Honda Rebel 500 Specs, Top Speed & Review
TL;DR
- The Honda Rebel 500 makes 47 hp and 31.5 lb-ft of torque from a 471cc parallel-twin engine (Honda, 2025 spec sheet).
- Top speed is approximately 100-105 mph in real-world riding conditions, based on owner reports and independent tests.
- Seat height is 27.9 inches, one of the lowest in the mid-size cruiser class, making it genuinely accessible for shorter riders.
- The 2025 MSRP starts at $7,499 in the United States (Honda USA, 2025).
- The Rebel 500 is the right bike for new riders who want something they won’t outgrow in six months and commuters who want a cruiser that actually handles.
What the Honda Rebel 500 Is and Who It’s Really For
The Honda Rebel 500 is a 471cc parallel-twin cruiser built for riders who want more than a beginner bike but aren’t ready to go straight to 900cc. It hits a narrow, genuinely useful target: light enough for new riders to manage confidently, with enough power to cruise at 75 mph without feeling strained.
It’s not a stripped-down toy. The platform shares its engine architecture with the CB500F and CB500X, which means it gets Honda’s proven liquid-cooled parallel-twin rather than some cut-rate single-cylinder. That matters when you’re spending $7,500 and planning to ride it for a few seasons.
Honda Rebel 500 Full Specifications (2025)
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin, DOHC |
| Horsepower | 47 hp @ 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 31.5 lb-ft @ 6,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Seat Height | 27.9 inches |
| Wet Weight | 414 lb (188 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.4 gallons |
| ABS | Standard |
| Frame | Steel diamond |
| Front Suspension | 41mm telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Twin shock, preload adjustable |
| Front Brake | Single 296mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear Brake | Single 240mm disc |
| MSRP (USA, 2025) | $7,499 (standard) / $7,699 (ABS, if applicable) |
Source: Honda USA official specifications, 2025.
Honda Rebel 500 Top Speed: What to Expect on the Road
The Honda Rebel 500 has a real-world top speed of approximately 100-105 mph. That’s not a manufacturer claim – Honda doesn’t publish a top speed figure – but it’s consistent across owner forum reports on RiderForums.com and independent dyno tests published by Cycle World (2023).
At highway speeds, you’ll hit an indicated 75-80 mph without the engine complaining. The sweet spot for cruising is 60-70 mph, where the twin is pulling cleanly in 6th and vibration stays manageable. Push it past 90 mph and you’ll feel the wind pressure (no fairing) more than any mechanical limitation.
Don’t expect sportbike acceleration. The Rebel 500 is making 47 hp with a heavy cruiser riding position and a 414 lb bike under you. It’s quick enough to get off a light confidently and pass on a two-lane road, but it’s not trying to be a CB500F with handlebars.
Honda Rebel 500 Acceleration: 0-60 mph and Real-World Feel
The Rebel 500 reaches 60 mph in approximately 5.2-5.5 seconds, based on owner timing data shared on Honda CMX500 forums and tests reported by MCNews (2022). Honda does not publish an official 0-60 figure, so treat this as an owner-reported estimate rather than a factory specification.
What that number feels like in practice: there’s a noticeable pull from idle through about 4,000-5,000 rpm where the torque is sitting. Twist it hard off a light in first gear and the front end stays down – no drama, which is exactly what a new rider needs. The power delivery is linear and predictable, not lumpy like a carbureted single or twitchy like a sport-tuned inline-four.
That predictability is actually the Rebel 500’s best performance trait. New riders can build throttle confidence without worrying about snap oversteer from a torque spike.
How the Rebel 500 Handles Compared to the Rebel 300
The Rebel 500 is heavier (414 lb vs. 364 lb for the Rebel 300) and taller in power, but the riding geometry is almost identical. Seat height is the same at 27.9 inches. The wheelbase is a few millimeters longer, but you won’t feel that in a parking lot.
Where you’ll feel the difference: on the highway. The 300 is a capable city bike that runs out of breath above 65 mph. The 500 doesn’t have that ceiling. It’s a real two-up capable machine – Honda rates it for 370 lb total rider/passenger/cargo capacity – where the 300 is genuinely a solo commuter.
| Honda Rebel 500 | Honda Rebel 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 471cc parallel-twin | 286cc single |
| Horsepower | 47 hp | 30 hp |
| Wet Weight | 414 lb | 364 lb |
| Seat Height | 27.9 in | 27.9 in |
| MSRP (2025) | $7,499 | $5,199 |
| Best For | New-to-mid rider, commuter, light touring | Urban commuter, new rider |
Source: Honda USA, 2025.
Honest Pros and Cons of the Honda Rebel 500
What it does well:
- The low 27.9-inch seat height is a genuine advantage, not a marketing line. Riders 5’3″ and under can get both feet flat or close to it.
- The parallel-twin is reliable to the point of being boring. Honda’s CB500 engine family has a strong long-term ownership record with no widespread failure patterns in owner communities (RiderForums, ADVrider).
- ABS is standard, which matters more than most new riders realize until they need it.
- It’s A2-license compliant in Europe, which tells you something about where the power sits in the range.
Where it falls short:
- The suspension is soft. The front fork compresses noticeably under hard braking and the twin rear shocks have limited travel. If you’re over 200 lb or plan to carry a passenger regularly, you’ll feel the chassis working harder than it should. A set of Progressive Suspension 440 series rear shocks (around $200-250) solves most of the rear end complaint.
- Fuel capacity at 3.4 gallons gives you roughly 130-140 miles before reserve. For a touring or distance rider, that’s a short leash.
- The stock Dunlop D404 tires are adequate but not confidence-inspiring in the wet. Most owners swap to Michelin Pilot Street Radial or Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tires within the first year.
Honda Rebel 500 Maintenance Intervals to Know
The Rebel 500 is not a high-maintenance machine. Honda specifies an oil change every 8,000 miles using 10W-30 motorcycle-specific oil (Honda recommends Pro Honda GN4, though Motul 7100 10W-40 is a common owner choice). Valve clearance checks come at 16,000 miles, which is longer than most bikes in this class.
Chain maintenance is the one thing that actually needs attention. The stock DID chain should be lubed every 500-600 miles of riding and adjusted when slack exceeds 1.0-1.2 inches measured at the midpoint of the lower run. Letting a Rebel 500 chain go dry is the single fastest way to add unnecessary wear to the rear sprocket – and sprocket replacement on this bike is straightforward but not free ($60-100 for a DID chain and JT sprocket set).
Frequently Asked Questions About the Honda Rebel 500
What is the Honda Rebel 500’s top speed?
The Honda Rebel 500 reaches approximately 100-105 mph in real-world conditions. Honda does not publish an official top speed, but this range is consistent with owner and tester reports. The bike is comfortable cruising at 70-75 mph without strain.
Is the Honda Rebel 500 good for beginners?
Yes. The 27.9-inch seat height, predictable power delivery, and standard ABS make it one of the better-engineered beginner bikes at this price point. It has enough power to grow with a new rider for 2-3 seasons before they need something larger.
How fast does the Rebel 500 do 0-60 mph?
Based on owner-reported timing data and independent tests, the Rebel 500 reaches 60 mph in approximately 5.2-5.5 seconds. Honda does not publish this figure officially.
How does the Honda Rebel 500 compare to the Kawasaki Z400?
The Z400 makes a similar 44 hp but weighs 364 lb – 50 lb lighter than the Rebel 500. The Z400 is sportier in handling and more aggressive in seating position. The Rebel 500 is more relaxed in posture and better suited to cruiser-style riding and commuting. The Kawasaki wins on performance-to-weight; the Honda wins on ergonomic accessibility and seat height.
What oil does the Honda Rebel 500 take?
Honda specifies 10W-30 motorcycle oil for the Rebel 500 in standard temperatures, with a 2.2-quart capacity (Honda USA owner’s manual, 2025). 10W-40 is acceptable in hotter climates. Change interval is every 8,000 miles under normal riding conditions.
Does the Honda Rebel 500 have ABS?
Yes. ABS is standard on all 2025 Honda Rebel 500 models sold in the United States (Honda USA, 2025). It is not an optional add-on.
Key Takeaways
- The Honda Rebel 500 makes 47 hp and 31.5 lb-ft of torque from a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin, with a real-world top speed of 100-105 mph.
- Seat height is 27.9 inches, among the lowest in the mid-size cruiser segment.
- The 0-60 time is approximately 5.2-5.5 seconds, per owner and tester data (Honda does not publish this officially).
- The stock suspension is the weakest point; riders over 200 lb should budget for an aftermarket rear shock upgrade.
- At $7,499 MSRP with standard ABS, it’s one of the most honest value propositions in the entry/mid-size cruiser category in 2025.
