Personally I think that this is one of the best 500 reviews on RU-vid that I've seen so far. Many reviews are just a single test ride, but your review is after 1,000 miles. This really shows that you know it really well. Thanks for your review.
Hey, I just bought a rebel 500. Have put on 100 miles in the first week. Have a 750 shadow aero and had a Harley deluxe. I would not trade my rebel for both of those bikes. Love my shadow, the Harley was less just say it was a Harley. I absolutely love the rebel. I have rode for over 40 years. I am 72 and after 20 years have been back for a year. My rebel is fantastic. I have never had so much fun riding. I live 3 miles north of Draper Lake in Midwest City, OK and ride around it every day. It has a lot of curves and is 30 miles around the lake. Lots of curves which makes it a blast to corner. Top speed on the lake rode is 45. But sometimes I inch it up to 50. I just can not believe how much fun I am having. Enjoy your vlogs. Keep it up. Tom from OK
Steve White Buy it new if possible. Wait for the 2020 model if its not too late. The Rebel is your friend, drive it daily. After three months you will feel absolutely secure..
Yup! Love my 2017 Rebel 500. Use her for everyday work, and back home. When it rains I use my truck of course, but any other condition I’m riding! Great video sir!
@Gabe Singh Nothing, just make sure to lube the chain, if you want to be extra, hit the bike with a leaf blower or dryer around the brakes and other fast rusting areas.
I do indeed love the Tu250X as well. If I did not live so far away where highway speeds are needed between me and town for the most part I would have loved to have it.
5" bare foot.. 55kg... Still a Beginner on this baby... But i bought this handsome 500 2 weeks ago.. I didn't wait for the 2020 model though.. Hope i can make it :) this is my dream bike.. Still Learning changing clutch mentally 😅
It shall get easier as you go. Sometimes it is a good thing to go to a large flat paved area like a parking lot and learn the gross skills to ride. Slowly work the friction zone by rocking back and forth as you learn the location of it and commit it to muscle memory. You then begin to walk the bike under power by working the friction zone and down that back a forth a few times. Then move to putting the feet up on the pegs, then work to move to a shift. Just take it step by step to get the muscle memory down and you're gold!
I am a heavier guy too and also noticed the soft suspension, having the pre-load adjusted made all the difference. Getting my seat reupholstered soon. Cheers!
Whats not to like? I just bought a 2023 Rebel 500 ABS. I got 600 miles riding in town and to work. Flawless indeed. I will have Honda do the first service but after that yea man it's me.
I put front forward controls on my Rebel... helps with hip cramp. Shorty muffler helps to be heard. I love my Rebel 500. Corbin gunfighter seat is not comfortable.
I’m 5’4” and 200lbs. I daily mine for work and errands in Phoenix, AZ. I’m at about 1,300mi or so and very pleased with my 2023 Rebel 500. I average about 54mpg running the highway between 80-85mph, no complaints aside from the same you expressed aside from exhaust sound, I like being loud so I catch ears if not eyes. I want a more powerful bike but as a daily ride, couldn’t be better
@@RabidHedgehog Worth a test ride at least. The front feels a bit soft but the tail is nice, though I still haven't rode hard or with a passenger yet. I got this years SE edition so if you get a chance to play with one I'd love to know your thoughts!
I have an 85 Honda Rebel, it's purple. I got it in 2018, it has about 15,000 miles on it, I put 800 some odd miles on it. The motor and shifting is still very strong. I bought it for $400
I got the leftover CB500X instead. Very different while being exactly the same. LoL. Averaging 79 mpg on state roads. Effortlessly eats miles. Happy so far
Superb bike ... I'm 6ft tall and sat on a 500 at the dealer recently, felt great - as a Classic Triumph fan I think Honda have knocked this bike out of the park. I plan to buy one - perhaps the new 2020 with improvements but no qualms about the earlier models if I can get one used & low miles. These bikes make a wicked Brat Bobber.
Rebel 500 owner here as well. Agree with everything you said man. Seat is kinda crap, suspension leaves a lot to be desired but overall Honda knocked it out of the park with the Rebel 300/500 redesign. I couldn't have bought a better 1st bike.
@Gabe Singh new better adjustable gas suspensions have sad wery expensive ower 500$, but seat have easy, have 23 different better new model and all under 100$ easy change.
I had a TU., want an SR, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw this at the MCshow. Sat on it and bottomed it out, gonna work on my bottom and give it another shot soon. Congrats, great choice.
@@GameCyborgCh yes mine is stock, I can post a video if you woyld like. It is at the bottom of the spring it looks like almost a sawblade , you lift the spring and turn the "blade"
I had not ridden a bike for 17 years, I got my rebel a couple of weeks ago and rode 3 hours home and loved every kilometer be it somewhat a bumpy highway for New south wales
@@RabidHedgehog do you have any recommendations for riding gear? There's so much out there and alot of different videos as well. What should I look for?
Another great video, probably because you are so down to earth. I think you made the right decision buying that Honda Rebel 500. ABS is compusory (law) in Europe ( EC ). You could always change the front and rear suspension if it is such an issue with ohlins if you are prepared to give up a kidney.
I weigh 205lbs and ive hit some decent pavement transitions I didnt notice until I hit them that left my balls a little sore but it wasnt like I was thrown around too much but kicked up on the seat maybe an inch, but rhe stiff seat and shape dont help that, in going to buy a oem seat and make a custom out of it myself and have it upholstered at a shop, with the original seat cover for guide
Honda is apparently revealing a new Honda Rebel 1000cc at this coming EICMA Trade Show. Hope it’s true because that would probably be my next bike. I also hear that the Kawasaki Vulcan S may also get the Ninja 1000’s motor and that would make it one scary fast cruiser.
Jonathan Dyer highways were great fun. Free ways I found it a little underpowered, especially for someone who's on the heavier side. Still a great little bike and has its role among certain types of riders.
Sqeptick had to google this one..i stand corrected. I can't usually hold 85mph (136.7kmph). I'm just lucky my highways are 100kmph, I think that's 65mph.
I've been weighting between an SR400 and a Rebel500 myself. Seen some reviews making decent cases for either one, but I gotta accept that I'm not a light dude, and SR400s are probably built with Japanese people in mind, which are admittedly much lighter than I am.
I'm roughly the same weight. How does it handle at above 60mph? I'm buying the bike as my first, so I want something that'll be easy to handle, which both the SR and Rebel seem to fall under. I'm mainly going to use it on commute. My job is only 10 miles down the road, on a back road that has a 55mph speed limit. However, I often visit my family out of the city, which means I have to get on the interstate for a couple of hours. I mainly wanna make sure I'll be able to handle keeping up with the flow of traffic (about 75mph) and I won't struggle handling while speeding down the open road.
@@bubblegumcrisis747 I want to be 100% honest with you. Anything above 60mph on a stock SR is not effortless. This bike will challenge your riding skills (in a good way). My commute is similar at 15 miles at 45-65 mph, amd I do just fine. Obv, you dont buy a bike like the SR for porformance, but its styling and heritage are unquestionable. Feel free to ask more ?s.
What do you mean "not effortless"? Does the bike become difficult to handle? Does it struggle keeping higher speed? I'm aware the SR is not where I should look for speed and performance, and have to admit I'm mainly interested because of aesthetics. It's a very nice looking bike, and its design is basically what I grew up idolizing as a kid. I should also mention I don't know how to ride a bike. I'm gonna be taking a course and then get my licence in the upcoming months.
I got a 2017 500 recently and I really want to change the color of the gas tank. It’s red right now and it’s one of my least favorite colors, just got a good deal on it.
Check around to see what someone would paint it for or find a wrecked motorcycle yard online and if the tank is spared from any damage purchase from them or a simple take off that might be available if someone changed their tank. If you find an OEM tank you'd be looking at around 350-400. www.babbittsonline.com/oemparts/a/hon/58e2bc1187a866054c370bfb/fuel-tank-fuel-pump
@@chancer194 I know it’s been awhile but have you thought about having it wrapped. It’s not near as expensive as painting, and if you sell you can take it off
fun for short ride but the seat will bring tears to your eyes after 40 minutes. And don't get me started on DIY maintenance. its a bugger to do anything more complicated than an oil change or chain lube. you have to drop the front wheel to change the front mudguard (which btw is about much use as a chocolate teapot) spark plug change ha.
Great and honest video about the bike, in terms of the ride, comfort and feel. I'm looking to get my first bike (been riding a scooter as my first ride since I got my learners). I commute to work daily about 9-10 miles each way. I am not a tall guy, around 5' 8", 155 pounds and am wondering if this will be a good bike for me. Any tips / advice / suggestions whether this would be a solid bike, or another bike, would be awesome!
This would actually be a very solid bike for you for the range you are going. It is light at 408, it has enough power to have fun with and commute with at the same time. It is not something that is overly powerful that it will scare you and since the bike can go up to 155 miles or so before a fill up you would have all week range. Love mine to death and that is what I use it for primarily.
My purchase shop tried to charge me 350$ for the first service, I laughed at the sales guy and rode to their largest rival and they did it for 80$...way to lose my business forever.
The Rebel Hedgehog. I think is is one of the most underrated bikes out there. Glad you like it. The SR400 was my first bike, it was great BUT don’t choke it in the middle of the road, turning it back on is a pain when traffic behind you is honking, and if it happens on a hill, it is even worse. Are you installing any luggage options?
I will be trying to get that thing fully loaded with the bags and such as soon as I can. Also I actually have the jacket to go with it and I also have the shield backpack as well.
I started with the rebel 500 great bike but after one year I traded it in for Yamaha Bolt. The rebel 500 Kool but having an extra passenger on the back :/ it's scary braking & no acceleration when having that passenger. (I weight 160lbs & the girls usually 125lbs) If you're riding solo the Rebel 500 should be enough. The Bolt doesn't have any of those issues & it's Yamaha the same thing like Honda.
change oil regular..about every 4000 miles it will do 130Thousand miles wi no camchain problems etc.. regular lubing is essential on any bike..also a wipe with an oily rag in winter months theres nothing better.... casey jones was always lubing and polishing his train... a bike is no different
What saddlebags would work? Considering an ogio set, but I'm sure mods would happen. The seat is crap, but I put a gel pad on it. My biggest issue is the giant lego brick tail light. It is a cosmetic one, but it is tacky.
Kawasaki vulcan S. Its more money but would be worth it over the rebel imo. If they made a premium "vulcan 900rs" with the motor from the z900rs but same kinda setup as the Vulcan 650 I'd buy one.
Nice vid, commentary! '05 Rebel 250 here: 25K+ miles in 3yrs. Great bike! Look forward to buying an '18/300 If I can get BeaumontTX- dealer to backoff on price: "$6-ish"😨 he tells me.
Man if you were not down by Houston I would say call Oklahoma Honda-Suzuki in Del City Oklahoma. They have them for $4700 or close to it OTD and it would be the 300. The 500s should be around 6K.
In a way yes as it is a more spunky motorcycle and way more aggressive and fun. But in a way the smaller profile and fun to ride nature of the Rebel is suitable for a daily and it does get better fuel economy in the end. So if an SV would appear in my garage it would be rode hard for sure, but I am not sad to have the Rebel either.
I am very heavily leaning towards getting this bike. I like the Street 750, but I am coming from the Rebel 250 which has given me about 4000 miles of riding over the last couple years - and I like the low maintenance and reliability of the Honda (and the look too). I think the first things I would do is swap the tires with Pirelli MT60 RS (scrambler/adv style tires), a windscreen, gear indicator, upgraded extra padded (maybe with gel) seat, and saddlebags. Since I can not find a dealership that does Honda test rides, how is the heat? From my test ride experience, I noticed the Street 750 has a ton of heat pouring out of it at stops.
Well I have had both of these motorcycles and I can tell you this, the Rebel 500 does not produce a ton of heat at all. They can blow some out at you when their fans cycle but it really is not noticeable as much as it is on the Street. I just rode Belle here in that 111 degree heat (147 ish at the concrete/asphalt level my gosh that heat this last Friday), and it handled it like a champ. Never felt any heat sap from the engine, never really felt extra heat from her as well. The Street was out in a max temp of 104 the summer I had her and my gosh when you come to a stop your entire right side was on fire and not to mention when the fan decided to join in on the fun and push more back out. The Rebel has rubber inserts on her pegs that can be removed to reveal to more off road style peg setup so turning it into a scrambler would not be very far away in a kit I bet. Indeed change that seat for sure!
@@RabidHedgehog thanks brotha you ride safe as well. today was her first day as my DD she did well only had one idiot to deal with riding my was so I went 1/2 the speed limit(15 in a 30). I highly recommend a wind screen it makes a huge difference .
Is that a gear indicator to the right of the digital display? Where did you get it? Thinking of getting this bike but wish it had a stock gear indicator.
@@RabidHedgehog do you got a gear indicator on your Rebel 500? If so, any advice on a plug and play i can buy? I live in Norway and i bought a 500 2 weeks ago :)
There are some out there that just connect to the diagnostic port and have enough wire to hit the bars. There's not an official one out there. Generally can be found on Ebay or Amazon for 50 us dollars, not sure what that converts to in your currency.
LuckyUlsa hi I live in Norway too.. can I ask you how much you paid for it in Nok? I live in More og Romsdal, it’s so cold in here now. How you manage to drive ? 😆
@@omarpiane2379 i live in Hamar. I paid 79000 including first service (gone approx 1100 km), original saddle bags, luggage board and oxford heating installed.
Could you do a video without any monologue? I just bought a Honda Rebel 500 and I’m trying to hear what the engine is suppose to sound like and for the life of me there isn’t one video on the inter webs that has just that. My engine is making a buzzing sound and I just want to see if that’s common for the model or not, thanks broha!
At the time I owned this bike I was a little heavier and pretty much we're in the same height range and I loved this machine. The only thing it might do is bite your shins on the mid mount pegs if your legs are a little shorter. But at 5/11 you should have 30+ inch inseam so you will probably avoid that too.
I need to work on that. I have had many friends with Shadows that were easily dusted by most other motorcycles I have owned, and in theory this one has more horsepower as well and less weight. But I have sat on the Shadows and such and they have better seats and suspension.
you did smart , you went with a great bike at the best value , and if you could have gotten better buy on the yamah , suzuki or kawasaki then those are great bikes too
How much did you drop on the Rebel? looking for one of that exact model and year and was hoping to find something around 5-6 grand (anything lower as well of course)
ah gotcha, I've been looking for them and cheapest I've found is 6.3K, any advice on where to look? It's gonna be my first bike so I want to save much as possible cuz I'm a college student, and plus need gear too. @@RabidHedgehog
I would say go up the Vulcan S 650 and have the ergo fit done to fit it to you. This one is kind of stuck in the same position and would get a bit cramped on long hauls.
I havent owned a bike for 12 years, and I had a couple of Honda bikes before 155cc's and Im planning to get a REBEL. Im 5'9 185lbs and Im juz wondering if it would fit me well or it is too small?
I think you are referring to the numbers bouncing in and out. The Speedo is fine it is just an effect caused by the video and the LCD refreshing at near the same rate causing the odd effect of the display flashing.
Nem ugrál a sebesség mérőn a kijelzés.A kamera képsebessége okozza ezt a hatást.A kijelző képsebessége nincs szinkronban a kamerával Ez olyan hatás mint amikor a filmen azt látod,hogy visszafelé forognak az autó kerekei,vagy a repülők propeljei.(sztoboszkop hatás)A valóságban folyamatos a kijelzés. Én egy Rebel 500-t hajtok és minden szempontból ok.Akinek a sport gép kell az azt vegye,aki nyugisabb lovas annak ez a motor nagyon ideális.
I’m about 5’9, and around the 235lbs mark... I’m 36 and haven’t been on a bike since I was 17 and I’m looking at the 2019 R500, would this bike handle me?
I am taller but at the time I owned this machine the same weight. It would handle you without issue, and you would be able to outrun a HD Iron 883 until around 70mph.
The Tu250 does by a smidge. Kind of near equal, just the bar ends are a bit better on the Rebel. But a little more weight into the Tu250s it'd be the same easily.
I actually prefer the CB1100 over the 500. It's interestingly better balanced. Uses 41MM forks and twin rear shocks like this one but is way better sprung. And the seat is so much better. Interestingly we've compared my turning circles and full lock turns and I can out turn the Rebel on the CB due to it's more balanced nature in my book. Now the heat in the city this bike wins as it does not produce as much and the liquid cooling helps. This is why I used it in city stop go trips more and the CB1100 on long range touring.
Ya I’m trying to decide what to get next I live in Florida so it always hot I have a cb500f but looking for another cruiser I totaled my HD dyna in 2016 when I used to ride into work 14 miles one way I was stuck waiting on a train and the engine started smoking from being hot at 4:30 am go figure anyway my 500f is fun but need something more comfortable
If in Oklahoma it's a bit higher than normal. Usually with even ABS we would still be below the 6800 mark. I'm not sure though what state you might be in to be 100% certain of your tax rates. I would think being around 6800-6900 would be more fair.
Just went to a different dealer and they gave me a price of 6044 with non abs after fees and I didn’t understand that because the price of the bike is 6199
The best time is basically now as 2020s are coming in and remaining 2019s are still sitting there. Also in the fall/winter months hardly anyone buys so the incentives are there.
I use motocross gloves for summer since it gets above 100 easily here. They are on closeout from Cycle Gear now but here is a link. www.cyclegear.com/gear/oneal-mayhem-wingman-gloves
m8 let me take a second to be honest i like ur stuff to be fair but listen i think u dnt need to be highbeamin peeps on the road in the middle of broad daylight you hear me buddy good stuff keep it up
