I'm a Rebel 500 owner for over a year now. At 1.88m (6ft 2") and 95kg (210lbs) the Rebel is a perfect all around bike if you're in the market for a cruiser. You'll always hear about how small it is from all these channels but truth is it really isn't. At 2.19m (86.2inches) long it's as big as most big adventure bikes but Americans tend to be dramatic and compare it to a 2.6m (102inches) limo Harley. I always do 120-130kmh (75-80mph) on the highway and regurarly go on trips with it. Just for reference I've managed to do 172kmh (107mph) and 178kmh (110.5mph) on a downhill so I wouldn't call it slow as most tend to do. I get a mileage of 4l/100km (58.8MPG) in the city, as low as 3.7l/100km (63.6MPG) on country roads and as high as 5.2l/100km (45.2MPG) on a trip I took for several hours at 140-150kmh (87-93.2mph). The gas tank may be small but with this kind of consumption you can get at least 230km (143miles) out of it. It's fair to say that I have 12cm (4.7inches) risers with pullback, a crash bar that serves as highway pegs and a bikini fairing installed that helped me fit perfectly onto the bike. A custom step-up seat is in my plans too but don't get fooled, the OEM seat is not that uncomfortable. Also I don't know where he got his info but it comes with a passenger seat and pegs as standard, even though they're pretty uncomfortable.
Passenger seat is stock mounted in Europe. In the US it isn’t. I do not know how in other parts of the World. Thank you for information about the size. I’m 3 cm shorter than you, so it should be ok for me.
I own a rebel 500 also. I am 6’1” with a 32” inseam. My legs feel perfectly fine on it. Never cramped feeling at all. The seat isn’t very comfortable. But that’s easily replaceable.
p.s. I can never trust someone who compares cruiser comfort with super sport comfort, believes the Rebel is too compact at 6ft but the CB500F is perfect and thinks a sport touring bike is an amazing daily rider lol. Just super biased opinions.
The Honda 500s are about as good of a daily rider / commuter as you can get. Exceptional fuel economy, very long lasting, perfect power for city roads and freeways or country backroads, and reasonably priced to buy and insure. In these days of crazy fuel prices and inflation, they're bikes that make a ton of sense.
A co worker has one. I’m sure it or more likely the 1100 version is better than a sportster 883 or 1200 respectively… in every measurable way .. But .. and it’s a big, round, full bodied but.. would someone pick rebel over sportster if price was the same And yea HD is over priced .. and getting worse A Road Glide was 21k.. now pushing up on upper 20s
@@geraldgoodiii6993 I think I’m terms of performance comparison the 1200 and 500 are closer. The 500 outperforms the 883 in a straight line and handles better too. Even if the iron and Rebel were the same price, you get more with the Honda. The only thing you get with the Harley over the Honda is the sound
Seems like everyone has the same idea. My local Honda dealers are all sold out of these entry-ish level bikes. There's an Enfield dealer with inventory on the Meteor 350s and Int650s, but its a bit of a trek.
I'm stoked, just dropped a deposit on the 2022 500, 1st time rider, turning 40 in July, used some of my father & mother's inheritance to buy it outright, never drove anything in life cause I could never afford to, So this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. School in August hopefully.
I’m 47. Just bought my first motorcycle ever yesterday, a Suzuki DRZ 400. Never sat on one before. Never rode on one before. Going to buy a helmet and some gear today. I’m pretty stoked as well. I’m seriously thinking of buying one of these Rebels for longer road trips that I plan to do in the future.
I owned the 2020 rebel 500 until about a month or so ago. Awesome bike, with an alright amount of power for a beginner, but you don't get bored immediately; some will probably never get bored. The handling is impressive; it does NOT ride like a cruiser. Lots of lean and fun in the corners. My size is 6'4", 210 lbs. The stock tires are bad; replace them as soon as your economy allows it. At my height, it was a pretty cramped seating position. De Pretto Moto makes some great forward controls for all the rebels. Highly recommended. You only get back 17 cm ( 6.7 inches) forward, so it's nothing like those crazy Harley forward controls :) For the seat, I had an original seat upholstered, and a gel pack added. It makes it suitable for riding all day. Mileage is great. I got around 25 km/l (58 mpg). Some highways, some back roads, and some city riding. The original muffler is ugly and sounds dumb. Get one that suits your tastes. I put 17000 km (10500 miles) on it before replacing it with a rebel 1100 ;)
Idk how cruisers should ride. My only experience is when me and my friend swapped our bikes in the twisties along a river gorge. Switching from my S1000R to the Yamaha Star Raider 1900cc I was amazed how fast I could go with it around the corners and how planted it felt. My buddy (riding my bike) was forced to move out of my way in just a few minutes. What makes going really fast on these is they really can't brake compared to a sports bike. They just...kinda slow down. But it was really fun to be able to squeeze everything from a bike and never break traction.
@@sganzerlag I've loving it. It has a lot of power. You pass anybody on the road in mere seconds (or fractions). It had a much more premium feel than the 500. Still love the position, which was one of the things I loved about the 500. The look is gorgeous. Both modern and classic at the same time. I put 2500 km (about 1500 miles) on it in the first month alone :)
Have you tried any of the 650 class bikes? It’s hard to honestly recommend the 300/500 (effectively identical performance wise) to beginners unless they’re young and irresponsible because the 650’s are so nice and usable and I’d say are actually bikes that one could buy and own forever, unlike the 500, which I’d say you could only ride forever and be happy if you never ride any other bike and are ignorant of the options available to gkh for a very similar price
Ive been living in Florida for over 10 years 😁 just dont tailgate, keep alot of distance from the car infront of you, stay out of the fastlane and people will go around you and wont tailgate you either 9/10 times. 👍if you ride right in with the pack of cars you will be in harms way 👀 ohhh and never stop directly behind a car at traffic lights, go into a lane split position, Ride safe 🙌 lots of riders down here ☺️
Zak---your right, if it's not in their hand it's on a holder, any way their still involved with their(i call it their portable brain)phone. you have to drive for them, because they can't drive for crap anyway. it's gotten worse over the 30 years i've lived here.
Floridian here too, even thou they get a bad rep as drivers, at peak heavy traffic hours they have no problem letting me filter thru them, even if they are off to the side and I cant fit thru they go out of their way and move to the middle of the lane so I can keep going. Also have never had a problem with them at intersections either, maybe different parts of Florida, but from Orlando to Kissimmee they are really nice, they drive fast tho they be doing 60 on a 45 street lol
@@Carlisho yep, i think most Floridains have ridden motorcycles or have family who rides so they are alot more friendly towards motorcycles, they just love to tailgate, text and drive too fast 😹 even old people ask me to rev up my bike in my neighborhood 😹 then an old couple made me a pie a few days later 😻🥰 they told me they rode a gold wing many years ago ☺️
Rebel 500 was my first bike a little over a year ago, and even though I can look back at it and know it wasn’t the most incredible or inspiring bike ever produced, I can say that it was a blast to be on two wheels with a reliable bike, I had tons of fun and look back on it fondly
45k Miles on my Rebel 500, nothing but basic maintenance. It does go in the triple digits, but prefer to keep below 85mph for legal reasons. Mine was $6.2k out the door new. I don't mind the stock seat. I've ridden 165 miles before fueling up, and have never ran out. Clutch feel becomes muscle memory. Highly recommend EBC brake pads on this bike.
Something to keep in mind about light clutches: The Ninja 400 and Rebel 500 are bikes that are designed for beginners, but also short people, who also usually have short hands. My wife loves her clutch on her Z400 because it’s no effort for her to pull compared to something not even so hard like my Z900.
i ride a 2019 Rebel 500. 5' 6'' tall, fits perfect. it will do 85 mph easily, the wind will kick your butt though. my only complaint, is the seat, not uncomfortable, and i am only 135 lbs. it's the butt sweat. i put bags, and footboards on mine. i love it. my first bike after a 40 year absence. and i love the way it looks. i get a lot of compliments. all black, except i have an orange tank. yup, i love mine.
Rebel owner for a year and 9000km now, rider since the early nineties. I sort of 'aged into' this bike after some medical issues which make it harder for me to continue riding litre bikes. Your range of activity will naturally shrink a bit but in all honesty this is an amazing "little" bike (remember the café racers considered a 500 a big bike) that'll do anything as long as you have the balls and butt for it. It's also a perfectly rational bike that cuts away all the branding, image and other bullshit and reduces riding to what it's all about. To me it's a keeper.
I just got back from a 1300 mile road trip on my 21 cb500f with my wife. Not the right machine for such a journey but man did it get it done!! We’re both lighter riders but we had a heavy backpack and had no problems hanging out on major highways holding 70’s and 80’s steady and smooth.
Had the privilege of riding my buddy's 500. Absolutely love it. At 5'4", I love that I can flat foot this and feel more comfortable over bigger sport bikes I've owned in the past. With me needing better mpg for my commuter, I think this is the route I'll be going. Great review!
@@AniSepherd972 anytime. I ended up getting a Harley Davidson 48 for its customization possibilities, low seat height and torque V Twin. If you're a first time rider, I'd recommend the Rebel 500. Plenty of bike for the suburbs, highway and anything in between, with the bonus of 6 gears, larger fuel tank over the 48, and Honda reliability.
@@AniSepherd972 FWIW, I've owned Ninja 250s, Kawasaki 650R, 636, Honda CB 750K, Honda CBR600RR, and Yamaha R6. By far, I've felt the most confident on Cruisers to date.
The 500s make great first bikes because they just work. They can do highway, city, touring etc without complaining. I had a CB500X and while the bike itself wasn't overly memorable, I do remember all the adventures I had on it.
Love my 500. It’s my new commuter bike, 92 miles a day. Gets the job done and it’s light/fun. Do wish it got better fuel economy. If I’m sweet to it and keep it under 70 I can get 48-50 mpg. If I roll at 70-75 I’m averaging around 40.
Honda knocked it out of the park with this bike. I admire their simplicity and aesthetic even though I like more Naked Street bike aesthetics vs. cruisers. The low seat height and all round weight makes this a perfect bike for beginners.
I love my 2022 rebel 500 I commute daily to work with it great for female riders and beginners great first bike, if you are deciding on whether to get a 300 or a 500 I would definitely get the rebel 500 that's my opinion you will grow into it and not have to worry about upgrading.
Got mine a month ago, I just didnt like anything else in that price range... I'm 1,84 m, 98 kg, and it's not too small and doesn't feel cramped... I mostly do city drives, still going soft on it, but I already see we're going to be great companions... Really satisfied...
Oh my! A Daily Rider about my bike, today is good day! I'm not a beginner rider by any stretch of the imagination and it's just as flawed as you described it. The engine is utilitarian and make uninspiring noise, the rear can get lively in bumpy corners and the seat is made of pain. It's not even the most fuel efficient nor is it the best value of its class. And I love the little thing. Daily commutes are a joy on this Honda, scraping footpegs makes me giggle on twisty roads and to my surprise it's a good conversation piece especially among non or aspiring riders. I guess I just like riding slow bike fast.
I bought this bike brand spanking new in 2017. my first motorcycle. Slapped a two brothers exhaust on it, and it made it sound, and perform very well. i actually did an 800 mile trip on it, and even though it screamed to, and from my destination at 85Mph, it took the road very well, and the fuel economy was EXCELLENT. My ass killed me though. Thats for damn sure. LOL
Just buy a Rebel 500 already. I’ve had my 2021 for 2 years now and it’s great. Yes, you can always get a faster or bigger bike but the idea that it is too slow or underpowered is frankly insane. I rode it to work this morning and easily hit 85 mph without even knowing it. Granted it was over time on the freeway but if there were significant throttle or stability issues getting that high, I wouldn’t have done it. I’ve had my friend who is 6’2, 220 lbs on the back and had zero problems. Learn how to shift and throttle it and it’ll be one of the best deals you can find. The look of a cruiser with the powertrain of a crotch rocket. In retrospect I’m embarrassed how many videos I watched trying to decide.
I owned a 2017 Rebel 500. It was my first bike. I used it as a daily commuter in Philadelphia and loved it. I put about 15k miles on it before selling it. I've had a couple great bikes since then, but I still miss my rebel sometimes. It was a perfect beginner/ city bike for me.
Interesting to see this. I had a Versys 650 for around a year and a half, and we all know how good Zac thought it was for a daily rider! I have now owned a Rebel 500 2020 for a year now and done 5500 miles. Just in case anyone wants to buy one I will touch on most of the points. FYI I'm 5ft 6 and 75KG. Unfortuantely as Zack said I don't think it's ideal for those 6 ft+. The seat does defo get tiring after a while, and I'm sure the heavier you are the worse it is. What I have found to work is just buy a gel seat cover that attaches, only around £20. Miles per tank, yeah it's a small fuel tank. Ideal for commuting and daily riding though, wish it had more however. Speed for motorway. It can chill at 70mph easily, I have a front cowl so can't attest for without it (IDK if it does much lol). A lot of wind if you go above 70, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a bike without a windshield, same as Indians and Harleys I can imagine. Mirrros, never had a problem with them, bit small but aside from that no complaints. Clutch yes yes I agree. Passenger accomodations, my girlfriend rides on it weekly with me (as Zack mentioned it does come with a pillion seat). Originally without a backrest I bough from Shad for about 8 months. Zack is right because of the passenger seat it does slope a bit, but nothing major, it is perfectly fine for short trips. I would highly recommend getting a back rest however, gives you more space as the rider and the pillion more confidence. The Suspension is fine for solo riding, you do feel a lot of bumps. However, with a pillion they feel it ALOT more. For the twisties, yes it's fine! The throttle is smooth, but Zack is right when you hit a bump it does wobble which isn't very confidence inpsiring, especially if you're going decently fast. The engine. Zack has been riding for years and years and is a better riding than I will ever be. So although I think it's fine and I enjoy it, he is right in saying in hasn't got the WOW factor, but it makes me smile! For the dashboard, it is annoying there is no rev limiter. I'm pretty sure you can change the brightness though! The breaks. Great for beginner riders works as they should for 500cc! Dirt path, I wouldn't do it because I would probably drop it! So compared to the Versys 650 what would i rather have? If i was taller, and done longer journeys more often, I would have my Versys back. However, for shorter riders, it's perfect for weekends away, city riding and just general fun. It's such an easy bike to handle you haven't got to worry about anything. As I am short, I was always worrying about maouvering the Versys 650, and in London it was sometimes annoying to park in motorbike bays. Following from that, on weekends away with luggage and a pillion it got even heavier so was even harder to tip toe around. I haven't got these problems with the rebel which is probably why I prefer it. However, all things considered, if you've been riding for as long as Zack and as tall, I can agree with most things from his perspective! EDIT: Luggage, there is an abundance of side luggage options! And please don't get the 300, I really don't see the point of it!
I have no intent to buy a Rebel 500, however I’ve watched the whole thing, because Zack makes it so interesting to learn about new bikes and it’s always a fun ride, I’m always waiting for Saturdays hoping a new Daily rider video came out.
Zack, all these low power middleweight bikes are made for the european A2 license, which is limited to 47hp bikes, or bikes restricted to 47hp that dont produce more than double that power. Thats why a lot of bikes are 47hp or 95hp.
In the Spring, I finally finished all of the major maintenance on my Rebel 250. I was in my 7th riding season with it, passed 15K miles, and had the carb cleaned and adjusted, the valves adjusted, new chain and sprockets, new brakes, everything tightened (loose) and checked, new tires/tubes,rim strips, new air filter, etc etc etc... First ride after getting it done, just passed 90 miles on the ride, and was 3-4 miles from home. A deer shot out in front of me from behind an overgrown old billboard, and I crashed right into the deer. My right hand immediately broke on impact with the deer, my left thumb broke at the tip, and it was like hitting a small wall... I went over landing face down sliding down the road. Full gear I got from Revzilla spared me from getting any road rash. The biggest shock post crash was the boots - TCX armored boots, which I thought was more of a luxury. The toe box shaved down quite far (did not breech into the toe box), but had I been in sneakers, I would be missing at least two toes. The bike is totaled, insurance replaced most of my gear with all new gear from Revzilla, and I am in the healing stage with a second hand operation scheduled for right after July 4th. I am thinking of a new bike to replace the Rebel. Since the accident in April, gas has gotten insane, and it's biting a big chunk into my budgeted disposable money between paychecks. I had wanted the 2022 Honda Shadow Aero. I loved the classic looks that blue color, and basically near zero maintenance - 8K mile oil change intervals and 15K mile shaft fluid change intervals. However, money is now tighter (medical costs, fuel/food costs, etc)... so I am thinking maybe a Rebel 300. 99.99999% of my roads are 55 mph or less and I had been riding 6+ years on a Rebel 250 covering a lot of mileage with it. The Rebel 300 is half the price of the above bike. It is a lot lighter and nimbler - probably making it a lot easier when PennDOT gives the middle finger to motorcyclists and dumps a couple miles of hyper loose tar and chip on curvy mountain roads without any signage or warnings. I could swap the tires to equal sized enduro Pirelli MT60RS tires (80% onroad/ 20% offroad) for dirt/gravel roads, roads forgotten about by PennDOT for 60 years that look like the moon surface, and my long dirt/grass driveway. It also gets about 80 mpg. Honda makes a set of quick detach nylon bags that would be perfect for grocery runs (toss in shopping cart - pack in store, snap back on bike and leave). Also, like the Shadow, I really like the blue color used on the Rebel 300. I seen that green on the Rebel 500 in daylight and it looks a bit pastel easter egg green in sunlight. Only thing Revzilla barely mentioned on the Rebel 500 is the clutch cover that pushes your right foot out further than your left foot and kind of annoyingly gets in the way on the right peg as well. The Rebel 300 doesn't have this weird set up and both feet are in the same position with neither feeling cramped like the rider's right foot on the 500. It likely wouldn't be until mid August till I could even entertain riding again, but I would like to. I am not really interested in carving corners, group rides, hitting high speeds, etc... I just want to continue exploring the mountains of northeast PA, areas along route 97 in NY (including the Hawk's Nest), and discovering new areas around Sussex NJ - and it would be nice to be able to do small grocery runs without needing the truck getting 18 mpg with $5.20 gas.
If you were happy on the earlier rebel the 300 would probably be fine, I'd suggest the 500 though, a used one may fit the budget, and I personally know of 3 examples of that engine on well over a 100k miles with nothing but the servicing Honda suggests, not in the rebel but in the 500X, same motor. With the know how you speak of a used one shouldn't give you any issues at all. Heal up mate, get back out there. I'll raise a beer in your name tonight!
I just bought mine! I got the Rebel 500 ABS SE. It took me forever to find because of low inventory and I found it 130 miles away from me haha! Totally worth it!
Just got my rebel 500 less than 2 weeks ago. I never rode before but watched a few videos and got on it and rode it just fine. My MSF course is Saturday and Sunday I been riding everyday with surprising confidence. I was deff scared until I got on the rebel.
@@Muzikasaw3apon the 1100 is a far better bike. Something actually worth buying and keeping. It may not be a "real bike" for the smoothest Harley brains but it’s a fine machine which is more agile than any bigger cruiser could ever dream of.
I'm a rebel 300 owner. Her name is Ruby the rebel. She gets like 78 mpg around there. I traveled from Springfield Missouri all the way to Yakima Washington wide open throttle the whole way. She actually does get higher mph than 80 after some time she'll get up to 85 mph. I've gotten her up to 90mph +\- but that was probably perfect conditions. All in all I love this bike. I've not outgrown her as mostly what I do is door dash I still take her on the highway. The mirrors do vibrate quite a bit. But at 4grand it's really worth it!!
After more than 50 years of riding, I love my 500F. It's so easy to ride with stellar handling on twistie hilly country backroads. I've come full circle, 50 years ago I loved my CB450, rode it everywhere before getting into big bikes. The 500F is better in every way even for my six four. Sticky sport touring Bridgestones and some HH EBC pads and I'm a happy man.
Been riding for 46 years, love my CB500S from 1999 and my Himalayan. Need quicker, take my Versys 650. Need mental take out my ZZR1100 (ZX-11). Two wheels and an engine keeps you young. I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.
I'm 68, been on bikes alone 16yrs. Originally had a 175cc Bsa Bantam, then a CB250-2, CB750-4 and CB400-4 along with a little Suzy TS 185cc dirt bike. Currently have a 700cc Deauville and a 260kg R1150RT BMw. The latter getting a bit heavy for me as age and injuries catch up, so buying a 2020 Rebel this week. I wanted something I could put my feet down on, under 200kg enough bhp to be fun and decent cornering. Rebel hits all the marks - and I still have the Deauville for longer, faster trips.
Hey, gents. I'm 33, looking to get my first bike. I loved reading your comments and I feel satisfied going with this bike now even though my heart belongs the Triumph Bobber. I don't want to shell out that much for or have to baby my first bike. If you don't mind enlightening an eager future rider, what are HH EBC pads and why swap out to Bridgestones? And if you're feeling really generous with your time, what do you think of Triumph as a brand? I haven't heard many owners mention them in the comments over the few videos I've watched.
@@b1_fergI'm in process of downsizing to a 500 Rebel as age and infirmities catch up with me. Different tyres give different grip profiles, some better in dry, some wet, some all round - and some just suit a particular bike better. The pads are the same, by changing the pads you can alter the amount of bite in the brake, If I remember correctly, I have HH ebc on my R1150ccRT bmw - lot of weight to pull up on that.
@@b1_ferg HH EBC organic brake pads are more aggressive brake pads that give stronger yet very progressive stopping. It's a cheap way to greatly improve your front braking without spending alot of money. My 500F came with cheap Dunlops that were miserable on tar strips even on dry roads. Rather than go for cheap price I like more premium sport touring tires. They will give far superior grip than the stock tires. My first choice in tires is usually Michelin. The most important part is to spend the extra money and get sport touring tires for more grip and safety in cornering and braking rather than less grippy touring tires. It's cheap insurance.
Rebel 500 is my third bike after VFR750, v Strom 650 and now rebel 500. It’s powerful enough for one person around the city and on twisties. Just did 20 miles on it at 5am in cold British morning and had a lot of fun.
When doing the range math, you get roughly 130-140 miles to the tank including reserve sweat when you ride highway only. What I've found with my daily commuting is that if I'm staying under 60 mph on average, I see 160-190 miles to the tank.
My main bike is a Ducati XDiavel but bought this for my short, petite gf, which is perfect for a height challenged beginner. Funny thing is I end up daily riding the Rebel. Its really brilliant even for my 5’10” 190 pound self. Its so nimble, minimalistic (good thing!), and effortless doing everything with enough power on the highway. Maximum fun, what an enthusiast rider wants. Put on small leather bags. Looks great too. Theres really nothing like it. No complaints.
Rebel 300 rider here, its my first bike and already put 1070 miles in a month, I cant see myself getting rid of it ever. I sure will get something else down the line but not at the cost of selling my baby. Edit: 16:04 maybe the brightness was low, you can adjust it, mine is at max and its easy to read in all weather conditions.
@@cowmath77 haha thats true but I really am very pleased with it, even the power. I got into motorcycling for the ride not the speed just going 45 is enough for me but I didnt want a scooter so Rebel 300 is like the best middle ground between a scooter (good mpgs, aproachable) and a motorcycle (manual clutch, ergonomics, styling). I do 75mpgs even with a few pulls here and there. Also im 5’6” 125lbs so the bike is the perfect size and weight for me. Still wont deny that maybe one day I will want something more powerful or diferent (like getting a sports bike), but the chances are not as high as the majority of people i would say.
Zach, Honda has a passenger setup you can buy. It includes a seat, passenger pegs, and a bracket for the left peg. The right peg mounts to the bracket that holds up the muffler.
I always look forward to Saturdays, to watch daily ride. love seeing the new bikes and how they handle the jump section. this episode, it hit me, when you (zac) mentioned the headlights (kinda spider style but work well) that we never really see the headlights in use. yes, i know that the video filmed during the day. i would like to see a daily ride done at night..
GoPro filmed videos never show well at night. The Missenden Flyer does his living with videos and regardless of how bright the headlights are the video barely picks it up. The best suggestion I could think of is to consider led headlights the greatest
I only brought it up, cause Zac does a great job going over the bike and some companies do put a lot of thought in the design, hence the headlight, and I thought it would be interesting to see a daily rider at night…some of us rider do enjoy it and other have no choice but to do it…
@Thomas B ever since I got this third gen SV650 I barely ever ride after dark. The halogen is as bright as an oil lantern and the only non-janky option is the JW Speaker adaptive LED for $700.
These bikes are also great if you're a shorter rider and are into the cruiser feel. I'd really like to see the cb300r covered, admittedly I'm biased as I daily one myself, but I really think its a great bike for exactly this. Its very bare bones, has plenty of power to get around town the suspension is excellent, which makes it an absolute blast on a twisty road. Only weak spot for it imo is that on the highway it gets a bit winded. It can easily cross the country if you ask it to, and I'm speaking as someone who has done a 1200 mile trip on it, it just isnt terribly comfortable there and is a bit buzzy.
I have a 2018 Honda Rebel 500. Bought it used October of 2023. It is my primary, and only, mode of transportation. I have to say I absolutely love my bike. In town driving is a blast and does really well on the interstate. I live in Florida and ride it over the Howard Franklin bridge between St. Petersburg and Tampa often. It handles it like a breeze. Average cruising speed on the Interstate is about 70mph - 80mph and she takes it like a champ, with even a little more to give if I need it. I have been on many many adventures on this bike, and look forward to many more. Long live the Honda Rebel.
Couple of points from an owner: I usually get 170-180 miles on a tank. (I’m heavy and don’t try to conserve fuel) so around 70 mpg? European version comes with OEM passenger kit, can be purchased at Honda USA dealers. But it’s an uncomfortable, cramped passenger ride, even with the extra backrest. Comfort is bad, one can spend big bucks on special seats or have it worked on by a local upholstery shop like me, on the cheap. But the shocks could use some upgrades too. The Rebel always was and always will be a tame, nice and easy bike. Perfect for beginners (if not too tall), and perfect for me who prefers practicality, simplicity and frugality above anything else on a bike. I also own a CB500X which is so much better overall, except… the Rebel’s more for fun for me every time, even if limited. Great work as always Zack. Keep it up!
I daily this bike to work, 80 miles round trip. I always recommend getting a new seat like the mustang solo, as well as flipping the mirrors for smoother air. But great bike. I've put 3k miles on it in 2 months
@whiteAfrikkkanNun I'll cruise in the 70s on I-75. 75 ish is the upper limit of where it likes to be, 80s it can do but it's in the upper half of the rev range and you start looking for a 7th gear
If you're looking for a heavy long distance/daily cruiser this isn't the bike for you. 1400 or 1700 cc will give you the caddilac /all day comfortable ride....room for you and your partner heavy, smooth, comfortable and powerful. Even Hondas biggest cruisers don't have the weight and comfort of a full dress Harley. But honestly what do you want? A half ton cruiser (Cadillac) or a bike that allows you at least a little nimble through a small town once in awhile I love the idea of comfort cruising but I also want some control over my bike. I don't have heavy bike training so I need to step back but I've always appreciated the maneuverability and control over my bike.
Hey look! It's the motorcycle I used to train my wife how to ride! It's a great bike if you are looking for something lightweight, good on gas, has the safety feature of ABS, and want a low seat height! Super fun on curved roads, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are doing a lot of highway riding.
This is weird. The 500 is clearly an ideal commuter and daily rider machine. A really good first bike for any novice rider. By all accounts should be on top of the graph, but no one in his right mind would put it up there. Whos is to blame for that. We the riders? Or the manufacturers? Regardless, not watching this for the bike but for Zack spot on and entertaining commentary. Cheers!
I agree. The rebel 500 is a good starting machine for any rider, being also A2 license compatible. However, there is also the comparable Kawasaki Vulcan S 650cc which, price wise, they come kind of close to each other. It gives you a lot to think 🤔 and the Vulcan has its bells and whistles.
The "daily rider" list is supposed to be about which is the best daily rider, but he tends to go for the bikes he likes to ride more. Putting an MV Agusta over a Honda 500 for a "daily rider" is like putting an Italian supercar over a Japanese economy car for your daily drive to work (where it's left in an open lot unattended all day).
I have owned many bikes and cars. I have modified many cars/motorcycles. I have raced motorcycles and cars professionally. They all move when you hit the accelerator. You do not need 7000 horsepower or a v12. Yes, the Joneses live primarily in the USA but buy what you want from the factory. Limit mods/options. Do you need a pickup truck to show people how much freedom you can carry or a 7 passenger SUV that Carries one person 99% of the time. Mid size bikes are the new full size bikes. Honda rebel 500 is the Toyota Camry. Not much drama but takes you where you need to go. Lighter bikes more fun than 900 pound boats.
Awesome vid Zach, I would really appreciate a quick rundown on headlight performance. For myself and many others, half our commute is in the dark so that would be a great addition to this awesome series!
I love that bike. But I'm and 67 yr old male in Oklahoma in the final stage of restoring a 75 Honda cb 360t identical to the one I bought new in college. I was working 3 jobs to pay for school, feed myself and still bought this bike. Rode it to Cali and back twice from Oklahoma even to Denver. It was my only transportation so it was 365 and I only dated chicks with cars. Ha. (true) I love the look of that bike. I went through the Harley years when you had to carry a wrench in your back pocket not to look tough but to tighten something every time you stopped. Life, work and travel took the years and the bikes away but I still loved Honda's so I found a twin of the one I had. It was in poor shape so I had to take it down to zero. Did everything by hand and what tools I had. I loved it. This bike brings back that feeling of the first time I got on a bike. Heck it was a Cushman from WWII a buddy rebuilt and I got to learn to ride when I was 8. Stopping sucked as did the step starter....ha. Well I was 8 and I needed help or height. Anyway, if I was a bit younger, I'd own one of those. Thought about buying another shadow (most underrated entry level..or any level, bike ever) but not that much time left on my clock. Love your vids and I buy a ton from RevZ
I have owned a Rebel 500 since 2017 (1st gen obviously). Never had any mechanical issues, Honda's build quality is awesome. I simply love this bike for going to work and a quick blast through the mountains. I even did a long trip of several thousand km in the Pyrenees with a huge luggage roll strapped onto the passenger seat (which came as standard here in France, I think it's a market thing that it's an extra in the US). It's astonishing how nimble this "cruiser" is. I also have a Yamaha XSR700 with a bit more power but on the small windy mountain roads I usually ride I don't think I am much faster on that... My only criticism of the Rebel is the seat. After about 120km (75 miles I guess) my butt starts to suffer quite badly so I at least need to take frequent stops on longer trips. The short suspension travel in the back makes the effect even worse, speed bumps (called sleeping policeman in the UK I think, no idea what you call them in the US) send painful shockwaves through your spine that can be teeth-shattering, I actually stand up when approaching any of them. But a lovely bike that I will probably never sell because it's so much fun and so easy to live with
Hey, frenchie here. Im about to get my A2 and want this bike but i have some questions, how is it on french highways? Can you follow the speed of traffic easily, and can it easily speed up to overtake quickly? I can't find much info on it's top speed
@@theoaxton1606 I have never had a problem on the motorway. Doing 120 in 6th gear is alright and I think I got her up to 150 once and she didn't explode either... But it's not a bike you'd want to keep at 150 for hours on end, I think the vibrations combined with the seat would make you unhappy after a while...
@@lilnips No, I wouldn't. She's plenty fast to get away from cars when traffic lights turn green and overtaking on open roads are easy too. But keep in mind it's a 500, so I would rather wait for a longer gap in traffic just to be sure it's safe. I think 0-100km/h in 5 or 6 seconds is fast enough and I never really feel she lacks oomph, but it might feel slow if you're used to a Fireblade...
A tangential path: The Rebel 1100 was mentioned a bit, and how it's 'the africa twin engine' in a similar chassis. Honda appears to be making that engine as ubiquitous as the 500 twin in this bike, and I am HERE for it. There's the Hawk 11, the NT1100, the Rebel 1100, and the Africa Twin. I hope one day Honda makes a CB11 standard, and then they'll have the same engine in every type of bike. And then y'all could do a mega-review of that entire engine line :V
I love Hondas 500 series. I had the 2014 CB500X and I loved it. Technically I still have it, but it was stolen a month ago, and when the cops found it, it was stripped of most of its parts. Ignition switch, exhaust, pegs, windshield, light, a few other things. It’s a project bike I’m still working on to get fixed, BUT when it did work is was awesome. Comfy, good on the highway, good on dirt roads, good mpg, stylish, and just a well rounded, spirited 500cc engine.
I'm glad you talked about the instrument cluster/speedo. In every video I've watched about the Rebel 500, it always looks dark. Like it could easily get washed out in daylight. Other than that, I really like this bike and am considering it for my "first bike". I just don't know about that speedo.
My Super Duke is only 470 pounds. The Rebel could be lighter. Less weight means better handing, brakes, and acceleration. The Rebel is a great commute bike. Not the best in any category but does a good job most things. Great msrp. Europe not big deal into horsepower like USA. Most people want something reliable and powerful enough.
I really want a motorcycle. Seeing all the positive comments I am convinced this is a must buy for someone new like me. I don’t need something entirely fast but something to feel out and practice with.
Around 50 mpg is good by my experiences from when I owned a 500 twin back in the day. Mine was a Kawasaki EX500 a plain jane twin back around 1998 when I was in the Navy and my primary entertainment was riding the hills in Southern California, some of the best motorcycling I have ever experienced. North Carolina has a few good areas but nowhere close to me. In any case I put 39,000 miles on that bike in less than 3 years, pretty good considering deployment for Westpac and several counter narcotics deployments. Traded it in when the clutch cable popped on the way to work for a Suzuki 850 shaft drive 4.
My wife is 4'11" and rides the 500 Rebel on road and off. She has followed my on my RT1200 all over the eastern USA. She routinely gets over 75 MPG on back roads, and 50's on highways. I've noticed your fuel mileage is always way less than what I get, and I attribute it to the fact that you live at the red line. Anyway, her bike does everything she asks of it.
I love this bike! Very fun, easy to ride, and comfortable. Only gripe is that it runs out of gearing really fast and feels like it’s struggling about 60 mph. The big fat tires on the rebel work really well for city riding and other awful roads
That bike is not even close to my cup of tea, but... It's a Honda, so I'm interested. And it's Daily Rider, so I can't miss it. Missed the Daily Rider videos, btw. Thanks for another excellent one, Zack!
Almost 50 thousands ks on mine since new 2019 hands down the best bike for people 5foot 5 or lower Does wheelies burn outs whatever hooning you want to do Max speed 170km if youre light and with the wind Does everything you want and need from a 500 cruiser
The more things change, the more they stay the same; In the mid-1990s I bought a used '86 Honda Rebel 450 for my wife which was about the same as this bike in spirit, but without the modern brakes, etc. Should be a fun scoot, great for those not long of leg!
I'm a little shocked not seeing a video for the 1100 yet but hopefully that's on the way. I'll check this one out when I get some time to watch it. I like watching these daily ride videos.
IFKR, it’s so unlike a cruiser to have a 180. Picked the cb350 over the rebel for that exact reason (don’t think the cb350 is available in the US though)
My dad has a 2003 Harley night train he doesn’t ride any more. It just sits in the garage lifeless but he said I can have it if I learn how to ride. He recommended I start on a Honda rebel so here I am learning about them
I really like my 2019 500. I do wish I had the gear indicator that the 2020+ models have, along with the LED lights and slipper clutch. I may swap mine for a newer model in a year or two, or change to something 'fancier'... but for someone short like me, this is a great bike!
Hey, I’m new looking to get into riding as a daily/enjoyment rider. Your videos are amazing to get knowledge on my first bike and learn about all types! You were the first video and I seem to find quit a lot in my feeds! Keep up the awesome videos!!! Super exciting!!!
Hope to see more Royal Enfields, maybe the Scram 411. Actually been thinking about getting the Scram quite a bit as I really enjoyed the Continental 650 I had until I traded it in for something better for longer distance, now I need something better for around town again
On my 2020 Rebel you absolutely can add a passenger seat and even backrest. With my wife and I (combined weight of slightly over 300lbs) we are just shy of the max passenger carrying capacity. So be mindful that this is no big cruiser. But I use it as a daily commuter and love the 2020!!
I have the 2021 rebel 500 and i love it. I love the fact that its quite low to the ground so i can reach my little legs around. I plan to keep it as long as i can. Also ive done just over 6100km on the clock.
I have owned one for a year or so, there is a rear seat pack, and you can get a small sissy bar (I don't have that) it handles a passenger fine. Like with all bikes you can notice the change in handling. And for gas, around town I get 50-65 mpg, on highway I've gotten up to 72 mpg, though that was only once.
When talking about prices, you’re mentioning MSRP but it would be more accurate to reference some real out-the-door price. Dealer fees are so high right now and I wonder if that affects lower end bikes more. Paying $3,000 dealer fees on a $20k bike feels different than paying $3k fees on a $4k bike.
@CrazyLegsMcGee Agreed.. I think dealer fees are a scam anyway. Why am I paying for them to ship their inventory and assemble it. That should already be worked in to the "retail" price. If I'm going to pay for shipping and assembly then I might as well just order directly from the manufacturer. That said, it shouldn't be hard to call a local dealership and ask the OTD price on any bike. If they call three and they're all different, at least that gives a truer sense of the cost than an MSRP that we all know isn't real cost.
@CrazyLegsMcGee Pre covidi would agree with you. No dealer around me has inventory now so there is almost no way to haggle since if you don't buy the bike someone else will.
I love these, but they’re just a little bit too small for me. The 1100 is quite pricy, but a good value compared to the competition. I wish they made a cheaper version of that model with the NC750 engine. I have had the same experiences with the honda 500 engine. It’s very capable for what it is. The CB500X, which has the same engine, is an absolutely amazing budget adventure and commuter bike. They’re fast enough for what they are and they have a super flat torque curve which makes them feel stronger than they are
Honda made the CTX700 for a while, same engine as the NC700, the older version of the nc750x, i dont think they sold well but ive ridden along side a few of them, im not too fond of the styling but the engines are amazingly durable, some dude in Thailand is approaching 300k kilometers on his NC and doesnt even burn a drop of oil 😲🙌
I'd agree if they made a 650 or 750 version of the rebel and replaced the 500 it would do well. The 300-500 jump isn't enough to justify staying with the 300 unless you just can't afford it or don't go on any highway ever. But a 300 to 600/750 for maybe $1000 more would make it a more substantial jump in value and price. It would also make it more competitive against the Indian scouts
@@tbm275 doubful on "replacing" the 500, they use that twin cycle engine in every class of motorcycle and its A2 license legal, same with that 300 single cylinder engine in multiple bikes, thats why they are in the rebels. using the same engine in multiple platforms. taking it away makes no sense for a manufacturer since A2 bikes are a large segment. Scouts? the Rebel 1100 is on par with scout on power and has more tech 👀 a 750cc bike would be a whole class below the Scout 👀
Interesting vid. Zack is obviously 2 tall and beyond its skillsets 2 review this bike with true justice. This is one of the best bike I have recommended to new riders, and smaller female riders. I have taught many riders on this bike. What he considers "nothing wrong with" and "non inspiring", others think it's "awesome" or "life changing." In fact, some of the people I've taught on it, enjoys it so much, they don't want to evolve from it. A good review of a bike, must also include perspectives from the bike's purpose and its targeted audiences. Zack is far from this bike's intended audience.
Hi Revzilla Guy, the secret to a good Ham and Cheese is it has to have outstanding mustard and be grilled. No tomato, no lettuce. Grateful for my Rebel 500 as an inseam-challenged female who is a beginner rider trying to get used to DC traffic.
Rebel 500 is the best! 🔥 great beginner bike and definitely better than the intense vibrations of the 300. It even has a little growl to it. Can’t wait to get my new exhaust. 😏
That 500 engine is great. My first "real bike" was a CBR500R and I really regret selling it. 8k mile service intervals, great tire life, and still plenty of fun to go play in the twisties on. I put nearly 20k on that bike and wish I still had it around to put down 20k more. The cruiser style platform doesn't do anything for me, but if you're looking for a small cruiser I don't think you'd have any regrets with the Rebel 500.
I really loved my Honda Rebel 500 CMX500; I had the white, which I mounted after market Puig wind-screen and Corbin "gunfighter" saddle. The stock saddle on the Rebel 500 is like a plank of plywood... sucks. The Corbin gunfighter is a classic cushy saddle (quite expensive) but really extends the time you can spend on the CMX500. The engine is fine; handling is fine too. The bike is a playful great little commuter bike (which is what I used mine for mostly) as well its a great trainer bike for newish riders with at least the MSF class under their belt. I hate to say this (its just true) ... this is a great girls bike; seriously. If you're less than 5'11" the fit will be good; although, if you're over 6 feet its gonna feel cramped. The best color is white; the green isn't that bad really. marcus
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Can you plz do the Yamaha bolt as a daily rider!?
What do you think of the new version of rebel 500? Has new light look and a new sit i think. For a couple hundred bucks more.
Does RevZilla sell that jacket?
Can it ride on highway comfortably without running at high rpm?
@bryanmathew2079
I'm a Rebel 500 owner for over a year now. At 1.88m (6ft 2") and 95kg (210lbs) the Rebel is a perfect all around bike if you're in the market for a cruiser. You'll always hear about how small it is from all these channels but truth is it really isn't. At 2.19m (86.2inches) long it's as big as most big adventure bikes but Americans tend to be dramatic and compare it to a 2.6m (102inches) limo Harley. I always do 120-130kmh (75-80mph) on the highway and regurarly go on trips with it. Just for reference I've managed to do 172kmh (107mph) and 178kmh (110.5mph) on a downhill so I wouldn't call it slow as most tend to do. I get a mileage of 4l/100km (58.8MPG) in the city, as low as 3.7l/100km (63.6MPG) on country roads and as high as 5.2l/100km (45.2MPG) on a trip I took for several hours at 140-150kmh (87-93.2mph). The gas tank may be small but with this kind of consumption you can get at least 230km (143miles) out of it. It's fair to say that I have 12cm (4.7inches) risers with pullback, a crash bar that serves as highway pegs and a bikini fairing installed that helped me fit perfectly onto the bike. A custom step-up seat is in my plans too but don't get fooled, the OEM seat is not that uncomfortable. Also I don't know where he got his info but it comes with a passenger seat and pegs as standard, even though they're pretty uncomfortable.
Passenger seat is stock mounted in Europe. In the US it isn’t. I do not know how in other parts of the World.
Thank you for information about the size. I’m 3 cm shorter than you, so it should be ok for me.
@@StefanEdek Oh I see. I'm in Greece and thought it came like that in the States too. Happy to help man that's why I wrote everything.
I own a rebel 500 also. I am 6’1” with a 32” inseam. My legs feel perfectly fine on it. Never cramped feeling at all. The seat isn’t very comfortable. But that’s easily replaceable.
p.s. I can never trust someone who compares cruiser comfort with super sport comfort, believes the Rebel is too compact at 6ft but the CB500F is perfect and thinks a sport touring bike is an amazing daily rider lol. Just super biased opinions.
Lmao the bars are almost hitting his legs. Anyone over 6ft just looks goofy on one. Perfect starter bike or for gf/wife.
Usually comments are people looking to complain. The Rebel seems universally loved.
The Honda 500s are about as good of a daily rider / commuter as you can get. Exceptional fuel economy, very long lasting, perfect power for city roads and freeways or country backroads, and reasonably priced to buy and insure. In these days of crazy fuel prices and inflation, they're bikes that make a ton of sense.
A co worker has one.
I’m sure it or more likely the 1100 version is better than a sportster 883 or 1200 respectively… in every measurable way ..
But .. and it’s a big, round, full bodied but.. would someone pick rebel over sportster if price was the same
And yea HD is over priced .. and getting worse
A Road Glide was 21k.. now pushing up on upper 20s
Oui
Lil small ,size wise. I would be cramped. Looks great though, love that green.
@@geraldgoodiii6993 I think I’m terms of performance comparison the 1200 and 500 are closer. The 500 outperforms the 883 in a straight line and handles better too. Even if the iron and Rebel were the same price, you get more with the Honda. The only thing you get with the Harley over the Honda is the sound
Seems like everyone has the same idea. My local Honda dealers are all sold out of these entry-ish level bikes. There's an Enfield dealer with inventory on the Meteor 350s and Int650s, but its a bit of a trek.
I never really considered riding a motorcycle, but this one really caught my eye... I can't over over how much I love the look of it
So? Did you start riding??
@@leeinwis what?
How can you not even concider it before, some kind of girly boy ?
@@Joe-md7uc whoops,meant 4 spencer
@@leeinwis uncalled for mate
I'm stoked, just dropped a deposit on the 2022 500, 1st time rider, turning 40 in July, used some of my father & mother's inheritance to buy it outright, never drove anything in life cause I could never afford to, So this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. School in August hopefully.
Great first bike. All the Honda 500's are sweet imho .
I got my first bike 2022 got the same bike In the video I love it.
I’m 47. Just bought my first motorcycle ever yesterday, a Suzuki DRZ 400. Never sat on one before. Never rode on one before. Going to buy a helmet and some gear today. I’m pretty stoked as well.
I’m seriously thinking of buying one of these Rebels for longer road trips that I plan to do in the future.
I’ve owned my Rebel 500 since 2018 and have no desire to upgrade. I ride the Dragon on it regularly and ride it to work. It is a keeper.
“Its got the character of a forever bike”
Ryan F9
My wife's first bike. She did 30K miles in just under 2 years on it including a couple 1000-mile, multistate weekends. A true trooper!
Daaang
I owned the 2020 rebel 500 until about a month or so ago. Awesome bike, with an alright amount of power for a beginner, but you don't get bored immediately; some will probably never get bored. The handling is impressive; it does NOT ride like a cruiser. Lots of lean and fun in the corners.
My size is 6'4", 210 lbs.
The stock tires are bad; replace them as soon as your economy allows it.
At my height, it was a pretty cramped seating position. De Pretto Moto makes some great forward controls for all the rebels. Highly recommended. You only get back 17 cm ( 6.7 inches) forward, so it's nothing like those crazy Harley forward controls :)
For the seat, I had an original seat upholstered, and a gel pack added. It makes it suitable for riding all day.
Mileage is great. I got around 25 km/l (58 mpg). Some highways, some back roads, and some city riding.
The original muffler is ugly and sounds dumb. Get one that suits your tastes.
I put 17000 km (10500 miles) on it before replacing it with a rebel 1100 ;)
Idk how cruisers should ride. My only experience is when me and my friend swapped our bikes in the twisties along a river gorge. Switching from my S1000R to the Yamaha Star Raider 1900cc I was amazed how fast I could go with it around the corners and how planted it felt. My buddy (riding my bike) was forced to move out of my way in just a few minutes. What makes going really fast on these is they really can't brake compared to a sports bike. They just...kinda slow down. But it was really fun to be able to squeeze everything from a bike and never break traction.
what do you think of the 1100?
How are you liking the Rebel 1100 so far??
@@sganzerlag I've loving it. It has a lot of power. You pass anybody on the road in mere seconds (or fractions). It had a much more premium feel than the 500. Still love the position, which was one of the things I loved about the 500. The look is gorgeous. Both modern and classic at the same time. I put 2500 km (about 1500 miles) on it in the first month alone :)
Have you tried any of the 650 class bikes? It’s hard to honestly recommend the 300/500 (effectively identical performance wise) to beginners unless they’re young and irresponsible because the 650’s are so nice and usable and I’d say are actually bikes that one could buy and own forever, unlike the 500, which I’d say you could only ride forever and be happy if you never ride any other bike and are ignorant of the options available to gkh for a very similar price
I recently moved to Florida and no joke, I think 85% of drivers have a phone in their hand at all times. Ride safe, beware of distracted cagers.
Ive been living in Florida for over 10 years 😁 just dont tailgate, keep alot of distance from the car infront of you, stay out of the fastlane and people will go around you and wont tailgate you either 9/10 times. 👍if you ride right in with the pack of cars you will be in harms way 👀 ohhh and never stop directly behind a car at traffic lights, go into a lane split position, Ride safe 🙌 lots of riders down here ☺️
Zak---your right, if it's not in their hand it's on a holder, any way their still involved with their(i call it their portable brain)phone. you have to drive for them, because they can't drive for crap anyway. it's gotten worse over the 30 years i've lived here.
i dont remember it being this bad even 5 years ago 😹😹 and now alot of people are smoking the devils lettuce while staring at their phones too 😹😹😹
Floridian here too, even thou they get a bad rep as drivers, at peak heavy traffic hours they have no problem letting me filter thru them, even if they are off to the side and I cant fit thru they go out of their way and move to the middle of the lane so I can keep going. Also have never had a problem with them at intersections either, maybe different parts of Florida, but from Orlando to Kissimmee they are really nice, they drive fast tho they be doing 60 on a 45 street lol
@@Carlisho yep, i think most Floridains have ridden motorcycles or have family who rides so they are alot more friendly towards motorcycles, they just love to tailgate, text and drive too fast 😹 even old people ask me to rev up my bike in my neighborhood 😹 then an old couple made me a pie a few days later 😻🥰 they told me they rode a gold wing many years ago ☺️
Rebel 500 was my first bike a little over a year ago, and even though I can look back at it and know it wasn’t the most incredible or inspiring bike ever produced, I can say that it was a blast to be on two wheels with a reliable bike, I had tons of fun and look back on it fondly
@@joecamel6835 exactly, first set of wheels just needs to be reliable and easy to ride
Less than two years yet this guy talks like it was two decades.
That's good to hear. I'm in the market for a first bike now. By the sounds of it, did you end up trading it in for a newer bike? What did you get?
@@b1_ferg I did, but that’s because I got into Moto GP lol I went to an older Yamaha R6, it was cheap and fast and that’s what I was looking for!
@@TermlessHGW well I’ve spent like 20% of my life on two wheels, just relating my experience on it :)
45k Miles on my Rebel 500, nothing but basic maintenance. It does go in the triple digits, but prefer to keep below 85mph for legal reasons. Mine was $6.2k out the door new. I don't mind the stock seat. I've ridden 165 miles before fueling up, and have never ran out. Clutch feel becomes muscle memory. Highly recommend EBC brake pads on this bike.
a boring bike for boring people
@@NoahJJ24 Is it even possible to be bored on any motorcycle? Buy the bike for your intentions. 53k miles now.👍
@@NoahJJ24says someone who lives in a basement playing games😂
Something to keep in mind about light clutches:
The Ninja 400 and Rebel 500 are bikes that are designed for beginners, but also short people, who also usually have short hands. My wife loves her clutch on her Z400 because it’s no effort for her to pull compared to something not even so hard like my Z900.
I have a Z900 as well. love that bike
Yup, not everyone stands 6 foot tall and weigh 180+ pounds.
@@sepg5084 yeah! some of us are 5'4" and weight 180 pounds haha
@@will0ughby a fellow 5'4" 180 pounder I see.
Keep that clutch adjusted just right!
i ride a 2019 Rebel 500. 5' 6'' tall, fits perfect. it will do 85 mph easily, the wind will kick your butt though. my only complaint, is the seat, not uncomfortable, and i am only 135 lbs. it's the butt sweat. i put bags, and footboards on mine. i love it. my first bike after a 40 year absence. and i love the way it looks. i get a lot of compliments. all black, except i have an orange tank. yup, i love mine.
Rebel owner for a year and 9000km now, rider since the early nineties. I sort of 'aged into' this bike after some medical issues which make it harder for me to continue riding litre bikes. Your range of activity will naturally shrink a bit but in all honesty this is an amazing "little" bike (remember the café racers considered a 500 a big bike) that'll do anything as long as you have the balls and butt for it. It's also a perfectly rational bike that cuts away all the branding, image and other bullshit and reduces riding to what it's all about. To me it's a keeper.
I just got back from a 1300 mile road trip on my 21 cb500f with my wife. Not the right machine for such a journey but man did it get it done!! We’re both lighter riders but we had a heavy backpack and had no problems hanging out on major highways holding 70’s and 80’s steady and smooth.
at 5'2" ~145lbs I am very much considering the Honda Rebel 500. Your video and the comments are very helpful
did you get it?
Had the privilege of riding my buddy's 500. Absolutely love it. At 5'4", I love that I can flat foot this and feel more comfortable over bigger sport bikes I've owned in the past.
With me needing better mpg for my commuter, I think this is the route I'll be going. Great review!
i am about same height as yours, what other cruiser bikes you have test ridden that you feel comfortable riding?
@@AniSepherd972 Harley Davidson 48, HD Iron 883, Kawasaki Vulcan S, Indian Scout with reduced reach handlebars, Triumph Bonneville Bobber
@@Team_Nacho_Moto thanx a lot for reply. If you have bought a bike for your first purchase which one you would suggest?
@@AniSepherd972 anytime. I ended up getting a Harley Davidson 48 for its customization possibilities, low seat height and torque V Twin. If you're a first time rider, I'd recommend the Rebel 500. Plenty of bike for the suburbs, highway and anything in between, with the bonus of 6 gears, larger fuel tank over the 48, and Honda reliability.
@@AniSepherd972 FWIW, I've owned Ninja 250s, Kawasaki 650R, 636, Honda CB 750K, Honda CBR600RR, and Yamaha R6. By far, I've felt the most confident on Cruisers to date.
The 500s make great first bikes because they just work. They can do highway, city, touring etc without complaining. I had a CB500X and while the bike itself wasn't overly memorable, I do remember all the adventures I had on it.
Love my 500. It’s my new commuter bike, 92 miles a day. Gets the job done and it’s light/fun. Do wish it got better fuel economy. If I’m sweet to it and keep it under 70 I can get 48-50 mpg. If I roll at 70-75 I’m averaging around 40.
Honda knocked it out of the park with this bike. I admire their simplicity and aesthetic even though I like more Naked Street bike aesthetics vs. cruisers.
The low seat height and all round weight makes this a perfect bike for beginners.
I love my 2022 rebel 500 I commute daily to work with it great for female riders and beginners great first bike, if you are deciding on whether to get a 300 or a 500 I would definitely get the rebel 500 that's my opinion you will grow into it and not have to worry about upgrading.
I’m considering getting a bike. I’m girl so I’m not sure if I’ll adjust to it but if you can I can too😊
@@adrianaorizaba8455 do it get the rebel 500 you won't regret it
Got mine a month ago, I just didnt like anything else in that price range... I'm 1,84 m, 98 kg, and it's not too small and doesn't feel cramped... I mostly do city drives, still going soft on it, but I already see we're going to be great companions... Really satisfied...
Oh my! A Daily Rider about my bike, today is good day!
I'm not a beginner rider by any stretch of the imagination and it's just as flawed as you described it. The engine is utilitarian and make uninspiring noise, the rear can get lively in bumpy corners and the seat is made of pain. It's not even the most fuel efficient nor is it the best value of its class. And I love the little thing. Daily commutes are a joy on this Honda, scraping footpegs makes me giggle on twisty roads and to my surprise it's a good conversation piece especially among non or aspiring riders.
I guess I just like riding slow bike fast.
I bought this bike brand spanking new in 2017. my first motorcycle. Slapped a two brothers exhaust on it, and it made it sound, and perform very well. i actually did an 800 mile trip on it, and even though it screamed to, and from my destination at 85Mph, it took the road very well, and the fuel economy was EXCELLENT. My ass killed me though. Thats for damn sure. LOL
Just put down a deposit for my 2023 Rebel 500 ABS!!!! Can't wait!!!
Just buy a Rebel 500 already. I’ve had my 2021 for 2 years now and it’s great. Yes, you can always get a faster or bigger bike but the idea that it is too slow or underpowered is frankly insane. I rode it to work this morning and easily hit 85 mph without even knowing it. Granted it was over time on the freeway but if there were significant throttle or stability issues getting that high, I wouldn’t have done it. I’ve had my friend who is 6’2, 220 lbs on the back and had zero problems. Learn how to shift and throttle it and it’ll be one of the best deals you can find. The look of a cruiser with the powertrain of a crotch rocket. In retrospect I’m embarrassed how many videos I watched trying to decide.
Just got a free shadow 850 from my uncle but I am still thinking of getting this bike
Just be noted it is the same engine as the CB500X, CB500F and CBR500.
Which are all very reliable and amazing on gas!!
I avg 67mpg on my CB500X
I owned a 2017 Rebel 500. It was my first bike. I used it as a daily commuter in Philadelphia and loved it. I put about 15k miles on it before selling it. I've had a couple great bikes since then, but I still miss my rebel sometimes. It was a perfect beginner/ city bike for me.
How much did you get for it. I'm looking for a used one
@Jeffery Epstein I bought it new. It was the first model year. So, buying used wasn't an option. I think I paid about 7 grand out the door.
@@robertstimmel1100 how much did you sell it for with 15k miles on it
Interesting to see this. I had a Versys 650 for around a year and a half, and we all know how good Zac thought it was for a daily rider! I have now owned a Rebel 500 2020 for a year now and done 5500 miles. Just in case anyone wants to buy one I will touch on most of the points. FYI I'm 5ft 6 and 75KG.
Unfortuantely as Zack said I don't think it's ideal for those 6 ft+.
The seat does defo get tiring after a while, and I'm sure the heavier you are the worse it is. What I have found to work is just buy a gel seat cover that attaches, only around £20.
Miles per tank, yeah it's a small fuel tank. Ideal for commuting and daily riding though, wish it had more however.
Speed for motorway. It can chill at 70mph easily, I have a front cowl so can't attest for without it (IDK if it does much lol). A lot of wind if you go above 70, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a bike without a windshield, same as Indians and Harleys I can imagine.
Mirrros, never had a problem with them, bit small but aside from that no complaints.
Clutch yes yes I agree.
Passenger accomodations, my girlfriend rides on it weekly with me (as Zack mentioned it does come with a pillion seat). Originally without a backrest I bough from Shad for about 8 months. Zack is right because of the passenger seat it does slope a bit, but nothing major, it is perfectly fine for short trips. I would highly recommend getting a back rest however, gives you more space as the rider and the pillion more confidence.
The Suspension is fine for solo riding, you do feel a lot of bumps. However, with a pillion they feel it ALOT more.
For the twisties, yes it's fine! The throttle is smooth, but Zack is right when you hit a bump it does wobble which isn't very confidence inpsiring, especially if you're going decently fast.
The engine. Zack has been riding for years and years and is a better riding than I will ever be. So although I think it's fine and I enjoy it, he is right in saying in hasn't got the WOW factor, but it makes me smile!
For the dashboard, it is annoying there is no rev limiter. I'm pretty sure you can change the brightness though!
The breaks. Great for beginner riders works as they should for 500cc!
Dirt path, I wouldn't do it because I would probably drop it!
So compared to the Versys 650 what would i rather have? If i was taller, and done longer journeys more often, I would have my Versys back. However, for shorter riders, it's perfect for weekends away, city riding and just general fun. It's such an easy bike to handle you haven't got to worry about anything. As I am short, I was always worrying about maouvering the Versys 650, and in London it was sometimes annoying to park in motorbike bays. Following from that, on weekends away with luggage and a pillion it got even heavier so was even harder to tip toe around. I haven't got these problems with the rebel which is probably why I prefer it. However, all things considered, if you've been riding for as long as Zack and as tall, I can agree with most things from his perspective!
EDIT: Luggage, there is an abundance of side luggage options! And please don't get the 300, I really don't see the point of it!
I have no intent to buy a Rebel 500, however I’ve watched the whole thing, because Zack makes it so interesting to learn about new bikes and it’s always a fun ride, I’m always waiting for Saturdays hoping a new Daily rider video came out.
Zack, all these low power middleweight bikes are made for the european A2 license, which is limited to 47hp bikes, or bikes restricted to 47hp that dont produce more than double that power. Thats why a lot of bikes are 47hp or 95hp.
In the Spring, I finally finished all of the major maintenance on my Rebel 250. I was in my 7th riding season with it, passed 15K miles, and had the carb cleaned and adjusted, the valves adjusted, new chain and sprockets, new brakes, everything tightened (loose) and checked, new tires/tubes,rim strips, new air filter, etc etc etc... First ride after getting it done, just passed 90 miles on the ride, and was 3-4 miles from home. A deer shot out in front of me from behind an overgrown old billboard, and I crashed right into the deer. My right hand immediately broke on impact with the deer, my left thumb broke at the tip, and it was like hitting a small wall... I went over landing face down sliding down the road. Full gear I got from Revzilla spared me from getting any road rash. The biggest shock post crash was the boots - TCX armored boots, which I thought was more of a luxury. The toe box shaved down quite far (did not breech into the toe box), but had I been in sneakers, I would be missing at least two toes. The bike is totaled, insurance replaced most of my gear with all new gear from Revzilla, and I am in the healing stage with a second hand operation scheduled for right after July 4th.
I am thinking of a new bike to replace the Rebel. Since the accident in April, gas has gotten insane, and it's biting a big chunk into my budgeted disposable money between paychecks. I had wanted the 2022 Honda Shadow Aero. I loved the classic looks that blue color, and basically near zero maintenance - 8K mile oil change intervals and 15K mile shaft fluid change intervals. However, money is now tighter (medical costs, fuel/food costs, etc)... so I am thinking maybe a Rebel 300. 99.99999% of my roads are 55 mph or less and I had been riding 6+ years on a Rebel 250 covering a lot of mileage with it.
The Rebel 300 is half the price of the above bike. It is a lot lighter and nimbler - probably making it a lot easier when PennDOT gives the middle finger to motorcyclists and dumps a couple miles of hyper loose tar and chip on curvy mountain roads without any signage or warnings. I could swap the tires to equal sized enduro Pirelli MT60RS tires (80% onroad/ 20% offroad) for dirt/gravel roads, roads forgotten about by PennDOT for 60 years that look like the moon surface, and my long dirt/grass driveway. It also gets about 80 mpg. Honda makes a set of quick detach nylon bags that would be perfect for grocery runs (toss in shopping cart - pack in store, snap back on bike and leave). Also, like the Shadow, I really like the blue color used on the Rebel 300. I seen that green on the Rebel 500 in daylight and it looks a bit pastel easter egg green in sunlight.
Only thing Revzilla barely mentioned on the Rebel 500 is the clutch cover that pushes your right foot out further than your left foot and kind of annoyingly gets in the way on the right peg as well. The Rebel 300 doesn't have this weird set up and both feet are in the same position with neither feeling cramped like the rider's right foot on the 500.
It likely wouldn't be until mid August till I could even entertain riding again, but I would like to. I am not really interested in carving corners, group rides, hitting high speeds, etc... I just want to continue exploring the mountains of northeast PA, areas along route 97 in NY (including the Hawk's Nest), and discovering new areas around Sussex NJ - and it would be nice to be able to do small grocery runs without needing the truck getting 18 mpg with $5.20 gas.
If you were happy on the earlier rebel the 300 would probably be fine, I'd suggest the 500 though, a used one may fit the budget, and I personally know of 3 examples of that engine on well over a 100k miles with nothing but the servicing Honda suggests, not in the rebel but in the 500X, same motor.
With the know how you speak of a used one shouldn't give you any issues at all.
Heal up mate, get back out there.
I'll raise a beer in your name tonight!
I just bought mine! I got the Rebel 500 ABS SE. It took me forever to find because of low inventory and I found it 130 miles away from me haha! Totally worth it!
Just got my rebel 500 less than 2 weeks ago. I never rode before but watched a few videos and got on it and rode it just fine. My MSF course is Saturday and Sunday I been riding everyday with surprising confidence. I was deff scared until I got on the rebel.
I really don’t care about this bike, but it’s Zack with another Revzilla video !
Wouldn’t mind a rebel 1100 review tho 😁
I've been waiting for a review of the 1100 as well. Hopefully soon.
@@Muzikasaw3apon the 1100 is a far better bike. Something actually worth buying and keeping. It may not be a "real bike" for the smoothest Harley brains but it’s a fine machine which is more agile than any bigger cruiser could ever dream of.
I don't care about any Rebel, but still came here for the review.
I'm a rebel 300 owner. Her name is Ruby the rebel. She gets like 78 mpg around there. I traveled from Springfield Missouri all the way to Yakima Washington wide open throttle the whole way. She actually does get higher mph than 80 after some time she'll get up to 85 mph. I've gotten her up to 90mph +\- but that was probably perfect conditions.
All in all I love this bike. I've not outgrown her as mostly what I do is door dash I still take her on the highway. The mirrors do vibrate quite a bit. But at 4grand it's really worth it!!
After more than 50 years of riding, I love my 500F. It's so easy to ride with stellar handling on twistie hilly country backroads. I've come full circle, 50 years ago I loved my CB450, rode it everywhere before getting into big bikes. The 500F is better in every way even for my six four. Sticky sport touring Bridgestones and some HH EBC pads and I'm a happy man.
Been riding for 46 years, love my CB500S from 1999 and my Himalayan. Need quicker, take my Versys 650. Need mental take out my ZZR1100 (ZX-11). Two wheels and an engine keeps you young. I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.
I'm 68, been on bikes alone 16yrs. Originally had a 175cc Bsa Bantam, then a CB250-2, CB750-4 and CB400-4 along with a little Suzy TS 185cc dirt bike. Currently have a 700cc Deauville and a 260kg R1150RT BMw. The latter getting a bit heavy for me as age and injuries catch up, so buying a 2020 Rebel this week. I wanted something I could put my feet down on, under 200kg enough bhp to be fun and decent cornering. Rebel hits all the marks - and I still have the Deauville for longer, faster trips.
Hey, gents. I'm 33, looking to get my first bike. I loved reading your comments and I feel satisfied going with this bike now even though my heart belongs the Triumph Bobber. I don't want to shell out that much for or have to baby my first bike.
If you don't mind enlightening an eager future rider, what are HH EBC pads and why swap out to Bridgestones? And if you're feeling really generous with your time, what do you think of Triumph as a brand? I haven't heard many owners mention them in the comments over the few videos I've watched.
@@b1_fergI'm in process of downsizing to a 500 Rebel as age and infirmities catch up with me. Different tyres give different grip profiles, some better in dry, some wet, some all round - and some just suit a particular bike better. The pads are the same, by changing the pads you can alter the amount of bite in the brake, If I remember correctly, I have HH ebc on my R1150ccRT bmw - lot of weight to pull up on that.
@@b1_ferg HH EBC organic brake pads are more aggressive brake pads that give stronger yet very progressive stopping. It's a cheap way to greatly improve your front braking without spending alot of money. My 500F came with cheap Dunlops that were miserable on tar strips even on dry roads. Rather than go for cheap price I like more premium sport touring tires. They will give far superior grip than the stock tires. My first choice in tires is usually Michelin.
The most important part is to spend the extra money and get sport touring tires for more grip and safety in cornering and braking rather than less grippy touring tires. It's cheap insurance.
Rebel 500 is my third bike after VFR750, v Strom 650 and now rebel 500. It’s powerful enough for one person around the city and on twisties. Just did 20 miles on it at 5am in cold British morning and had a lot of fun.
When doing the range math, you get roughly 130-140 miles to the tank including reserve sweat when you ride highway only. What I've found with my daily commuting is that if I'm staying under 60 mph on average, I see 160-190 miles to the tank.
1-kawasaki vulcan s
2- yamaha xv950 bolt
3- honda rebel 500 all good motors and same style...bro I like your bike
My main bike is a Ducati XDiavel but bought this for my short, petite gf, which is perfect for a height challenged beginner. Funny thing is I end up daily riding the Rebel. Its really brilliant even for my 5’10” 190 pound self. Its so nimble, minimalistic (good thing!), and effortless doing everything with enough power on the highway. Maximum fun, what an enthusiast rider wants. Put on small leather bags. Looks great too. Theres really nothing like it. No complaints.
The Rebel is PERFECT for beginner riders. I got mine over a year ago and I love it. It looks great, easy to handle, low to the ground, and lightweight
Planning on buying the rebel 500 as my first bike you guys posted this vid perfect timing you can always count on revzilla for gear and videos 👍
Rebel 300 rider here, its my first bike and already put 1070 miles in a month, I cant see myself getting rid of it ever. I sure will get something else down the line but not at the cost of selling my baby.
Edit: 16:04 maybe the brightness was low, you can adjust it, mine is at max and its easy to read in all weather conditions.
@@cowmath77 haha thats true but I really am very pleased with it, even the power. I got into motorcycling for the ride not the speed just going 45 is enough for me but I didnt want a scooter so Rebel 300 is like the best middle ground between a scooter (good mpgs, aproachable) and a motorcycle (manual clutch, ergonomics, styling). I do 75mpgs even with a few pulls here and there. Also im 5’6” 125lbs so the bike is the perfect size and weight for me.
Still wont deny that maybe one day I will want something more powerful or diferent (like getting a sports bike), but the chances are not as high as the majority of people i would say.
@@Carlisho just dont get tempted to trade it in, its extremely tempting 😹 most people who rides will experience it 😹 ride safe 🙌
@@DefZen343 diamond hands lol 💎🙌
Zach, Honda has a passenger setup you can buy. It includes a seat, passenger pegs, and a bracket for the left peg. The right peg mounts to the bracket that holds up the muffler.
here in aus all the passenger gear and ABS is standard on all models
I always look forward to Saturdays, to watch daily ride. love seeing the new bikes and how they handle the jump section. this episode, it hit me, when you (zac) mentioned the headlights (kinda spider style but work well) that we never really see the headlights in use. yes, i know that the video filmed during the day. i would like to see a daily ride done at night..
GoPro filmed videos never show well at night. The Missenden Flyer does his living with videos and regardless of how bright the headlights are the video barely picks it up. The best suggestion I could think of is to consider led headlights the greatest
I only brought it up, cause Zac does a great job going over the bike and some companies do put a lot of thought in the design, hence the headlight, and I thought it would be interesting to see a daily rider at night…some of us rider do enjoy it and other have no choice but to do it…
@Thomas B ever since I got this third gen SV650 I barely ever ride after dark. The halogen is as bright as an oil lantern and the only non-janky option is the JW Speaker adaptive LED for $700.
The LED Rebel headlight is really good on straights, but doesn’t point quite where you’re going when turning
It's not called Nightly Rider though
These bikes are also great if you're a shorter rider and are into the cruiser feel.
I'd really like to see the cb300r covered, admittedly I'm biased as I daily one myself, but I really think its a great bike for exactly this. Its very bare bones, has plenty of power to get around town the suspension is excellent, which makes it an absolute blast on a twisty road. Only weak spot for it imo is that on the highway it gets a bit winded. It can easily cross the country if you ask it to, and I'm speaking as someone who has done a 1200 mile trip on it, it just isnt terribly comfortable there and is a bit buzzy.
I have a 2018 Honda Rebel 500. Bought it used October of 2023. It is my primary, and only, mode of transportation. I have to say I absolutely love my bike. In town driving is a blast and does really well on the interstate. I live in Florida and ride it over the Howard Franklin bridge between St. Petersburg and Tampa often. It handles it like a breeze. Average cruising speed on the Interstate is about 70mph - 80mph and she takes it like a champ, with even a little more to give if I need it. I have been on many many adventures on this bike, and look forward to many more. Long live the Honda Rebel.
What is your mpg when you fill up?
Couple of points from an owner:
I usually get 170-180 miles on a tank. (I’m heavy and don’t try to conserve fuel) so around 70 mpg?
European version comes with OEM passenger kit, can be purchased at Honda USA dealers. But it’s an uncomfortable, cramped passenger ride, even with the extra backrest.
Comfort is bad, one can spend big bucks on special seats or have it worked on by a local upholstery shop like me, on the cheap. But the shocks could use some upgrades too.
The Rebel always was and always will be a tame, nice and easy bike. Perfect for beginners (if not too tall), and perfect for me who prefers practicality, simplicity and frugality above anything else on a bike.
I also own a CB500X which is so much better overall, except… the Rebel’s more for fun for me every time, even if limited.
Great work as always Zack. Keep it up!
I love how the 300 magically appears!
Same, it wanst there when he arrived.
I daily this bike to work, 80 miles round trip. I always recommend getting a new seat like the mustang solo, as well as flipping the mirrors for smoother air. But great bike. I've put 3k miles on it in 2 months
@whiteAfrikkkanNun 60s when riding like a normal person, 40s when I feel like having fun. I've cut my gas spending in half
@whiteAfrikkkanNun I'll cruise in the 70s on I-75. 75 ish is the upper limit of where it likes to be, 80s it can do but it's in the upper half of the rev range and you start looking for a 7th gear
If you're looking for a heavy long distance/daily cruiser this isn't the bike for you. 1400 or 1700 cc will give you the caddilac /all day comfortable ride....room for you and your partner heavy, smooth, comfortable and powerful. Even Hondas biggest cruisers don't have the weight and comfort of a full dress Harley. But honestly what do you want? A half ton cruiser (Cadillac) or a bike that allows you at least a little nimble through a small town once in awhile
I love the idea of comfort cruising but I also want some control over my bike.
I don't have heavy bike training so I need to step back but I've always appreciated the maneuverability and control over my bike.
i got the 2018 model. once you broken it in you can comfortably do around 210km(130miles) with a bit over 3L left in the fuel tank.
Hey look! It's the motorcycle I used to train my wife how to ride! It's a great bike if you are looking for something lightweight, good on gas, has the safety feature of ABS, and want a low seat height! Super fun on curved roads, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are doing a lot of highway riding.
This is weird. The 500 is clearly an ideal commuter and daily rider machine. A really good first bike for any novice rider. By all accounts should be on top of the graph, but no one in his right mind would put it up there.
Whos is to blame for that. We the riders? Or the manufacturers?
Regardless, not watching this for the bike but for Zack spot on and entertaining commentary.
Cheers!
I agree. The rebel 500 is a good starting machine for any rider, being also A2 license compatible. However, there is also the comparable Kawasaki Vulcan S 650cc which, price wise, they come kind of close to each other. It gives you a lot to think 🤔 and the Vulcan has its bells and whistles.
Ergos would put it low on the list for me
The "daily rider" list is supposed to be about which is the best daily rider, but he tends to go for the bikes he likes to ride more. Putting an MV Agusta over a Honda 500 for a "daily rider" is like putting an Italian supercar over a Japanese economy car for your daily drive to work (where it's left in an open lot unattended all day).
@@Thirsty_Fox I'd put my Brutale above lots of bikes for a Daily Rider. Easy to work on, handles wonderful, sounds amazing, looks amazing... 990R
It just looks odd, the chop bottom tank, looks thrown together...
I have owned many bikes and cars. I have modified many cars/motorcycles. I have raced motorcycles and cars professionally. They all move when you hit the accelerator. You do not need 7000 horsepower or a v12. Yes, the Joneses live primarily in the USA but buy what you want from the factory. Limit mods/options. Do you need a pickup truck to show people how much freedom you can carry or a 7 passenger SUV that Carries one person 99% of the time. Mid size bikes are the new full size bikes. Honda rebel 500 is the Toyota Camry. Not much drama but takes you where you need to go. Lighter bikes more fun than 900 pound boats.
Awesome vid Zach, I would really appreciate a quick rundown on headlight performance. For myself and many others, half our commute is in the dark so that would be a great addition to this awesome series!
It looks similar to my Rebel 1100, which has a great headlight.
I love that bike. But I'm and 67 yr old male in Oklahoma in the final stage of restoring a 75 Honda cb 360t identical to the one I bought new in college. I was working 3 jobs to pay for school, feed myself and still bought this bike. Rode it to Cali and back twice from Oklahoma even to Denver. It was my only transportation so it was 365 and I only dated chicks with cars. Ha. (true)
I love the look of that bike. I went through the Harley years when you had to carry a wrench in your back pocket not to look tough but to tighten something every time you stopped.
Life, work and travel took the years and the bikes away but I still loved Honda's so I found a twin of the one I had. It was in poor shape so I had to take it down to zero. Did everything by hand and what tools I had. I loved it.
This bike brings back that feeling of the first time I got on a bike. Heck it was a Cushman from WWII a buddy rebuilt and I got to learn to ride when I was 8. Stopping sucked as did the step starter....ha. Well I was 8 and I needed help or height.
Anyway, if I was a bit younger, I'd own one of those. Thought about buying another shadow (most underrated entry level..or any level, bike ever) but not that much time left on my clock.
Love your vids and I buy a ton from RevZ
I have owned a Rebel 500 since 2017 (1st gen obviously). Never had any mechanical issues, Honda's build quality is awesome. I simply love this bike for going to work and a quick blast through the mountains. I even did a long trip of several thousand km in the Pyrenees with a huge luggage roll strapped onto the passenger seat (which came as standard here in France, I think it's a market thing that it's an extra in the US). It's astonishing how nimble this "cruiser" is. I also have a Yamaha XSR700 with a bit more power but on the small windy mountain roads I usually ride I don't think I am much faster on that... My only criticism of the Rebel is the seat. After about 120km (75 miles I guess) my butt starts to suffer quite badly so I at least need to take frequent stops on longer trips. The short suspension travel in the back makes the effect even worse, speed bumps (called sleeping policeman in the UK I think, no idea what you call them in the US) send painful shockwaves through your spine that can be teeth-shattering, I actually stand up when approaching any of them. But a lovely bike that I will probably never sell because it's so much fun and so easy to live with
Hey, frenchie here. Im about to get my A2 and want this bike but i have some questions, how is it on french highways? Can you follow the speed of traffic easily, and can it easily speed up to overtake quickly? I can't find much info on it's top speed
@@theoaxton1606 I have never had a problem on the motorway. Doing 120 in 6th gear is alright and I think I got her up to 150 once and she didn't explode either... But it's not a bike you'd want to keep at 150 for hours on end, I think the vibrations combined with the seat would make you unhappy after a while...
Would you call it a slow bike?
@@lilnips No, I wouldn't. She's plenty fast to get away from cars when traffic lights turn green and overtaking on open roads are easy too. But keep in mind it's a 500, so I would rather wait for a longer gap in traffic just to be sure it's safe. I think 0-100km/h in 5 or 6 seconds is fast enough and I never really feel she lacks oomph, but it might feel slow if you're used to a Fireblade...
@@moier3345 what do you mena wait for a longer gap? Sorry I’m not good wiht terms haha
I can watch these videos over and over, but I can only like them once.
This is a huge injustice.
A tangential path: The Rebel 1100 was mentioned a bit, and how it's 'the africa twin engine' in a similar chassis. Honda appears to be making that engine as ubiquitous as the 500 twin in this bike, and I am HERE for it. There's the Hawk 11, the NT1100, the Rebel 1100, and the Africa Twin. I hope one day Honda makes a CB11 standard, and then they'll have the same engine in every type of bike. And then y'all could do a mega-review of that entire engine line :V
Making the engine available in multiple models mean that parts would be easier to find, both OEM and aftermarket.
I love Hondas 500 series. I had the 2014 CB500X and I loved it. Technically I still have it, but it was stolen a month ago, and when the cops found it, it was stripped of most of its parts. Ignition switch, exhaust, pegs, windshield, light, a few other things. It’s a project bike I’m still working on to get fixed, BUT when it did work is was awesome. Comfy, good on the highway, good on dirt roads, good mpg, stylish, and just a well rounded, spirited 500cc engine.
I like this guy. Good, friendly review for the every day rider. Well done. Thanks.
2020 was a good beginner Bike. Sold within two months. But it taught me how to ride..
I'm glad you talked about the instrument cluster/speedo. In every video I've watched about the Rebel 500, it always looks dark. Like it could easily get washed out in daylight. Other than that, I really like this bike and am considering it for my "first bike". I just don't know about that speedo.
I just looked at one of these today. I liked that thing however, I have never owned a motorcycle but I'm seriously considering it for the gas mileage.
My Super Duke is only 470 pounds. The Rebel could be lighter. Less weight means better handing, brakes, and acceleration. The Rebel is a great commute bike. Not the best in any category but does a good job most things. Great msrp. Europe not big deal into horsepower like USA. Most people want something reliable and powerful enough.
I really want a motorcycle. Seeing all the positive comments I am convinced this is a must buy for someone new like me. I don’t need something entirely fast but something to feel out and practice with.
Around 50 mpg is good by my experiences from when I owned a 500 twin back in the day. Mine was a Kawasaki EX500 a plain jane twin back around 1998 when I was in the Navy and my primary entertainment was riding the hills in Southern California, some of the best motorcycling I have ever experienced. North Carolina has a few good areas but nowhere close to me. In any case I put 39,000 miles on that bike in less than 3 years, pretty good considering deployment for Westpac and several counter narcotics deployments. Traded it in when the clutch cable popped on the way to work for a Suzuki 850 shaft drive 4.
My wife is 4'11" and rides the 500 Rebel on road and off. She has followed my on my RT1200 all over the eastern USA. She routinely gets over 75 MPG on back roads, and 50's on highways. I've noticed your fuel mileage is always way less than what I get, and I attribute it to the fact that you live at the red line. Anyway, her bike does everything she asks of it.
I love this bike! Very fun, easy to ride, and comfortable. Only gripe is that it runs out of gearing really fast and feels like it’s struggling about 60 mph. The big fat tires on the rebel work really well for city riding and other awful roads
a boring bike with no personality
@@NoahJJ24 ur mum
@@NoahJJ24It’s all relative
That bike is not even close to my cup of tea, but... It's a Honda, so I'm interested. And it's Daily Rider, so I can't miss it. Missed the Daily Rider videos, btw. Thanks for another excellent one, Zack!
I got one last year as my first bike, and I love it. I don't really like the glossy green though, it would look better matte.
a very boring looking bike. No personality at all
Almost 50 thousands ks on mine since new 2019 hands down the best bike for people 5foot 5 or lower
Does wheelies burn outs whatever hooning you want to do
Max speed 170km if youre light and with the wind
Does everything you want and need from a 500 cruiser
The more things change, the more they stay the same; In the mid-1990s I bought a used '86 Honda Rebel 450 for my wife which was about the same as this bike in spirit, but without the modern brakes, etc. Should be a fun scoot, great for those not long of leg!
If you buy the GIVI Sissy bar and the Factory passenger seat, this bike is INSAANELY confortable for passenger AND adding luggage... its amazing!!
I've been considering the 500 for my next purchase. This must be an omen.
I'm a little shocked not seeing a video for the 1100 yet but hopefully that's on the way. I'll check this one out when I get some time to watch it. I like watching these daily ride videos.
I honestly wish they could do a 270 crank, its the only thing I dont like about the Rebel 500
IFKR, it’s so unlike a cruiser to have a 180. Picked the cb350 over the rebel for that exact reason (don’t think the cb350 is available in the US though)
CB350 is a single cylinder
@@A-FrameWedge a single also sounds better than the 180 crank
@@A-FrameWedge yea i should've elaborated more, the single cylinder thump sounds a LOT better than the 180.
@@kullen1041 I was mistaken, I thought you said you picked the cb350 because it had a 270 crank.
My dad has a 2003 Harley night train he doesn’t ride any more. It just sits in the garage lifeless but he said I can have it if I learn how to ride. He recommended I start on a Honda rebel so here I am learning about them
I really like
my 2019 500. I do wish I had the gear indicator that the 2020+ models have, along with the LED lights and slipper clutch. I may swap mine for a newer model in a year or two, or change to something 'fancier'... but for someone short like me, this is a great bike!
I love the format of explaining the bike while riding it, very cool stuff!
Pleaseee do the 3rd Gen MT-09!! I think it’s been refined enough over the first gen FZs to warrant a new review.
Hey, I’m new looking to get into riding as a daily/enjoyment rider. Your videos are amazing to get knowledge on my first bike and learn about all types! You were the first video and I seem to find quit a lot in my feeds! Keep up the awesome videos!!! Super exciting!!!
Hope to see more Royal Enfields, maybe the Scram 411. Actually been thinking about getting the Scram quite a bit as I really enjoyed the Continental 650 I had until I traded it in for something better for longer distance, now I need something better for around town again
A couple of long time Harley guys have ridden my Wife's Vulcan S and we're quite impressed.
On my 2020 Rebel you absolutely can add a passenger seat and even backrest. With my wife and I (combined weight of slightly over 300lbs) we are just shy of the max passenger carrying capacity. So be mindful that this is no big cruiser.
But I use it as a daily commuter and love the 2020!!
yess thank you for this review
I don't ride any more - but I love the look of this one. Makes me want to get back into it.
I have the 2021 rebel 500 and i love it. I love the fact that its quite low to the ground so i can reach my little legs around. I plan to keep it as long as i can. Also ive done just over 6100km on the clock.
I have owned one for a year or so, there is a rear seat pack, and you can get a small sissy bar (I don't have that) it handles a passenger fine. Like with all bikes you can notice the change in handling.
And for gas, around town I get 50-65 mpg, on highway I've gotten up to 72 mpg, though that was only once.
When talking about prices, you’re mentioning MSRP but it would be more accurate to reference some real out-the-door price. Dealer fees are so high right now and I wonder if that affects lower end bikes more. Paying $3,000 dealer fees on a $20k bike feels different than paying $3k fees on a $4k bike.
Laugh in european law where no cost are allowed to be hidden 🤣
@CrazyLegsMcGee Agreed.. I think dealer fees are a scam anyway. Why am I paying for them to ship their inventory and assemble it. That should already be worked in to the "retail" price. If I'm going to pay for shipping and assembly then I might as well just order directly from the manufacturer.
That said, it shouldn't be hard to call a local dealership and ask the OTD price on any bike. If they call three and they're all different, at least that gives a truer sense of the cost than an MSRP that we all know isn't real cost.
@@narrator-timothymckean Out here in Las Vegas nobody will give you an OTD price on the phone
@CrazyLegsMcGee Pre covidi would agree with you. No dealer around me has inventory now so there is almost no way to haggle since if you don't buy the bike someone else will.
@@thierryfaquet7405 where you are from is the true out the door cost listed up front so you know what it costs when you look online?
I've got the same bike, its the first one I've owned myself and I am loving it so far, I've hit the speed cap at 93
I love these, but they’re just a little bit too small for me. The 1100 is quite pricy, but a good value compared to the competition. I wish they made a cheaper version of that model with the NC750 engine.
I have had the same experiences with the honda 500 engine. It’s very capable for what it is. The CB500X, which has the same engine, is an absolutely amazing budget adventure and commuter bike. They’re fast enough for what they are and they have a super flat torque curve which makes them feel stronger than they are
Honda made the CTX700 for a while, same engine as the NC700, the older version of the nc750x, i dont think they sold well but ive ridden along side a few of them, im not too fond of the styling but the engines are amazingly durable, some dude in Thailand is approaching 300k kilometers on his NC and doesnt even burn a drop of oil 😲🙌
@@DefZen343 Also worth mentioning the dude in Thailand rides the DCT version it hasn’t missed a beat - for anyone who questions the DCT’s durability 😁
I'd agree if they made a 650 or 750 version of the rebel and replaced the 500 it would do well.
The 300-500 jump isn't enough to justify staying with the 300 unless you just can't afford it or don't go on any highway ever.
But a 300 to 600/750 for maybe $1000 more would make it a more substantial jump in value and price.
It would also make it more competitive against the Indian scouts
@@tbm275 doubful on "replacing" the 500, they use that twin cycle engine in every class of motorcycle and its A2 license legal, same with that 300 single cylinder engine in multiple bikes, thats why they are in the rebels. using the same engine in multiple platforms. taking it away makes no sense for a manufacturer since A2 bikes are a large segment. Scouts? the Rebel 1100 is on par with scout on power and has more tech 👀 a 750cc bike would be a whole class below the Scout 👀
Your points on the engine being "beige" are exactly my feelings. It is a "good" engine. It doesn't do anything wrong, but it has zero character.
Beginners don't need an engine with a lot of "character".
Interesting vid. Zack is obviously 2 tall and beyond its skillsets 2 review this bike with true justice. This is one of the best bike I have recommended to new riders, and smaller female riders. I have taught many riders on this bike. What he considers "nothing wrong with" and "non inspiring", others think it's "awesome" or "life changing." In fact, some of the people I've taught on it, enjoys it so much, they don't want to evolve from it. A good review of a bike, must also include perspectives from the bike's purpose and its targeted audiences. Zack is far from this bike's intended audience.
You obviously weren't listening carefully.
@@ziondanny7081 thanks for reading my comments. Ride safe, god bless u.
Hi Revzilla Guy, the secret to a good Ham and Cheese is it has to have outstanding mustard and be grilled. No tomato, no lettuce. Grateful for my Rebel 500 as an inseam-challenged female who is a beginner rider trying to get used to DC traffic.
Rebel 500 is the best! 🔥 great beginner bike and definitely better than the intense vibrations of the 300. It even has a little growl to it. Can’t wait to get my new exhaust. 😏
❤️
Same exact boat here. Love love love my Nubian Princess (2018 Honda Rebel 500). I am looking at exhausts as we speak. :)
That 500 engine is great. My first "real bike" was a CBR500R and I really regret selling it. 8k mile service intervals, great tire life, and still plenty of fun to go play in the twisties on. I put nearly 20k on that bike and wish I still had it around to put down 20k more. The cruiser style platform doesn't do anything for me, but if you're looking for a small cruiser I don't think you'd have any regrets with the Rebel 500.
I really loved my Honda Rebel 500 CMX500; I had the white, which I mounted after market Puig wind-screen and Corbin "gunfighter" saddle. The stock saddle on the Rebel 500 is like a plank of plywood... sucks. The Corbin gunfighter is a classic cushy saddle (quite expensive) but really extends the time you can spend on the CMX500.
The engine is fine; handling is fine too. The bike is a playful great little commuter bike (which is what I used mine for mostly) as well its a great trainer bike for newish riders with at least the MSF class under their belt. I hate to say this (its just true) ... this is a great girls bike; seriously. If you're less than 5'11" the fit will be good; although, if you're over 6 feet its gonna feel cramped.
The best color is white; the green isn't that bad really.
marcus