Honda Rebel CMX500
Motorcycles range from urban and nimble motorcycles to large, heavy motorcycles that are great for long trips. Although there are now some motorcycle "segments" in the market, Honda has recently created a new player for which it is difficult to find any direct competitor. We had the opportunity to spend a few days with a Japanese “rebel”.
The Rebel debuted in the 1980s as the CMX250 and CMX450. Later the world saw a change in the form of the modest 125, and then the model died down on the automobile market. 2022 - the birth of a new version of the popular bike, but in a much more stylish version.
Honda Rebel CMX500
Bike features
Here are the main features of this machine:
- 19 Nm and 19 hp;
- classic frame;
- reliability.
The bike finished production in 2016. Apparently, the model was considered obsolete. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that the motorcycle has lost its relevance.
No, even in recent years it could be an excellent choice for those who are just starting to master models of this class and bikes in general.
Advantages:
- Light weight, excellent maneuverability and controllability. Even a fragile girl can handle a motorcycle in any situation. It holds the road well, so you don’t have to use a lot of effort to control it.
- Good stability. It is almost impossible to drop a motorcycle.
- Good cross-country ability is ensured by high ground clearance and low weight.
- Comfortable seating allows you to travel long distances without rest.
- Economical and reliable engine.
- Easy to maintain due to the limited number of parts that require servicing.
- Affordable price category.
- Stylish appearance, abundance of chrome parts.
Engine
The motor of the bike is in-line and has two cylinders. The unit is four-stroke, and its effective volume reaches 234 cm³. The maximum torque is obtained at 5500 rpm and is 19 Nm, and the maximum power is 19 hp. achieved at 6500 rpm.
The fuel supply system of the CMX 250 is carburetor. There are two valves per cylinder, and the compression ratio is 9.2:1. The unit is cooled by air. Taking into account the maximum performance of the engine itself, its speed characteristics are not surprising: the maximum speed is 110 km/h, and the bike will accelerate to 100 km/h in as much as 12 seconds.
Model history:
1985 - start of production and sales of the Honda CMX250 Rebel. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC.
1986 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250CD A, CMX250CD AC.
1987 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC.
1988-1995 - the model is not produced. 1996 - In addition to North America, the model is also available on the European market. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America, Europe). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250CT.
1997 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America, Europe). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250CV.
1998 - This year's models are only available in Europe. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (Europe). Factory designation: CMX250CW.
1999 - Model again available in North America. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America, Europe). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250CX.
2000 is the last year of production for Europe. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America, Europe). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250C2 A, CMX250C2 AC; CMX250CY.
2001 - From this year the model is available only in North America. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250C1.
2002 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250C2.
2003 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC; CMX250C3.
2004-2016 - without significant changes. Model: Honda Rebel 250 (North America). Factory designation: CMX250C A, CMX250C AC.
2017 - the Rebel 250 model is replaced by a new one - the Rebel 300.
Dimensions and weight
The weight of the CMX 250 without fuel will be 136 kg. The gas tank volume here is 10.5 liters. At the same time, fuel consumption is insignificant - only 3.8 liters are consumed per 100 km of road. It is clear that the figure is average, and to a large extent depends on riding style, condition of the motorcycle and speed.
The bike has an average length for a chopper – 2115 mm. It is 1100 mm high and 815 mm wide. The wheelbase here is 1460 mm. This chopper is characterized by a low seat height - only 675 mm. All this suggests that the CMX 250 is intended for shorter riders.
Hello adventure!
Honda Rebel surprises with its fast running. At first glance, you might be expecting a rather heavy and clunky bullring, but instead the Rebel proved to be as nimble as a city dweller. Despite the correct weight of 190 kg (all including liquids), even short people of modest strength can maneuver it or escape from the garage. This is due to the moto's low center of gravity. The low saddle height (just 690mm) will be an advantage for those obsessed with height. In addition, the motorcycle has a very narrow turning radius of only 2.85 meters. Combined with the perfect balance, riding it is child's play, and I must say, very enjoyable. And at higher speeds, no one should complain. The Rebel turns into corners willingly without causing a hint of hesitation or uncertainty in the driver.
The test unit was equipped with a set of leather baskets. Their performance is at a very high level and, despite the initial impression, they are capable of holding quite a lot. The only downside is that they don't have any "decent" fastenings other than the classic oldschool fasteners. Unlike closed chests, we should not leave more valuable items in such bags if, for example, we plan to go to the store.
Honda Rebel CMX500
Honda Rebel CMX500
Chassis and brakes
The tubular frame of the motorcycle is made of steel. The design is classic for bikes of this class. As is typical for most choppers, the CMX 250 has spoked wheels. The handlebars exactly correspond to the proportions adopted for such motorcycles.
The rear suspension is a pendulum version equipped with two shock absorbers. The stroke of this device is 74 mm. At the front, the suspension travel is 120 mm, and it itself is a 33 mm telescopic fork. The rear brakes are a drum, while the front has a two-piston caliper and a 240 mm disc.
Urban hipster
Although we recognize the Rebel name from other Honda models, the brand's new baby has little in common with its predecessors. The first is a “Diamond” tubular steel frame designed from the ground up that, combined with massive Dunlop tires (130/90-16 front and 150/80-16 rear), creates a “bobber” street bike. It is addressed mainly to young people who want to stand out on the road. But just – will a newbie be in the saddle?
Let's start with the fact that this type of motorcycle has never been seen in my road experience. I've always been more interested in sports bikes, city bikes or their complete opposite - off-road models. If you also like cars of this type, then the first moments on the “back” of the “Rebel” may surprise you.
Honda Rebel CMX500
Ergonomics Honda Rebel 1100
Even the least careful eye will notice the absence of a clutch lever and gear shift foot - the ergonomics of this motorcycle resemble a scooter (but this is a bad comparison for cruisers) or a Gold Wing with an automatic (but this is a good one).
With a seat height of 70 centimeters, anyone can ride the Honda Rebel 1100. The seat is deep, supports the lower back and lower back and hugs you, and the middle position of the footrests makes the sitting position relaxed, but not so much that you have to sit only on your tailbone. The low, slightly curved handlebar provides a comfortable upright riding position, and visibility is good both to the LCD panel and to the road ahead.
The ignition switch is located on the side, near the left knee. Turn the lock, press the start button - and the engine makes the chassis pulse deeply, emitting a low, dull grunt - with 550 cc cylinders, even a straight-line engine will sound like it should. On the DCT model I drove, pressing the D button switches the transmission from neutral to gear, and then that same zen and relaxation sets in: as you gain speed and gas, the DCT smoothly shifts up gears, using a clever algorithm to select the speed based on the driving parameters. At the same time, you can always override the computer’s choice using the buttons on the left remote control (up - under the index finger, down - under the thumb), or even switch completely to the manual shift mode, in which the gearbox changes gears just as smoothly and imperceptibly.
The engine for the Rebel is optimal. Its calm but strong character allows you to ride at the very bottom, feeling the pulsations of large pots with your entire being , and you can spin it, not forgetting to just hold on tight. At any moment, at any gas and at any speed, excellent traction is available - you just need to turn the knob a little harder, and it will rush forward with the eagerness of its larger classmates. 120 it goes in sixth gear, the tachometer shows 4500, and the visibility in the mirrors remains excellent until the cutoff at eight thousand. However, when you spin it higher, it’s quite possible to feel a slight itch on the footrests.
Going 120-130 on a naked cruiser is not as bad as it might seem: the dashboard housing redirects oncoming traffic surprisingly well, given the low seating position, and the standard cruise control allows you to rest your hands. The engine runs extremely smoothly at this speed, because its vibrations are suppressed by two-axis balancer shafts and the crankshaft phases - that is, the reciprocating movements of the pistons.
I was able to detect traces of the rough throttle response that the 2022 Africa Twin Adventure Sports had been criticized for, but switching to Standard mode from Sport smoothed it out. I liked how the DCT shifted gears smoothly and seamlessly, and I enjoyed playing around with the manual shifts at various rpms. But still, the best thing here is the ability to simply open the gas and drive, or close it and slow down, and most importantly, the complete impossibility of stalling when closing the gas. Some may find it funny that I’m focusing on this, but guys, on off-road motorcycles, serious athletes pay serious money for similar functionality - remember the Rekluse centrifugal clutches, popular among real hardcore riders, and even though no one considers these guys to be suckers. If you haven’t tried it, be silently jealous. For me, ergonomics that do not require unnecessary movements is a definite plus.
However, the Honda Rebel 1100 may well surprise a beginner: a large high-torque engine, excellent throttle response and several automatic switching algorithms set the Rebel 1100 in motion so well that if the gas is sloppy in the absence of a clutch, it starts too eagerly for a beginner. For example, to confidently move around a parking lot, you will have to master precise operation of the gas and the ability to apply the rear brake.
Everyday driving
A city trip, a walk on the beach or short rides on country roads - this is the area where the new model can truly unleash its potential. Just relax behind the wheel and let the wind flow around you, and it will make you smile sincerely. Remember that after 110 km/h the sensations will become much sharper. With a fully filled tank in accordance with the efficiency declared by the factory, you will be able to travel more than 240 km without additional stops at a gas station.
At the same time, you are unlikely to like longer trips, since despite the well-developed ergonomics, the driver still needs rest. The correct seating position will prevent your back from getting tired too early, but the seat is a little hard, and after 65 km you will want to stop and rest. As you search for the optimal riding position, you'll find that leaning forward gives the handling a sharp edge and allows for some adrenaline rush, but after a while you'll recognize that a straight, upright position is optimal for the bike. This is what allows beginners to cover significant distances on this model.
