[Honda Rebel News]

Maybe you’re still undecided about the 2017 Honda Rebel and have a few questions about its handling, ergonomics and maybe even how the paint looks under a certain light. Lanesplitter editor Andrew P Collins, was lent one for a week long test ride and he’s ready to find the answers to these pressing questions and more.

Not really a cruiser or an upright Universal Japanese Motorcycle, and it definitely isn’t a sport bike. This bobber-style fun on two wheels has a 471cc parallel-twin engine with plenty of bite, especially around middle and upper-rpms.

His initial impressions after a 10-mile trip from Honda’s headquarters in Torrance, California to Jalopnik’s office in LA is mostly positive. The Rebel felt low, smooth, light and pretty responsive even if it was a bit top-heavy. Shifting gears was satisfying, especially when you hear that telltale “Ca-*****” every time.

Its compact body and light weight makes it easy to maneuver around parking lots whilst offering enough road hugging weight for confident riding on city streets and freeways. New riders will need little time to get comfortable with the Rebel’s size.

One gripe he does have with the new Honda Rebel is its horn and blinker button placements. Flipped from his regular ride, Collins was prone to sounding the horn instead of signaling when changing lanes. But this can be overlooked because the Rebel only starts at $6,000 each.

This is just from his first day of riding. What other features of the 2017 Honda Rebel are you curious about?

 

[speedandstyle]

The horn button move seems to be the way Honda is doing all their new bikes{or at least many of them}. Seen this same complaint on the CB models, the NC700 and several others.

 

[Jet noise]

How do you tell the difference in the ABS vs Non-ABS just by looking at the bike? Is there a different caliper or something?

 

[fred0666]

How do you tell the difference in the ABS vs Non-ABS just by looking at the bike? Is there a different caliper or something?

Without ABS :

With ABS :

Check around the axe of the wheel.
The second one as one more wire and a small wheel over the disc. This is part of ABSystem.
The small "railroad" wheel is used by sensors to check the wheel speed.

 

[Jet noise]

Without ABS :

With ABS :

Check around the axe of the wheel.
The second one as one more wire and a small wheel over the disc. This is part of ABSystem.
The small "railroad" wheel is used by sensors to check the wheel speed.

Fantastic, thanks!

 

[01-7700]

Without ABS :

With ABS :

Check around the axe of the wheel.
The second one as one more wire and a small wheel over the disc. This is part of ABSystem.
The small "railroad" wheel is used by sensors to check the wheel speed.

The photographer has OCD - both bikes are positioned with rims at the same spot relative to the forks and frame. I'm curious why you can't see the chain on the second pic but you can on the first. Look through the frame above the exhaust. One is filled in the other not. Why?

 

[fred0666]

You should :

or you should not :

By the way, this is exactly the same difference, the upper picture being a non ABS model.

I assume the ABS central system is placed at this exact location?

 

[01-7700]

makes sense - thanks Fred

 

[CueBaller]

How do you tell the difference in the ABS vs Non-ABS just by looking at the bike? Is there a different caliper or something?

In addition to the reply above, here in the US ABS models are only sold in black. So if you see a new Rebel on the streets (or in a showroom) that's not black, it's not equipped with ABS.

 

[fred0666]

In addition to the reply above, here in the US ABS models are only sold in black. So if you see a new Rebel on the streets (or in a showroom) that's not black, it's not equipped with ABS.

That's the easiest way.
But why make it easy if it can be complicated?
By the way, when I searched to non ABS pictures, I typed "Honda rebel 500 yellow" to be sure...

 

[Jet noise]

In addition to the reply above, here in the US ABS models are only sold in black. So if you see a new Rebel on the streets (or in a showroom) that's not black, it's not equipped with ABS.

True, but black is also available in non-ABS. So I want to be able to look at a black one and know if it's abs or not...

 

[01-7700]

In addition to the reply above, here in the US ABS models are only sold in black. So if you see a new Rebel on the streets (or in a showroom) that's not black, it's not equipped with ABS.

So if it's black, it must have ABS? Is that also true?

 

[shortyg83]

So if it's black, it must have ABS? Is that also true?

No black can be ABS or non ABS. I also wouldn't use the color to determine if it has ABS because it is very likely people will be changing bike colors via paint/vinyl or simply replacing the tank.

 

[speedandstyle]

No black can be ABS or non ABS. I also wouldn't use the color to determine if it has ABS because it is very likely people will be changing bike colors via paint/vinyl or simply replacing the tank.

I know I will! All black is street camouflage and I want to be seen but others. I can attest that all black vehicles are hard to see. I almost turned in front of an Audi that somebody had wrapped/dipped in all flat black. The only thing that wasn't were the amber turn lenses which I saw at the last second.

 

[jsonder]

How do you tell the difference in the ABS vs Non-ABS just by looking at the bike? Is there a different caliper or something?

There is a second ring just inside of the brake rotor that is used to measure/sense the wheels rotation rate. If rotation is stopped, and the bike is moving, that wheel is "locked" by the brakes and the ABS releases it.

 

[Cazbiker]

Screen for 500 Rebel

Hi just bought my cmx Honda 500 and love it but think I will need a screen as when riding on motorway as lots of wind on me. Does anyone know where I can buy a screen in England. Thanks

 

[Ragabob]

Probably wrong place for this but one of my rubber side tank pads (honda brand) has peeled off. Any advice how to restick it without damaging the paint. Double sided tape maybe?

 

[bajonett]

Probably wrong place for this but one of my rubber side tank pads (honda brand) has peeled off. Any advice how to restick it without damaging the paint. Double sided tape maybe?

Maybe im wrong but i think you can use any db side tape as most can be removed with wd40 which i think is safe to use on the tank paint

 

[Lyoko]

Probably wrong place for this but one of my rubber side tank pads (honda brand) has peeled off. Any advice how to restick it without damaging the paint. Double sided tape maybe?

Yeah it's a common complaint about them.
Just clean it up (both the rubber bit and the tank) and apply some good double sided tape. I believe M3 has one that will withstand just about anything.