New 300 & 500 rebel

[Sam Mac_imp]

Looks like a fun around town toy or beginner bike.

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/11/18/2017-...-official/

[LongRanger_imp]

You didn't ask for opinions but I can't hold back. Ugh.

Honda, while you're at it, why not paint the tank black and call it a day. It would make these hideous monstrosities even less prominent on the street, to the benefit of anyone who has the misfortune of coming across one. Assuming anyone even buys one.

[Cormanus]

LOL. Don't hold back, LR!

[emptysea]

I think they come in black. I think it's way better looking than the current Rebel and it has disc brakes and a bit more power. I guess it's a 'to each his own' sort of thing, but seems like it could be a good bike for those just starting to ride.

[LongRanger_imp]

My comments aside, I imagine the engineering, reliability and relative performance of these bikes will do no damage to Honda's sterling reputation. I just think the styling is awful. I guess it's subjective. I'm old.

[flynrider]

I think this is good move for Honda's entry level street bikes. They sold the old Rebel and Nighthawk 250s for over 30 yrs. While popular, their big drawback was not having enough power to deal with modern freeway speeds.

I think these two new, more powerful Rebels along with the CB/CBR300 sporty models will provide something for everyone in the entry level category.

The only thing I don't care for on the Rebel is the single seat. It reduces the utility somewhat. I've always liked the option to either take a passenger or strap some gear or cargo behind me.

[Roger the shrubber_imp]

When my FJR1300 battery ran down because I left the ignition on at a dealership event, the sales manager, a friend of mine, rolled my bike into the service area and had them put it on a charger overnight.

He threw me the keys to the only demo they had on the showroom floor, a 2015 CMX250 Rebel, so I could get home. At first, I laughed and joked about how silly I was going to look on it and that I would need to draft a moving van to do the speed limit.

Wrong. That little bike managed almost 80mph on the freeway and handled my 235 lb body weight on it with no trouble at all. Impressive little bike.

Obviously, that old air cooled, carbureted twin needed updating for tighter emissions standards, so they used the existing CB300 and 500 water cooled and fuel injected engines to that effect.

Can't say much about the new bike's styling. They are truly ugly.

[Sam Mac_imp]

Looks a lot like a Harley 883 Iron to me.

[Nemo_imp]

Not pretty but, in my opinion, beat a Grom or a small scooter for in-town riding.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

This is a huge change. They are using the CB300 and CB500 engines, liquid-cooled and plenty powerful. For cruiser riders, these bikes are going to be quite nice, especially the 500.