Table of Content
Old-school motorcycles are still alive and they don’t seem to die any time soon. There is a majority of seasoned motorcyclists who will always prioritize a classic-looking motorcycle over a modern bike. However, riders are intelligent enough not to compromise on the modern performance without ditching the vintage looks.
Surprisingly, there is still a motorcycle brand with a fascinating rich history that is still only focusing on its outdated, yet very classical motorcycle lineup. Royal Enfield is a familiar brand name and will immediately come to your mind when the discussion is about classic motorcycles. The RE motorcycles are classic enough to come with a Kickstarter and no tech feature. One such outdated example is the Royal Enfield Classic 500 which is discontinued, along with all other models with a 500 cc engine platform.
In another universe, there are only young and new riders with the utmost love for technology and a modern vibe. They prefer motorcycles that are unconventional, unique, and experimental. They desperately want to quit the classic cruiser league and enter the latest motorcycling world where motorcycles are more responsive, quick, agile, sporty, and flickable. One such experimental machine that has received the attention of many young riders at the current time is the Honda Rebel 500. It proudly carries a parallel-twin engine, mid-mounted foot controls, and fairly flat handlebars despite being a cruiser.
Though both motorbikes, the Honda Rebel 500 and the Royal Enfield Classic 500 are from two different worlds, we will be carrying out a detailed comparison of these two bikes to find out which is better. Continue reading this article to learn in detail about the specs and performance comparison of the Honda Rebel 500 vs Royal Enfield Classic 500.
1. Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500 Specs Comparison
Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500 Specs Comparison | ||
---|---|---|
2024 Honda Rebel 500 | 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 500 | |
General Info | ||
Manufacturer | Honda | Royal Enfield |
Model | Rebel 500 / CMX500 | Classic 500 |
Motorcycle Type | Sports-Style Cruiser | Classic Cruiser |
Introduced in | 2016 | 2008 |
Current Production Status | Still Produced | Discontinued in 2020 |
Base MSRP | Non-ABS: $6,499 ABS: $6,799 ABS SE: $6,999 |
$5,599 |
Engine | ||
---|---|---|
Displacement | 471 cc | 499 cc |
Engine Type | Parallel-Twin; Four-Stroke Engine | Single-Cylinder; Four-Stroke Engine |
No. of Cylinders | Two | One |
Valve Train | Four-Valves Per Cylinder; DOHC | Two Valves Per Cylinder; OHV |
Engine Cooling System | Water-Cooled | Air-Cooled |
Stroke | 66.8 mm | 90 mm |
Bore | 67 mm | 84 mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 | 8.5:1 |
Fuel Delivery System | Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with 34 mm Throttle Body | Electronic Fuel Injection |
Exhaust | Two-into-One Blacked-Out Exhaust | Single Extended Chrome Exhaust Pipe |
Ignition | Full Transistorized Ignition | Digital Electronic Ignition |
Starter | Electric | Electric / Kick |
Performance | ||
---|---|---|
Peak Power Output | 46.9 hp / 34.3 kW at 8,500 rpm | 26.83 hp / 19.73 kW at 5,250 rpm |
Peak Torque | 43 Nm / 31.7 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm | 41.3 Nm / 30.5 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm |
Fuel Economy | 67 mpg (Claimed) | 85 mpg |
Top Speed | 105.63 mph | 81 mph |
Transmission | ||
---|---|---|
Gearbox | Six-Speed | Five-Speed Constant Mesh |
Final Drive | O-Ring-Sealed Chain | Chain Drive |
Clutch | Multi-Plate Wet; Slipper & Assist Clutch | Wet Multi-Plate Clutch |
Chassis | ||
---|---|---|
Frame | Steel Diamond Frame with Die-Cast Aluminum Rear Sub-Frame | Single Down Tube, Using Engine as Stressed Member |
Suspensions | ||
---|---|---|
Front | 41 mm Front Fork | 35 mm Telescopic Front Forks |
Adjustability (Front) | No | No |
Front Wheel Travel | 5.5 in / 139.7 mm | 5.12 in / 130 mm |
Rear | Dual Rear Shocks | Dual Gas-Charged Shock Absorbers |
Adjustability (Rear) | No | Five-Step Preload Adjustability |
Rear Wheel Travel | 3.7 in / 93.98 mm | 3.15 in / 80 mm |
Brakes | ||
---|---|---|
Front | 296 mm Single-Disc Brake | 280 mm Single-Disc Brake |
Rear | 240 mm Single-Disc Brake | 240 mm Single-Disc Brake |
Wheels & Tires | ||
---|---|---|
Wheel Type | Cast Aluminum 10-Spoke Wheels with Bronze-Finished Rims | Wire-Spoked Steel Wheels |
Front Wheel (Size) | 16 in | 19 in |
Rear Wheel (Size) | 16 in | 19 in |
Front Tire | 130/90-16 | 90/90-19” – 52V |
Rear Tire | 150/80-16 | 110/80 – 18” – 58V |
Dimensions & Measurements | ||
---|---|---|
Seat Height | 27.2 in / 690.88 mm | 31 in / 787.5 mm |
Wet Weight | Non-ABS: 408 lbs / 185 kg ABS: 414 lbs / 187.78 kg ABS SE: 416 lbs / 188.7 kg |
429 lbs / 194.6 kg |
Wheelbase | 1,491 mm / 58.7 in | 1,358.9 mm / 53.5 in |
Ground Clearance | 136 mm / 5.4 in | 139.7 mm / 5.5 in |
Fuel Tank Size | 3 gal | 3.5 gal |
Rake | 28° | N/A |
Trail | 109.22 mm / 4.3 in | N/A |
Height | 1,094 mm / 43.1 in | 1,079.5 mm / 42.5 in |
Length | 2,188 mm / 86.1 in | 2,133.6 mm / 84 in |
Width | 820 mm / 32.3 in | 800.1 mm / 31.5 in |
Tech Features | ||
---|---|---|
ABS | Optional | Standard Dual-Channel ABS |
Slipper & Assist Clutch | Standard | No |
All-LED Lighting | Standard | No |
2. Design & Aesthetics: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
2.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500’s Design & Aesthetics
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 was unfortunately discontinued in 2020; however, this bike is still available in the used market in a pretty perfect condition. On top of its classic rugged looks, the RE Classic 500 is available in numerous appealing flavors that can make it hard for you to choose. It is not just a classic-looking bike with very few hidden tech packages, it is a factory-built old-school bike with bare-minimum features.
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is the only motorcycle produced recently with the post-war styling. Every element on this classic bike looks like borrowed from the post-war era with a fresh painting. Starting from the front, it features a classic round headlamp with a long binnacle merged with the 35 mm front fork. There is a long, narrow, and chopped front metal mudguard, enhancing the aesthetics of the wire-spoked wheel. There is a similar metal mudguard in the rear with a Royal Enfield name logo on it. The rear fender carries a protruding tail light binnacle, which looks quite old and simple, along with the license plate bracket and chunky turn signals.
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is a bobber-style cruiser, flaunting a classic solo seat supported by springs to keep the rider happy and comfortable. As you get onto the side profile, you will notice an L-shaped rod which most of the young motorcyclists are unfamiliar with. There is a kick-start on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 to not only take riders back in the good old days but to provide them with a backup starting option in case the electric starter and battery fail to start the motorcycle.
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is probably one of the last few options you can ride to feel the old vibe of motorbikes your grandparents used to ride.
2.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Design & Aesthetics
The beauty of the Honda Rebel 500 lies in its simplicity and ruggedness. You will not be able to put this motorcycle in a specific class or category due to its eccentric design and aesthetics. Honda classifies the Rebel 500 as a cruiser; however, it is a sportier one with certain elements borrowed from bobbers and naked bikes. Like the looks of this motorbike may confuse you to rightly identify what type of motorcycle it is, the same can be said about its performance capabilities thanks to its versatile characteristics.
There are diverse opinions regarding how the Rebel 500 looks, but they are mostly coming from motorcyclists who hate any changes made to the traditional cruiser's styling and design. Overall, the Honda Rebel 500 is a very beautifully built and carefully engineered bike with low seat height and slim silhouette. It flaunts stylish front and rear fat tires, wrapped around bronze-finished cast aluminum 10-spoke wheels which are blacked out on the Rebel 500 ABS SE variant.
The Rebel 500 has a completely matte black finish with little to no chrome work on this motorcycle. The front fender is a small bobber-style equipment and the rear one is a midsize chopped and a broad piece with a nicely integrated bulged-out rectangular-shaped tail lamp with round edges. The front headlamp installed on this motorcycle with four symmetrically placed main LED bulbs gives the Rebel 500 its peculiar front-end look.
The Rebel 500’s gas tank is quite slimmer, like the overall build of this bike, and is mounted slantways on top of the frame’s backbone. The seat on this motorcycle also comes from a bobber due to being light, shaved off, and solo.
3. Engine & Performance: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
3.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500’ Engine & Performance
Royal Enfield is one of those few manufacturers that has produced single-cylinder engine motorcycles with 500 cc displacement size. Not to forget, it is not a modern-classic bike, it is originally a retro-classic motorcycle with bare-minimum safety equipment. Riding the RE Classic 500 will take you back to the time when you could feel the engine vibrations as you were riding on it.
As you take the Royal Enfield Classic 500 to the highway and ride it at around 60 mph, the excessive vibrations produced by the 499 cc single-cylinder engine at the handlebars and seat will jiggle every muscle of your body. However, if you stay on the countryside roads while maintaining no more than 50 mph speed, you will fall in love with how this motorcycle feels.
It is a single-cylinder motorcycle and considering what it offers and the type of machine it is, the build quality, reliability, and refinement are precisely enough compared to a modern-day motorbike. The 499 cc thumper churns out 26.83 hp of horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 41.3 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Although the RE Classic 500 can attain a top speed of 81 mph, one must understand that it is not designed for it.
3.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Engine & Performance
Apart from its unusual cruiser design, the Honda Rebel 500 equally amazes the motorcycling community with its remarkable parallel-twin engine technology. The 500 cc platform turns out to be a highly practical option on a sporty cruiser like the Rebel 500. It is a 471 cc water-cooled, inline-twin engine with tremendous abilities of producing smooth power output and ensuring a highly agile performance.
The installation of a parallel-twin power plant has helped shed off a noticeable amount of weight and together with the slim profile, the Honda Rebel 500 becomes a very fun-to-ride motorcycle. The 471 cc engine is capable of generating reasonably commanding power figures. With 46.9 hp of horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 43 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, this bike performs exceptionally well as an urban commuter and highway cruiser. The Rebel 500 can touch a top speed mark of around 105 mph when you open the full throttle on an empty road.
The 471 cc engine may not sound big but on a motorcycle like the Rebel 500, it exhibits a lively performance, making riders extremely happy and satisfied. The Rebel 500 encompasses a bulletproof engine technology that lasts longer and gives riders the freedom to ride without being worried about repetitive maintenance cycles and repairs.
The ride quality offered by the Rebel 500 is more than satisfactory as you expect from it. You do not feel irritatingly shaky even if you ride at highway speeds. Doesn’t matter even if you are a beginner or skilled, you will love and enjoy how it performs.
One thing that will amaze you while riding the Rebel 500 is the quick throttle response and the ability to accelerate at a rapid pace, making it an extremely fun motorcycle to ride.
4. Ergonomics: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
4.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500’s Ergonomics
The RE Classic 500 offers traditional-style ergonomics. Regardless of being a true classic, you should not expect the rider triangle to be extremely spacious for motorcycle touring. However, it is decent enough to be ridden in a relaxed manner. The seat on this motorcycle is 31 inches tall which is considered tall in the cruiser category. The legroom available on this bike is also not very commodious but the foot controls are forward enough for riders to not get their legs curled tightly while riding.
The old-school solo seat on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is supported on springs to make it feel less stiff on bumpy and less maintained roads. The handlebars installed on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 are also comparatively flat and only bend a little, considering it's a cruiser, making riders sit in an upright back posture. However, if you are a shorter rider, you may have to stretch your arms a little and lean a bit forward to grab the bars to avoid riding with a slouched back.
4.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Ergonomics
The ergonomics offered by the Honda Rebel 500 are competitively comfortable for relaxed urban commuting and light cruising. Regardless of its sports-inspired cruiser build, the rider triangle is decently spacious so riders do not feel cramped on this motorbike. The foot controls are mid-mounted but thanks to the seat position, the legroom still allows you to contentedly adjust your legs.
The taller front end allows a moderately high arm position, making riders sit with an upright back. If you are a shorter rider with short arm reach, you will have to sit slightly forward to make sure you confidently grab the bars with a slight bend in your elbows.
5. Handling & Maneuverability: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
5.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500’s Handling & Maneuverability
The handling on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 feels pretty perfect if you are riding this bike within its limits. It does not resist turning corners at a good speed. For riding on countryside roads and canyon carving, you will have no complaints about how well the RE Classic 500 handles and maneuvers.
5.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Handling & Maneuverability
If you have any complaints regarding the handling and ride quality of the Honda Rebel 500, you must at least once take a ride on this bike. It is one of the most perfect motorbike in terms of handling and maneuverability. What makes the Rebel 500 a highly nimble and flickable motorcycle is its low weight, slim profile, and low seat height. All these characteristics make it extremely smooth around corners. You will be impressed to see how quickly the Rebel 500 can change directions, providing riders with supreme control.
The Rebel 500 feels lighter than it is thanks to its low seat height and low center of gravity. Even if you are a beginner, you can take turns with this machine confidently without being fearful about dropping this bike as it loves staying planted and stable.
6. Suspension Setup: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
6.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500’s Suspension Setup
The suspension setup on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is extremely basic like most of the other components on this bike. There is a 35 mm telescopic front fork with 5.12 inches wheel travel and traditional twin gas-charged shocks with 3.15 inches wheel travel, offering little to no support when the rider experiences a bump or pothole. The ride is only better on smooth and paved roads and as soon as you hit a rough area, it will cause you and the whole machinery to bounce, and even the springs below the seat will not be able to help you.
6.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Suspension Setup
The suspension equipment installed on the Honda Rebel 500 is also quite basic but it performs somehow better than the Royal Enfield Classic 500. It carries a 41 mm front fork with no adjustability and 5.5 inches of wheel travel. Whereas, there are dual exterior rear shocks with 3.7 inches of wheel travel.
Though there is nothing exceptional about the Rebel 500’s suspension setup, it still justifies the price tag and performs considerably better. The ride quality is adequately plush on paved roads and it also makes riding on the bumps sufficiently smooth.
7. Gear Shifting & Clutch Pull Action: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
7.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500’s Gear Shifting & Clutch Pull Action
The clutch feels as outdated and old-school as the Royal Enfield Classic 500 looks. It gives you the feeling that you are riding an old machine. Meanwhile, the gear shifting doesn’t seem to be stiff and difficult. You can easily shift between gears without messing up with cogs in the gearbox. However, being a low-powered and slow motorcycle with a five-speed gearbox, it can be hard sometimes to find the right gear that matches the speed. Also, there is no gear indicator so you must keep a count in your mind.
7.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Gear Shifting & Clutch Pull Action
One of the most admirable features of the Honda Rebel 500 which makes it one of the easiest-to-ride affordable motorcycles is its slipper & assist clutch, ensuring a butter-smooth gear shifting and clutch pull action. The clutch feels extremely soft to pull and can be engaged with even a single finger. The smooth gear shifting and clutch operations make it ideal for beginners.
8. Cruising Vs Urban Commuting: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
8.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500: Cruising Vs Urban Commuting
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 can be your stylish ride partner for urban commutes and daily use only if you are not expecting anything plusher, comfortable, and practical. It is a slow and underpowered motorcycle and if you can tolerate the wobbles and vibrations traveling throughout your body, you can take it on highways.
Considering the rattling it offers at high speeds, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is not engineered well for cruising at all. The vibrations become speed wobbles when you are riding this bike at above 80 mph. It can turn into a nightmare if you take this old-school machine to a highway. You will not be able to ride this motorcycle for more than 15 minutes.
8.2 Honda Rebel 500: Cruising Vs Urban Commuting
Compared with the Royal Enfield Classic 500, the Honda Rebel 500 is a way better option for all types of riding, including urban commuting, daily use, and highway cruising. The Rebel platform is well-known for being the best urban commuter. The Rebel 500 is big and powerful enough to comfortably cruise on highways without the engine becoming asthmatic.
9. Fuel Economy: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
9.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500: Fuel Economy
The straightforwardness and base-level performance of the Royal Enfield Classic 500 may be a down point for most young riders. However, the only best thing that comes with its extremely uncomplicated build is its superior fuel economy of above 85 mpg thanks to the Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), one of the very few modern equipment installed on this bike. The 3.5 gal fuel tank capacity of the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is bigger than the Rebel 500.
Faulty Fuel Light Indicator
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is simple enough not to have a fuel level bar or indicator. It only features a fuel warning light indicator which sometimes gives a false indication by turning on when you accelerate rapidly, lean to turn a corner, or apply sudden brakes as the fuel splashes vigorously inside the gas tank.
9.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Fuel Economy
In the modern bike category with sporty design and unique characteristics, the Honda Rebel 500 offers one of the best fuel mileage in the 500 cc category. For a motorcycle with great performance capabilities, quick throttle response, and unmatched agility, a claimed fuel economy of 67 mpg is more than enough thanks to the programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI). Though it is not as superior as the fuel mileage provided by the Royal Enfield Classic 500, it is still very substantial considering the compromises in almost every other performance department made in the RE Classic 500.
10. Instrument Panel: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
10.1 Royal Enfield Classic 500’s Instrument Panel
The instrument panel on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is one of the simplest pieces of equipment you can find on a motorcycle. The panel is installed right on top of the triple clamp where it meets the headlamp binnacle. The main round dial displays an analog speedometer and odometer, and that is it. The other small dial on the right has light indicators, including a low fuel level warning light, an engine warning, and an ABS light.
The speedometer is only accurate while riding at low speeds. As you continue to open the throttle, the needle starts shaking excessively, indicating the wrong speed on the meter.
10.2 Honda Rebel 500’s Instrument Panel
If there is one thing that you may dislike about the Honda Rebel 500 is its small instrument panel size which makes it difficult to read the information sometimes, especially when riding under the sun. The company has utilized only around 60% of the space on the round dial gauge for display. The digital display is also quite basic, displaying only the speedometer, gear position indicator, clock, trip meter, and fuel level indicator. There is no tachometer installed on the Rebel 500 which is considered as one of the disadvantages.
11. Pros & Cons: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
11.1 Pros & Cons: Royal Enfield Classic 500
Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pros |
Royal Enfield Classic 500 Cons |
---|---|
Extremely classic motorbike |
Several poor-quality parts |
Very affordable |
Extremely basic build |
Head-turning design and appeal |
Not suitable for highway cruising |
Standard ABS and EFI |
Base-level performance |
Handles well |
Vibrates excessively |
Easy to ride |
Very basic instrument gauge |
Looks antique |
Ride quality is not good |
11.2 Pros & Cons: Honda Rebel 500
Honda Rebel 500 Pros |
Honda Rebel 500 Cons |
---|---|
Reasonably powerful |
Not a perfect bike for touring |
Handles and maneuvers smoothly |
ABS is optional |
Quick throttle response |
Basic suspension setup |
Accelerates smoothly |
Very basic tech package |
Low seat height |
Less-cushioned solo rider seat |
Lightweight |
Not an ideal motorbike for two-up riding |
Feels more light when you are riding this bike | |
Affordable |
Slightly uncomfortable for taller riders |
Very reliable engine technology | |
Highly flickable |
Faulty speedometer |
Unorthodox sports-style cruiser styling | |
Attractive fat tires |
No tachometer |
Ideal urban commuter |
12. Color Options: Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500
2024 Honda Rebel 500 Color Options | ||
---|---|---|
Color Options |
Model |
Availability |
Pearl Black |
Available for ABS & Non-ABS Trims |
|
Matte Laurel Green Metallic |
Available for ABS & Non-ABS Trims |
|
Pearl Smokey Gray |
Only Available for ABS SE Variant |
Royal Enfield Classic 500 Color Options | |
---|---|
Color Options |
Model |
Black |
|
Desert Storm |
|
Stealth Black |
|
Chrome Black |
|
Chrome Graphite |
|
Gunmetal Grey |
|
Squadron Blue |
|
Chrome Green |
|
Battle Green |
13. Honda Rebel 500 Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500: Which is Better?
The juxtaposition of the Honda Rebel 500 and the Royal Enfield Classic 500 somehow seems a little less practical as both motorbikes belong to two different worlds. The intent behind manufacturing these motorcycles completely differs and so is the targeted market. The Rebel 500 is a modern-day bike with trendy styling components and contemporary performance. It would be true to say that the Rebel 500 is one of the finest motorcycles produced in recent times in terms of uncomplicated build, user-friendliness, practical performance, dependability, and being economical.
On the contrary, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is an outdated motorbike manufactured in the 21st century with looks that resemble the post-war era. It doesn’t only look like a motorcycle from the 1940s, it also performs like one with only a bare minimum of safety equipment. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is not devised to make riders feel the most comfortable and offer them the best riding experience on highways. It is to make you travel through time, back in the 1950s when vibrations produced by the motorcycle engine were directly felt at the handlebars, traveling through your arms to your backbone, to the point where your teeth start to rattle. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is not the type of motorcycle a rider will be keen to buy, especially if he is a practical buyer and prefers a realistic and modern performance. It is a type of motorcycle a true motorcyclist would love to have in his garage as a part of his unique bike collection.
14. Modifications & Luggage Options
Another in-demand quality both these motorbikes possess is their ability to be styled and modified as per the users’ preferences. At Viking Bags, we provide easy and low-cost solutions to not only improve the motorcycle’s aesthetics but also the luggage-carrying capability and your riding style.
We have the most desirable motorcycle luggage product at our online store, called the saddlebags, specially made to fit on your Rebel 500. To ensure a more relaxing riding experience, Viking Bags also make tailor-made sissy bars for your Rebel 500 and Rebel 500 ABS. For your passenger to restfully enjoy long rides, you will also find backrests, specially made for Honda motorcycles.
There are dozens of other cruiser luggage bag products offered by Viking Bags to carry useful stuff on motorcycle trips, these include seat luggage bags, tail bags, tour bags, backpacks, tank bags & pouches, and sissy bar bags.
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