loads of information in a clear manner.
Speaking of which, the TFT displays a digital tachometer on the edge, a gear position indicator, odometer, fuel level, and speed, among other details. Smartphone connectivity is a standard inclusion as well, which allows you to check phone notifications, answer/reject calls, and enjoy turn-by-turn navigation. You toggle through these things via new switchgear, including a four-button joystick.
E-Clutch Helps Boost City Riding Abilities
As for the E-Clutch, it’s the same setup we see on existing Honda bikes like the Rebel 300, CB650R, CBR650R, Transalp, and CB750. This technology uses an electronic clutch actuation system to eliminate the use of the physical clutch lever altogether. So you can not only shift gears without the clutch (like a quickshifter or blipper), but also start off from a standstill or come to a halt without ever using the clutch. Honda also lets you bypass the system whenever you want to by leaving the physical lever on the left side.
“Our Honda E-Clutch is designed to offer motorcyclists a new kind of experience that can make their riding even more fun and exciting. It also adds peace of mind and comfort to town riding or the daily commute. We hope that many riders will try this system to enjoy the unique mix of sportiness and flexibility it offers.” – Junya Ono, Large Project Leader, Honda E-Clutch
The Engine And Underpinnings Remain Largely Unchanged
Besides these two additions, the Rebel 500 is largely unchanged elsewhere. The 471cc parallel-twin engine sits at the center, wrapped in a steel tubular chassis. This is one of the most credible parallel-twin engines in its class, with a focus on smooth, low-end performance and utmost dependability rather than chasing bragging rights.
The numbers back that up, as they follow the segment norm: ~46 horsepower at 8,500 RPM and ~32 pound-feet at 6,000 RPM. All of that reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission. Although the same as before, the kick will be slightly less here due to the increased weight of 425 pounds—four up from the outgoing Rebel 500.
Coming to the underpinnings, the chassis joins hands with 41 mm telescopic forks and dual rear shocks. The latter is said to be nitrogen-charged and features five-step preload adjustment. Each end joins hands with 16-inch alloy wheels. These feature 130/150-section tires (F/R), along with single disc brakes. The twin-piston front caliper seems like a budget bit, but the Eliminator has a similar setup. Thanks to these, many of the dimensions remain the same. These comprise:
- Wheelbase: 58.6 inches
- Seat height: 27.1 inches
- Length: 86.8 inches
- Rake: 28 degrees
The New Rebel 500 Should Bear An Aggressive MSRP In The US
Finally, the Rebel 500 E-Clutch has yet to hit American shores right now. But considering this has been an integral part of Honda’s US lineup, its arrival is a matter of when, not if. When that happens, we expect the new cruiser to bear an aggressive MSRP in the ballpark of $7,000. Yes, that is a couple of hundred dollars up from the current $6,799 MSRP, but it’d still be in the ballpark of its rivals from around the world. There is also a chance Honda could leave the MSRP as is, despite the updates. We’ve seen the brand do that with the Transalp and CB750 already.
Source: Honda Global
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