[petegilbride]

OK I know this is probably a silly question here and I am not sure if anyone else asked it yet...but...
Is there ANY way to upgrade from the 300 to the 500? Money was tight a few months ago when I got my 300 and I had the itch to buy another one to replace my 2005 Rebel 250. Anyone know if Honda will make an upgrade available at some point?
I know the smart @sses here will say, "just sell it and buy a 500." That is ridiculous since I will never get back what I laid out already for the 300; so please refrain. I am looking for serious options here.

-P

 

[CueBaller]

Pretty sure the engine mounts would be completely different.

And truth about losing money on a trade in, but that's exactly why I opted for the 500 after reading initial reviews of the 300.

It sucks, but trading up would be your best bet.

 

[dollarbill181]

Since the frames are identical, just the engine mounts are different, I think it's only a matter of time until a company comes out with a kit to do the swap.
Till then I say just ride the **** out of the 300.

 

[01-7700]

The frame comparison

 

[Saint]

Definitely a fair bit of differences there in the mounting. I would think you'd be out more money if you were to spring and buy the 500 and get all this fab done though no?

 

[shortyg83]

Well here is the deal, the bikes are not completely the same.
1. As already stated the engine mounts are completely different.
2. They use different throttle bodies so you would be purchasing that as well.
3. They use different front and rear sprockets so you would be buying those.
4. The header pipes before the muffler are different so another purchase.
5. The air boxes are different so would need to replace the air cleaner box and hoses and connections.
6. Air injection tubes are different.
7. They have different altenator/stator systems.
8. They have different clutches.
9. They have different fuel pumps.
10. They have different starters.
11. Wiring harness is different.

That is the list of some items not counting the engine. You will end up being several thousand in to do the swap.

 

[macjosh1]

Well here is the deal, the bikes are not completely the same.
1. As already stated the engine mounts are completely different.
2. They use different throttle bodies so you would be purchasing that as well.
3. They use different front and rear sprockets so you would be buying those.
4. The header pipes before the muffler are different so another purchase.
5. The air boxes are different so would need to replace the air cleaner box and hoses and connections.
6. Air injection tubes are different.
7. They have different altenator/stator systems.
8. They have different clutches.
9. They have different fuel pumps.
10. They have different starters.
11. Wiring harness is different.

That is the list of some items not counting the engine. You will end up being several thousand in to do the swap.

these bikes are not expensive bikes. like me I bought the 300 and now wish for something bigger, at least a 750cc. am I gonna go out right now after 3 months and spend more money, loose money to get another bike??? well, if I had the money to throw away sure. I don't. I saved up for over a year to get the 300cc. maybe I jumped the gun and maybe I could of waited and got like a v-star which in comparison of the 500cc, would of been a better way to go. I got the 300cc, I am stuck with it, so I may as well enjoy it. As a new rider should. I save again, and buy a bigger bike down the road. no sweat. lol.

 

[shortyg83]

these bikes are not expensive bikes. like me I bought the 300 and now wish for something bigger, at least a 750cc. am I gonna go out right now after 3 months and spend more money, loose money to get another bike??? well, if I had the money to throw away sure. I don't. I saved up for over a year to get the 300cc. maybe I jumped the gun and maybe I could of waited and got like a v-star which in comparison of the 500cc, would of been a better way to go. I got the 300cc, I am stuck with it, so I may as well enjoy it. As a new rider should. I save again, and buy a bigger bike down the road. no sweat. lol.

I wouldn't say the V-star is a better bike. It is a bigger bike. If you were say talking about the 650 for example. You would be talking about a bike that weighs about 150lbs more than your bike. Compare it to the Rebel 500 and it weighs 100lbs more than the Rebel while having 5 less horsepower and barely higher torque.

Yes there are more powerful bikes. But the weight difference would probably make you regret buying most of them.

 

[Djdavies]

these bikes are not expensive bikes. like me I bought the 300 and now wish for something bigger, at least a 750cc. am I gonna go out right now after 3 months and spend more money, loose money to get another bike??? well, if I had the money to throw away sure. I don't. I saved up for over a year to get the 300cc. maybe I jumped the gun and maybe I could of waited and got like a v-star which in comparison of the 500cc, would of been a better way to go. I got the 300cc, I am stuck with it, so I may as well enjoy it. As a new rider should. I save again, and buy a bigger bike down the road. no sweat. lol.

You should actually be in a decent position to sell your 300 and recoup much of your $$. The longer you wait, not so much, especially when they announce the 2018 in 3 months. Arrghhh!!

 

[Vince.Mendoza]

Bud, I had had the same exact question but it was while still deciding. The guy a the Honda dealer said it is definitely possible but it may cost more money than just swapping to a 500. That could have been part of a selling pitch but I am sure I made the right choice. I know you don't want to hear this but the easiest and possibly best cost effective thing to do here is to sell it and get a 500.

 

[Mondingo]

OK I know this is probably a silly question here and I am not sure if anyone else asked it yet...but...
Is there ANY way to upgrade from the 300 to the 500? Money was tight a few months ago when I got my 300 and I had the itch to buy another one to replace my 2005 Rebel 250. Anyone know if Honda will make an upgrade available at some point?
I know the smart @sses here will say, "just sell it and buy a 500." That is ridiculous since I will never get back what I laid out already for the 300; so please refrain. I am looking for serious options here.

-P

I'm actually with you my Honda Rebel 300 was bought for me on my 50th birthday and has a lot of sentimental value. I have been looking into doing the exact same thing. And from what I gather the Flames are absolutely identical except for the swing bar motor mounts. If you find anything out about it let me know

 

[R80rt]

You would only need a few components to do this. The frame, engine, electrical system, exhaust system and fuel system should be about it. It would be cheaper to buy a 500.

 

[Robble10]

Worth asking how much an enine would be at this point, maybe?

 

[samuraiadam17]

Are the engine mounts just bolted on and removable between the 2 frames. I have a rebel 300 and a CBR500R. I wish I could put the CBR engine in the Rebel and throw the rest of the CBR in the trash.

 

[R80rt]

The frames have different part numbers, and the motor mounts are not shown to be removable parts. But if you have a hammer and a torch you can put anything anywhere, hot rodders have been doing it for years.

 

[samuraiadam17]

The frames have different part numbers, and the motor mounts are not shown to be removable parts. But if you have a hammer and a torch you can put anything anywhere, hot rodders have been doing it for years.

I have a hack saw and jb weld

 

[R80rt]

Throw in some duct tape and a pair of pliers and you've got it made!