Honda CMX500 Rebel Light Custom Test - Road Test

Small, agile, lightweight and fashionable. The Japanese custom is cheap and targeted at a young audience.

La Honda CMX500 Rebel is custom lightweight, maneuverable, pleasant, that will relax even an inexperienced motorcyclist.

A low saddle, not very advanced footpegs, a soft grip, a balanced engine and a trendy design are its main features. It is mainly aimed at a young audience (the maximum power limit for the A2 license is respected), perhaps even for women.

He is individual and good at driving. And it also lends itself to customization. With padded side bags, in my opinion, everything is included. Moreover, it is low in consumption and cheap.

It is already available on the Italian market in two colors – Graphite Black, Mat Armored Silver Metallic – at a price 6.100 euros FC I tried it on the streets of Barcelona to find out advantages and disadvantages. 

Honda Rebel 2017 how it's done

Surely this is a view from float with large front tire, small tank (11,2 liters), low handlebars, round headlights and dark livery.

The new black painted tubular steel frame makes the passenger seat easy to disassemble. Slabs fork they extend the rods (41 mm or more) by 230 mm to provide the required structural rigidity as well as driving comfort.

The pendulum is made of steel pipes with a diameter of 45 mm, with height adjustable shock absorbers. preload two positions. The height of the saddle from the ground is only 690 mm. 471cc parallel twin engine CMX500 Rebel gets a new ignition scheme and electronic injection settings, as well as a new exhaust system to make it easier to work in the low and mid-range.

Dosages 45,6 CV (33,5 kW) at 8.500 rpm and a maximum torque of 44,6 Nm at 6.000 rpm. The gearbox is six-speed, 10-spoke aluminum discs, 264 mm front disc with two-piston caliper.

The instruments are round and equipped with an LCD display, and the contact button locks onto the left side of the tank in a perfect custom style. Finally, the range of accessories includes a tubular rear rack, padded side bags, a windshield and a 12V socket. 

Honda Rebel 2017 how are you

It does the job it was designed for very well. It's a bike with style and personality that rides with disarming ease. Because even though he is alone custom – although small and light – it does not require an extreme driving position, far from it.

You stand with a straight torso, moderately extended arms, and correct bent legs. So, in addition to feeling the ultimate in control, and thanks to the reduced saddle height from the ground, you can ride many kilometers without getting tired.

The engine has a beautiful character: it is always obedient, it has a beautiful sound and it performs best at low to medium revs (there is no tachometer on the display, so you can hear the engine with your ear). Never scares, ideal for those who start to move first steps on two wheelsbut it can also be fun for those already experienced and looking for a simple and stylish way to get around.

The vibrations are quite subdued (you don't even expect much), while braking it's a little soft: good for beginners, less so for experienced riders. Dynamic behavior is not bad at all. In fact, if it's true that the Rebel is a bike designed primarily for city use or for relaxing out-of-town trips, it's also true that it manages to bring a smile to the corners.

It is stable, maneuverable and easy to handle. Then, of course, if you overdo it, its limits will come out. But overall, given its segment, it guarantees not only style but also a good driving experience. 

clothes

Helmet: Nolan N21 Lario

Jacket: Dainese D-BLIZZARD D-DRY

Back Defender: Daines Manis

Jeans: Dainese Bonneville

Boots: Dainese Nighthawk

Gloves: Dainese Anemos