Will Honda Rebel 500 launch in India?

The latest Honda Rebel 500 sold internationally made its world premiere at the EICMA 2019. This year, however, the EICMA 2020 was cancelled due to COVID, thus reducing many new launches. The Honda Rebel 500 mentioned earlier may make an appearance in the Indian market very soon.

Price and Competition

Jumping straight to the price of the bike, the Honda Rebel 500 will be brought to India via the CKD route. Rumours indicate the price of the bike to be around Rs.4.50 lakh in India. The bike will directly compete with the Royal Enfield in the classic/cruiser segment. If the bike becomes fairly popular, Honda may think about localising it for reducing the price and increasing the appeal

Engine and Performance

As the name suggests, the Honda Rebel 500 comes with a BS6 compliant 471cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine. You also get features like gearbox assist and slipper clutch with the bike. Expected performance figures about Honda Rebel 500 India mentioned below. 

Styling and Colour options

The Honda Rebel 500 comes with the classic/cruiser look which is becoming fairly popular nowadays. The bike has been built on a steel diamond frame and comes with a bobber look.  You get blacked-out alloy wheels, and fully digital instrument cluster.

Major highlights include rounded headlamps, circular rearview mirrors, LED headlamp/taillamp/turn indicators, and split seats. The styling looks minimalistic yet stunning.

Colour options in the international market include Matte Armoured Silver, Matte Blue Jeans and Graphite Black.  Metallic colour choices also present. 

Safety and Suspension

The Honda Rebel 500 comes with telescopic front forks upfront. Showa’s twin-shock absorbers work on the rear of the bike.

Honda has paid adequate attention to the safety aspect of the bike too.  The Honda Rebel 500 comes with disc brakes on the front and the rear wheels. You also get dual-channel ABS for better braking efficiency.

What does the company have to say?

Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda said, “For many riders who have grown up through the digital age, motorcycles represent a lifestyle and an attitude, a means of expressing their individuality, The machines that speak to these riders need to reflect this, to fit with their life while also offering the potential for further individualisation. The Rebel 500 and Rebel 300 are simple and raw, offering cutting-edge style and a radical image while minimising the barriers to riding. There’s literally nothing else out there like them, and we’re confident that both models will appeal to young riders who want to stand out and are open to new experiences.”

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