Rebel with a cause
A2 licence-friendly CB500 parallel twin Stripped-back bobber styling Big fun for five grand
THE HONDA REBEL is, let’s face it, going to face a bit of an uphill struggle to make some riders take it seriously. It’s the mild-mannered 471cc parallel twin from the CB500 family in a stripped back bobber-ish cruiser chassis. Even riders who aren’t sceptical of the cruiser looks may wonder just how rebellious you can be with 46bhp at your disposal. And yet, as I discovered in Barcelona and its surrounding hills, the Rebel is capable and hugely entertaining.
It’s a bit surprising as the Rebel is not necessarily a bike for a bloke as big as me. The seat is a mere 690mm from the floor – lower once the basic, non-adjustable suspension has sagged under my weight. As the bike weighs just 190kg, I’m adding another 50 per cent to the mass to be moved, yet the engine still pulls willingly. At least, it’s willing to pull. A bit. I mean, my arms are in no danger of leaving their sockets, but we’re moving.
This is not an intimidating engine – but it’s not meant to be. Taken with the light weight, good steering lock and light controls, that A2-compatible motor makes this a great bike for the new rider. It’s a doodle to ride at low speed, especially as the riding position is natural and the Rebel is superbly well balanced.
But then I keep the throttle open and speed builds. It’s not like being fired from a canon (more like a catapult strung with granny’s loose knicker elastic). Yet, as I swoop through quiet, twisty roads in the Catalan hills, I realise two things. First, the soft suspension and balloonish 130/90 front and 150/80 rear tyre give a decent bump-masking ride without compromising accuracy, so even though it sometimes feels like a racing-spec bouncy castle, the Rebel can really go round a corner – albeit sometimes to the sound of scraping pegs. Second, the single 264mm front disc has surprising amounts of power, and the ABS system really works – very handy when dogs run in front of you.
Having survived the attack of a suicidal Labrador, I carry on – still briskly, but at a more sensible speed. And this is when the Rebel really shines. It’s still fast enough; it flows smoothly through bends and it blasts every overtake, as long as the revs are up. It feels perfectly controlled and still fun.
The Rebel is intended to be an easygoing, easy-to-ride motorcycle for new riders on A2 licences and anyone looking for a good-fun, good-value, lightweight street bike with a whiff of cruiser style. And, at £5399, it does its job brilliantly. It’s unlikely to attract experienced bikers, who will mostly expect cruisers to have bigger engines and perhaps an American brand-name, but as a well-judged bike built to encourage new riders the Rebel deserves to do well.