[Rising Sun]

Has anyone notice all the haters on the look of the new Honda rebel? Maybe not everyone is a fan of bobbers... **** even the 2nd Gen Honda rebel guys think the new look is ugly! I've always thought the older look was pretty outdated and small imo. Any opinion on this matter?

 

[Jet noise]

I drive a Jeep Wrangler...every time a new redesign happens, pervious gen owners start up the hate committees on them, even though the newer ones are designed better and advance the consumer base of the vehicle. Seems to me it's the same thing with the R3. Bottom line is, who cares about the haters. Spend your money how you want, ride what you want, and be happy. I can't wait to get mine!

 

[Djdavies]

Old guys + change= hate.

 

[Rising Sun]

I drive a Jeep Wrangler...every time a new redesign happens, pervious gen owners start up the hate committees on them, even though the newer ones are designed better and advance the consumer base of the vehicle. Seems to me it's the same thing with the R3. Bottom line is, who cares about the haters. Spend your money how you want, ride what you want, and be happy. I can't wait to get mine!

True that! I'm sure inc these new rebels start hitting the streets, their popularity will increase dramatically.

 

[Saint]

The haters will always be the lesser population than the people that love it. But the haters voices are quite louder. In my opinion, if you love it, go for it. Everyone has their preferences but you'll be the one to deal with it.

 

[shortyg83]

It is a pretty radical design change from the old Rebel. I am honestly unsure why Honda kept the Rebel name. I think a lot of haters are people who hear the rebel name and are expecting a much more classic cruiser style.

I for one prefer the new look a lot more than the old one.

The second part of the haters are people who hate small bikes. They won't allow a cruiser under 800cc to be respected.
I can't stand people who only care about having a gigantic bike. I respect all bikes and riders.

 

[speedandstyle]

I was so glad to find this forum because the old Rebel forum is full of the haters. Heck I was afraid to even join and post because of that. The new Rebel breaks many old established rules , a true rebel!? Anyway, the fact that it is new and modern is why I like it.

 

[Rising Sun]

I was so glad to find this forum because the old Rebel forum is full of the haters. Heck I was afraid to even join and post because of that. The new Rebel breaks many old established rules , a true rebel!? Anyway, the fact that it is new and modern is why I like it.

yea, that was the exact reason why I joined this forum. The old rebel forum was full of haters, but tbo... The people who love the new look of the rebel hates the look of the old lol. So I guess it goes both ways

 

[pushit]

I have noticed. It's almost an even split, you either love it / hate it.
It seems Honda's demographic for this thing is the younger crowd which seems more welcoming to the design. Lot's of hate seems to be coming from the greybeards.

 

[Shadow Shack]

You'll find most of the "hate" stems from Honda slapping a name with 30+ years of heritage onto a new model that is completely unrelated in anyway to that heritage. Putting it modestly, it would be akin to VW belting out a minivan and calling it "Beetle". Had they called it anything else --- "Bruiser", "Outlaw", "CB300C/CB500C", whatever else that isn't "Rebel" --- then whatever other petty issues being held in contempt would quickly fall to the sidelines.

 

[johny reb]

I think they should have given it a new name. CB500C (for Cruiser) maybe.
It's got essentially the same motor (tuned differently) as the CBR500R, CB500X and CB500F. It would have made perfect sense.

When a bike with a 30 year run is dumped for another that has little to nothing in common with it, and then given the same name, they've got to expect some negative reactions.

I think it looks a little odd myself, but I still kind of like the looks of it.
The tank seems like an afterthought. Like they designed the rest of the bike and then said 'Oh man - we forgot the tank. Better put something on there'.
The tires are a bit squat and fat and look a little too big for the rest of the bike. But that seems to be a popular style nowadays.
I think it would have looked better with larger diameter, and narrower tires.

Funny thing about Honda though - even their cars. A lot of stuff looks a little strange when it first comes out, and then seems to grow on you and make more sense after it's been out for a while. I guess we'll know if the new Rebel is like that after a good amount of time.

.

 

[Shadow Shack]

You'll find most of the "hate" stems from Honda slapping a name with 30+ years of heritage onto a new model that is completely unrelated in anyway to that heritage. Putting it modestly, it would be akin to VW belting out a minivan and calling it "Beetle". Had they called it anything else --- "Bruiser", "Outlaw", "CB300C/CB500C", whatever else that isn't "Rebel" --- then whatever other petty issues being held in contempt would quickly fall to the sidelines.

Part Two --- my other nit to pick.

First and foremost is not a 300/500 issue, not a Honda issue, but a trend issue: the everything-matte-black trend. Harley started this with their Dark Customs in the 90's and I wish they hadn't, it's gotten to be almost as old as the gangsta pants below the azz trend. I'm a fan of chrome, I won't be shy about that...but it's truly sinful that the OEMs and aftermarket alike price powder coated black items the same as or more than chrome, more so considering just how economical powder coating is versus chrome plating. I could even swallow the powder coating if they just added a little more COLOR to the bikes..you know, beyond JUST THE TANK. It's a half baked attempt with MS Paint but look what a difference this does, and it costs NOTHING more than powder coating the same bits in black (and offering the same treatment on not just the tank but also the fenders, rims, and engine casings):

 

[shortyg83]

Part Two --- my other nit to pick.

First and foremost is not a 300/500 issue, not a Honda issue, but a trend issue: the everything-matte-black trend. Harley started this with their Dark Customs in the 90's and I wish they hadn't, it's gotten to be almost as old as the gangsta pants below the azz trend. I'm a fan of chrome, I won't be shy about that...but it's truly sinful that the OEMs and aftermarket alike price powder coated black items the same as or more than chrome, more so considering just how economical powder coating is versus chrome plating. I could even swallow the powder coating if they just added a little more COLOR to the bikes..you know, beyond JUST THE TANK. It's a half baked attempt with MS Paint but look what a difference this does, and it costs NOTHING more than powder coating the same bits in black (and offering the same treatment on not just the tank but also the fenders, rims, and engine casings):

But now instead of looking like a harley, you made it a Ducati.

 

[Shadow Shack]

Ducati hasn't cornered the market on color matched frames, there have been a wide variety of OEM color matched frames in the past...while there are numerous others out there I'll set the way-back machine to 20+ years ago:

1987 Honda Rebel

1988-89 & 92 VT600 Shadows

Mid 90's 800 & 1400 Intruders:

 

[CueBaller]

The tires are a bit squat and fat and look a little too big for the rest of the bike. But that seems to be a popular style nowadays.
I think it would have looked better with larger diameter, and narrower tires.

Honestly, the fat front tire is one of the main reasons I decided to wait for the new 500, as opposed to picking up a new 2015 or 2016 for cheap (could've saved a few thousand).

My brother recently parked his 95 Dyna and bought a new Breakout, and said the larger tires made a huge difference in handling and stability (the Dyna had a very narrow front tire). Being a new rider (the new Rebel will be my first bike), I wanted something that would allow me to have more confidence while gaining experience.

I also love the look of the exposed frame... fell in love with this bike from the very first picture.

 

[Shadow Shack]

A fat front tire actually adds resistance to turning, however on a bike like the 500 the shorter rake & trail make handling easier than say, a big twin Hog with considerably more frame geometry. That said, flickability would be improved with a skinny tire.

While I've never owned a fatter front tire bike, I do admittedly covet the look and may do a conversion on one of mine someday.

 

[shortyg83]

Ducati hasn't cornered the market on color matched frames, there have been a wide variety of OEM color matched frames in the past...while there are numerous others out there I'll set the way-back machine to 20+ years ago:

1987 Honda Rebel

1988-89 & 92 VT600 Shadows

Mid 90's 800 & 1400 Intruders:

It was a joke based on you coloring a trellis frame. But ok.

 

[Rising Sun]

I personally think the Rebel name suits the bike perfectly. It might not be anything related to the "heritage" of the older Rebels, but to be honest, the old Rebel was far from rebellious the name was meant for lol. What both generation models have in similarity is that they appeal to new riders. Nowadays, new riders = young riders. Make sense for Honda to change the new look for the current trend.

 

[johny reb]

About the 'blacked out' look. I like it.
And for someone who wants a color matched frame, they can get the the black version.
I think the red frame looks horrible.

But personalizing the looks of a bike is an individual thing.
I think some pin striping, or other color design work on the tank and fenders would be sufficient.
Not from the factory though.
Then they'd all look the same, and it wouldn't really be a person's individual touch to the look.

 

[rebelwac]

Around the motorcycling world, everyone knows that a "Rebel" is Honda's fun and simple entry level starter bike that's cool enough for young and old alike. It's still that same bike (and more) and I think it's smart to keep the name. People who don't like it won't buy it no matter what it's called.