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When choosing a cruiser bike, it isn’t surprising for riders to feel torn between the Honda Rebel 300 and 500. After all, both offer racing-inspired mills, impressive power delivery, and sporty suspension — hard-to-ignore attributes that form part of every prospective buyer’s checklist. Situations like this naturally call for a clincher, and this is where today’s guide comes in. The main differences between the Honda Rebel 300 and 500 lie in their performance figures, engine, and exhaust. The Honda Rebel 500 offers more grunt and is a two-wheeler great for beginners. Its 300-cc sibling does better on winding roads and is more affordable. Attempting to sum up the qualities of these motorcycles in a three-liner will never do them justice. Hence, it is only right to go over their specs, limitations, and competencies in more detail. Knowing what these bikes can do should enable you to take your pick between the Honda Rebel 300 and 500, as well as assess whether or not your choice aligns with your preferences and intended application. About the Honda Rebel 300 & 500The Honda Rebel 300 and 500 form part of Honda’s 3rd generation CM cruiser bikes. The lineup began with the 1978 CM185T Twinstar, although these modern-engine bikes are associated more with the 1985 CMX250. Both launched in the spring of 2017, and these newest additions to the Rebel series targeted beginner riders searching for forgiving, mid-sized motorcycles. Both motorcycles sport an uncomplicated, minimalist design — that sleek yet rugged feel characteristic of a cafe racer/cruiser bike. They handle well on the road and exhibit more indulgent mannerisms than aggressive sportbikes. Furthermore, these two-wheelers are incredibly reliable, with mills adopted from tried-and-tested sportbikes — the CB300F and CBR300R for the Honda Rebel 300 and the CB500F, CBR500R, and CB500X for the Honda Rebel 500. Except for their engines and a few other details, the 300-cc and 500-cc Rebels share everything else — from the Harley-inspired styling down to the tires. They look so much alike that it would be difficult for the untrained eye to tell them apart. Especially for riders new to this motorbike class, the only way to effectively differentiate the two is to take each out for a ride. Improvements Post-2019
Specs & Features: Honda Rebel 300 vs 500 (CMX300A/500A)EngineThe Rebel 500’s displacement is almost twice that of the 300. Conversely, the Rebel 300 has an increased bore size, while the 500 has an almost-square bore-stroke ratio. Performance-wise, the bigger-displacement version is expected to provide better figures (including a Honda Rebel 500 top speed of 105 mph or 170 km/h) given its twin-cylinder mill.
**required engine oil is SAE 10W-30 Pro Honda GN4 4-stroke oil, with SJ API grade and meeting JASO T903 MA standards Drivetrain
Up until 2019, the clutch assembly was a wet, multi-plate type. Now, a 6-speed constant-mesh transmission (no reverse gear) and assist-and-slipper clutch deliver power to the ground for these bikes. The latter works exceptionally well on both bikes and has aided in a 2.4-hp increase in the Honda Rebel 300. They are chain-driven and compliant with EPA, CARB, and BS6 (or BSVI) guidelines. Ignition
Tires & BrakesFactory rubber consist of tubeless, bias-type Dunlop D404Q 130/90-16 67H (view on Amazon) front and D404FQ 150/80-16 71H rear tires mounted on cast aluminum/alloy rims (16 x 3.0 inches / 16 x 3.5 inches). Cold-tire pressure for these knobbies is 200 kPa (2.0 kgf-cm2, 29 psi) but can be adjusted according to riding conditions and payload. A 296-mm disc at the front and 240-mm disc at the back – each with Nissin hydraulic calipers and ABS on SE trims – complete the Rebels’ tire-and-wheel assembly. SuspensionEnclosed in a diamond-type frame (28° caster angle; 110 mm/4.3 inches trail) are 41-mm front telescopic forks and a rear swingarm with twin shocks. Each suspension unit provides 121 mm (4.8 inches) and 95 mm (3.8 inches) of wheel travel. The rear, in particular, comes with an adjustable spring preload. Both cruiser bikes share a 58.7-inch (1,490 mm) wheelbase, a 9.2-foot (2.8 m) turning radius, and a low center of gravity. However, the Honda Rebel 300 has a slightly better road clearance at 5.9 inches (150 mm) versus the 500’s 5.3 inches (135 mm). DimensionsThe Honda Rebel 500 was made slightly longer than its 300-cc sibling to accommodate its parallel twin-engine, adding 20 Kg (44 lbs.) to its curb weight. These aside, the two bikes look practically similar and even have the same maximum weight capacity. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) values provided below are only estimates and do not include the weight of accessories and other add-ons.
ExteriorThe Honda Rebel series offered more color options in the past compared to recent production models. Earlier trims were made available in many hues (examples below). Meanwhile, this year’s releases only have four bodywork options – Pearl Organic Green, Matte Gray Metallic, Matte Silver, and Black.
Nonetheless, the minimalism of these bikes is what many fanatics adore since it gives them the liberty to personalize their motorcycles. Others even keep the bikes’ blacked-out, sophisticated look as is. Stock, the Honda Rebel 300 vs 500 bikes already have plenty to look at. But should you want more edge, you can opt for the Honda Rebel 500 SE, which comes with a diamond-stitch saddle, fork boots, covers, and a headlight cowl – again, all black. An Akrapovic titanium slip-on exhaust (view on Amazon) would also tie well with the bikes’ naked aesthetic. How Much is a Honda Rebel?The tables below show a complete rundown of Honda Rebel prices in North America. For the series’ latest production models, expect to pay an extra $400 destination charge and $200 freight surcharge if you purchase either motorcycle from your Honda dealer. Honda Rebel 300 Price
Honda Rebel 500 Price
Pros and Cons – Honda Rebel 300 vs 5002017—2019 Honda Rebel 300Pros
Cons
2017—2019 Honda Rebel 500Pros
Cons
Shared Benefits & DrawbacksBenefits
Per Honda engineers, these bikes spew 26 hp (CMX300) and 46 hp (CMX500), respectively. Cycle World Magazine can attest to this, having done its own Dyno test and obtaining a result of 25 hp @ 7,640 RPM for the 2021 Rebel 300. Superficially, these figures may seem unimpressive. Nonetheless, their real worth lies in the extra grunt they provide, especially for larger, heavier riders. Drawbacks
AestheticSome users find its downplayed aesthetic charming despite not being as strikingly beautiful as the firm’s very own CB400 Super Four. To Honda’s defense, they intentionally gave the Rebel motorcycles a “minimalist, bare-bones styling” to encourage riders to personalize their two-wheelers. However, many followers wish the manufacturer had clad the CB-inspired mills in retro fashion. Online forums show tons of motorcycle rebuilds incorporating square tanks, spoke wheels, and straight frames – further evidence of ‘resurrecting-the-classics’ being all the rage these days, especially in the U.S. market. Finalizing the VerdictIn addition to the specs and competencies of these bikes, you also need to consider reliability, comfort, customization, and proximity to Honda dealers. However, this is where things can get pretty subjective. Usually, reverting to Honda-dedicated forums should help sort things out. But because discussions in these venues are heavily biased, anyone relying on these posts for input may end up more confuzzled (or simultaneously feeling “confused” and “puzzled”) than before. Each rider will have different priorities and preferences when selecting one bike over the other. Personally, the best way to resolve this predicament is to base your decision on your weight. Why? Because many consumers do not realize that weight has a huge (if not the biggest) impact on the quality of the riding experience. A rider weighing less than 190 lbs. would likely have no problems touring suburbs or backcountry roads and pickup up speed beyond 80 mph on the expressway on a Rebel 300. However, I imagine revheads built larger or riding with a passenger would answer differently. It makes perfect sense to go for the smaller-displacement cruiser if you are 200 lbs. or lighter. Otherwise, choose the Honda Rebel 500. With the exception of displacement, price tag, and power, both bikes are on equal footing where it matters. Any other identifiable difference between the two would either be negligible or a result of extreme nitpicking. Conclusion – Honda Rebel 500 vs 300 ReviewSuggested mods on both the Honda Rebels include shedding off weight by removing superfluous parts like the full-steer rear fender. Doing so improves its power-to-weight ratio and upgrades the bike’s look from a cruiser to a chopped bobber. Upgrading the factory seat to something plusher (and perhaps, getting a two-up kit while you’re at it) is highly recommended. The confidence-inspiring qualities of the Honda Rebel 300 and 500 are a testament to the product line’s 36-year lock on the beginner cruiser market. Whether you go for the lightweight chassis or the stronger motor, you can never really go wrong with either of these quintessential bikes. If you are the type to frequent the highway and push your motorcycle to its limits, then opt for the Honda Rebel 500. Otherwise, save those hard-earned dollars for embellishments and get the smaller-displacement Rebel. Are the Rebel 300 and 500 the same size?The Rebel 500's displacement is almost twice that of the 300. Conversely, the Rebel 300 has an increased bore size, while the 500 has an almost-square bore-stroke ratio.
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Engine.. How big is a Honda Rebel 300?2022 Honda Rebel 300 Specifications. |