While it might not be the most effective head-turner in motorcycling, the Honda Rebel 500 has proven to be a fantastic urban cruiser that’s agile around town and powered by a DOHC parallel-twin motor that can easily handle freeway speeds. Rather than tart up the Rebel 500 to make it more attention-grabbing, the 2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE opts for a darker look, which gives it a bit of visual urban cred to go along with its riding capability.
The SE version of the Rebel 500 gets black headlight cowling, black fork gaiters, black fork tube covers between the triple clamps, a contrasting brown diamond-stitch seat, and an exclusive Titanium Metallic paint job. All these changes combine to give the Rebel 500 a slightly more [ahem] rebellious look without significantly driving up the price. At $6,949, the SE is just $200 more than the standard Rebel 500 ABS.
The 2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE slots nicely between the novice-friendly Rebel 300 and the more powerful (and expensive) Rebel 1100. The Rebel 500 features the same DOHC parallel-twin engine seen in the CB500F standard, CBR500R sport bike, and NX500 adventure bike, but it’s retuned for more torque, making it an urban-focused cruiser.
There’s a lot to like in the city with the 2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE. The fat 16-inch tires and generous suspension travel—nearly five inches in the front and almost four inches in the rear—cushion the rider from the punishment of often-neglected streets. The SE’s brown seat has a premium look but doesn’t feel noticeably different while riding. While the ride is far from plush, the edges are rounded off, providing an authentic feel.
With the fork angling out at 30 degrees and the large tire contact patch, the ride is steady. The Rebel 500 avoids being clumsy despite its 416-pound curb weight. With a comfortably narrow handlebar and low-rise mirrors, the Rebel 500 is easy to maneuver through traffic and slide to the front of the line at red lights in California. Once there, a casual twist of the throttle is all it takes to leave cars in the rearview mirrors.
Riding the urban canyons of Los Angeles is pure pleasure on the 2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE. The canyons are tight, so brute torque isn’t particularly usable here. The 471cc twin has enough low-rpm pull to get the job done without being fatiguing. The handling is predictable, so there won’t be any surprises. Again, the fat Dunlop D404 tires add stability while offering all the traction needed before you consume the moderate cornering clearance.
Nissan hydraulic brake calipers with discs (296mm front and 240mm rear) provide the needed braking force for the riding you’ll do on the Rebel 500. ABS is there to step in when it rains or the road is dirty. Otherwise, any invocation of the ABS will be infrequent.
Similar to the Honda Rebel 300, the 500 benefits from the added acceleration of its larger displacement engine. That means you don’t have to work the throttle hard in traffic, and keeping up with the flow on urban freeways is never in question. Rather than just being freeway-capable, as the 300 is, the 500 has power in reserve at highway speeds should you need a boost to overtake or avoid an uncomfortable interaction with an automobile. The headlight cowling on the SE is a nice touch from a styling perspective, but don’t expect it to cut the wind blast at speed.
The SE upgrades are more about pride of ownership than turning heads while riding through town. The 2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE is a practical bike that looks good as it does its business relatively undercover. The Titanium Metallic paint looks classy rather than showy.
The switchgear facilitates intuitive use, though the round LCD dash could be easier to read in bright sunlight. The display shows the speed and gear position more prominently, which you want to see. The key is down near the motor between frame tubes on the left side of the Rebel 500—a classic touch.
The 2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE is an easy motorcycle to like. Larger new riders will flock to it rather than the lower-powered 300, and the weight of the twin won’t be intimidating thanks to the low seat height. It’s a great way to get through town unobtrusively while offering a satisfying dose of style for those who take a second look. With a list price under $7k, you get a lot of functionality, indisputable reliability, and the undeniable reflected glory of riding a motorcycle that doesn’t look or feel cheap.
Photography by Kelly Callan
RIDING STYLE
2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 471cc
- Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 66.8mm
- Compression ratio: 10.7:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Fueling: EFI w/ 34mm throttle bodies
- Transmission: Six-speed
- Final drive: O-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable 41mm fork; 4.8 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable shocks; 3.8 inches
- Tires: Dunlop D404
- Front tire: 130/90 x 16
- Rear tire: 150/80 x 16
- Front brake: 296mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.7 inches
- Rake: 28.0 degrees
- Fork angle: 30 degrees
- Trail: 4.3 inches
- Seat height: 27.2 inches
- Fuel capacity: 3 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 67 mpg
- Curb weight: 416 pounds
- Color: Titanium Metallic
2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE Price: $6949
