Honda Rebel in the driving report

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Honda Rebel in the driving report

Bobber spirit

With the Honda Rebel, Honda is also taking the bobber spirit into the entry-level class. The 500 twin could well cause a minor riot – if only because of its price.

Women’s or driving school motorcycle, Honda model planners are reluctant to hear this term. Possibly because of the new Honda R.ebel could find its niche in this environment – in the hands of women, learner drivers, short-legged people, newcomers or returners. If the Honda garment manufacturers were sober about the prospects of their newcomers, this scenario would probably be welcome. Because we remember: Yamaha wrote a success story with the XV 535 baby chopper in the 90s. 57,000 machines were sold in Germany alone at that time.

Honda Rebel in the driving report

Bobber spirit

Honda Rebel is a matt painted bobber

The clientele: women, driving schools, short-legged people, newcomers and returners. But times have changed. The Honda Rebel is not a shiny chrome chopper, but a matt painted bobber. And instead of a V2, the twin from the CBR 500 R is stuck between the delicate frame tubes. They carry the steering head high up, leading the line down steeply from the handlebars over the 11.2 liter tank attached to the 690 millimeter low seat cushion.

Video of the new Honda Rebel

Only the most necessary

Bobber, that also means: Everything that is not absolutely needed is left out. The rudimentary round instrument, the single disc in the front wheel, the thin fork and the simple stereo spring struts signal the necessary asceticism – the thick 16-inch tires and the short fenders emphasize the tribal affiliation. Even if the smooth, even sound of the 471 cm³ two-cylinder doesn’t really fit the rebel image. Neither do the footrests. Or is it? Because instead of the usual concept at the front, the notches are in the middle and should position the pilot more actively. In cooperation with the handlebars, which are slightly curved backwards, the Honda Rebel is indeed unfamiliar, surprisingly upright and committed for this concept, but ultimately quite comfortable.

The engine has an output of 46 hp

Comfortable rolling with the power from the low revs: who would dare to hope for it? Something has to be turning in the machine room, even if it is only supposed to proceed moderately. Even the most sensitive should not feel that the engine now has only 46 HP instead of 48 HP in the CBR, but a maximum torque that was 500 rpm earlier. To push the Honda Rebel to its limits, it will definitely succeed. The thick 130 mm front tire (Dunlop D 404) reports only diffusely from the lean, the weakly damped struts rock the rear quite laxly over the road, and the low-positioned footrests scrape over every bump in the curve.

ABS acts confidently

After all: ABS, which is more important in these chopper-oriented concepts than in all other categories, acts confidently. But should you even measure the little rebel against this bar? Because the XV 535 prevailed in its time with its own arguments: with a relaxed character, low seat height and – above all – a low price. With all this, the 5,700 euros cheap Honda Rebel can also serve today.

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