Honda Rebel 2023

- Honda Rebel 500 updated 

- Gets cosmetic enhancements

- No word about its India launch

Honda has unveiled the 2023 Rebel 500 for European markets and has adorned the cruiser-style motorcycle with cosmetic enhancements to help it stand out from the previous iterations.

The Rebel 500 now comes in three new paint options. There is Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic, Candy Diesel Red and Smoky Gray to spoil European customers with choice. However, the interesting bit for 2023 is the new Rebel S. Now this is a special edition that has been kitted with accessories like black fork gaiters, a brown diamond-stitched seat and a headlamp cowl. 

Even the wheels on the S variant are different and sport a bronzed finish. That said, Honda is offering the new edition in a single, Titanium Metallic colour scheme. Well, the mechanicals on the 2023 Honda Rebel 500 have remained untouched and it continues to come with a 471cc, parallel-twin engine that is capable of producing a respectable 47bhp. 

While the Rebel 500 is an interesting propostion especially if you are looking to upgrade from, let’s say, a Royal Enfield Classic 350 or Honda CB350, it is unlikely to be launched in India anytime soon. As we have seen in recent times, the brand’s approach to the Indian market is driven by products specifically catered to the country- like the CB300F. However, if Honda does decide to bring in the Rebel 500 here, we can expect a pricing of close to Rs 5.2 lakh, given that the CB500X, which shares the same engine costs Rs 5.79 lakh, ex-showroom. 

Sep 28, 2022 at 10:16pm ET

In Europe, Honda has updated two of its popular neo-retro offerings for the 2023 model year. The CB1000R and the Rebel 500 both get slight cosmetic enhancements, giving them a more distinct aesthetic and making them stand out in the rather saturated neo-retro segment.

You could say that both these bikes sit on opposing ends of the spectrum, with the Rebel being a popular beginner-friendly option, while the CB1000R is Honda’s flagship naked machine. For the 2023 model year, Honda gives the bikes a variety of updates including new colors and refinements to certain components.

Starting things off with the Rebel 500, it continues to be powered by the same compact 471cc parallel-twin engine, and is rated as an A2 license-compliant machine. 2023 refinements include three new paint schemes consisting of Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic, Pearl Smoky Gray, and Candy Diesel Red. Apart from the new colorways, Honda is also introducing the Rebel S, a special edition of the popular cruiser that’s decked out with accessories such as a sporty headlight cowl, all black fork gaiters, and a diamond-stitched saddle. The Rebel S comes in one sleek Titanium Metallic colorway.

Moving on to the CB1000R, Honda’s flagship Neo Sports Cafe naked bike continues to be a heavy hitter for the 2023 model year, and is sharper and techier than ever. It gets a full-color TFT display equipped with Honda Smartphone Voice Control, as well as a USB charging socket under the seat. Furthermore, the CB1000R is fitted with premium components such as a Showa Big Piston front fork, radially mounted four-piston calipers, and a beautiful single-sided swingarm.

There’s also a special Black Edition available for the CB1000R, and as the name suggests, it gets a sleek and stealthy makeover thanks to an all black finish save for the silver stripe on the fuel tank. Apart from that, it’s accessorized with a fly screen, seat cowl, and a quickshifter, too, making for exhilarating, split-second gear changes. The 2023 CB1000R will be made available in a new Bordeaux Red Metallic colorway, while the Black Edition flaunts a sleek Mat Jeans Blue Metallic.