This Honda Rebel Is The Budget Japanese Cruiser That’s Perfect For A First-Time Buyer

If you want an affordable, reliable, and stylish Japanese cruiser for your first ride into this world, we have a Honda that checks all the boxes. The lightweight frame, approachable seat height, and smooth 471 cc parallel-twin engine make it a good choice for first-time Japanese-cruiser buyers who want comfort, confidence, and modern performance without breaking the bank. Yes, as you’d expect, it bears the auspicious and popular Rebel tag. Let’s dive deeper.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Honda and Kawasaki. The information given is current as of the time of this writing.

Honda Rebel 500 ABS: The Perfect-Sized Japanese Cruiser

Smooth, approachable, and beginner-friendly

The Rebel 500 ABS falls in the middle of the new Rebel range with a Rebel 300 and 1100 on either side. The 500 is a good size: small enough to be non-threatening while not being outgrown too quickly. The parallel-twin engine delivers the goods in a post-unit design that marries engine and transmission within a common casting for a compact overall drivetrain footprint.

A slipper clutch couples engine power to the transmission input shaft with a broad friction zone and light pull weight that prevents the clutch action from turning into a workout. This helps tame the bike significantly, and will be of great comfort to newer riders. Also, it’s liquid-cooled, which is more forgiving than air-cooling, and better able to handle being stuck in traffic under hot conditions that could cause overheating, so you’re less likely to seize up your new motorcycle.

Rebel 500 ABS Engine And Performance Specifications

The Cruiser Is Lightweight, Nimble, And Easy To Handle

Perfect for solo rides and learning beginner skills

Like the original Rebel line, this second-generation Rebel qualifies as a pocket-cruiser model with a somewhat diminutive stature. This makes it approachable and easy to handle, especially if you aren’t sure you can hold up something with more heft, and relatively easy to stand up if/when you drop it. As for handling, its relatively light weight pays dividends, making it easy to toss around in the turns, and a lot of fun.

Suspension strokes are sufficient for civilized roads, if not actually cushy. The single front disc is enough to safely handle the Rebel 500’s curb weight, especially with the optional ABS feature that modulates the brake pressure at both ends. It can be set up for a passenger, but you’ll get your best riding experience as a solo act.

Rebel 500 ABS Chassis And Suspension Specifications

The Modern Rebel Has Custom Style

Factory looks meet low-saddle comfort and endless customization

Honestly, the new Rebel line looks little like the old Rebel line. Sure, they share a general size range, but this new bunch has more of a factory-custom look. Specifically, it’s meant to emulate the lines of a chopper with a little rake and stretch even, but it’s not necessarily rooted in the past with a modern, industrial edge that screams custom.

The tins are somewhat pared down, which also fits with this particular build and reinforces its custom bona fides. It lends itself to customization with no shortage of factory and aftermarket parts to let you make your own mark on your machine. The low saddle and mid-mount foot controls are very confidence-inspiring, providing plenty of leverage at stops and comfort while underway.

Rebel 500 ABS Design Dimensions And Capacities

Rebel Lineup: 300, 500, And 1100 Compared

Choose from lightweight, mid-range, or premium performance options

Honda’s Rebel 500 comes with a pair of siblings in the entry-level Rebel 300 and the more big-bike-like Rebel 1100. The Rebel 300 is built on the same platform as the others, just with a smaller engine at only 286 cc. Technically capable of interstate work with a top speed above the highest speed limits, it won’t be very comfortable trying to contend with traffic on the superslab. Like the 500, the 300 came with or without ABS in 2024, but dropped the ABS option for 2025. If you decide to go down in cubes and want the ABS option for safety, see if you can find some new-old stock left over from last year.

As for the Rebel 1100, it comes a tad larger than the other two, and it does have a slightly longer wheelbase and a larger gas tank with a bigger front hoop to go with its up-tier mill. While it’s true that the 1100 will take longer to outgrow than the 500, you’ll pay for that extra performance; and if you’re into the ultimate in riding convenience, you’ll pay for the DCT gearbox that essentially acts as an automatic transmission with twist-and-go operation. The 2025 Rebel 300 rolls for $4,849 while the 500 ABS fetches $6,799 and the 1100 commands a premium of $9,599.

Rebel Lineup Engine And Performance Specifications

Honda Rebel 500 Takes On The Kawasaki Vulcan S: Choosing Your First Metric Cruiser

More power and adjustability for riders ready to step up

Honda doesn’t have the only game in town, far from it, and domestic foe Kawasaki has a contender for the same slot with its Vulcan S. Built as a sport-cruiser, the Vulcan S is stocky and muscular with performance that surpasses the Rebel 500, so it isn’t quite as approachable, and the $7,899 sticker adds to the gap. However, Kawi’s Ergo-Fit system lets you dial in the shape of the rider’s triangle so you can set the bike up to suit your body type and preferences. That’s a useful feature for many.

In general, the rider’s triangle is laid back and puts the pilot in a windsock position that’s fairly comfortable, especially in the short term. This bike makes sense as someone’s first metric cruiser if they want more power and performance than the Rebel 500 ABS, want that customizable rider triangle, and are willing to pay for it.

Honda Rebel 500 Vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S Engine And Performance Specifications